It might sound like one of those “NMJ” things and I can understand people turning their nose up at it, but it would send a message. Is it possible to actually walk around Ewood when there’s no matchday?

I agree however I am not convinced it is as bad as some seem to suggest. The pictures you’ve posted; some leaves and moss, and a broken sign. Whilst I think this is worthy of discussion with the fan forum and SW, I wouldn’t call it one of the most pressing issues with Ewood park. My main gripe this season has been the consistently bad service at half time. It was only easier Saturday because of attendance being lower in our part of the JWU. Perhaps due to moving from riverside, (which I sat in for 25 years) I hardly see anything else of the ground these days (no need to walk round) but the concourse I go through is absolutely pristine, the toilets are immaculate, the seating area looks absolutely brand new. Ive been to a few away grounds in the last few years that are utterly terrible. Both main Sheffield clubs are owned by billionaires and their facilities are horrendous.

I’m only at C, but that was like a* compared to previous incumbents post Williams et al. I agree a lot - but have you ever watched “Sunderland till I die?” A good example of how budgets in league one really are useful but the pressure that comes with it takes expertise to handle. Equally the rebuilding process is probably a lot more difficult than we give him credit for. Think it was GE on the pod that said something like “decisions made in 2010 are still holding us back…”!

You obviously didn’t go to away games in league 1!

If he scores 19 goals every 23 games for the rest of his career he will be playing for PSG never mind England 😂

It would be interesting to find out who their agent is. I heard that Dunn has an agency which represents quite a few of our players. As for the CEO, how would JW have done long term with absent owners based 5000 miles away? He left as soon as he spotted potential issues and “conflicts of interest” at the club, and who could blame him. Perhaps he knew even he wouldn’t be able to succeed in that scenario.

I think it’s unsettling. I expect at least one to go. Similar frustration with Armstrong, if we’d managed to get him a longer term deal we could’ve kept hold or demanded more… Perhaps that’s the problem (magnified by covid, ffp, having absent owners, potentially not the best backroom staff..) These players and their agents know the best thing for them is to wait and see. I said it Saturday, perhaps the only way all three are staying is promotion. Mowbray again said the decision on sales lies with the owners. All my ire will be aimed for them if they allow big players to go this window. 15 players on that would probably incur around 5m in bonuses - based on a lot of assumptions. I may be wrong - but wasn’t the last time we had any sanctions with FFP, also the last time we got relegated? Tm has mentioned “mortgaging” the club a few times recently, but I feel the biggest concerns at Ewood are those point deductions / transfer bans

It’s not that simple though is it for example - SW inherited an absolute clusterfuck. In some ways (as we’ve discussed) I don’t think he’s done that bad.

I don’t think it’s that black and white. For example - Jack and John would’ve had our turnover in a far far better place, on the face of it…. But then if we’re languishing 15th in the championship - you could have anyone as CEO, you’re not selling tickets. That said - men of their quality would’ve never allowed us to be in that scenario, so the comparison just ends in folly. I still think it’s important to understand the different contexts though. With loss making rules, JW would’ve never even been allowed to spend what he did - why do you think clubs voted these rules in to begin with? Wasn’t about stopping clubs going bust, was about holding back teams without as many fans. That said, I bet Jack would’ve found a way round the rules.

Under Jack there was no rules about losing money. Under JW there was never a period or seasons where fans couldn’t attend. That said, I’m not giving excuses to these owners, I am aware as you are, of their (potentially criminal) incompetence and the neglect they’ve shown their “baby” (other than signing cheques)..! The point remains however. Extremely difficult time in football, and looking at the papers today - potentially more to come.

The last paragraph I can understand - but from Glenn and Herbs video, 18 months ago for best part of that time, turnover dropped to record lows due to the pandemic. I can’t see how many teams could’ve renewed with boosts during that level of uncertainty. Especially a team already literally on the wire with FFP. Those wages free’d up this summer - I think eventually end up going to better deals for players coming through our academy, but unsurprisingly probably not enough to keep all of these players. Finally - I would add that it’s not at all nailed on that 3 or 4 short contract players are leaving in January. That’s the worst case scenario.

