if I had a sweeping generalisation called stupid too - I’d take it on the chin… or just keep it in my head? Faroe Islands compared to Scotland… bit of a misnomer but it just proves why stereotyping is nonsense. There’s plenty of talent in Great Britain who play outside their home nation. Also the way the UK nations are linked - you do realise that Hedges came through an academy in the English leagues at a team based in wales? Their name, nationality, cost, wages - all relatively unimportant. It’s how they play. Twas ever thus

I think he was referring to players being more aware and understanding of the individual expectations of their role. Not simply getting top grades in their GCSE’s For instance, when I played football - my role was the person who keeps the ball out of the net and boots it to the strikers head from the ground or out my hands. If id played for the same u10-u16 team now, (over in ossy, great to see them still going, and I know the manager / coach, they even have a GK coach in once a month now) I would’ve been taught slow and quick transition, organising defences on corners and free kicks, playing out from the back and positions out the box. In 1996, If the same manager had seen me stood ten yards outside my box like Tommy K - would’ve been hammered from the touch line 😂 The game has changed.

Again - it’s such a stupid idea to completely write off a nation because of your view of its level of quality. You’re free to that opinion, and I’m free to point out how bloody stupid it is.

Such a stupid response. Remember when we just missed out on Mcginn from Hibernian? Well, considering the “state of the league”, he helped fire villa up and now will end up going to United for 50m+

First time a year 7 explained what a “fortnite battle pass” was, I couldn’t believe the idiocy of those paying for them, and the genius of selling them. Loot boxes in fifa / cod etc - all extreme money spinners and modern ways to make money. Skins with game brands won’t work IMO, it would only have pull locally (as our name isn’t Barcelona / PSG / Man City) and can’t see brands like FN, Fifa etc bothering due to limited appeal. Where this potentially could work- make some printed products or .jpg that can be individualised. You know like those fifa cards people make their own? Be easy to sell digitally (and printed on card in club shop) and probably more likely appreciated by a teenage gamer. Half the time with sales - it’s just getting the people online or inside and spending. Like mentioned in the video - where are the 🇨🇱 shirts in the club shop?

A very enjoyable discussion. Great to hear talk about SW that isn’t just banal name calling or sweeping generalisations. I would give him a C @Herbie6590 - for similar reasons to Glenn. I feel he’s done ok in some ways but could’ve been far better. (and far worse) Couple of key points; if the deal to sell Dack was signed and only stopped by his first injury, that probably impacted a lot of planning with investment in team.(notably contracts) Throw in covid, and his initial task of funding a rebuild after 1 year of league one money - we've not done too shabbily with limited resources. The squad looks (and is performing) great, albeit with an unsettling, nagging, contract scenario. The club is coming back from a period of demise and neglect that started well before his appointment. I feel he has made some positive decisions to try and alleviate some of this, such as the generation busses. My overall main gripe with his appraisal (similar to you two and others) is this relentless “accountancy first” protocol with tickets. It doesn’t effect me because of season tickets, and I can’t complain much because I moved to JWU as a relative is unable to use stairs anymore (they let him use lift) That said - if I had or ever was a walk on ticket buying fan, I would be hardly attending these days, namely to cost. Surely there is a better way?

Definitley something that should’ve stayed in your head IMO, maybe you should’ve read more about it first? Firstly - it’s an initiative they’ve started to reconnect with certain areas that have traditionally been targeted by rovers for fans - clitheroe, Whalley and Ribble valley etc. The schools signing on, aren't specifically “chosen” through race, despite the suggestion it’s not inclusive. Secondly - this is also organised through sponsors (moorland providing busses and staff) and groups who approach the community group. There lots of asian youth groups in Blackburn, that demographic isn’t being targeted specifically, but it’s good (in my view) to see it engaging with the club. It simply comes down to the members in that group being interested in matches. Nothing to do with “loving the attention” of the Asian community, it’s simply a project that’s designed to offer young children an opportunity to come to a game through their school or community club/hub. Regardless of background. Its easy to see that communities in our town aren’t fully represented at Ewood - whether that’s down to culture, price or interest, who knows (or cares). The important thing is, the club allows, encourages and supports anyone of the next generation, who wants to come to watch rovers. As your own family, tickets - that’s a complete individual reaction to the past, and this entire project is about encouraging young fans - not something to be dismissed through “whataboutery” aka “what you doing for me?”

