57 minutes ago, Mercer said:

Didn't Jason Lowe captain England U21's!?  Enough said.

For that money, we could have signed the likes of Pukki with plenty of change left over.  Also, think Brum paid less than Armstrong's fee for Adams.

Just feel for £1.75m we could have done much, much better.

He did but come on, watching Armstrong you can see something. His pace stands out against most in this league. And he’s previously got the goals to back it up.

Whereas we couldn’t see anything like that with Lowe.

And be realistic - for every Pukki I’d bet there’s 10 flops. 

We could’ve done better for that money yes but only as a gamble. Imo Armstrong for that money was one of the soundest investments out there.

Just now, Mattyblue said:

I assume we have to wait for a Pune sign off.

Ah, the annual 2 month delay due to the communication channels of explaining the concept of a Season ticket to Madame.. again

Arma's got loads of ability but his composure is often crap.

Often tries to absolutely leather it, which is annoying as we've seen on a number of occasions he has the ability to buy himself a yard and guide the ball in to the corner. But that said he's a striker by trade and is playing deeper and wider than he's used to which gives him more to think about, maybe supressing his instict abit. Most of his shots are from well outside the area too so he might be blasting it to compensate. Might not be the case but it's a reasonable theory.

If he's to continue playing as a 'wide striker' maybe he'll improve on the above with time and coaching, he's still young.

For most clubs season ticket timing is down to strategy around factors like what division the team is in - has an impact on the nature of the marketing, pricing structure and such.

Think Rovers don't think that far and are just always late to the party!

Just now, Fraserkirky said:

For as frustrating as Armstrong is, his pace is terrifying and gives Rothwell and Dack the option to "drop balls" in behind for him. 

Both are rapid, but Rothwell is quicker than Arma!

Looks like cheaper tickets on the last day v Swansea

https://www.swanseacity.com/news/blackburn-tickets-sale-monday

The Only Ones - Another Girl Another Planet

We were surprisingly excellent against Derby. So I'd go almost unchanged.... just Nyambe in for Bennett.

So:

                        Raya

 Nyambe Lenihan Williams Bell

                 Travis Reed

         Conway Dack Rothwell

                    Graham

However I'm semi expecting Conway and Rothwell to be benched due to the muscle niggles they picked up (Frustrating but sensible if not 100%).

In that case we'd probably go:

                      Raya

 Nyambe Lenihan Williams Bell

                 Travis Reed

     Bennett Dack Armstrong

                   Graham

Wouldn't be enthused with Bennett on the right but knowing the defensive winger approach it's reality. Hopefully we don't shoehorn any of Evans, Smallwood or Mulgrew in as they aren't deserving of a spot, particularly after the graft the players put in on Tuesday night.

Give Lenihan the captain's armband.

COYB.

I hope we don't give up on Reed, and I hope TM is being shrewd by underplaying the situation. Southampton may want to look at him but every player has a price.

If he's affordable, without stopping us from signing the other key positions, it's an absolute no brainer.

The lad is good and is only going to get better. We also know that he fits in to our team which is half of the dilemma solved.

Likelihood is we'd either be rewarded by years of having the type of central midfielder every team needs, or we'd recoup the fee we pay with a tidy profit on top.

Sign him up.

REEEEEDY!

Just now, 47er said:

How have you been proven wrong?  You were right and  TM has left it too late to wake up!

More so on Conway. Wasn’t happy with him starting but turned out to be the perfect selection tonight.

Agree it’s been a while coming and we could’ve been as bold and creative as we were tonight earlier (not to mention Rothwell warranting many many more starts) but hey, better late then never, long may it continue.

Bennett, Williams and Conway playing when Nyambe, Rodwell and Armstrong are on the bench.

Standard, but expected disappointment.

1 hour ago, 47er said:

Saw a clip recently of Jason playing for the England under-20's and near to Danny Rose!

Unimaginable to think of those two in the same side.

Some push on and some go backwards.

Just like Ben Brereton will end up playing Champions League and Tammy Abraham will end up on the Bolton bench!!..

Just now, Bigdoggsteel said:

Indeed and you make a valid point about this season. However our aim last season was promotion at all costs and that was achieved. This season it was to consolidate, which we have, but as you say, how we have gotten to this point is concerning and can't just be passed off because we consolidated. The run we are on isn't just a blip, it's borderline catastrophic. 

Yeah you're right in saying we can't overly criticise it; was just pointing out it wasn't a miracle as such. We'll always remember it for the great year any promotion year is, and the Mulgrew header at Doncaster will be thought about like Jansen's goal at Preston, Speedie's dive at Wembley and such.

