I’m not really bothered if people disagree it’s merely an opinion, turning this into “you wouldn’t” argument is hardly surprising when half of my point is many here simply cannot accept alternative opinions- some more vociferously than others judging by this thread. Whilst a few of you enjoy finding something to froth at the mouth about, I’d prefer my reactions with a hint of tranquility. I mean - why on earth would I be utterly bemused at a rounded up statistic used to point out we went from full stadiums in 95 to less than 20k in the first season of the championship? Especially considering the article is “light hearted” referencing scientists “regenerating” fantastic players of old to bring some fans from those era’s back! It’s hardly a Henry Winter 5000 word piece on the changing demographics and fan base, is it? It’s not intended to be either - I’m sure you (BB) and other know this well - but what is life without someone or something to cathartically hate and moan about eh!

“The rudderless period between winning the Premiership and being relegated in 1999 cost Rovers 10,000 fans and the Steve Kean catastrophe 10,000 more.” I don’t read that as a statistic more a statement of a chunk of support was lost/not built on, in fact I’m quite sure it’s meant to be interpreted as the success wasn’t built on since it’s in reference to building a 30k+ all seater, and it being empty. Just like statistically Kean didn’t lose us 10,000 fans but it felt like it soon after. If there’s anything I could criticise about this weeks effort it’s; “Seeing the stadium brings back memories of better days and no doubt is not a happy place for some fans to be.” Poorly worded, I think he missed “a full” before stadium. The final part is just a standard “you” and “your” club sentiment which I agree with but find a tad patronising if I’m honest. Still - after two articles I feel less inclined to read because of quality, not some particular agenda towards agitating fans.

I’m quite sure it’s just another opinion - maybe if the owner had built on our championship win instead of letting us slip the other way, maybe we’d have more fans? I personally don’t agree with him on that, but i certainly do on the impact of the Rao’s. Starting to think Simon Smith ran off with the mrs though tbf, with a few posters wife’s looking at this thread.

@Red what are your thoughts on selling him? From a Forest fans perspective.

Still though, if it’s fair enough to make comments about him being “very poor”, why is it difficult to understand someone like Smith might want to share his own personal opinion too? They’re hardly match reports are they? Plus, going off the mood and discussion here at times, I’d suggest there are a hell of a lot of posters who feel that Tony IS NOT the man to get this team promoted. If you think about it, if the objective is promotion - would those who seriously doubt TMs credentials be all too bothered if the hypothetical *insert Warnockesque name here* situation arose?

Calling Ben Brereton’s 15 minute cameos “very poor” is a vast exaggeration.

Do you know what smattering means?

Hugely agree on the bold quote but I thought his column in the LET is an opinion piece? I just don’t have the same poor opinion as a few on here obviously. Give it time though, I will be paying more attention to the rovers stories on their website in future. I gave up trying to load their articles online when Cryer was still around, and I doubt their advertising has toned down! Was impossible to even get through the pop ups.

Why do you think that PP make those videos as marketing? There is a constant deluge of reactionary emotive nonsense from fans on social media. All you’ve done using that example is point out how ridiculous and prevelant it is! Obviously its scaled down for smaller clubs but I don’t see how saying there’s been some “astonishingly wrong headed muttering post defeat” is suggesting the general opinion at Ewood is that stupid. Even the article suggesting we should trust TMs decisions in the transfer market is fine for me - I agreed at the time that those absolutely dogging the Rodwell signing are indulging in this ridiculous reactionary BS, which serves no purpose other than a cathartic outlet for people to moan.

