I finished Malcolm Christie yesterday. It was the best one I've listened to. I recommend it. A complete contrast from Ben Marshall and his nonchalance. It's a 2 parter, but worth the time to listen to. He's wellspoken and has a good story to tell. Recurring themes I've noticed whilst listening the podcasts are the unscrupulous nature of agents, the ruthless sometimes petty nature of clubs, and the selfishness of football managers.* I'll give the Owen Coyle one a miss. I'm not interested in what he has to say, regardless of the terrible job he did at BRFC. *after reading that sentence it is very pro player; not unexpected for a podcast interviewing former players. For some balance the podcast also illustrates that a good portion of footballers - especially during their playing years - are extremely immature, make bad decisions, listen to the wrong people, and have no idea that there is a world out there.

I said plenty of times that when Mouronho was in his pomp he could have proven that he was the best in the world by taking Stanley to the Prem. Imagine Pep trying to work on intricate tactical plans with league 1 and 2 cloggers.

During Mourinho's pomp I'd tell mates that if he really is the best manager in the world he should try his hand at Accrington Stanley, a team with one of the lowest budgets in the football league. In fantasy land if either Klopp or Guardiola was willing who would do the better job there?

Guardiola and Klopp are both superb managers who undertook different journey's getting to where they are now. Guardiola has had 3 jobs; Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Man City. Each one was the best team in the country when he took over. He did and continues to do a marvellous job. Klopp started in the German second division with Mainz. Moved to Dortmund, then Liverpool. None of those teams had or continue to have the resources Guardiola has enjoyed. I don't think 1 is better than the other. Klopp is more charismatic but has won fewer trophies than the more precise Guardiola.

All these can be true; The bidding process for Qatar was corrupt. It should never have been given the World Cup. They have exploited workers building the facilities. The timing is odd and domestic leagues will see ripple effects from it once the season starts again. However, I'm looking forward to it. I love the World Cup. Brazil and Argentina look to be favourites.

He will be fine. It won't be long before he gets another job in the closed world of football. Ronaldo is making the news again. Ten Hag confirmed that he refused to come on against Spurs, and rather than stick around he did one before the game was over. Ronaldo has always had a bit of petulance about him, and this doesn't look good at all. However, through his eyes he still thinks he's the world's greatest goalscorer so I can understand his reaction. It's wrong for him to do though it as it sets a bad example. Ten Hag doesn't want him. Man U should negotiate to pay him out and let him leave so he can move on.

Surely he has to go now? Another game with no goals. Another defeat. He has never looked comfortable at Villa.

I wouldn't class he 0-1 as one of the wort games I've ever seen. The result and the way Bolton scored was a kick in the knackers but the game itself wasn't awful. I watched the 2-1 win with a couple of Bolton fans. That was satisfying. My memory has Roberts clean through and scoring, although in typical Roberts style he nearly fluffed it.

A solid performance from all involved. Rovers looked comfortable in letting Sunderland attack them throughout the second half. As I and others said during the game; if the final ball improved there would have been a couple more goals. Did JDT switch fullbacks to counteract their also wrong footed wingers? I liked the look of Clarke. He had a bit of Grealish about him, but no one ahead of him to finish.

Rovers look brightish. No final ball at all so far though. Brittian doing well on the left.

I spoke to my Boro supporting mate about the game. He said it will be the save of the season. He also said that Rovers completely dominated and should have been 3 or 4 up before Whatmore's goal. He did acknowledge that Rovers were the better team and a win was a fair result.

I'm surprised that there haven't yet been any comments on the Liverpool-City game. It was an absolute cracker. A real heavyweight bout. Klopp got sent off. Guardiola moaning and moaning. I'll give credit to former Rovers loanee Harvey Elliott. Klopp played him and he did not disappoint.

Reece James is likely to miss the World Cup; The Guardian - James has knee injury Kyle Wlaker had a groin op last week. TAA is out for a month. Trippier needs to be careful.

