I’ve highlighted a serious concern. I would suggest that questions need to be asked as to exactly what is Suhail Pasha’s legal role at The Blackburn Rovers & Athletic Club Ltd? What instructions is he giving to the Board of Directors and on what authority. He’s clearly a shadow director, this point needs emphasising to ensure he’s on the hook and accountable. However many directors there may be remaining, should certainly consider their positions and whether without his accountability I’d be pushing back.

The spotlight should be shown onto the actual legal status of The Blackburn Rovers Football and Athletic Limited company, this is the legal entity out of which Rovers trades/operates. With specific attention to the officers, the Board of Director, placing pressure on them to consider their positions and whether it is wise for them to be continuing in the current climate. A reminder about who these officers presently are, as appearing on Companies House:- Steven Waggott – Chief Executive Officer Michael Anthony Cheston – Finance Director Reddy Gandhi Babu Robert Duckworth Coar – apparently described by some as a non-executive director, though this should not be confused with non-statutory directors, who are not appointed to the board of directors. A non-executive director is a full member of the board, who has the same official duties, responsibilities, and yes, liabilities that apply to a standard director! Sreenivasa Rao Mandava Then there is Ian David Sylester who is the company secretary. The Board of Directors have a set requirement, besides the management of the company’s business, they make strategic and operational decisions of the company and are responsible for ensuring that the company meets its statutory obligations. Act within powers, promote the success of the company, exercise independent judgement, avoid conflicts of interest, not accept benefits from third parties, declare interests in proposed or existing transactions or arrangements with the company. Duties and obligations on a director also state that a director owes under common law principles a duty of confidentiality; then an obligation relating to the health, safety and welfare at work of its workers; plus similarly obligations under environmental, competition and anti- corruption legislation. Now all of the above is fine and trouble free and works swimmingly in your standard profitable trading company. However when questions as to the company’s viability or going concern are raised then this should give cause for concern by your Board of Directors. Especially so when perhaps there might be the added risk of liquidation on the horizon; administration or an insolvent liquidation. When a company is in financial difficulties the directors should seek advice as soon as possible if they are to avoid potential personal liability under insolvency legislation. The general duties are also then modified to include an obligation to having regard to the interest of creditors. Then there is the issue of wrongful trading, which is an increased risk on the directors. Where they knew or ought to have concluded that there was no reasonable prospect of the company avoiding insolvent liquidation or administration, and they continue to allow the company to trade after they knew or ought to have concluded, and do not take every step they ought to from that time to minimise the potential loss to creditors. I could go on and mention fraudulent trading or misfeasance, though I am sure the above persons are not party to any such goings on. Now I do not know who all of the above are, other than the first two whose roles are specifically stated, along with Rob Coar (who it is said, is only on the board in a capacity to safeguard his FA position?), though they might all be now considering their positions in light of various specific announcements along with matters reported in local newspapers and other media outlets, if true. I have heard a name mentioned, Suhail Pasha, within the corridors of power at Rovers, he has a reported role as the owners’ advisor, is he one of the aforementioned names who is on the Board of Directors? Might this role be considered to be that of a Shadow Director and is he permissible to take up such a position? Once again if I was one of those five directors listed, I most certainly would be seeking clarification and obtaining evidence such as a corporate governing structure as to Suhail’s roles. Otherwise without him also being on the hook so to speak, I might not necessarily be taking instructions from him, over the fiduciary duties of being a director of Blackburn Rovers.

Duncan McGuire loan signing - sorry if this has been made clear elsewhere, or whether it might be speculative, in that only those actually involved in the negotiations will fully know, but... Did we go from an initial offer bid of circa £2m, which was positively responded to in Miami, but then perhaps went up to £2.5m following Sheff Wed creating an auction, which was reported as being acceptable by Orlando, for them to transfer their player to us. With in all probability following a medical yesterday morning after his arrival in the UK, he signs the transfer forms, lodged wherever, happy days, send the down payment and then any balance in dribs and drabs for next x years across the pond. To...a $700k loan fee until June 2024 with then an option to buy of $7m, plus potential $2.5m add ons? To me this seems like an expensive air flight ticket that someone at Ewood tried to save on Wednesday evening GMT. Besides the cost of a possible Revidge & Wilpshire ( Simon 😉) or equivalent airport taxi. Or perhaps great business if in fact Dunc has similar fitness and goal scoring attributes as Niall Ennis, costing us only $700k (though $700k is not chicken feed) and his salary for the next five months.

