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. 

4 hours ago, arbitro said:

Looking at the Championship table kind of sums up to me where we are as a football club. Four wins, four defeat and a draw with a goal difference of zero. And the epitome of average (in football management terms) is Mowbray. I honestly can't see us getting anywhere near the top six let alone getting promoted as we just can't get any consistency into our results. We are/will be a mid table team under Mowbray as I don't believe he has what it takes to take us any further.

22 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

I think he's taken us as far as he can. If you are happy to spend the forseeable future roughly where we are now, then Mowbray's your man. 40 or so years ago we had a team who were probably of the same sort of level of ability as the lot we have now and we were content to bump along season after season. 

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. 

22 minutes ago, philipl said:

 

Perhaps two or maybe four current players are Premier League standard. That needs to be more like eight or nine ahead of Promotion to even have a prayer of finishing 17th first season back. 

 

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. 

1 hour ago, 47er said:

Well---true---obviously. But when we're bigging up TM for his great signings he's never got remotely close to one like Pukki or Lyle Taylor,who makes Charlton tick for that matter---also on a free.

They are around, you don't have to pay £7M or £5M. our scouting system isn't up to it apparently. However I digress....

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.

46 minutes ago, JacknOry said:

Not sure you will find either from me and im not sure i have seen anyone suggest he picked a team through luck.

Plenty of people have suggested exactly that in the past  

TM of course deserves the credit for putting together an away win, not sure anyone really has criticized him in that manner. Of course people will question teams at the start of matches but what i find odd is those, like you, that will not comment at the starting lineup but wait until the end so that they can attack those that did. Had we lost, you wouldn't be anywhere to be seen.

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. 

46 minutes ago, JacknOry said:

To further my post, you seem to agree that AA and Evans would not have been in your own starting eleven. So why are you attacking others for suggesting so before the start of the match?. At least they had the balls to put it down on here. You just wait till the end and then attack anyone that questions the lineup - a lineup that in your own wors you would have not selected.

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.

Just now, JacknOry said:

2 goals in 25 games would certainly warrant some kind of criticism of Arma though wouldn't you agree? Scored a great goal today but you cannot come on here shoving peoples noses in it when in general, he has been pretty poor in the Championship. I hope he continues but the number of chances he has missed, the amount of times he has mistimed his runs (must be the most offside player in the league) - what we should all just say its ok? 

As for Evans, only seems to play when he really has to. Hence end of contract coming soon or being put down the pecking order. Put in a great display just like he did before the end of his last contract when in Div 3, now he is rarely getting a game and his next payday is on his mind.

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?

1 hour ago, Stuart said:

It’s been used as a way to absolve them since Kean left.

They didn’t even publicly sack Kean. That was the opportunity to play the badly advised line.

So someone advised them to keep Steve Kean as manager? Surely they should have been able to see through this ‘advice’? But no, they remained committed and had to let some staff go.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/may/10/blackburn-not-for-sale-venkys

Can’t believe all of this has become board discussion again on a whim. Division created by those who want fans to unite behind Venkys. Sleeping dogs should be left sleeping.

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.

Just now, Amo said:

There aren't truly any "tough" games in The Championship. The gulf in class is not that wide compared to what you'd find in the top flight. Anyone can beat anyone on their day. 

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. 

4 hours ago, Hasta said:

 

Dack was already League One player of the year. He took his chance with a better side when he came here, but most people are saying he's regressing, not coming on leaps and bounds. Nyambe can't get in the side over a struggling midfielder and 3 weeks ago we were hoping for an upgrade over any of the centre halves including Lenehan. 24 year old Rothwell isn't getting game time and Chapman hasn't  been sighted since he returned. 

The only one on your list I'd say has come on over the last 18 months is Travis who has proved to be a gem, which people who watched the Under 23's had been telling us for a while but we persisted with Evans and Smallwood for far to long before we gave the lad a chance.

 

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. 

5 hours ago, Pedro said:

I don't think I am 'reaching' in the slightest. Mowbray failed to keep us up and succeeded to get us promoted. Since, he has overseen two of the worst runs of results during my 30+ years of supporting the the team. I can't think of another manager afforded that amount of time to get it right. His big money signing has so far failed miserably, his other is currently the world's largest makeshift right midfielder, he has taken an age to invest (temporarily) in the feeble defence, he is stunting the development of Nyambe by persisting with an out of position Bennett and consistently tinkers with a line up that then needs to throw square pegs in round holes after 60mins. Add to this, he is the steward of a side that with annoying regularity ships 2 or more goals and surrenders leads (more than any Rovers side I can remember). In fact, until typing this, I didn't realise just how annoyed with him I am ? We could and should do much better and the likes of other experienced men like Warnock, Houghton, Allardyce, Pardew would get much better results and a greatly reduced goals against column with these same players.

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. 

2 hours ago, Pedro said:

What's his issue with Rothwell as well then?  There is a connection with our pacey and dynamic wide men who can pull defences here there and everywhere but don't get a fair crack of the whip or dodge a public flogging-  I personally think the truth is, Mowbray had a hissyfit outburst through being sick of his judgement being questioned. His judgement has rightly been questioned throughout 2019; whether that be his continued selections of Mulgrew, Smallwood and Evans as a mundane pairing, the omission of Rothwell, the playing of a great number of players out of natural position and the whereabouts of Chapman.

I think Mowbray and his choices have been proven to be drastically wrong regarding all of the above and costly in terms of results (Chapman apart - at this moment in time as he isn't ever given opportunities). 

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. 

2 hours ago, Stuart said:

“Rubbish that Chapman”. “Just not interested”.

 

? surely this shows the value of some tough love from TM. Instant response from Chapman, good to see that our manager can motivate our fringe players with some constructive criticism.

