JHRover

I enjoyed it today. It was really good to see the other side to our game and do the necessary to get the 3 points without dominating the game especially after a hair-raising first 40 minutes. Very frustrating to sustain another couple of injuries. It seems a game cannot pass without at least one. Defensive issues once again midweek? Millwall I suspect will be the polar opposite of Barnsley in their approach.

If Terry joins Derby will it be 'John Terry's Derby' or 'Wayne Rooney's Derby'? They are rapidly becoming a club to dislike. I've no time at all for Rooney or Terry so both there and it will be great if they get relegated. They've also fiddled FFP for years and got away with it too.

Millwall are becoming the draw specialists of the division. Think they've had 4 in a row now. No surprises when you look at their manager and squad. Rowett is very good at making sides defensively solid and hard to beat, grinding results out consistently whilst their squad isn't blessed with talent but is hard working. Tough game indeed but another we need to be winning at home to have any chance. If it was away I think most would agree a draw is a decent result but at Ewood we need to be winning these. Just hope it isn't another Cardiff or Boro bore fest.

Yeah I echo this. As enjoyable and comprehensive as our wins this season have been it would be foolish to expect that to be possible every week. We will have to win games ugly if we are going to get anywhere. The Middlesbrough, Cardiff and Luton draws could have been those sort of games where we weren't at our best but had opportunities to snatch the 3 points yet we failed to do it and only got the 1. Barnsley are an odd side but are one of those that have made life difficult for us over the last few years despite lowly league positions. In seasons gone by they are the sort we have struggled to deal with yet this season we seem to be the opposite way around - we have been very good against the poorer sides and have failed to get results against the better sides. Two tough away games appearing on the horizon in Brentford and Norwich. If we can get 6/6 at home before then it will take some pressure off those fixtures.

I actually think this is a smart and astute move by Derby. McClaren has vast experience, granted not all successful, but he knows the Championship, knows English football and has also worked in Holland, Germany and Israel. He also knows Derby inside out having been manager there twice in recent years. At the moment they are a bit rudderless with ownership transition and inexperienced caretaker coaches. His advice could be very useful. With new foreign owners seemingly coming in and having given this appointment their blessing it seems at the very least they recognise the need for someone in there with experience who knows the industry and division to help. That's a good start rather than coming in thinking they know best and running the show like cowboys. It's probably the equivalent of Venkys appointing Souness as Director of Football when they took over. We all know what they did instead.

I'm in full agreement with the lady at Port Vale. It should not be allowed that some clubs are able to have fans in and others not. We'll end up with the likes of Bournemouth, Norwich and Reading being allowed fans in whilst the rest can forget it. Given the starts they have had to the season this may well give them an even bigger advantage in the quest for promotion. If Rovers are allowed 2000 fans in then of course they should, otherwise 2000 season ticket holders will be asking why they bothered parting with their cash in September. If it costs money to do it then we should have factored that in before putting them on sale. It was always likely to be such at least initially. Personally speaking I don't think I would take up the option even if it was available to me. I can't envisage me getting any enjoyment sitting alone at Ewood with 2000 others spread out, not being allowed to shout, sing, stand up or go for a pint before or after. Might as well stay indoors and watch on TV.

Agreed. Given how nice we are it is astonishing how many yellow cards we collect. I've no idea how we fare in comparison to others in the league but take Saturday as an example - we ended up coming out of the Luton game with 4 yellows to their none including a suspension for Johnson. Now all our yellow cards were for relatively insignificant things. Brereton one for rightly having a go at the referee but a cheap yellow nonetheless. I can't even remember what Elliott was booked for. Luton as predicted were crafty, and managed to repeatedly commit tactical and cynical fouls regularly through the game without ever getting booked. This happens too often. We aren't devious enough to be on the other side of it. I've no issue with us being top of the fouls charts and picking up lots of bookings (as long as it doesn't result in lengthy absences and suspensions) but when you are picking up 4 yellows to their none for next to nothing it isn't good enough

True, I get the impression that a big bonus and salary would tempt Allardyce out of retirement. I just remember when he left Palace he did so on his own terms and said that he was retiring and wasn't looking to manage again. He made a comeback for the Everton job but in fairness that would have been a big temptation - big club, loads of money to spend, chance to challenge for Europe etc. He got an incredible deal at Everton to keep them up and a massive pay off when sacked so he won't need to work. I'd just be surprised if he dropped into the Championship, especially when they've little chance of going up this season so will be at least 18 months before he can get them promoted. By then he'll be nearly 68. Does he really need to prove himself in the Championship at his age? If it were me I'd be relaxing enjoying life and might make a comeback if it was a Premier League club or international job.