You've also missed out wages to Chester, who writes out the cheques, and Sylvester, in charge of the fax machine.

Yes, it's performance related!!

Hello, it’s Waggott who is ultimately to blame, he’s the chief exec. He chose to go down to St Andrews. He’s done bugger all in rectifying the balls up so it doesn’t happen again and again and finally he has reneged on the promise to explain to the supporters what occurred. Accountability and integrity, resign, drain the swamp Venkys and get yourselves a functioning board and operations department.

In my view, the buck should stop with the person at the top, Waggott, and it's him who I want to hear about the January '23 transfer deadline debacle. An explanation as to why he considered that it was a good idea for him to be at St Andrews, whilst his new DOF who admitted that he had limited experience in the English FA/EFL/PL transfer deadline process, was left to get those essential new players required to fill the obvious gaps. Alongside him he had the long standing club secretary Silvester (at Ewood or Brockhall?) who ultimately is responsible for generating and submitting the necessary paperwork, in accordance with the outline process, yet he might have a uninspiring previous track records in completing transfers to meet the deadlines. Waggott was at the fans forum meeting when the opportunity was there to drill down into what occurred and who might be responsible, yet from the minutes he was conspicuously silent on that topic. Leaving it to his fall guy Broughton, although we did glean which team he supported and why he chose to join Rovers, along with side tracking the discussion into asking the forum members questions. Waggott should go, if not for the above, but for all the poor performances outlined elsewhere, which have backed up a below average CV, yet he talks a good talk. I am anticipating a quiet announcement in the next few weeks that it will be someone else who will depart, with thanks for all the years service as club secretary of Blackburn Rovers, along with a tidy severance package. Undav, O'Brien and a promising youngster would had a major impact on where Rovers might finish the season, if a play off place is missed, I place full responsibility on Waggott.

Let's not be forgetting 1903 too, when they finished bottom of the league. Sorry one other minor technicality, Hartlepool were in fact Hartlepools until 1968, as Brian Clough would have said.

Who mentioned 1987? Have a trawl through the history books. Multiple times too!

Unlike Burnley, thankfully Rovers have never had to seek re-election. 😁

Proud of the entire players, manager and coaching staff, fantastic supporters, which on the whole was a good day for Rovers, a fabulous togetherness from one and all, no disgrace in any way. Plus after listening to the draw, who would want to be embarrassed playing in a Wembley FA Cup semi final and getting embarrassed by City conceding a handful? 😄 To a man the players did their utmost and without having to find any scapegoats, I will point out; how well Tyler did for winning the ball that led to our second goal, Gally never stopped running 10/10 for his effort and endeavours, fine margins by the manager in freshening up the team on 80 minutes. Just a pity we did not have Lewis O'Brien available to play, as I feel he might have made all the difference.

Where did I say that I didn’t like the fans forum? Likewise what was rude in my comment? Just read my comment back and still struggling to follow your response. A tadge sensitive K-Hod?

Well if many did feel strongly enough about this debacle and with the Fans Forum due next Monday the 13th, they might be inclined to lobby the fans forum members, which I understand there may be one or two who might have a peek on here now and again, to perhaps raise this above all other relative trivial matters next week? Not permitting them to waffle on about pies and player postcards in the club shop.

Is this the place for Fans Forum queries or news? From a little bit of checking there appears to be a meeting scheduled for next Monday the 13th March. Might anyone have a view on what might be the overriding and biggest question that requires answering? I would suggest that above all other matters, which might very well be important to supporters (club shop, ticketing news, Burnley match, pitch), perhaps be put aside in favour of honest answers and actions planned in light of the abject disaster that was Rover's January transfer deadline debacle. Including probing questions as to whether the Chief Executive considers whether his decision to be in Birmingham was a correct one and if he agrees that this was a mistake what consequences there might be. If he disagrees, then does he still have full confidence in his Club Operations team? Apologises if the Fans Forum members already have a concerted and formulated plan as to seeking answers to what must surely be one of the most serious matters appertaining to Blackburn Rovers operations. If any such forum members might feel inclined to share whether they feel equally that this is important and indeed what actions they might have ahead of next Monday's meeting, that would be appreciated.