Just now, tomphil said:

I'm glad he does i hope he directs it at players sometimes last thing we need is a snowflake or genial uncle type boss it's about time he got a bit more ruthless. 

Hail Tony mk2 ...

If he hadn’t cracked up we would’ve heard “oh I wish we had a manager with passion, Souness/Hughes wouldn’t have put up with the time wasting.” 

47 minutes ago, Claytons Left Boot said:

In my opinion, if there isn’t to be a fairer distribution of tv monies, there has to be some sort of salary cap introduced to put an end to this wages obscenity. The Rugby League salary cap works to a degree but holds back certain clubs that are wanting to progress. Whilst in Rugby League, each club in Super League has the same amount of cap, I think it would only be fair in football to have it based on say turnover or average attendances on a pro rata basis. It won’t be easy orchestrating this but, if wages continue to spiral like they do, I can see plenty more teams potentially going to the wall.

I think that the TV money should be shared out further down the leagues. Can’t see it happening though as the system in other countries is even worse and it’s more likely that clubs will be allowed to negotiate their own deals in future. 

Just now, Proudtobeblue&white said:

Less of the small!! We are at least medium.

? fair enough. I take back that comment!

Do you know the extent of their injury? I’ve heard nothing about when they might be expected back so I’m hoping for the best. 

3 hours ago, JHRover said:

Not sure it is so simple as that. 

We are in the Bolton position of 4-5 years ago, not the Bolton position of today. 4-5 years ago Bolton were a Championship club losing millions a year and relying on Eddie Davies underwriting those losses every year like he had for the previous 10-15 years.

This scares the life out of me. We’re not far away from this situation, and given that the Venkys have absolutely no interest in the club I worry that they’ll tire of their project and get rid. They’ve blown an indecent amount of money on us and, with no idea of how a small football club is run, they are not likely to find a return to the PL before boredom or a realisation of the financial black hole they have created sets in. Then we really are sunk. I feel sorry for the Bolton and Bury fans, they didn’t ask for any of this.

For me, Brereton has to play. We need to get him in goal scoring form and playing up front in a game like this would hopefully give him a boost. I’d love us to win but I think it’s more important to treat this game as a testing ground for fringe players. Tell the lads that the pressure is off and to go out and make it difficult for TM not to pick them next time. 

Of course we might just get stuffed but I’m with bigdogg, the league is important and this cup doesn’t really register. 

Just now, RevidgeBlue said:

I haven't seen him this season yet Paul, when he was here in League 1 I thought he looked absolute quality and head and shoulders above anyone else we had bar Dack and should have walked into the team, especially at home where we have always struggled to break teams down under Mowbray.

Yet the manager more or less completely overlooked him then and has completely overlooked him since re-signing him permanently making spurious excuses about him not being fit enough to play when he landed in January.

Fairly bizarre for me. Once again he walks into the team for me if it's a choice between him or a central striker attempting to fill in out wide. I really don't understand either why you you would re-sign a player you clearly don't fancy and will do practically anything to avoid selecting.

I haven’t seen him play much but he was great when he came on against Rangers. I’d like to see him play again.

Just now, Bbrovers2288 said:

You say that but some of the stuff he does suggests that he does. Defence was a stick to beat him with last season, so now he can get clean sheets at the expense of goals. Clamour for Smallwood and Evans dropped and then they are. Yes sometimes he is stubborn and won’t change but other times he does seem to think if he doesn’t bow to pressure then he will be untenable 

I don’t think he has any interest in a fan’s opinion of tactics or starting eleven and that’s how it should be. He has played and coached clubs at the highest level which gives him the experience and football intelligence to come up with his own game plan. He spends every day with our squad, he knows which players are pushing on, which are low on confidence, and how to counter the opposition. He knows the finances of our club, I’m sure he probably has to cope with pressure from above, and countless other issues that we are unaware of. Nobody here or in the terraces can have the first clue about any of that, so to think that we somehow know better than the man who is paid well to deal with these issues is not realistic.

Its much more likely that we can perceive the same things he perceives, ie that Smallwood and Evans are a poor central midfield duo and we leak too many goals, and act to resolve these issues when he has the resources and time to do so.

If being a football manager was as easy as we all make out then there wouldn’t be such a high turnover of coaches and everyone would be at it.

17 hours ago, DE. said:

 I think some of the asian MD's were region free by default so would play any games, however I'm guessing it would still default to 50hz for PAL games so a 50/60hz switch would still need to be modded onto it for full affect, Not 100% on that though as I've never owned one!

Ha I should’ve read all your posts! Can’t remember if the games were slower but I definitely remember being able to rent Japanese games from my local video shop. I believe it was because the Japanese games were wider than European and American releases, so just filing the port would’ve allowed anyone to play them. There were some really cool Japanese games, always a bit different. One that sticks in my head was where you created a monster and fought other creatures, presumably an early version of Pokemon/monster hunter. Impossible to play in Japanese of course. There was also a game where you were (I think) a construction worker with a big mallet in vertical stages attacking monsters that jumped down platforms towards you. Happy days ? Another advantage to the Japanese MD was that it had a nice red colour on the top rather than the creamy/beige one on the European systems. The less said about the US “Genesis” the better. And their SNES was truly horrible looking. My favourite MD games were the mighty Streets of rage series with its wonderful music, SF2, and the desert strike series. Special mentions to megalomania, toe jam and earl, the immortal, and gunstar heroes.

That was actually a fascinating read. I’ve been thinking about opening my decks to give the pitch slider a good clean, it’s a job that requires some soldering and I’ve been holding off but your experience might have just given me the courage to try it out.