3 minutes ago, JHRover said:

Gary Lineker introduces BBC coverage of this game by saying 'good news, Mo Salah starts for Egypt'.

I don't see why it is 'good news' that the best player in a rival team is fit to start. At this stage it is more of an irrelevance to England what Egypt do but I wouldn't describe it as 'good news' any more than I would consider the absence of Messi, Griezmann or Ronaldo to be beneficial to our chances of being successful.

The BBC seem utterly obsessed with pushing the Premier League product by giving massively disproportionate amounts of coverage to players who are regulars in England, presumably because they think the majority of those watching are only interested in Premier League players or only understand it if there is reference to 'famous names'

Personally one of the things that makes the World Cup worth watching is daily exposure to different players and countries to the same old faces from the Premier League, I'm certainly not getting excited that Salah is fit to play for Egypt so we can all pay homage to him and his goalscoring last season for Liverpool.

It’s because good footballers are exciting to watch mate. 

Just now, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

I saw Pele enough on TV to know I was watching a football genius. You can watch the extended highlights of the 1970 World Cup any time you like on the Internet. The guy was on another level. He didn't have a weakness. The Brazilian coaches reckoned he was also the best goalkeeper in the squad. In the days before sub goalies he was down to go in goal if the regular goalie got injured. 

Maradona was on TV all the time, I must have seen him play dozens of times.

I'd say the Brazilian Ronaldo was better than the current Ronaldo before he piled on the pounds.

I have. He looked amazing. Didn’t watch him every week like I’ve seen Messi and Ronaldo though do you know what I mean?

Its impossible to compare players from different eras anyway so we’ll all have to disagree. 

I think Messi then Ronaldo are the best players ever. I Haven’t seen Pele, Maradona and the like play regularly enough and truth be told I don’t think anyone else in England has either. To the older generation how many times in person or on television did you actually see them play for 90 mins?

46 minutes ago, Norbert Rassragr said:

I'd have Sterling playing wide, and coming off the wing if he plays. He's not a forward of any kind so using his pace to create confusion amongst defenders about who to close down would be good.

I’d just have him playing same position as he has all season at City who’ve just won the league breaking a few records on the way. 

Just now, JacknOry said:

Like I said, he did make some good points. Lampard, Gerard and Barton all walk into jobs without any experience so why is this not so much the case for black players?

He ruined it by going the wrong way about it though, using Campbell as an example and then attacking Wright and Kamara saying they dont really count as they are Toms or whatever.

I’m personally in favour of a Rooney Rule. Seems to be a controversial opinion but what else can football do?

Sol Campbell and Stan Collymore are muppets I don’t think anyone would deny that.

That said English football and football in general does seem to have a problem with BAME managers. The facts speak for themselves 1 in 4 players retiring are BAME, last count there were about 5 managers who were BAME. I’ve had a discussion about this once on one of the Rovers Facebook page and was met with nonsense replies from idiots. If someone can give me an explanation why there are hardly any BAME managers compared to players/ex players I’m all ears. 

Cannot believe people are doubting Sterling’s place in the starting 11. After Kane I can’t think of anyone more deserving of their starting place. 

Nothing but respect for Kenny even if you take away the Rovers connection.

Part of me hoped he hadn’t become a “sir” already because he’d told the establishment to shove it up their arse. Hillsborough was the biggest establishment cover up of our time let’s not forget that. Ultimately though it’s his decision and if he’s happy with it so am I, who am I to judge such a great man. 

5 hours ago, Norbert Rassragr said:

Sterling? The player who missed absolute sitters for a living most of his career, and has only had an ok season when offered a chance in a fantastic Manchester City squad? You'll be saying Stuart Ripley was prolific next! 

Are you being serious? 

27 minutes ago, Dreams of 1995 said:

The Belgium game is a concern but in truth both us and Belgium should have two good wins vs Tunisia and Panama and more or less guaranteed ourselves qualification. We should win the Panama game by 3 or more goals even if this is a World Cup game.

Belgium's first 11 is fantastic but looking past that and you have some average players. Our issue is that we don't have a De Bruyne or Hazard - players that can single-handedly win games. Ideally we want to be winning our first two comfortably and then go into the Belgium game knowing that we are only playing for top spot. 

Harry Kane.

3 hours ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

I don't want " defensive " wingers especially the ones that are " defensive " because they're too slow to be " offensive ".

Exactly.

How many actually stand up in Darwen End? Never more than two back rows. We’ve gotta be talking under 200 people. Can’t they just go in the corner of Riverside/Jack Walker?

Just now, chaddyrovers said:

Lets see what comes from those talks 1st.

It could free transfers and loans or maybe just a couple millions pounds for players. 

But Mowbray is meeting the owners face to face which is a big positive and hopefully he can convince them to back him and his plans. 

We dont know how many players Mowbray wants?

IMO we need 6 or 7. 

No you’re quite right let’s see what happens yet. I can’t see him walking he wants a full season in Championship. We need a good few players, we need lads ready to come in and be starters. He’s mainly been good in the transfer market.

10 hours ago, unsall said:

Season tickets to go on sale end of next week,according to someone who is involved,there will be an increase and also early bird as usual,also trying to allocate away fans in top tier of Darwen end as much as possible next season,as are Oxford next Saturday.

Increase again? Already went up after relegation. Price freeze would have been best bet in my opinion.

10 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

From.Nicko

Blackburn. Mowbray going to India for budget talks. Some close to Venkys say there might not be much cash around. #bitinpaper

Not jumping the gun or owt but I hope we don’t come up, spend @#/? all, sell Dack in January, Mowbray walks then back down we go.