I'd be amazed if Big Sam would be interested in going to Derby. Why drop to the bottom of the Championship? He's virtually retired, not worked for over 2 years, and said he wasn't looking to return. The only way I can see it is one last hurrah and a massive bonus for survival and promotion in the next 18 months. If there is truth to it then that's Derby and Sheff Wed who have secured safety already just with managerial changes.

I think the only win we've had since Souness' days was Lambert's debut when we won 2-1 and were hanging on there. A team of soft lads from the manager down. Nice, honest, play the 'right way' but in a fiery local Derby when the going gets tough they wilt.

I think there are two ways this could go. Your scenario above is one of them - e.g. Mowbray will leave when he feels like it and that will only happen when we are really struggling and he's nowhere to hide. The alternative is the Bowyer scenario. This is that the owners have had enough of him and his failure to deliver promotion and get bored of it all again so refuse to meet him, fail to provide any more funds and expect sales to cover costs, and we end up with confusion and chaos. I've got to say that I am disturbed and unimpressed by Mowbray admitting in his interview last week that he had been on to the owners during the international break and was telling them that we will be a promotion force next season. This to me stinks of self-protection and preservation, once again promising milk and honey months or years down the line and covering for failure this season. This isn't what was sold to us. Mowbray didn't say in 2018 that it would be 2021-22 before we have a shot at promotion (and surely not even the most delusional people on here would actually have any confidence in that materialising). Mowbray persuaded us all - owners and fans - that we were doing the slow build. Yet he's now had the allotted time - 5 transfer windows, healthy funds and no enforced sales. Why does he need or deserve more time? Or if he does surely this needs to be weighed against performance THIS season? Or are we already at the stage of writing this season off as yet another transition (seemingly as we are the only side affected by Covid and injuries). Next summer will see another major rebuild required and the chances are there won't be the funds or freedom we've had in recent years. Also likely that Armstrong at least will be sold. Then its just more transition as we adjust to a new style or system to fit the new players. It never ends. No. For me this is it with Mowbray. He's had more time and money than most managers could hope for. I'd rather he went soon to give us some chance of salvaging this season but if not then this season should be his last before someone else gets a go. You only have to listen to Waggott's latest interview to see that he is laying the foundations for more time for him and Tony. Thing is for all of Waggott's talk he isn't a 'Blackburn' fan. He's a very well paid executive who wants to maintain the status quo for as long as possible. Working with his mate on easy street whilst the absent owners pick up the tab and he approaches retirement. 5 years from now he'll have left Ewood never to be seen again looking forward to a cushy retirement whilst we are left with a diminished support base and another glorious shot at promotion missed.

Preston appear to have limped their way to a narrow win over Wednesday yesterday to finally get off the mark at home. They won't be bothered how they did it, they'll just be relieved to break the run and get the monkey off their backs. Sometimes narrow or fortuitous wins are what are needed just to bring the bad runs to an end. Seen it many times before where sides do that and then turn a corner and go on a good run. Preston have had the better of us now for several years. Time for that to change but they just seem to be able to find another gear when needed whilst Rovers just can't cope with it.

Another little gripe of mine. In years gone by I have traditionally bought the thick winter coat to wear in the cold, wet weather. Over recent years the price of those coats has gone up to around £100 from the club shop. I simply cannot justify that price for an umbro coat. This year I dont think they are even bothering to stock the coats. They aren't on the website. Also Mowbray has been wearing a gilet type jacket. Again that isn't available to buy. Really poor selection. The merchandise pictured above is really cheap and nasty in quality. I once bought a polo shirt and the stitching irritated me. As with everything else it is just cheap and easy street. We need fresh ideas and imagination.