Cheers Miller - really illustrates the difference between coming through and being signed. I’ve heard countless examples of this before in football, mainly through the UNDR the cosh podcasts. One thing I would add is that the difference between signing for a lower premier league or parachute club; If our maximum is 15/18k and the maximum yearly signing on fee could be around 10% of that contract £250000. That means the maximum a player can earn in this structure over 3 years (with no division changes) is about £3million. Whilst no paltry fee - the average wage in the division above is more than double that + signing on fee and other bonuses being double… It’s not hard to see why there are so many championship players out of contract every season. Finally I would add, there is no way the club could have the entire first team on that top wage bracket either - that would be more than double our turnover before even taking staff and/or any other squad/academy player into account.

A little bit of respect for the players would be a refreshing change, for example not referring to someone who works their arse off, has improved immensely and is only 19; As nothing but a “nice lad”.

I would imagine that’s standard for any contract below top flight.

But saying someone is “nowhere near as good as my 15 year olds” is just an opinion and not in anyway a inflammatory….!

Perhaps the best way to convince these players to commit is promotion?

I agree somewhat but I would’ve never predicted this in august, to be potentially third and well in the mix with 50% of the season gone. Way beyond my wildest imagination.

You’d take a Preston fans opinion over your own eyes? I’d rather have Travis, Rothwell, Buckley and even Davenport from what I’ve seen of Whiteman. Once more I can’t help but cringe at the thought of you telling a group of u16s, that they’re better than a Liverpool academy graduate you’ve barely seen.

This is my second attempt to respond to @Sparks Roverso will try to be more “partisan”. When you consider other things said and argued over recent years - the quite un fathomable love in for Ben Whiteman and the “I’ve got 15 year olds better than” *insert academy player name*… Slagging Dolan and Buckley, only praising two that could leave… I just don’t agree with those opinions. Compared to my own thoughts, utterly night and day.

Telling people to do something they already know they have to do, most of us have done for 18 months, with an air of superiority? Speaking down to people as if their own concerns about safety aren’t valid? Definition of patronising Chaddy. You might not like that opinion, but you aren’t going to alter it.

It really is “pinch yourself” time, if we get 3 points today

Exactly the type of preachy nonsense I’m talking about. Its as if you think you’re talking to someone who has no basic knowledge of viruses? I am aware / understand the intended message of “we have to live..” etc. I understand that people died because of it. Thats simply patronising. The sheer amount of mistakes made by those elected to take decisions to avoid deaths, is precisely why I have an issue listening to the slogans devised by the same idiots. Especially when it’s used to play down people’s fears and concerns. Let people decide if it’s safe for them.

Banging head on brick wall…! You do you, I choose for me. Preaching, patronising is “what was the point in vaccinated if we’re having repeated lockdowns” etc I personally will be going if the match is on… But the whole point I am making is I won’t judge, or tell, or advise, or suggest to anyone here or anywhere what they should do or think. That’s why I hate that stupid slogan “we have to live with the virus”… I’m sure anyone who’s lost one of the 125,000+ would’ve loved them to live through it. Needless, preachy bollox

No, that figure is from the podcast with Herbie and Glenn entwistle from 2017-21 I imagine during the covid closures, it was probably way higher for those short times, however the main income is ST and TV and that wasn’t impacted in the first season of closures (back of 19/20), but has been impacted since (2500 in 20/21) and this year (2500 reduced tickets) with people out of the habit or switched off a mid table finish. I don’t think we “can’t afford to renew”.. I think it’s more the plans have been altered partially due to low turnover anyway (ffp) and covid uncertainty. Glenn Entwistle (I think) made a good point that renewing someone like Rothwell above the top wage earner, means you’re renewing the rest of team within 12 months. Same with Armstrong. I believe there was an upgrade, probably one to make him our top earner - but I bet that wasn’t even half his signing on fee + wages over 3 years at any premier league or parachute club. The video also mentioned Brentford as a perfect example of team with similar turnover in terms of tickets, but far, far, less overheads with academy / facilities. A team promoted, as best example as we can use that it is possible to compete with parachute payments. They did it with savvy transfer business, and selling players on for huge profits. I guess this is our best chance to move forward, and I am unsettled about the proposition of losing these players, namely our captain, for nothing. Finally, I agree, many teams in this league will be well above 100% on wages - the difference is what the 100% figure is, for example when Kean was manager first season in the championship, we had 16m upfront to play with before even took turnover into account. That’s the biggest mistake in the Rao’s ownership, and one we’re still “paying” for.

Why is it always so black and white in Chaddy world? You find me a post where someone saying “anyone who disagrees in shutting all football is dangerous?” That slogan is patronising, political point scoring and basically annoying AF