I’ve always been glass half full. Started the summer knowing Rovers would lose their main man. The only disappointment is that he’s not been replaced. I actually think the squad balance is better than last year in some ways however. For example, We had 3 main “attackers” who all probably preferred the central berth last season. This year we’ve got two potential out and out wingers. If that leaves one central position for Gally / Ben to fight it out for, the “awful decision“ signing may turn out as good planning if they continue to score. If you extrapolate their current form over the season, Ben’s getting 25+ and gally 15+. Life’s not that simple but I wouldn’t be surprised if they score 30+ between them.

Last year we had three strikers for one central and two wide berths - this season we’ve also got this guy and Poveda who seem actually wide players on the face of it. Obviously performances will dictate how we view this and other signings but I genuinely feel we’ve more balance in the forward line - albeit without adding more depth to the central position.

I can’t seem to find anything online about this season other than free agents can be registered.

I guess it’s words like apologist that bring up old arguments. I think most people would respect others choices really but you’re correct that there’s a minority that’ll blame each other. Overall though - I don’t think it’s been as bad as the general feedback here - I mean we’re banking on Gally or Diaz properly stepping up but then that’s why they cost more initially - there’s obviously a bucket load of goals in either or both… or neither, and that’s football. Like any club, we’re looking for improvement in our senior players, development of our younger talents and a slice of luck - ie a year without any season ending injuries! Hope that minor expectation and actual slight “content” doesn’t get portrayed as support for obvious overall incompetence!

Isn’t there another efl loan window until October?

Sorry mate but as soon as you start pointing fingers at fans, you’re done.

Sam Gallagher 2 in 5 Ben Brererton 3 in 5 x9 = playoffs 😂

I would call going into a season with just one senior left full back in the squad “absolutely mental” personally I also think it’s ridiculous to come here talking about how “I’d do better”. Bit like me claiming to be a world class darter / lover, we all know I’m merely an expert of those things, no need to be big headed…. I never said anything about Mowbrays record, If you want to, go get involved in scouting but posting on a forum about what you’re capable of in a multimillion industry is funny in my book. Especially “you’d do better” without seeing them play. Especially ignoring they’ve been reported to play further forward and in the centre also Especially ignoring that we’ve literally one “senior” left back in the club who has 5 appearances at this level!

I don’t remember saying any of that but carry on

Maybe they don’t say exactly what they’re doing in interviews? Or give off “skint” vibes for agents / other clubs?

16 players on 10k per week after tax works out around 8 million per season? I assume we’ve many in our squad well below and a few like Ayala and Kaminski well above. Now assuming (I’m no tax expert) it’s around 40/50% tax rate, before you’ve even took into account staff / youth system etc… already 5m above a turnover of 11m? If maintenance/ fixed costs are in the millions too, I don’t think it’s that difficult to add up? Yes we’ve cut loads this summer, and I think this may have been closer to the bone than expected due to Covid. Add in 10m after the Armstrong percentage to Newcastle, with the wage cuts - do you think that will mean the finances 21-22 end up being a positive for the first time in the Rao’s ownership? Don’t disagree on the planning aspect but then the way the window system works, there is a queue for certain players, especially if you’re fishing in the premier league loan pond. As you can see below, the top wages at this level drag the average way up, particularly for top talent - mind blowing!

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00053482/filing-history I accidentally cropped the picture badly and can’t be bothered changing but the top figure is millions turnover and the bottom figure is wages alone That’s before any other operating expenses, which btw for 19-20 came to nearly 9m giving us a 20m shortfall.

Thanks for the correction / Danny Graham been telling me porkies on the radio.

Poveda is in the middle ? (According to Radio Lancs anyway)

He has had 4 hamstring injuries in the last twelve months so I guess it’s not that surprising

To add something to the loan discussion- these are our loans over last ten years. Bold are players we’ve ended up signing on permanent, underlined is players who’ve done well. 2021/22 - Poveda, Clarkson 2020/21- Harwood Bellis, Branthwaite, Trybull, Douglas, Elliott 2019/20- Walton, Tosin, Cunningham* injury 2018/19- Palmer, Brereton, Reed 2017/18- Payne, Armstrong 2016/17 - Emnes, Gallagher, Byrne, Samuelson, Hendrie, Hoban, Joao 2015/16- Graham, Jordi Gomez, Tony Watt, Grimes, Tom Lawrence 2014/15- Baptiste, Taylor, Spearing 2013/14 - Cairney, Gestede, Micheal Keane, Feeney 2012/13 - David Jones, Rekik, Sandomierski, Josh King, Kazim Richards, Todd Kane, Dj Campbell, Cameron Stewart, David Bentley 2011/12 - Anthony Modeste I may have missed some. Meant to add - interestingly, I’d say the two worst seasons we’ve had at this level- 2012/13 (ten loans) and then 2016/17 (seven loans)