Putting to one side, whether we have or have not made any signings on transfer deadline day. It is now twelve hours since the deadline closed and still nothing from Blackburn Rovers....indefensible in my opinion.

Well it's past 10 am, the day after transfer deadline day and not a thing being announced by the club to their supporters, all rather unsatisfactory and poor. As my old boss used to say "if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys", though sadly in Rovers case that is not so, as they are all paid very well. The owners and their representatives, the Board of Directors, club operations, management team, senior football team and all the many and various backroom staff, must be surely embarrassed at the behaviour to their supporters? Or probably not.

A golden ticket indeed, cherish him and remind him of the fine life he has had, whilst also supporting your mother with such an awful condition impacting on your Dad and your family.

Ok I am nearly ready to consider Sunday's events to comment rationally. Headline is that JDT has used up one of his lifelines. Yet happy to move on and gloss over the mismanagement on this occasion, project, bigger picture, ok, ok. Team selection - Mola & Garrett, error of judgement starting them both, possibly brave you could argue, though a resulting failure. There will be consequences, with again some players left out being scarred, which will impact on contracts, renewals and loyalty. Mola quite possibly a talented 21 year old played through every age group of the England ranks, yet not our player and only limited appearances to date for us and playing in the Championship and in any derby game like that. Leaving out a local 25 year old, with vast more experience, along with a track record of performing. Garrett not the right game to give him the necessary further experience for his development, might easily be a knock back for him, especially with whatever role he was asked to play. Scouting & planning - we hear that inordinate levels of these occur in the modern game and within our new set up, this is something which they place a high value upon. Well did anyone watch Sunday's opponents previous match? Now I am not saying we have the same fire power of Sheff United to exploit Burnley's obvious weaknesses, yet surely we might have considered and planned for attacking via set pieces; free kicks, long throws in attacking areas and corners, to threaten them, including a system which might look to obtain such set pieces. Three corners all the game, was the first one in the second half which failed to beat the first man? Inverted wing backs and full backs - if I understand correctly the thinking for inverted defenders is to stop left footed attackers playing on the right wing and right footed attackers playing on the left side. So some bright young data analyst, took a few moments off from playing their FIFA 23, to suggest that Manuel cuts in from the right on his left foot and Zaroury the same but opposite on their left hand side, both being one footed, so let's match up and play our right footed defender on our left, with our left footed defender (more on Hedges at right back later) on our right. Obviously Zaroury's moving the ball onto his left and swinging in a left footed cross which Jason Wilcox would have been proud with, to the middle of the 6 yard box onto Barnes's head, came as a big surprise to our coaching staff. This moment was the game changer, one nil to Burnley, game effectively over, as we have no plan B when we go behind. Square pegs in round holes - I had hoped that with ToMo's departure we might have seen the end of this. The players know their best positions and hopefully the management have an idea also. Now a full back is an important and specialist position, primarily to defend and stop dangerous balls played into the penalty area, shepherd them away from the danger area, defend the attackers stronger foot. Is Hedges a full back? Is Hedges a right footed defender who might prevent a left sided left footed cross into our 6 yard box? No on both points I would suggest. Firstly I would have played a recognised full back in their preferred position. Secondly if you really must invert your full backs (which I would not especially if we are playing with three central defenders), they have got to be comfortable to be able to defend from either foot, Brittain did ok against Manuel, yet Hedges did not, not his fault being asked to play a position and formation in which he is not suited. Squad size - arguably 32 is too many, besides the financial costs, it surely brings with it other problems, squad harmony, management of too many with various options. All not helped with primarily being a very young squad, they get a sniff of first team football and then have expectations. In their short career as professional footballers a balance has to be struck, for themselves both financially personally, though also success or otherwise. Keeping so many happy, involved, motivated, committed is no doubt challenging and with the obvious short comings in the team, there will have to be some movement to get the missing experience and dynamic players playing JDT's ideology. Away form & ball retention style - this surely must be addressed, we cannot continue with the madness of gifting possession in our danger zone. Combined with some truly shockingly poor away performances to date. We need a plan B if we do not score first, we will/have got found out with our style of play. In summary I sympathise somewhat with the players being asked to play either out of their favoured positions, or in a formation they might not be fully used to, or novice young lads lacking the experience of such a match (btw why don't you take one of our brightest prospects along with you to a game to gain some experience rather than leave Adam at home?), combined with an obvious lack of planning in a match which the supporters feel strongly about. So no the players are not effing shit as the dingles whispered to them as they trudged off at full time, unless their chant was directed to our manager and coaches, who on Sunday were guilty as charged. Learn this lesson and do not repeat.