There were areas for TM to improve on from the league one season going in to the championship that were not addressed as they could've been, but again I suppose it's much easier said with hindsight.

The next month will be telling, as it always is when talk from the manager goes from performances to the need to just get the points.

Just now, Bigdoggsteel said:

It doesn't matter what we were doing with 40 games played, all that matters was where we were after 46.  Job done , comfortably for a finish. I am critical of Mowbray now too, but lets not downplay what he achieved last season. It's pointless, disingenuous and takes focus off the real issues which are happening right now. 

Think you misinterpreted my reply to the original point BDS!

But I would be inclined to disagree with that notion.

Lets say we finish 16th this season after 46 games.

Without context we might see that as a decent job.

With the context of knowing that we were touching the play offs in Jan, followed by a run of 4 points from 33 I think it's much worse of a job, especially taking in to consideration aspects such as the very same manager's history at Coventry and Boro, and the fact that we need to give ourselves the best chance of a strong start to next season.

Taking things as they actually are with full context is really important. And as in any line of work, decisions made with context should be backed up by dynamic data over time as opposed to taking a purely static view.

Just now, lraC said:

After the first 6 games in league one, last year, I think people thought it would take a miracle to get us promoted. Mowbray achieved that miracle and I would say he deserved credit for that, after the torrid time we have had. He is obviously hanging on by his finger nails now, given the current run, but I would imagine he will be given the summer to reassess and 10 games next season, before his position is really under threat. 

Not sure chasing down the likes of Shrewsbury by 9 points or so with 40 games to play with a squad full of players that had played Premier League and Championship was anywhere near a miracle!

For what it's worth, I think we could lose every game for the rest of the season and the only way he'd depart would be through resignation.

Just now, JHRover said:

Whatever happened to Josh Vela? Was highly rated at one time and still quite young.

Not rated at all by them.

Looked okayish in league one but nowhere near good enough in this league. 'A more attacking Jason Lowe' I was told!

35 minutes ago, SIMON GARNERS 194 said:

Mowbray:

"We are trying really hard and I hope the supporters can see that"

 

Steve McClaren. Tried really hard. SACKED.

Gary Rowett. Tried really hard. SACKED.

And so on... doesn't save any man.

Welcome to the results business.

Gorillaz - Kids with Guns

Fair point on the pubs, I’m more nit picking at the lack of variation of places for 18-25’s - nowhere near as big a problem as other things though!

I drive past the Black Bull on my way back from games and have nipped in for one on occasions - deserves every bit of acclaim it’s had, great place.

29 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

18-25 attendances are down. Something blueboy has repeatedly raised on here, not sure the club’s response in the minutes are particularly encouraging, just waffle about ‘being competitive’.

I go to away games with a number of 18-25's who go to Ewood once or twice a season. One lad I go with (23) went to every Saturday away game last season, yet he only went to Ewood once on the last day vs Oxford. I think the last game he went to before that was Burnley. Call it fickle but recognise it's reality.

Most people in this age bracket go to games for the overall experience rather than a 90 minute football match.

Aside from the stuff on the pitch, that's our issue - the Ewood match day experience barely exists. If it DID exist we could make a significant addition to the crowd week in week out.

Away from home for most 18-25's it's great. Spend a few hours with your mates beforehand, most having a drink. Have a good sing during the game etc, make some noise and proudly show off how much noise your town can make, often stay in the town/city for a few hours afterwards. It's a good day out and you get a right laugh for your money. It gets rinsed and repeated. Folk spend loads doing it all season because it's worth it.

It doesn't feel like that for home games. The product doesn't equate to the cost due to the overall experience. A load of people realise that, especially after good experiences away from home, and turn a blind eye to going to home games because they can go and do something else more enjoyable, more worth their time and money.

One issue, the toughest to influence - the area. There is not much worthwhile to do around Ewood before and after the game. There are only a few pubs within walking distance so the opportunity to have a good day out both before and after the game barely exists. On top of that the rather uneventful town centre is a distance away from the ground with awful public transport links so that doesn't help. Out of our control but a better train link would help that big time. Always said that going to Ewood would be much improved if the area with an Aldi/Maccies on was redeveloped, similar to a mini version of Middlebrook next to the Reebok. A few shops, restaurants/bars and even something like a cinema would attract more people and would make the day experience better. Go for food/a drink, watch the game, go and do some sort of activity/drink in a nice place and call it a day. But just like transport infrastructure, it's not something we can do a great deal about, unfortunately. (And we all know the inept BwD council don't give a toss, shown by their decades old blantant disregard for parking solutions and numerous other things, but that's a rant for another day).