If I were to put £100 on either Rovers or Luton to make the play offs this season i would put it on Luton. That's a damning representation of Mowbray's management.

Worry not folks. Never mind where we end up this season, Mowbray is already busy telling the owners that we should be a force next season. On it goes.

Does anyone genuinely believe we will be anywhere near a play off position? I think the players believe Mowbray's hype. Rothwell saying that we should be beating the likes of Luton is a typical Mowbray comment and as expected it backfires. I suspect Mowbray spends all week telling the players how good they are and how they should be getting promoted. Trouble is it isn't happening on the pitch.

I observed Venus' remonstrations with a mixture of pleasure and embarrassment. Pleasure because I was happy that someone in the Rovers ranks was standing up and taking issue with a diabolical refereeing performance. Looking at the dugout you'd be forgiven for thinking today was some sort of pre season friendly such was the lack of presence. I even began to question if Mowbray was even there. It was good to see someone taking issue with things. Embarrassment because that is the second time in recent months that we have gone to Luton with all the talk pre match and in the end not come away with a win and look rather silly whinging about things rather than just delivering the goods on the pitch. A draw was a fair result on the balance of play. If you're happy with a draw at Luton then you'll be happy with mid table rather than promotion. Enjoy it. If you want promotion then today is another 2 points dropped and further off the pack. Really no more to it than that.

It comes back to Mowbray's principles and dare I say it arrogance. He thinks his footballing beliefs and principles are too pure and refined to be focusing on defensive duties and likewise he won't ever make a player into a set piece threat. That's why we rarely score from corners or free kicks, apart from when we had Mulgrew's exceptional ability in that area.

I'm amazed that Henley is still only 26. Feels like he has been around a lot longer than that. Quite a downturn for what was such a highly rated prospect. Premier League with Rovers to 26 and at Conference North Chorley is quite a comedown. Likewise Tomlinson - doesn't feel so long since there was a clamour here for him to get games in our first team and Coyle/Mowbray (can't remember which) actually threw him on in a game I recall. I always wonder how these lads cope with reality hitting home - having lived the academy lifestyle of being nurtured and looked after from a young age through the academy system at a Category A club - great facilities, playing other Premier League clubs, aspirations of breaking into the first team, they must have had big hopes and expectations for their careers. To then end up in non league in their early to mid 20s must be tough for them to take. In the end though this happens to the majority of the promising lads. Not many make it through.

Yeah saw that earlier. I wondered if it was just a short term arrangement to keep them playing if out of contract. Suppose the Cup run might have given Chorley some extra cash.

In the case of Armstrong a new bumper deal should have been in the offing early this year when he started with his goalscoring run and became the main man for us. At that point we held the cards and I'm sure he would have grasped a good pay rise and a contract extension. Realistically for him a move to the Prem was at that stage at least a year away and required a lot of hard work and progress before then. Since then his form has continued, and we've made a very mediocre start to the new season. This means two things. Firstly it is already unlikely on the evidence to date that we are going to reach the Premier League next season, with all the same old issues appearing again - and secondly he has continued scoring at a very impressive rate. So by now he will be attracting interest from elsewhere and we are looking like going nowhere. He will be asking himself why to bother sticking around. Dack is slightly different given his long term injury situation but personally i'd have expected his contract to have been extended prior to him sustaining that injury in December 2019. Even at that stage he only had 18 months remaining which for a player of his value and abilities isn't long. The owners and their reps might think they are being clever saving a few bob and avoiding long term contracts and falling into the trap of yesteryear where we were saddled with big earners for years and had to pay them off. But this is going to end badly for us unless something changes quickly. Under a 4 year deal Armstrong could be worth £20 million+ if he carries on. As I said yesterday - 23, English, full of pace, good fitness record and scoring every week - like gold dust and carries a massive premium. Mowbray talks about Brentford and emulating them - they make sure their assets are tied down long term then rake in the cash when they move up a level. This is the point where I question how many lessons have really been learned here. Have the owners really worked out how transfers and players work because to me they don't seem to be taking this situation very seriously. Having supposedly embarked on a 'buy young and invest in growth' policy which supposedly Mowbray sold to them and they like the sound of we seem to be gambling somewhat. Armstrong and Dack long term contracts mean potentially £30 million in transfer fees down the line whilst potentially £0 or very little if they don't get new deals. I also note from Mowbray's comments that he's already preparing the owners and fans for another year of the slow build. He mentions in his interview that he's told them that we should be a force to be reckoned with next season. Ambitious. Talk about him being on easy street. By the start of next season he'll have had over 4 years in the job, be our longest serving manager since the 80s and have had 9 transfer windows at it. I'd rather get shut of him and bring in a manager who will be able to put Armstrong's goals to better use than mid table.

