Is this fair Hasta? I mean what constitutes a fair crack at the whip? 25 minutes when we’re a goal down or chasing a game is that a fair justification of his potential and talent? Maybe for a Danny Graham with genuine expectation and past example of producing - but not so much a raw young striker in an unfamiliar position. Also for someone supposedly without the touch or technique to be a goal scorer - I wouldn’t want to judge until he’s had a run playing upfront in the centre. Equally his goals (particularly one vs Watford) suggest there’s ample technique and an eye for goal we’ve still to see. He’s had one solid run in the team and people think he looks a different player. This to me is just pure irony.

Why is it always black and white? just because I suggest someone shouldn’t be written off without a fair chance, doesn’t mean there is no room for discussion at all? The financial aspect of Best is to show just how expensive wages and pay offs are - to show how criminally we’ve wasted millions. It makes that point that investing 7m in a 19 year old might cost you less than signing a ready made 28/29 year old for 3.5m. Also for productive input - if you search Kevin Davies BRFCS in google - most recent references to him are in this thread, most compare his price and impact - and that’s more than 20 years ago, in a league where the sponsorship money’s up by about 3000%.

I’m enamoured with Tommy K already! Remember seeing an interview with Manchester fans about Joe Hart back when Pep arrived. I was as confused as anyone to why England’s No1 at the time was so easily binned off, for a “foreign style goalkeeper”... Being a stubborn skeptic, I had thought it was a “myth”, or at least an overstatement of modern foreign keepers being so different to old fashioned English, .. Thats when I saw what TK offers! He’s effectively a Centreback when we have the ball. His kicking, throwing and general passing is good, his shot stopping (header vs Barnsley especially) is top drawer and TBH for 500k, I can’t believe nobody else spotted this guy...!

RF - he had criticism thrown at him after a handful of sub appearances in an unnatural position. That’s not demonstrating no hope to me - it’s not even having the chance to settle. Even in his second season - he had barely a chance to get up to speed. There is no need to judge players on limited minutes. 500k/5m/50m it doesn’t matter who they are or what they cost, all deserve a chance. For context too - 7m plus a standard wage over 3 / 4 years is still about 2 or 3 million less than what the Leon Best debacle cost us.

As long as we don’t offer him up for transfer, or offer him a lower wage than he’s on, and he is under 24 when his contract expires- we’d be due compensation if he left. Wouldn't be his value but can’t be walking away for free.

I meant substitute apps specifically before his first league start! Cheers 47er

Precisely why sitting on the fence is good with any young lad - not judging fleeting performances etc. It’s just one way to look at it

Do you really want me to repost some of the comments before he even started a game? Is it necessary?

Most predictable defence for anyone vociferous in past about level of the lads ability, predicting a 19 year old WOULD get better has nothing to do with “Hindsight”

Ah come on, I’ve barely looked at this place for 12 months. If it’s such a contentious idea to you, that the wider fanbase IS represented by this site, I’ll gladly concede. Still, doesn’t change my view on earlier comments in this thread.

Surely must be? It’s a community group for the club. If it isn’t, maybe it’s time we should be?

Over the years, I don’t remember being as impressed by a players development as I have by Nyambe. Always showed the physical stats - pace, power, strength, bravery for blocking and aggression for battling. I initially felt he wouldn’t have the technique to become an asset and potentially thought he’d be a centreback. Since 2019 though, he has developed this part of his game in my opinion. His crossing, passing and footwork all much improved. He has also shown mental attributes, trickery to beat a player, when to come inside and when to overlap. I think he is excelling in this style and formation and the free reign to push up the flank makes him a danger.

On the whole? This thread is exhibit A. Go 30 pages back and tell me “on the whole” BRFCS had been behind him.

Well I agree with you islander - the lad had pitchforks out for him day one because he cost seven or eight million. The same rabble now attempting to justify that initial attitude towards a 19 year old player, whilst at the same time showing zero empathy for what impact that negativity may have had on the lad! We also seem to think footballers don’t read these things, their ratings or other social media - some won’t but some will. Personally this is why I’ve always sat on the fence when judging players until they’ve had ample chance - especially young lads.

Quotes I heard week after week in Jack Walker upper in his first season (not solely at away games as you imply) shouted to him; “shit”, “a waste of money”, “You’ll never make a player”, “7million you’re taking the piss” etc ....and at that point I think he’d started 1 game. Just check out the first few pages of this thread. The slagging off, of a 19 year old after hardly a game is prevalent, and it’s justified as opinion; so why are you so convinced none of that spilt in to the ground?

I guess that’s why it’s called development money then or spending on younger players - will take longer to get into the team and flourish!

Armstrong first, Brererton second for me!

Johnson back in but Dolan and Elliott impact subs for me - Big Sam has earned a slot, wide forward or not!

Didn’t think things had changed much! Couldn’t resist coming back purely to read this thread - such a contentious issue yet any big investment was always going to be important. Forget old discussion - this season this lad looks a complete different proposition. Whatever reason that is - I like to think its simply down to age, experience, maturity and opportunity. Plenty of room to improve still yet nice to see a major investment developing!

Only the bit you disagree with as normal yea? But I’m the contrary / devils advocate ... It’s arrogance. Because it assumes that your knowledge of watching Blackburn rovers extends to assuming how other teams should react.. for instance Preston and Burnley in poor runs.. have their managers been sacked? No, despite a plethora of their fans claiming it’s time to move on. You’re in the same club!

I thought you ignored my comments? Reality is though, to suggest Travis has gone backwards despite basically turning himself from an u23 to a regular starter is just basic negative bias. If this had come under a new manager, the reaction would be different, confirmation bias of the highest order.. To explain that - consider what other managers and teams knew about Lewis, and what they know now. Then add your own recent experience of combative midfielders in our colours, it’s not hard to see why he may have looked a breath of fresh air when first appearing. This overriding opinion about how he would’ve been potted elsewhere just shows the arrogance and condescending nature to think your opinion trumps the average fan. It’s become ridiculous, despite the backup from the “I know best crew” on Brfcs! The gross oversimplification of “how to fix Blackburn rovers” is just another example of how the modern entitled football fan will speak first, and think later! Thank god you don’t see me as one of you lot.

26 games in and I still couldn’t decide exactly how I feel about our progress. Theres always more layers - look at today in isolation, controlled and bossed the game, created chance after chance but ultimately chucked it through dodgy defending and missing chances. That’s not been a story of our time under TM, we’ve changed immeasurably since he took over in my opinion, and consistency has been the biggest issue. I can’t help but think others are so convinced by their own expertise, they’ve completely forgotten what the last decade actually entailed. From wishing we would be swapping places with Bolton, to suggesting the entire club has gone backwards under TM, my reaction is never so severe. Things could and should be better but nothing is simple in football, regardless of how many times you tell yourself you know better! I’ve never been one for making rash decisions with management, but at the same time - it’s utterly ignorant of history to be so convinced that throwing the ball back in the owners court will end up positively. Its still the same team ultimately, and whilst I can see others getting more out of us, despite the “ten a penny” better comments, I’d suggest the most likely outcome isn’t positive. That’s just basic utilisation of experience.

Referee just cost us a goal