JHRover

I don't agree that it is being negative to be concerned about these things. Of course the situation might well change over the coming weeks, of course it is difficult to get signings over the line, but neither of those things are going to be much use when we cross the line against QPR, Swansea etc. in the near future. At that point the only thing that will matter is how good the squad is, no amount of talking about how hard it is and what we are trying to do will help us then. As far as I am concerned I judge performance on results over the whole season, which starts on Saturday, not on results from September when we might have made changes. Right here right now is the most important thing and was the focus of my original post, not where we might be if certain things happen As I say, I'd like to be more confident, but I am struggling to be given the lack of action to date on signings.

And? Have they signed? Are they available for selection? I'm on about the reality of the situation and who is available to play for Rovers, not what might happen if things fall into place. We can try to sign whoever we want but if we can't get those deals done then we have to use what we have and hope. We don't get points or grace for trying to sign players but not doing. We might well get those players between now and September but the season starts in 4 days, not at the end of August. We could have an uphill struggle by the time people sign. Next news is we will be using the excuse of how hard it is to attract signings from a lowly position in the table.

I wish I could share the optimism but I really can't. I don't think anyone can seriously put a case forward that we are anything but weaker than we were last season. It's all well and good saying that the window isn't closed yet and that other clubs are also struggling to bring players in but I don't think many will have a lack of depth and experience to the extent we do, nor will many others have lost so many from last season. We are basically hoping that Tomasson turns out to be a good manager, at least better than Mowbray, and that the younger players can step up / we don't get many injuries. A dangerous and reckless way to approach a Championship season IMO but seems the majority are happy to gamble with it.

I've said before but I think it is a good thing that PNE and Bolton have both sold 13,000+ season tickets. Why? Because it destroys some of the myths that get circulated among the Rovers' support and corridors of power. Up to this point Waggott and co. and the legions of people who cannot contemplate criticising or questioning the official policy have been quite happy in their little world convincing themselves that sub-10,000 season tickets is natural, unavoidable, inevitable, impossible to better, and that anything higher is a private reserve for the big city boys or those who throw big money around. Thanks to our neighbours that myth has been annihilated. It shows once and for all not just how appalling Waggott & his team have performed in the last 3-4 years (somehow presiding over a decline in sales at a time when rivals are increasing) but also more generally how terrible our sales have been over the last decade - never getting past 11,000 even in the 'good old days' of Gary Bowyer. It goes to show that some semblance of a plan, joined up thinking and most importantly decent pricing can deliver much better than we've had and have been told is our lot in life. Yes it is embarrassing, but at least it is ammunition to store for those who go on about the 'small town' stuff and 'we can't compete' nonsense. Well we can but that needs to start at the top, Ideally new owners but failing that a CEO and board with an ounce of ambition or pride.

Yeah but "inflationary pressures" and FFP rules (says Waggott)

The relegated teams that have done well and bounced back tend to be those that have maintained consistency in their set up and squad. Norwich, Fulham, Bournemouth, Watford - all had relatively low turnovers in personnel Dingles have almost built an entire new team and with 6 weeks left to go I'd be surprised if they didn't lose a few more. That sort of turnover requires time to settle and adapt. Takes some doing to craft it into a promotion ready team in one pre-season. If they'd have kept Dyche and their squad from the start of last season I'd expect them to be there or thereabouts on automatic promotion. I'm less sure of that now. In their favour is the general weak state of the Championship. Aside from the other two relegated clubs and perhaps WBA/Sheff U/Middlesbrough there's really nothing there in this league. Even sides like Huddersfield and Luton who were top 6 last season I'd be very surprised to see in there again this.

I hope things have changed but I am worried that the window is likely to go the same way as previous years. Lots of big talk and links to 'big' name players but then pipped to it by others, and we end up resorting to the last minute loan market as the easier option. After we signed Brittain the local media were obviously tipped off that several more were imminent and led Sharpe to boldly announce things were hotting up and moving on transfers. 5 days on and it sounds like the annual Liverpool loan is on hold and Styles is likely to join Besiktas. Don't get points or prizes for missing out.