It’s the hope that kills you isn’t it genuinely thought we’d see a bit of investment. Gonna be horrible this summer. 

Just now, K-Hod said:

I don’t get the clamour for buying ex players back. Been there, move on and look for some new players.

Is it just a Rovers thing or do all clubs do it? Big world out there like let’s get some lads 23-30 years of age in, mixed bag of experience and potential and build a semi competitive squad. You don’t have to spend absolute fortunes.

Raya is more than capable of being our first choice keeper in league one. Haven’t seen enough of Leutwiler to make a proper judgement but he’ll do for back up.

I’d expect to see Bell starting at left wing back next season as I think that’s why Tony brought him. I’ve seen enough of him to say that suits his attributes. Williams can always fill in when needed. 

I think Tony will be happy enough with Lenihan and Mulgrew at centre back with either Williams or Downing joining them, I’d like to see us sign a proven Championship centre half who’d start every game. Wouldn’t be surprised if we didn’t. 

I’m not convinced by Nyambe at right wing back in the Championship starting week in week out, I think we could do with signing someone to be first choice with Nyambe as back up. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Bennett cement that place as his own and us not sign anyone. 

Smallwood will start in the middle for us but I’m not the biggest fan of him with Bennett and Evans next to him. We need a bit of quality next to Smallwood. Probably my top priority signing is a good centre mid to compliment Smallwood.

We need proper width. At the moment we’ve only really got Bennett and Conway. For me Conway’s legs have gone and he isn’t the player he was a couple of seasons ago, I would keep him as a squad player but he cannot be starting for us in the Championship next year. I’d like to see Chapman return depending on how he’s recovered from his injury.

I think we could have a chance of permanent signing of Armstrong or at least try him on another season long loan. Our squad is very lacking in pace. 

Dack is Dack he’s our main man. Don’t fancy Payne on a permanent deal even as back up. I think we can sign a better back up for Dack maybe someone who could genuinely slot into playing centre midfield or out wide not someone who looks like they’ve been cast out there to squeeze them in.

Graham deserves the chance to be our main forward leading the line after his second half of the season. Samuel isn’t up to it. Need good competition for Graham a player in a similar style. Hopefully we’d have Armstrong to play a different way with his pace. If not we need to sign a forward pace.

I just don’t know what to make of Nuttall only young the lad can’t see him being on mega bucks keep him around I guess. 

I’d send Antonsson back to Leeds. Works hard has played his part but I don’t see the potential for him leading the line or becoming a genuine thread from out wide.

Already covered Payne and Samuel but I’d also show the door to Whittingham, Gladwin, Caddis, Hart, Ward (keen to see back of him on his obscene wages!) and Feeny seems a bad egg and will no doubt want out.

Cant decide on Evans he’s had his moments and isn’t that old really. I think we could get someone more reliable for the money he’s on though. 

The squad needs a lot of work for the big step up to Championship next season, a few lads are on quite high wages who we don’t really need. I think there are better players out there we could get for the cash we’re paying. 

9 hours ago, Stuart said:

There are probably quite a few 30 year olds in the same boat as well tbf. I just think that the old ‘leave home at 16’ and ‘married at 21’ days are behind us. Mentally and emotionally a twenty-something is basically an extended teenager. Mollycoddled throughput school and not ready for the real world until much older than they used to be.

Low paid jobs used to still get you in the housing market but not any more. Granted they could probably save up for a season ticket and sacrifice other things but if the club want to keep the next generation of fans at the club then they need to target their wallets as well as their hearts.

I’m 26, left school at 16 to start an apprentiship moved out at 23 like many of my friends. If you have a job and want a season ticket you can get one. It’s less than a tenner a week over the course of a year.

5 minutes ago, jim mk2 said:

 

 

Bell at right back and Nyambe at left back. Interesting. 

For @#/? sake haha! I always seem to mess that up whenever I do it. 

Wanted to get an idea of what everyone’s ideal starting 11 would be if everyone was fit. I don’t think we know our best team or formation. So far this season we’ve had the most joy when we’ve played 4-2-3-1 so I’m going to pick my team based on that.

                    Raya

Nyambe Lenihan Mulgrew Bell

        Smallwood Whittingham 

Chapman Dack Armstrong

                    Graham

That’d be who I’d ideally like to see start our home games. For aways you could look to stick Bennett in there in place of Whittingham or maybe in place of the wider of the players behind Graham for his work rate.

I think you can make a case for Williams at left back, anyone next to Smallwood and look to fit Payne in there somewhere. 

Has the complete opposite effect of what it’s played for. We don’t even sing that chant! 

15 hours ago, S8 & Blue said:

Jackie Payne -  everybody wants one

Jackie Payne - everybody needs one

And oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god...

Everybody wants him, everybody wants him, everybody wants him, everybody wants him...

We’ve got a world class side, cos we have got us a Jackie Payne.

(Pavement - Shady Lane)

Pavement! Bloody hell. Can’t see it taking off even if I am a fan myself.

With genuine pace, good finishing and playing on the shoulder I’m expecting him to score goals from good through balls from Dack and Whittingham. Another option I feel we don’t currently have a It here Samuel, Graham or Nuttall. 

Tim Farron just your average bloke loves his football team, God and hates gay people. Arsehole. All for having a pop at Farron over his nonsense religious bigotry but his clear interest in football and Rovers isn’t a reason to dislike him. 

Hope we get a Prem club draw myself hopefully one from the North. Thoroughly enjoyed playing United in the F.A Cup last season.

My Bolton supporting friend from Leigh who used to go swimming with him as a young lad has said it'll be weird watching him, he's heard he isn't very good but tries hard and he loves a yellow card. Sounds about right really doesn't it?