We would effectively be playing behind closed doors ad infinitum in this case.

You could be describing Ince there as well. For all he was a good player, Ince was a shocking manager. And I don't know if you remember Jim Iley or not but he didn't know his arse from his elbow.

Bob Marley and the Wailers - Mister Brown

Controversial that one Gav ha ha. For all that I despise Coyle I would still rate him above at least three others in my lifetime. Surely K**n has to be the worst? Jim Iley wasn't very good either. Ince, Kidd, etc etc

My last word on this Lenihan discussion, because its clear that folk are fairly entrenched in their views either way on this, though I'm not sure this situation is a 'normal' case of a professional footballer opting not to play in a game. Look at it from his point of view (I am making some assumptions obviously but none of them are as far-fetched as "We would have beaten Barnsley if he had not been a selfish bastard and played"): He's a young married man and him and his wife discuss starting a family. They agree that he wishes to be present at the birth (which, regardless of whether men did that kind of thing 50 years ago, it is the year 2020 and they do that nowadays) and decide upon the best time to have the baby for him to be able to attend the birth without having to miss a match. "It'll need to be off-season love, we have a window of about 6 weeks, from the beginning of June to the middle of July, although the gaffer would probably be okay if I missed a day of pre season training to attend the birth, so even if it stretched to the end of July I should be okay". So that is when they plan their happy event for, with the comfort that it won't interfere with the dad-to-be's professional commitments. They weren't to know that - for the first time ever - circumstances would cause the football league season to be extended into June and July. Presumably the couple discusses things again. Mrs Lenihan asks "I assume you'll still be attending the birth Daz?". "Oh, I'm not sure" he replies, "I really want to and I know we agreed that it is the only chance I'll ever get to be there when my first child is born, but we have a really important couple of games around about your due date, because mathematically we can still get into those play-offs" "Who are they against?" "Oh, Wigan and Barnsley" . "Wigan and Barnsley? They don't sound particularly important to me. And is there nobody else that can play in your place?" "Well not really, Oh, apart from the club captain and Scottish international Charlie Mulgrew." "Can't Elliot Bennett play centre half too if required?" "Yeah, actually, he probably could" A bit tongue in cheek but I don't blame the lad at all.

Sad to wake up to the news of Sir Everton Weekes's passing. The last of the three Ws, and a Bacup and Lancashire League legend. Fell just short of his century for once. RIP https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/53258007

As Bill Shankly once said “Who gets married during the football season?” ??

That’s actually a really good idea. ”Hill Ewood”

I’m gonna assume you’re not a parent yourself Vinjay. It’s got nothing to do with ego.

The context is he and his wife planned it so that it didn’t interfere with his job. I would possibly agree that he should play if it was due during what would be the ‘normal’ dates of a football season (Exhibit A - the England cricket captain), but COVID changed things and I think he deserves a bit of slack here.

It was a joke Stuart..... But just to be clear, there is not one iota of criticism from me towards the lad for skipping the game. Nor would there have been had it been the playoff final at Wembley he missed. It’s not like Joe Root planning the birth of his child in the middle of the cricket season and missing captaining England for it, Lenihan planned for this to be off-season it would appear, so nothing to do with his commitment to Rovers. You don’t get a second chance to be present at the birth of your first child, it’s only football for goodness sake.

A 'potentially' important game at Barnsley is just not worth the grief of yer missus, to be totally blunt about it. A big game at Wembley might be. I suppose it depends on a) How understanding his wife is, and b) How important it is for him to be at the birth of his child. Probably in that order as well ???

Take That - Back For Good Sorry......

The actual play off final might be a more difficult decision. Last night's game, a no-brainer for me and no doubt for Lenihan too.

Generation X - King Rocker I remember pogoing to this down at the King George's Hall 'disco' in the late 70s/early 80s

To be fair mate when him and his missus planned this (assuming it was planned of course....) they would have factored into their plans that late June/early July would be free of football commitments so in that sense normal thinking re play-offs goes out of the window.

Yeah I would agree there Eddie. However disappointed/frustrated we might be after the two results this week, we are a comfortably placed mid table club, which is the epitome of a 'competent championship side'.

Chairmen of the Board - (You've Got Me) Dangling On a String

The Undertones - Jimmy Jimmy

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

If he was that good/clever he could and would earn a damn sight more than that. You credit him with far more than he possesses - he is what he is, a very limited manager.

I didn’t really know where to put this but there is a strong rumour going round Glasgow that Graeme Souness is to be announced in some sort of capacity at Rangers tomorrow. Some people think it is as director of football but I have also heard he will be chairman!?

Amy Winehouse - Back to Black

The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Hey Joe

The Style Council - Long Hot Summer