I’m baffled to see that you’re suggesting these articles will cause friction between fans, especially if you’re saying that nearly (if not) all agree with him anyway - with the notion that moving on TM is stupid. It’s a contradiction, if he was focusing on more “people-splitting” opinions, he’d be doing more to cause friction surely ?! I can think of many more “clickbaity” views that would split this website in half...! I’m sure you can too. As for the other two points - last week of the transfer window I read plenty of opinion here and on twitter suggesting we let Richie move on. Timing wise - to me that comment was utterly ridiculous. Also - within 2 weeks; of B.B. arriving - “can’t play out wide” was an actual comment. On a par with, or as ridiculous as the Armstrong is a “lazy little tosser” + “Tony doesn’t want to attack” which are just over a week old. Some great posters say utterly ridiculous things. Like or dislike the content - Smiths articles are his opinion pieces. How he formulated those opinions is up to him, and anyone with even an ounce of understanding of “clickbait” and modern “journalism” will know what sensationalism is. Have you listened to talkshite recently? It’s basically a constant advert for the latest manager betting odds - since in build up, analysis and actual commentary is only focused on the managers rep and “sack rating”.. Smiths articles are nowhere near this level of sensationalism! Whilst I can understand what you’re saying about the lack of actual “want” from actual rovers fans - there are short sighted and extremely negative comments all over this website about TM. If Smith has decided his opinion piece should reflect how baffling those comments are, then fair enough!

The article makes two key points that I absolutely agree with; 1. The bulk of our first team have returned for this season after playing under Coyle - yet they are unrecognisable in spirit, effort and attitude. 2. Giving anyone else the reigns would be utterly stupid at this moment in time! If there are people suggesting it’s time to move Tony on - and he has had those discussions/read those points of view - it’s hardly surprising to see why he would be frustrated. I personally find that thought process just as confusing, much like many other viewpoints - “release Smallwood” for example, or “Brereton can’t play in a position”... Is Simon, and the rest of us expected to only comment on viewpoints we agree with? Focus on the content - which on this occasion is difficult to disagree with for me.

Realist? You mean fantasist surely?

I know it’s already said, but really excited by the player we’ve added here - I can see why TM sees him as a centreback but he didn’t half exude class as a midfielder for 25 minutes on Saturday! Our team struggled when the Bolton lads got properly tight and pushed up but definitely positive signs.

Do you not think a more confident lad puts that header inside the post instead of 5 metres wide at home to sheff united? Think it was 0-1 at the time like, and whilst he played a couple of wayward passes and looked a bit raw overall, that could’ve changed the game + our perception of him. He did everything right but just caught too much of the ball, good run, well timed jump etc, there’s definitely more to work with than you seem to be suggesting! “The fee is for the Nottingham fans...” to be honest that’s a quote from someone here I agree with. I’d guess it’s set up to be sensible, appearance and promotion based. I’d also guess that we’ve probably more wood for the fire going off TM’s suggestions about being in the mix come Christmas. It’s not like you to be sensationalist is it Merc!

There is is lads. Proof that BB is going to be the next big thing. Joking aside though - the fee is being used as an excuse to be overly critical of a 19 year old who’s been here about 6 weeks. That’s an non disclosed fee by the way, and since none of us can predict what the Rao’s will do, it’s not as black and white as this “eggs in basket” debate that’s built on nothing but assumption. Plus 7m (highly doubt it’s that before clauses being met) is the equivalent of 50k in 1992, so I’m not sure what relevance that is? The lad needs time, not hyperbolic criticism! Could do with some guidance on how to tie his laces quicker mind...!

I think you can attribute Graham’s form to having competition personally. Another example of what he offers yesterday.

I agree. To digress a little, I think it’s obvious we tried for chapman and Freeman and I think we will add someone like the aforementioned soon enough. I personally think Harrison Reed is actually fair effective out wide. I like his energy. Especially away: like a ginger Bennett....

But your own opinion should surely take into account we’ve never set up to leave two wide attackers, or two unprotected full backs! I agree with you that my own priority would’ve been some wide pace and delivery, but when TM introduces a “poacher” out wide who then plays a couple of great passes, a few great runs, a fantastic cross/finish - you can surely accept that that TMs subjective choices are working to some extent!