I'm optimistic about the signing. I can't really comment on whether it is value for money as only time will tell, but I am relieved/satisfied that we have invested in a permanent signing rather than turning to loans. I won't get back onto the Nyambe discussion but it is a signing we have had to make because of our negligence on Nyambe so to answer your question yes I am pleased with the signing, yes I am pleased we have paid a fee and given him a 4 year deal, but it wouldn't have been needed had we sorted our shit out over the last few years. But I wasn't talking about the Brittain signing, I was talking about further signings, which are urgently needed, and Tomasson's comments yesterday about there being money available. The point I was making was that most managers and staff under Venkys have said money is available, but actually spending it is where things don't always come together. For example you could have £30 million to spend, but if you are adhering to a strict wage bill suggestive of a bottom end Championship club you might as well not bother, as you won't be able to put it to much use.

If we actually spend it I'll be happy. Lost count of the number of times someone employed by Rovers has said there is money but then little if any gets spent. Think it is a contractual requirement

https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/blackburn-rovers-transfer-stance-brittain-24570860 'The Venkys' claxon Deary me

Burnley is a false figure in many ways just like their finances, propped up by their PL days. Give it a couple of years of missing out and both will collapse. We need to be more worried about being so far behind PNE and Bolton, and neck and neck with Blackpool. No excuses for that and suggests big problems. But hey Steve's a nice bloke and thinks sales have been good so why would I cast doubt on that?

Risky business only going after League One players. They need to be good enough for the Championship otherwise we become another Peterborough, Barnsley or Rotherham.

I find it strange. 2 weeks ago I was reading all about how we can't really blame Lenihan for ditching us and moving to a Championship rival - Middlesbrough - because they are more likely to be in with a shot at promotion and he's thinking about his best career move etc. etc. Now rumours come along the same club are interested in Gallagher and people would entertain selling him, now, 1 week before the season despite our threadbare squad being down to the bare bones with what 8-9 departures and 1 arrival this summer. Doesn't that tell us something - if a rival supposedly in with a better chance of promotion wants one of our players it might not be the best idea right now to sell him to them. For all the talk over the last few days and 'excitement' on names LINKED with us reality is we've signed one. Work to do and quickly. We won't get points for trying and missing out.

Well yes that partly, but I was referring more to: “Achieving excellence in player trading is vital in our aim of establishing Blackburn Rovers as an aspiring and ambitious club, and Gus will be key in helping us to develop this area. “When we sat down to look at what we wanted from this role we targeted three criteria: · A proven track record of working within elite performance recruitment and scouting of players; · Excellence in creating structure and running processes; · Outstanding people skills with the ability to build relationships. “Gus has a track record of excelling in all three areas. During his 22 years working with the Welsh FA, he has played a big part in their journey, rising over 100 places in the FIFA rankings and now qualifying for the 2022 World Cup for the first time since 1958, with a squad of whom 90% have graduated through their talent identification programme. “More importantly, his values and emotional intelligence will allow him to develop the key part of any recruitment programme – relationships" I know it's easy to say but it just looks impressive and suggests we have people who know what they are doing

The most impressive element of this is the comments of Broughton on the website . A welcome sign of professionalism at the club. Of course as I keep on saying words mean little if not backed up with anything but I really like to see him explaining the logic behind the appointment and yesterday's signing. At the very least it looks like we are doing things properly.

Ah right I'm with you now. So I can only form a negative view of someone if I myself have done the exact same job as him and I have sat across a table and had a brew and chat with him? I actually rely on my own research, eyes and ears, experience in the world and most importantly track record in the job to form a view rather than simply listening to what he has to say and believing it verbatim as the reality of things.

It only dispels anything if you take Waggott's word for it. The problem I have is that frequently he has said things are happening or going to happen and they haven't. So I can't take Waggott's word for it.