This would be my starting line up too. We need three midfielders in there, plus three that are combative, we need two full backs, or wing backs or half backs, call them what you like, but we need defensive cover out wide, with right footers and left footers on their correct side, without any inverted nonsense. Despite our limited set piece success, I think with this line up, we hopefully might have enough height to cause them problems at corners etc... Ayala heading one? Perhaps even a breakaway Diaz goal on the counter? I am anticipating little ball possession and being encamped in our half, yet our three central defenders and the best goalkeeper in the championship, fingers crossed keeping them at bay. Problem is they have more fingers to cross, so quite possibly two late dingle goals in injury time, 93rd and 101st minutes for a draw? I'd gladly take our first draw of the season at the Dingledome.

I would be concerned if I was the owners and seeing/paying for all these posts, wondering what they all do and is it value for money. I am not averse to DoF, or a Head of Recruitment, or any other back office staff or coaching staff, yet whilst our front facing actual Championship football players are scarce on the ground, is very worrying. Unless that is, they have on their radar (which I think would be sensible) plans afoot to make a mega saving in this corporate set up. From the last accounts the salaries of Rovers' three directors rose by £20,000 to £489,450. Who might these three directors be, when we have 4 current directors registered at Companies House; Cheston, Coar, Ghandi Babu & Waggott, note - Silvester is just the company secretary. I imagine Coar & Babu are not being remunerated, leaving a big wedge for the Finance Director (surely maximum £150k?) and the Managing Director. So hopefully a plan to terminate Waggott is all part of replacing him with these new posts. If not then Venkys are truly having their pants taken down, yet again.

Renewed this morning. Lovely lady in the ticket office offered me the pre Saturday deadline date renewal price, £400 including £1 postage for new card. COYB

As soon as Rovers get round to making any announcement of their stand out manager candidate, I shall then ring the ticket office and offer to pay them by £399 to renew my season ticket for 2022/23. Entirely up to them if they wish to accept this or not, however I will not be renewing at the price of £429.

It will be interesting to see how the roles might be adapted and possibly lead to changes elsewhere at the Rovers. Surely many of the functions of the role as DOF will eradicate or lessen those tasks being performed elsewhere, plus hopefully be a big improvement on those previously. I can think specifically of two, though there might well be others too:- - Chief Scout, has the current incumbent moved on and not been replaced? A saving to be made in this post? - CEO, I assume that many of the roles which this new position of DOF have previously been performed (successful or otherwise, discussed below) by Steve Waggott. So might it be fair to anticipate a reduction in his hours/contract, even that he might indeed be surplus to requirements? Especially when appraising his performance in a number of areas in recent times Season ticket renewals and having his finger on the pulse of the product in one of England's most deprived areas? Contracts; both those dished out to underperformers, but also the worrying and financially bonkers of allowing valuable contracts to be run down, without either obtaining extensions or cashing in by their sale. Transfer window successes - if we were led to believe that money has been available by the owners and they have never rejected any requests, why have we seen such failures in windows under his tenure, none more so than in January 2022 sat 2nd in an automatic promotion spot, knowing that important players would be absent through injury and a boost for promotion might very well have paid dividends, yet underwhelming bits and bob signings were made, offering little help/support. Attempt at selling for residential development our training ground. Manager replacement - quite frankly this has been farcical and more than any of the above highlights his ineptitude and shows him to be not fit for purpose. I could go on with the state of the stadium, the poor corporate offer, the abject communication with his customers. In summary Waggott, very poor, here is your P45.

This just about sums it up.

Hearing a number of Dyche linked rumours from reliable folk, who have connections. MIght just be soundings out, as to whether either parties might be inclined to just talk. I don't know where manager's salary fits in within FFP, heard Dyche was on £5m pa at Bumley, which is way too much for us if a manager's wages forms part of FFP. Plus it's not been Venky's modus operandi to date in going looking to pay big money for management, been more keen to look at cheaper options, with then links with agents? So to me the chances sound remote.