At least I feel somewhat better about swearing my absolute head off. Cheating bastard (sorry those with children nearby..)

Another 2 points dropped, would like to see the replay but that second penalty was utter BS

Vividly remember the day after Bolton away - convinced we’ve just signed our own death warrant for relegation, regardless of replacement. At this time I was officially a “doom monger”. Fair enough it took an extra season but still. Also clear memory of the feelings between the Stoke and West Ham games, at home under Kean. Utter confusion, an organised team one week, turning out like a they’d just met each other on the pitch. Obvious break down of tactics, no consistency between plays/players and when Phil Jones got injured, I seem to recall that same gut dropping phenomenon that only comes after a heavy bitter centred evening, Owen Coyles name being mentioned or the morning after spending more than a tenner in Akash. Much else is an absolute blur. The immediate fallout that followed was “nearly” as bad, near back to back relegations, false dawn followed by false dawn. Bowyer was a bit of refuge/stability as it was called then. I liked Gary, but the club had been hamstrung by ridiculous contracts on a dwindling income. He did some good work to keep us going but the owners always needed actual experience and club having the autonomy to govern itself, not by telephone. I still remember being extremely sore to hear the term “keanesque” about his dealings, tactics, comments, or similar for years after. Nothing came criminally close. Ironically it took Coyle to actually move on from constantly feeling sick about what Steve Kean and his cronies did to this club. That farse broke the camels back. I’m quite sure if they’d followed him with another “Sheffield Wednesday” style appointment, I don’t think I could’ve carried on much longer. Thankfully Tony Mawbs has reminded us what actual management pedigree means, given time and support, the like Lambert wasn’t afforded. It is much different scenario though financiaIly, since by the time TM took over, nearly all the best players or big contracts had gone. Kean had us paying for his choices for years after, not just the ones that played! To echo what Neal has said on the other thread, the club could implode under these owners at any moment, but it seems like the way it’s running at the moment is actually working for the club, as opposed to against it. Long that may continue and long may Keans name be forgotten! (Until that debt disappears, it’s hard to imagine forgetting...!!)

We are a one Graham team.... To be honest though, Dack is definitely the most explosive player but he gets those opportunities usually at the utter effort, spirit and attitude of the rest of the team! I think Palmer has had some criticism because he stands out as not applying the same way. Even though it’s obvious he’s as technically proficient and clever as anyone in the team. I genuinely look forward to our games again though, and that’s ultimately down to all the factors at play, some special qualities like Danny and Dack, utter workrate from a lot of players and a team that responds to the games, not forgetting a manager who often gets it right and admits when he gets it wrong. Quite good days to be a Rover and I agree with you, that’s not down to any one man. Even if (in the scheme of our recent history) we are at pretty “lowly” heights of being mid table in the championship. The youngsters involved are the icing on the cake, because we are watching most of them get better! Can you tell it’s friday?

For me, the easiest long term solution has always been kids should go for free. The actual age limit is subjective, but many (like me) who watched football regularly between the ages of 6-16 will be hooked for life. Obviously - being 6 in 1991, 10 in 95 and 16/17 during Souness/Hughes era is a bit different to turning 6 in 2008 (when venkys took over) but I still think that our club lacks many offers like this. For instance, I don’t recall my workplace (school in east Lancashire) ever being offered free or subsidised tickets. I’m quite sure the primary schools still have this system, and it might be a lazy PE teacher not answering letters but from discussions I’ve had with many other secondary teachers in Blackburn, Accrington and similar - the offers have somewhat dried up in recent years. This is probably due to funding cuts in local area and maybe even more stringent safeguarding (CRB cost for volunteers etc), but every time I see an empty seat at Ewood, I always think the long term profits would outweigh the short term cost of giving ALL unsold tickets away, some snacks, and paying for youth workers to drive them to and from, whilst looking after them during the match. Maybe the club is doing their utmost in this area and the clamour from schools isn’t there, but I seriously doubt this is the case.