Jordan Rhodes for me. He scored a ton of goals for us in a very dark time, had an exemplary character and left under good terms. He might not have been the most gifted player technically but he definitely put a smile on my face in the time he was here, and that’s why he’s my favourite player over the last 10 years. Could we make this into a poll? Maybe include one for worst player of the last decade? Leon Best in case anyone’s wondering.

I thought it was brilliant. Pacino was excellent, but I agree joe Pesci was fantastic as well. Not used to seeing him play such a quiet role yet still a very dangerous man. I guess Stephen graham had the Pesci role this time and what an actor he is. The effects used to portray them all as younger men are excellent as well. Good to see de Niro and Pacino back in proper films as they’ve both sullied their careers somewhat with a load of rubbish films in recent years. Didn’t know much about Jimmy Hoffa and the teamsters so the film was an education for me ?

I agree. Like it or not we have to try and get something from him after we blew a fortune. He needs to start for us as a striker, anything else isn’t being fair to him or making the best use of our resources. If he’s not up to this then he needs to be loaned out ASAP, in an effort to build his confidence and either return to us or get himself a move elsewhere.

Sadly I think you’re right CB. I sometimes think about how amazing it would be to have owners that are genuinely interested, just like normal clubs ?

Aye well you’re entitled to your views but the question was if they apologised and turned up at the matches. I think that would indicate that their motives for owning a football club might have changed. Never forget but be ready to forgive is my way of looking at it.

Life is too short to waste time wallowing in bitterness and negativity. The Venkys have made terrible mistakes and have undoubtedly crippled our football club but they have invested a huge amount now and it’s all in the past. Concentrate on the present moment. If we had owners that admitted to mistakes in the past, humbly asked for forgiveness and started showing an interest in our club then surely that’s what we all want?

Not many teams play 4-4-2 to be fair but I wonder would Armstrong be better in a two. He’s not the best finisher and I think Rhodes had a real poacher’s instinct for knowing where to be in the box which sets him way above Armstrong as a striker. I don’t think Rhodes would cost much on a loan though he may well be on big wages.

Would anyone take Jordan Rhodes back? I think he has had a barren time of it since leaving us but he’s only 29, he loves the club and is a proven finisher. Although we’d have to change our system to get the best from him, maybe a 4-4-2 with Gallagher beside him or Dack dropping back a bit into the space in midfield?

Sounds like the livesey branch road it is then for our pub crawl. Thanks for all the suggestions folks, it’s times like this that you see this message board at its best ?⚪️

Thanks so much guys. It’s my second home game, I was at the FA Cup game against Utd a couple of years ago. We sat behind the goals, is that the Blackburn end? It was a good atmosphere but this time I’d like a better view. We’ll probably go for the JW then. Stuart, my fiancée does use the c word (mostly in reference to me ?) but doesn’t understand why I hate Burnley ? Renrag I hope you haven’t mercered us already ?

For my 40th birthday present my poor fiancée has agreed to “treat” me to a stay in Manchester and tickets for the home game against Swansea. Can any of the good people of this forum advise me on how much matchday tickets will cost and when they will become available on the website? Where’s the best place to sit in Ewood for a good experience? No sarcastic comments please ? There’s not much information on the official site. We’re planning to stay in Manchester the night before the match and get the train to Blackburn on Saturday. Any advice on what time to get the train so we can get some pints in before the match? And which pubs would have a good atmosphere? All advice gratefully accepted and all being well the attendance figures will get a mighty boost of two from Northern Ireland ?

I’ve reluctantly voted “go”. I’ve always been a supporter of TM and everything he’s done for our club but he’s run out of steam now. The reversal today against local rivals is unforgivable, and it makes me think that he’s lost the players or the plot. Our threadbare defence has never been addressed and indeed we are awful at the back now, probably the worst since he took over. We’ve spent a fortune on strikers that can’t score and he keeps making the same strange squad selections. I hoped that TM could help us progress as he restored pride to our club when we were in a very dark place. I gave him a lot of leeway for the performances he coaxed out of a fairly poor squad last season and the promotion from league 1. I thought he’d be able to turn things round and get the best out of the players again. Sadly we look to be regressing now and I worry that we’ll be in danger of relegation if things continue in the same vein. Respect to TM for what he’s done so far, for me he’s the best manager we’ve had since Venkys. Unfortunately that’s still not good enough and we need a change. Regarding a potential replacement I just don’t know who we could get that could succeed under the Venkys. Previously I argued against Hughes coming back as he has been unsuccessful of late but he’s probably the best we could attract at this stage (if we could even tempt him and he could work under the Venkys). Hughton would be class but there’s very little chance of that happening. Definitely not Johnson, he’s not ready for the job and I can’t see him being the kind of strong, dynamic personality that we need to stand up to the Venkys and run the club their way. Sadly that means he’ll probably get the job if TM goes.

Each season (bar the first) we have improved. I’ve seen some people calling for Mowbray’s resignation already but hasn’t he earned some faith? We’re not even ten games in to the season. We were a basket case until recently so I don’t understand why people now think that we should win every game. We are a mid table championship club now, that’s undeniable. If TM is able to keep improving the squad and the club then we might be able to become a side worthy of promotion. If we don’t improve on 15th then I will be concerned but until then I’ll be trusting him to continue the rebuilding job.

Which players are you referring to? I’d say Dack is maybe prem standard, although the championship may just be his level. Other than that I can’t think of one premiership quality player in our ranks. We would need massive investment if we were promoted, and I wouldn’t fancy being premiership whipping boys next season so the slow build works for me.