Oh, I know. Hence me caveating it with "potentially suicidal". I don't expect a win so why not go down swinging? Ideally I'd have a 3rd central midfield player and drop either Gallagher or Hedges, but Rovers don't have anyone capable. Buckley is too lightweight. Wharton Jr. is close but similar to Morton. Could Mola do it? I don't know anything about him.

3 at the back has been working quite well, however, I think that Pickering on the left is miles better suited to a traditional left back role. Playing pie in the sky football manager and expecting another defeat I'd go with the potentially suicidal 4 attackers. Kaminski Brittain Hyam Wharton Pickering Travis Morton Dack Hedges Gallagher Brereton

There are lots of sad fanboys across the globe this morning. Barcelona's 3-3 draw at home to Inter Milan puts them in serious jeopardy of going out in the group stage. Inter need a win at home against bottom placed Plzen to knock them out. They should have done it last night. Inter had a glorious chance in the last minute. I can't remember who it was but he shot instead of squaring it for Mkhitaryan who had an open goal. Liverpool scoring 7 after going 1 down (again) is impressive even given the opposition. Elliott played well. I saw at least 3 articles stating that "they are back". City on Sunday will answer that. Bruges have already qualified for the knockout stages along with Real, Bayern, and City, as have the impressive Napoli. Juventus are in trouble.

As bad as the performance was I don't think that a personnel shake up is needed. Players have bad games, the topsy turvy results are down to the manager. JDT needs to have a good think as to why his current methods bring about dramatic changes in standards from one game to another. Szmodics got loads of praise last weekend. He looked nothing like a footballer tonight. His touch was abysmal. Brereton had a bad game, but he is far too important to leave out. Travis is club captain. He is limited but is a competent championship midfielder. Dack should play every week. I am starting to agree with the what's the point of Rovers developing other teams players argument. Morton has potential, but it's looking like Wharton Jr. is as good. Hirst doesn't have it. @Gav said earlier that neither did Brereton when he first signed. Brereton was a permanent signing. Hirst is at Ewood to get experience. He won't fire Rovers to promotion. If Rovers are to get loanees I'd like to see established players who aren't getting a look in for Prem teams come in. They'd have the nous and ability to stop nights such as tonight.

Nice one Gav. I am interested too. DC is worth a visit.

Ordinarily, yes.

Yes I did. I'm not one for watching matches after the fact though. The tension isn't there, and by the time I'd get around to it it would be pointless and highlights will do.

OK, good to know. I've not lost my sense of humour, but there are at times some odd posts on here that leave me scratching my head.

I'll assume that you aren't being serious. I don't get to watch many games, however, in 2022, they've tended to lose when I do. It has included Mowbray's final death spiral, and the random nature of JDT's current team performances.

It's on ESPN in the USA so I'll see the game. Expect another defeat, Rovers winning percentage when I watch is atrocious.

This may be the same game I'm thinking about. December time 2000 I think. It was awful. My mind has it a 1-0 loss. Their keeper was a bit eccentric. Some others from over the years; Losing at home to Ipswich early 1991-92 season. It may have been Don Mackay's last game. Terrible. Man U winning at Ewood in 94-95. Berg should never have been sent off. Sheff Wed away 1998-99 ish. Fettis in goal. A calamity game. Wigan away under Ince. Was it 4-1? Valencia ran amok. Allardyce's flirtation with Herold Goulon at Old Trafford. Bolton at home under Kean. Nasty atmosphere. Kean should have gone after the final whistle blew. Has anyone mentioned the 7-0 defeat to Fulham last season? It was a car crash. Mowbray should have walked after that debacle. The entire 2010 World Cup in South Africa was crap from start to finish too. England were awful. There weren't many good games. Spain bored their way to winning it, albeit with a fantastic team.

I think that you are right. If he isn't fit Southgate can name a replacement. TAA could get a reprieve. Chelsea had a large English contingent playing last night. All of them did well. All told there were 6 English Chelsea academy graduates playing, including Tomori (who didn't do much wrong but was on the end of a comprehensive defeat).