Leonard Venkhater

That is the definition of "hiding"...

I was certainly gutted at the end of the Sheffield game. However, within a few hours I found myself thinking it was the best outcome-out with honour and a good vibe between team and fans, as opposed to an expensive trip to Wembley for (only) a semi final and a probable hammering from Man City. Two games and an international break later, all the good feeling and optimism seems to have been erased by two poor performances. There were boos yesterday! The thing is we all knew last August that we needed another striker and a midfield player and, of course, that was even more urgent in January. It looks like another opportunity sabotaged- off the field. The manager may even walk on account of that. Our terrible goal difference means that any of the chasing pack only need to get level with Rovers to overtake us. A poor performance at resurgent Huddersfield will confirm my own pessimism about a play off place. The finger of blame will point at the club's administrators and probably the owners too, as this looks like a pattern of failing to back the team in a promotion challenge.

Let down by the transfer window "errors"-absolutely! They said the same on Radio Lancs and JDT has alluded to it more than once. If we do miss out, the blame will be deafening.

I was watching on a continually buffering stream, but even that couldn't hide the fact that much of our possession was in our own half/final third even. 71% possession? Where is Fr Merrin, when we need him?

A routine away defeat. Didn't do enough.

(..and Graham Poll?)

JB Kafka!

And how I loved our celebrations at Cardiff! They thought they only had to turn up...

Only 2000? That is awful.

My own reading is that this slipped out because it is on GB's mind.

I am sure the great John Barnes had a similar moment, which lost the title to Arsenal at Anfield. With only seconds to go, Barnes had the ball on the right, approaching the Arsenal end. If only he had held onto the ball or passed to team mate, Liverpool would have lost the game 1-0, but won the title. Instead, he crossed the ball -to nobody- in the Arsenal area. The keeper blasted the ball high into the Liverpool half and the rest is scouse heartbreak. So Derbyshire and Gallagher are in exalted company!

I suffer from Stockholm syndrome. Thanks for jolting me out of it!

I did, as soon as I saw it! This feels like an important moment. The club looked in a very healthy, unified state in front of the whole country yesterday. I was very proud to see the texts from non Rovers mates. The media team have utilised it very well indeed. Can the powers that be capitalise on this potential reunification moment?

I think Sam G did a similar thing v PNE, which arguably relegated us..

Rumsfeld Rovers!

Your last sentence sums up the feelings in our house. Even if we had won, when the dust settled, we would have only been going to Wembley for a semi final..not a final...

https://scontent.fman7-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/333572045_3203633439928242_5685292383336910396_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=pypR9W1Rl84AX9K_y33&_nc_ht=scontent.fman7-1.fna&oh=00_AfA8ZS27GmxDnhwRwJLc4GIddJvebibnj12I5Rajil1uQA&oe=641BE72E

Agreed. Old as I am, the list grows and grows. 20 years ago, for instance, I never gave Wigan a moment's thought.

This is the problem.

I could have told you, Vincent...

I was wondering about Fred P, but Wiki says he played 4 times for England?

It wasn't your fault. It was JDT's!

Thanks for posting this.

The old Darwen End was teeming with green and white...

Just seen a post wishing happy birthday to Damien Duff and remembered a funny story. It was the weekend, when we were all waiting to see whether Duffer would actually sign for Chelsea and our family was in a large group, having a meal in a Hurst Green pub. We all saw Duffer jogging past the window and a couple of minutes later, my eldest (15 years old) disappeared. When he returned, his mum asked him where he had been and he answered that he had just popped a note through Duffer's letter box. Cue comments about the player's privacy and then she asked, "What was in the note?" He answered "We love you at Rovers. Please don't go!" This drew emotional oohs and ahs from all the women in the group. Then-sotto voce -to his brother.."But if you are reading this as a Che;sea b******, you can f**** right off!" Footy fans, eh!