But there are very realistic things we CAN do something about, away from on the pitch, cost and council addressed areas, that other clubs HAVE done something about. One being the experience directly outside/at the ground... the fanzone is a bit of a gimmick, just a small bar under a tent serving up sunday league entertainment. I went to Bristol City away this season and they had loads of pop up food/drink areas directly outside the ground with decent music and so on. Everything was busy with a real buzz around (they weren't doing that well in the league at the time just to add). I've been to games in Germany where it was similar - grab some decent food and drink, mill about just enjoying the vibe around the place. The fanzone was a step in the right direction but we need to go one step further. These things are easy enough to set up and pay for themselves if done properly.

Perhaps the key thing; the main turn off for most 18-25's is the atmosphere. I think it's been covered to death in this thread so I won't go in to it, but we really need to address it and at the very least designate a signing/atmosphere area. I know people who are embarrassed by how quiet Ewood is these days and won't turn up because of that. They would genuinely go if it was louder, it's that simple. Boro, Derby, Ipswich and many other clubs have CONSISTENTLY boosted their crowds by designating an area. Many clubs boost their crowds this way without serving up Premier League football. You can't just expect/ hope it sorts itself out when the atmosphere has got as bad is it is, you can't just say 'well they could choose to go and sit somewhere and sing' as that isn't realistic. Designating somewhere is cheap to do, just needs a bit of a marketing campaign. Ridiculously easy, baffled we haven't done it.

These are quick wins that have proven to stand the test of time at clubs like us.

The matchday experience for anybody above the age of 12 hasn't been touched.

'Looking at keeping the price of season tickets competitive to retain the support' what a load of non-commitall tosh. Don't act, don't get.

As we've seen so often in recent history, we focus on little things and make a song and a dance about them when in reality we're standing still compared to clubs of a similar and smaller stature to us.

We're a long way off Derby. They've got a good balance, lots of experienced leaders (Carson, Cole, Keogh, Johnson, Huddlestone, Nugent) mixed with lots of young exciting talent (Wilson, Mount, Lawrence, Holmes, Bogle, Tomori).

Looking at their bench from Saturday, not even their first 11, I think every player would walk in to our team at present. Think of our left back situation. Then realise they've got an absolute legend of a left back in Ashley Cole.... on the bench!

Only saving grace is they have been inconsistent for years and always seem to have a slip up on the horizon. Hoping they have an off day and we can battle for a point or 3 although that's certainly more hope than expectation.

Let's go out to try and cause them a few problems. Forget doubling up on below average deep lying mids, or playing crap 'defensive wingers' to cover the full backs to 'keep solid' as it has never worked and never will with the players we have. Would make logic with better players but it just doesn't with the current side.

                      Raya

  Nyambe Lenihan Rodwell Bell

            Reed Evans Travis

     Rothwell Brereton Arma

Not putting Evans in with a smile on my face but it's working with the tools we've got & see below point on Dack.

Rest Graham & Give BB a chance in the central role to grab that goal.

Reed and Travis to play a bit more advanced than usual but counting on their energy to get back and do some dirty work.

Chapman as an option from the bench with a point to prove to their manager, probably for an out of form Arma. Would be happy to see him start though.

Controversial but I think coming on off the bench (probably earlyish for Evans) will do Dack some good. Get a bit of fire in his belly, let him do what he does to let us know that he should be back to being the first name on the team sheet next Saturday.

COYB.

Missed my first home game of the season yesterday so can’t comment on the game itself.

But I refuse to believe we selected Bennett at number 10. Can’t believe my eyes. I’d play most of the squad in that position before him. What were you thinking Tony? Benno’s been awful all season offering nothing, particularly going forward. Last game at Villa he was the worst player on the park by a distance. Couldn’t do anything right. He gets rewarded by arguably playing the most important position on the pitch, a place he’s never played and obviously can’t play? An actual football manager put him there, thinking it would be the right move? There is NO logic to it. Really angry with that. Amateur. By all accounts he didn’t do well but even if he’d had the game of his life the selection would still be baffling. Tony you’re losing the plot pal. Sort it out.

Centre half is unquestionably the priority area, closely followed by a goalkeeper and a left back.

Yes we need to add further up the pitch but the above 3 are utterly critical.