Because it ruins any potential for reasonable discourse? I’m surely not alone when I close the tab down because I’ve been told I have “my head up my arse” for the umpteenth time? Daren’t share half my own views these days because it’s just not worth the hassle.

There’s no need to be patronising, you suggested the club could be sold without the facilities, I said that’s based on the assumption anyone would buy it without it’s main assets. Leave it at that

This is a pointless discussion. I didn’t say I knew, and I even described the scenario as unsettling - but carry on making my own mind up for me.

So much nastiness aimed at anyone you perceive “stupid enough” not to agree with you levels of anger. Of course many of us agree, and will likely never forget or forgive the disaster the owners caused but I can’t help be narked hearing that any discussion of potential improvements is “having your head up your asses”.

You seemingly assume my thoughts.

That consideration assumes that any sale of the club wouldn’t involve its current facilities. It’s not exactly what I’d describe as “settling”. If the club is ever going to be worth anything near what the owners paid / invested into it, they’d need at least 1 promotion and a steady season.

I don’t know enough about economics or accounting to justify really getting involved or interested in that aspect, other than the basic; If it changes, it has to be for the better. I would suggest (especially considering the team is chock full of graduates) those charged with running the club know how important it is to us. I would also suggest there may be some logic in finding somewhere with more space, thats worth far less in real estate value. Initial point about common sense was “compared to Derby, Sheff wed etc” One question id ask (and next years figures should have the answer) is “in real cash figures, just how badly did covid-19 impact the club’s money?”

Sold to a holding company that also owns the club remember. Big difference between that, and simply “selling it”. You know that.

This picture + amount of developing players we’ve got. For the bellyaching about pricing, the academy is booming,

One of the main “fortunate” scenarios we’ve had so far (touch wood) is we’ve managed to keep the defence relatively fit, or at least when one has been out, another has returned. The recruitment of Pickering and Van Hecke has also stepped this up. This will be key to sustaining those clean sheets, and I’m also quite impressed that Pears has stepped up too. Would prefer Kaminski back in ASAP though.

What you say isn’t even a simple opinion or your own version either - the manager has said many times that the only way our club (with its turnover) can compete in this division (with the teams on parachute wages) is through “polishing up” players and building the squad with the proceeds. Ofcourse there are ways around FFP, the Leicesters, the wolves, the timing.. I don’t believe those at the top of our club wish to spend “as much as it takes” or “leave no stones unturned”… but I do believe there is more common sense and pragmatic long term planning, as opposed to reading, Derby, Sheff wednesday etc

Some skill to kick a ball off the bar, purposely cannoning off the preston gobshites face into the net.

Enjoying this stage of “the journey”

The absolute priority has to be squad and contracts.

Would also add with Scott - never shuts up, and that’s a great attribute for a Centreback and future potential captain! What are the chances we will have two lads called Wharton on the team sheet in the near future.

Do you remember when the argument was “he cost 7 Million, you don’t sign for low wages with that fee…” 😂

That fact in its isolation (price) is a valid one that I agree with, however I think it’s been a difficult scenario to manage with turnover / expenditure- an area I’m not even remotely savvy or educated enough to understand. The results will always be priority. There is obviously a ceiling people will and should be asked to pay, but the higher we get, the more people will get involved. This also not wholly his or TMs remit - there’s obviously been some fantastic work over the past 5 seasons within the club, my own personal “most important” factor for improvement in attendance through winning, is the development of young players through the club. Seeing players these lads do well, like Wharton, Lenihan, Buckley, Nyambe, Travis etc - supplemented by young signings, 100% hard working players like Dolan etc - that’ll really sell our club to another generation.

Still remember Jal, Mercer et al suggesting the lad is a “dud” before that game though. Multiply those voices through Twitter / FB, the murmurs of “waste of money” in the ground, even in the first 12 months. I’d be a liar to say I am not surprised by what he’s achieved this season, but I the way he’s gained confidence so rapidly through “love” and being wanted by chile - it wouldn’t be that much of a stretch to suggest the 19 year old variety really struggled with being written off. Do you think we should cash in?