Fair play to those who have gone to the effort of meeting with him and then reporting back on here as to the outcome. Personally I don't believe a word he comes out with. People like Waggott get into the jobs they are in through an ability to talk a good game. There's a lot of them in football and its half the reason they get employed in the first place by owners with no interest in doing the dirty work but keen to keep people quiet so they pay people big money to provide a facade for them. I'm focused on what actually happens. I think his policies and performance range from mediocre at best to self-destructive at worst and have caused significant damage in some places like season ticket sales. I can't imagine any situation whereby he would meet with fans and admit that it was Mowbray who got him the job, or admit the owners are cutting back, or admit there are major structural problems at the Club. If he did any of those things he'd be out of a job quickly.

Surprised we have spent money on a defender yes. Don't know much about the lad so hope he's alright. We will have to see if he is better than Wigan's new RB. Find it unbelievable that we've allowed Lenihan and Nyambe to walk for nothing and then seemingly spent decent money replacing them. I'd hold back on the willy-waving until we've got another 5-6 in and we see if they are any good. Still well short of where we need to be 1 week before the season starts. Even you must accept that.

That might well be true from the way things have gone. But I just find it bizarre. After all why wouldn't they trust him when his biggest deals - Dack, AA, Brereton and Gallagher have overrall been successful?? Of course he dropped some clangers and the Pears and Hedges ones were sackable in themselves, but it isn't as though he had a dire record with their investments is it? They knew him and worked with him for 5 years, wouldn't back him when in with a shot at promotion but now are going to throw money at Broughton and JDT who they don't know. Just seems odd but I hope they do.

One big problem addressed, in my opinion at least 5 more needed before we can consider ourselves as strong or stronger than last season. We will see whether he is an upgrade on Nyambe in time to come. I am pleased we have got some business done at last, pleased there is at least some willingness to invest and pleased that we are actually addressing things with proper contracts. I am baffled. Baffled that we are willing and able to pay a reported 7 figure transfer fee on this lad and hand him a 4 year deal yet not willing or able to retain Lenihan or Nyambe, the cost of both peanuts in comparison to this outlay. My interpretation is that a combination of Covid, Venkys going silent for a couple of years and a vacuum at the top of the club with Mowbray's power gone meant nobody was in a position to sort those contracts out, and by the time we were it was just too late - those players had had interest from elsewhere, bridges were burned and heads were turned. I am hoping that things are different now, but this is only a small start. Much more is needed and quite quickly, although the most pressing area has been dealt with. I think the most impressive element of the deal is the professionalism of it. To have an actual Director of Football talking about the background to the deal, the logic behind it and even thanking Barnsley for their part in it just suggests to me a lot more of a professional structure in place. Don't need to hear from JDT on this - Broughton can handle it

"Barring any unforseen complications"

Tend to agree. Only have to look at Giles. Utterly wasted here yet at Cardiff the Championship assist king and last night a hattrick of assists for Middlesbrough. Wilder knows what he is doing. We can't let anyone go. Besides Middlesbrough couldn't afford Gallagher. Unless FFP doesn't apply to them.

But it does mean a lot to so many. In the space of a couple of hours it has filled a few pages on here and my twitter feed is full this morning of what a good move it would be. So job done in that respect. No more anger about the Nyambe situation and lots of people feel better about the direction things are going if we are 'trying' to sign this lad. I don't think it is some elaborate conspiracy. Just that those running things at Rovers are quite happy for fans to believe things are happening and will do nothing to dispel the rumours, it suits them to the ground for people to believe they have money and ambition even when the evidence suggests they don't. Just like Assombalonga and Kipre did in windows past and the lad from Malmo did earlier this summer. None actually arrived and probably never were going to given the finances involves as they would have all been completely at odds with the business conducted by the Club over the last 3-4 years. But they served a purpose in convincing people stuff was happening and good signings were coming. Then they didn't and we turned to the loan market instead.

Yeah word will be getting back to those in charge that people are not happy with the lack of movement and business. Concern is setting in with 0 signings and the season a week away, especially with the news on Nyambe this week. Surprise surprise along comes a link to a decent player who would cost a decent fee. That will shut people up for a week. Of course it is very easy to leak it to the media crew that we are interested, quite another thing to go out, pay a 7 figure transfer fee and get it done. As I keep on saying - talk costs nothing - what matters is getting business done and I'm afraid there are a lot of hurdles with this sort of deal.