Signings like Pukki are one in a million tbf. And I think Dack is up there as a one in a million signing anyway, he’s become our most important player and maybe the most technically gifted since we dropped out of the Prem? Or even before then? For £750K we’ve done amazingly well there. I agree that our scouting hasn’t been up to much in the recent past. I’m tired of being linked with ex players all the time but I’m hopeful that the Holtby transfer is a sign of more good things to come from Europe.

I think top 6 is possible this season, and it should be our aim. If we don’t improve on 15th place then TM should face some questions about his management, we have spent money improving the squad and there are no excuses for any lack of progression. I think that if we could get our forwards firing then we’ll have a great season. The Brereton signing is looking more and more like a shambles but hopefully he comes back from injury and gets his chance to show what he’s all about. I have to admit it’s not looking likely. We look really strong in midfield now with amazing depth and good quality, and with a proper left back we are much stronger defensively. I’ll admit I was wrong to think we’d miss Mulgrew, early signs are that we are much better as a defensive unit without him. We keep improving every season so even without achieving promotion I’d keep TM in charge, he deserves to stay and continue his excellent work. Judge him at the end of the season, not after a bad run! @JacknOry I highlighted some bold statements, hope you approve. You can’t seem to find any occasions where I make statements or critical judgements so feel free to pick me up on these ones after the event. Even if I am a generally positive and optimistic person, I’m not afraid to make predictions or criticise and I am ready to hold my hands up when I get it wrong.

You keep missing the point I was making. I was responding to a post which referred to tombola tony doing it again, and pointing out that our qualified and experienced manager may actually have a grasp of how to select a winning football team. Not arguing with anyone’s criticism of the starting lineup. This is 100% wrong. I wouldn’t have picked Evans but I’m able to trust Tony Mowbray when he picks him, and give credit to him for making an unpopular choice and winning another match for us. Everyone’s entitled to an opinion and I’d have agreed before the match that Evans wouldn’t be in my first eleven. I’m not attacking anyone for that. I’m having a go at those who suggest that Tony doesn’t know what he’s doing, and suggest that he picks favourites or stumbles across a winning side when certain players are out injured. Some cannot give TM any credit whatsoever and take great delight in magnifying every mistake and downplaying every success he has. No, he’s not Guardiola, Ferguson or Mourinho but he’s an honest, hardworking and knowledgable man who happens to be our coach so I think I am within my rights to disagree with those who denigrate him at every turn.

You’re missing the point and putting words in my mouth... I’m not saying that Evans is a good player or should be in the squad every week, and I don’t think that Armstrong’s goal ratio is acceptable. I just think it’s a bit rich that people refer to “tombola” (becoming the new BRFCS buzz word) and picking a winning team through luck, rather than giving the coach the credit he deserves. Maybe Tony saw that Evans was raring to go, he certainly played very well for NI recently. Obviously he had a lot of faith in Armstrong and Dack so it’s great that’s starting to pay off. How about respecting the fact that TM has been a coach for a long time and actually knows what he’s doing?

Maybe spending a week with the players, observing them at training and monitoring their mental state qualifies Tony to pick his own squad? Sounds like Evans was great today, fair play to him and fair play to TM for picking him. Armstrong scored despite expert consensus on here being against his selection and it’s not long since people wanted Dack dropped for losing form. TM knows what he’s doing, some folk on here need to give him a bit more respect.

I agree, the circular argument about Venkys ownership and their culpability is better left dormant while we are in a more stable state. It doesn’t do any good to rake up what can be a divisive and fiery topic when nobody has a conclusive answer. On the other hand we’re on a message board and people like to vent and prove themselves right, myself included! I have a theory about people who forgive vs those who can’t let go. Not residing in Blackburn means I can be more detached about the Venkys question, and I think I’ve moved on and forgiven them. However, I don’t have to experience the shame and anger at the decline of my hometown club, to witness stands closing in the stadium, to endure the taunts of local rivals, and to see a proud legacy come undone. I understand why some folk are more bitter about proceedings even if I don’t share the sentiment.

Well if anyone can beat anyone then surely it makes as much sense to say that all the games are tough? Nonsense comment, there will always be better, fitter, more consistent, more tactically astute, or more technically gifted teams in comparison to others. Unfortunately we are none of those so we can’t expect to put the lines of WBA in their place.

How is Dack regressing? He was our best player last season, in the championship! He scored today! Lenihan has been immense for us. You can dislike Mowbray all you want but at least give credit where it is due. I agree it would be nice to see rothwell get more game time and brereton justify his crazy transfer fee but I can also see where Tony is succeeding and doing his best for our club.

You’re ignoring everything that’s gone well and focussing on the negatives. It’s frustrating being a rovers fan when you consider what we used to have and where we are now, but in my opinion we’re doing well considering the turmoil that’s been wrought by the Venkys. It’s easy to say that x manager would do better. Maybe TM will leave or get sacked and you’ll get your wish but I think we’d struggle to attract a decent manager of his calibre, never mind succeed under any of those you mention.

I think you’re reaching here Pedro. Mowbray’s successes far outweigh his failures at all levels of his tenure here. It sometimes seems like folk have given up on him and distort the facts to make it seem like he’s damaging the club when for me he’s the best thing to happen to us post Venkys. I’ll just be glad if TM can get the best out of our promising young players. So far he’s brought travis and Dack on leaps and bounds, Nyambe was excellent for a spell last season, and Lenihan is now a mainstay at the back. If he can bring Chapman, JRC and Rothwell through we’ll have a very promising young squad.