Mike E

Contrast ToMo's view on booing to Paul Hurst's. Might be something as simple as that bit of nous that gets us up.

Think VAR would be improved by limiting it's use in a similar way to tennis. Give each manager 3 challenges to ref decisions. If overturned, keep. If not, it's lost. Can only be applied to penalties or offsides or red card fouls. All VAR time must be added to the match end. Like Hawkeye, ref doesn't just use it when he fancies.

Makes yoù miss proper pundits. Wolstenholme, Clough, hell even Tony Gubba would be welcome compared to Jermaine Jenas.

I think if we were clear in 2nd without risk of falling back to third, or if we were trapped in the playoff places (can't fall out or get to 2nd), that's when we'll try younger players.

That was absolutely sublime!

A fine of one week's wage ought to do it.

So why play it at the moment fans actually DO make noise? Counterintuitive to create noise that drowns out the only noise fans may make.

I think VAR is great! It's simple, it's modern and long overdue. Personally would like to see weekly wage fines (by the FA) to any player seen hounding the ref after he's made a decision and the money donated to grassroots. Let the referee referee!

What is 20 goals in our current league under our current manager from a World Cup winner, if it's not 'proven quality'?

Rumour is he was shoved out wide there, hence we've been able to sign him.

So despite being known as a Rovers fan amongst our politicians for several years now (even before LibDem leadership), him being regularly seen at Ewood by many different people, him speaking against Venky's, him getting full marks in a Rovers quiz (including the unbelievably specific 'points below Utd' question that many of our obsessive best on here didn't know), you think he's not a Rovers fan?

Did you completely miss the 'Farron criticises Venky's' article posted above? He's no less vocal than Jack or Will Straw over the last few years. Graham Jones has been more vocal ofc, but he isn't the leader of a party. Being leader of a party means you have to dilute some of your own views to ensure you have the backing of your whole party. Look how May and Corbyn are 'presenting' more central than their respective right and left wing views. If Farron kept talking about Rovers, it'd render his political influence even lower than it is now.

You still don't know. It was 8 ?

You're the 3rd one on this page...

I think the 2 cms vs Crewe have to be Richie and Willem. After he clearly made a difference today, Tomlinson needs the chance to prove he can go 90mins in the engine room imo. With both players having good engines, good strength and tackling and able to play the simple balls wide or through Dack, they could be a great midfield.

You noticed ?

Joe Nuttall whooaa Joe Nuttall whooaa A free from Aberdeen! But he's a goal machine!

They'll probably still chant 'One Ben Toner!'

How on EARTH have I only discovered 'The Thick of It' last week? Starting series 4 now on Netflix, reckon it's genuinely the funniest TV show I've ever watched. So many quotables!

I'm impressed by the reaction (or lack of) there Paul Personally I hated the idea of tattoos on professionals but when I did my PGCE, I came across a teacher in his 40s who has a tattooed ring under his wedding ring (for PE) and he used it as a talking point with his class. I think once 'my' generation is in its 50s, tattoos will be as irrelevant to workplace capability judgements as skin colour is (or should be).

I have no problem with tattoos but am a wimp and won't get one myself. Personally don't see the fuss about them on professional people like teachers either tbh, but that's a whole other debate. Depends on context ofc.

Good stuff! Having been mod alongside K-Hod and Tom, I'm certain the site is going to be fine. You've done a great job Glenn and Ste!

Just to give folk an idea of where I'm 'at': For my first decent bike ride since I was 16, I did 5.3miles in an hour on a borrowed mountain bike, in jeans, with my massive Waitrose coat on (same as those huge Highway Maintenance coats). It was from the bottom of Pendle Way (near Wellfield Primary School), up Pendle Way, ignore the J9 double roundabout and straight down the A671 to the big Tesco at Padiham. After coming back up the A671, I turned left onto Lakeland Way to make my way back down to the bottom. Thought I'd best do a route with a good solid uphill climb to test myself straight away.

Been to Ewood Bikes and first thing that struck me is they actually listened! Recommended a Hybrid and actually steered me towards cheaper options (£440 for a Merida Speeder sounds exceptionally reasonable)! Other vitals: Pair of padded cycling shorts, front and rear lights, new helmet. I was impressed with their straight advice and not trying to oversell. I'll try out the spare bike I mentioned, but it'll certainly be Ewood Bikes I buy anything from.

I might pay a trip to Ewood Bikes this afternoon, see what they say Cheers for the advice so far o2g. Reckon I'll start with the spare road bike my gf's dad has and see if I actually like dry runs first. I think my employer DOES do the bike scheme (I'm sure I've seen it mentioned somewhere) and there are showers/changing rooms. I'll report back ?