This is just groundhog day. Mowbray said exactly the same thing back in the summer and again in September. If these contracts aren't sorted by January I think we can kiss goodbye to most of those out of contract. These things rarely get sorted beyond that point and other clubs will be speaking to them. I think they are having us on. Are discussions and offers being made? Because from what Mowbray is saying it sounds like we are still at first base of getting the owners to agree to issuing new deals and not close to sealing the contracts. And before they come with the pandemic excuse I'll remind everyone of a few things. 1) Mowbray said during the transfer window that he would adjust his transfer kitty to keep room in the budget for new contracts, so presumably we have budgeted for it. 2) many other Championship clubs have been completing new deals - Middlesbrough done a couple this week 3) The costs of losing these players for nothing will far exceed the costs of adding to the wage bill now.

The passage of time had healed some wounds with me. But reading the stuff this week, reminding me of just how horrendous those first 3 years were, draws things back into focus. I can tolerate them but I can't want to forget just how bad it was. Nor do I want to. That feeling of complete helplessness as Kean and his mates destroyed the club whilst these owners sat back and watched, telling us we were wrong, allowing it to unfold. Never forget that. Personally speaking I had months of anguish and dismay watching Kean gut the club. This was all on their watch. They enabled it and allowed it to continue. We became the laughing stock of football whilst Kean and his Sky associates drove a wedge down the middle. I have equal or greater contempt for the co-conspirators and other people who took the Venky coin or maneuvered themselves into higher office whilst keeping quiet and doing nothing.

Really hope we beat this lot. We need to be doing if we have serious aspirations. Before the international break all the talk was about getting through the games, having a break and getting bodies back fit. So here we are. Lets crack on. No more excuses. Last season's defeats to this lot were diabolical - the away one in particular embarrassing. This lot are everything we aren't. Quite well organised - they don't score many but don't concede many either. A nasty piece of work in the dugout and a team that will use all the tricks in the book to get results including cheating and timewasting all day long. For this reason I hope to god we don't go behind as I suspect that will mean game over. I also hope there aren't complaints about their methods after the game because we know what we are getting having played them very recently. Remember David Lowe kicking off at the full time whistle after their antics with the disappearing ball boys - the sort of stuff we should be alive to and ensuring they can't take advantage of.

Going off experience. We let Cairney, Duffy, Raya all leave for less than their worth when keeping them for another couple of years would have seen us land much much more. We should be offering him a bumper deal to keep him here, protect our asset and ensure we are protected. Yet he's still on the same terms as when we came from League One and only 18 months left to go. Not a good position to be in really. These sort should always have at least a couple of years on their deals so the club is safe from poachers. I agree that on current form and market value Armstrong is worth a lot more than £10 million. He's going at over a goal a game for a midtable side and has been doing for the last 6 months. He's 23 and English and has pace. Name your price territory if a Premier League club takes an interest (apart from Burnley who we don't sell to even if it costs us). My pessimism comes from the fact that we've got the top scorer in the league in Armstrong, the highest scoring team in the league and the best or joint best goal difference and yet here we are in familiar mid-table territory rather than up there challenging. It tells me that we are wasting a glorious opportunity here due to poor management. These runs like Armstrong's don't last forever - he'll either lose form or end up moving on - and then we are back to square one. Now is the time to make the most of it.