I don’t know the rules enough to know - they seem vague at best. Some parts I’ve gleaned are about an embargo; signing new contracts of current players to a maximum of 10k a week in the championship (or within their value / squad position) , registering new players or loaning players. EFL guidance states that: "'An embargo prevents a club from strengthening its team or adding to its playing staff costs until such time as it has met its existing financial obligations and/or the club has rectified the relevant breach of EFL regulation." https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/sport/19428390.reading-fc-transfer-embargo-breaching-ffp-rules/ This was from July, I seem to recall Hull, Derby and some other teams had similar issues - ours resolved around that time seemingly (as the Hilton loan LET report said I think) https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/19399086.blackburn-rovers-transfer-embargo-explained-amid-hilton-hold-up/ So what difference has this made? Theorising, maybe stalled a load of our contract renewals, firstly due to uncertainty of covid and then the embargo earlier in the year? Put us in a position where we’re behind more clubs in wage offers this season? Im not excusing why the Rao’s negligence put us in this position but FFP is impacting a lot of clubs negatively I think - could any other team in the championship (bar parachute/relegated) sign Harry Wilson for his initial price + 50k a week, and not destroy their wage structure?

And was on loan…! 😂

He has a point that the money we’ve got “backing us” potentially should afford some creative “accounting” or finding foreign sponsors to get round the rules. Hasn’t stopped a few teams over the last few years skirting it - Watford, Leicester, Bournemouth etc

Do you realise that breaking the rules makes it easier to slide into league one? Points deductions, court battles, embargo’s? Sheffield Wednesday / Derby failed to circumvent the rules, where others have successfully got round it. Didn’t we have an embargo after Lambert left - hence selling Duffy? Didn’t that prevent or limit wages / transfer then?

Or… and I’m not trying to dismiss this point… or be facetious…. it’s because we’ve just sold a striker? Id put down our seemingly topsy turvy investment in the overall squad down to inadequate scouting, bad decisions from management and the right players being available / wanting to come. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that the owners only really take passing interest when it’s a “striker” ie key player. Also the investment across the squad, with loans preferred in certain areas seemingly - perhaps it’s impacted by what was available from the academy either now or down the line. Off the top of my head, we’ve not seemingly had many attackers come through - where as our last 5 academy years have given us plenty of defenders / midfielders. TM regularly talks about “polishing up” to sell on, If I was theorising - perhaps every player that’s coming through has an “expected sale value” attached hence why you’d not spend too much on the centre-back position with Wharton, Carter and Magliore all potentially ready or not far off.

As I’ve said plenty of times, SW / TM haven’t been good enough. You don’t need me to tell you that do you? As I’ve said plenty of times we aren’t owned by “normal” invested, thoughtful professionals who care about their money As I’ve said plenty of times, out transfer business has been hit and miss. Latching on to hits isn’t ignoring anything. Simply dismissing good signings is however Less extreme in reactions; doesn’t mean I’m happy with our current scenario, it means when someone says an OTT, I’ll thought out and extreme comment like; “this is the worst football I’ve seen for 50 years” I just remind them that they’re talking guff and point them to the facts. Don’t like it? Don’t read it.

I might change my darts name to “The Remorseless Optimist” it’s got a ring to it.

“Everything is fine” campaign is literally hilarious. Can see that in “the thick of it” style comedy, bit of post disaster slogan politics… Reality of my actual opinion is probably best summed up as less “extreme”. I can’t remember the beginning of the quoting now but I do recall it being about Raya leaving. I just think being fair that’s an area of the pitch that they’ve justified the decision- even if people manage to froth at the mouth due to Pears being A) raw as fuck and from Boro. In terms of “everything ludicrous rationally explained” that’s never difficult. Generally people who fail either don’t care, don’t try hard enough or aren’t good enough (or a mix of the lot) Whats the opposite of that? Irrationally Explained? Gladly put Mr opposites pants on with that argument.