riverholmes

The commercial takeover that isn't being discussed much. I believe a fair chunk of the Championship is now majority or minority US owned.

Damien Johnson - never in the category of David Thompson, Keith Gillespie or Brett Emerton, but a fine right-sided midfielder in his day. Incidentally, I firmly believe we had the new Johnson at the club in Alan Judge but somehow we failed to appreciate or use him.

Is Joseph making a significant difference? The improved results (albeit, only a couple, so need to wait and see if it is meaningful) seem to possibly coincide with him coming into the line-up. The managerial change sounds like it could also be a difference. A lack of a forward has been a real problem (amongst others in the U21s), with Tyjon not suitable for the lone role, yet being persistently placed there. To my mind, the youth set-up need to recruit another forward or two, to support the development of Joseph, Boggan and Tyjon. That, or they need to utilise a senior forward in games more often. Edit: I see Leonard scored his first Posh goal since his move, in a 1-0 FA Cup win over Cardiff. He was scoring for fun at U21 level, which indicates the improvement needed by the current crop of strikers if they hope to make it in the football league.

Van Hecke and Reda Khadra stick out for me, in recent years. Perhaps, Ben Chrisine, Owen Beck and Ayari. Could we have done more to sign them permanently? I guess, Ayari never got a chance but the others were clearly of some quality and the club should've put together a bid, even if to be rejected. It's possible, of course, bids were made and we never heard of them. The time to try to sign Van Hecke was in January, before he had caught too much attention. Though, chances of signing were slim. I think Khadra would've made a really good signing. However, since moving on, injuries have been a real problem. I think for Poveda too. Edit: Eyal Berkovic was different class when Souness signed him on loan to take us over the line. What a time that was. Rovers had an embarrassment of riches with Hignett, Jansen, Bent, Duff, Dunn and others and then we go and sign Berkovic in January, I believe it was. Though still only came second!

Sad to say it, but we might well be looking for less than Championship level.

Pep ball morphed into a corruption of what was the pinnacle of modern possession football - for example the Barcelona and Spain teams of Xavi and Iniesta. Even at City, when Mahrez and De Bruyne were at their best, there was a cutting edge. Eventually, it became a negative and self-indulgent fare.

This argument always surprises me as surely we should look at ourselves first and consider the profits that English football has or is currently making from dictatorships and exploitative corporations. That's not to mention our British governments role. Seems to me, once we have got our house in order, we can go and try to sort out the rest of the world.

Did Buckley play much alongside Wharton for the seniors? I think that the experienced Wharton now would’ve really helped Buckley. Maybe it is confirmation bias but when I see a Palace player like Hughes etc. playing the ‘Wharton ball’, that is the quick, simple but forward pass, I think that that is Wharton’s influence. I might be, as I say, confirming my own bias, but nonetheless it must be a joy to play with a player that simplifies the game so effectively.

Erstwhile U21 goal-getter here, Jack Vale, signed for Northampton, managed by Kevin Nolan. Interesting to see if he can stay fit and score some goals. Though, doesn't look likely to me as he struggled for goals in every loan spell he went on - but he may surprise. I hope he does. Tyler Magloire was there before but released. He had a brutal knee injury that kept him out for over a year, ruptured ACL, MCL and torn meniscus. I read he is being looked at by Grimsby who have Zak Gilsenan.

Gestede has said that Tronstad will be leaving at the end of the season, apparently, to go back to Norway or near. It seems the club will keep him to try and avoid relegation until then.

Makes me think of Lewis Mansell and Keith Barker of Rovers youth yesteryear. Target men forwards who scored for fun at U18s and a fair few at reserve level, I think, but found it harder once faced by older defenders. Joseph looks like one to watch, though, and will be welcome in the U21s, for sure, where the forwards are struggling.

Winning isn't the be all, but certainly, it breeds confidence and creates an environment for player development. So, to my mind, results and team performances are an important part of youth player development. Those who deny it are usually underperforming coaches! Incidentally, I came across the following Rovers reserve result from 2002-03, when the first team was in the Premier League. Looking at the opposition players that became Premier League stalwarts or regulars, it was a remarkable result (albeit, Newcastle lost a man on 40 mins). A lot of stories in there but it's a curious feeling looking back at in hindsight. 23 January 2003 Newcastle United Reserves 1 - 2 Blackburn Reserves Half time: 0 - 2 Score Sheet: Gavilan (85) Grabbi (27) Grabbi (42 pen) Teams Steve Harper Brian Kerr Titus Bramble Steven Taylor Peter Ramage Andy Ferrell Diego Gavilan Jamie McClen Lomana LuaLua Shola Ameobi Bradley Orr Ryan Robinson Jonathan Douglas Alan Morgan Neil Danns Michael Taylor Gordon Greer Jerome Watt Ciaran Donnelly Ciccio Grabbi Jimmy Corbett Paul Gallagher Substitutes: Adam Bartlett for Ferrell (43) Damon Robson for McClen (55) Darren Hockenhull for Grabbi (65) Subs not used: Kris Gate Martin Brittain Neale McDermott Steven Drench Sebastian Pelzer Anthony Martin Andy Bell Bookings: Ameobi (39) illegal tackle Bramble (90) dissent Taylor (11) tackle on LuaLua Dismissals: Steve Harper (42) straight red for tackle on Taylor. Michael Taylor (67) questionable second yellow for fair tackle on Or

Heart-wrenching is someone wasting their potential and their joy with it. So, this is great for Buckley and decent for Rovers. As someone mentioned, he was getting worse - turning into a plodder with an occasional threaded pass, when he had always been an elegant player with untapped potential. I remember James Beattie saying he had to get away from his familiar surrounds to make it and maybe it'll be the case, in some sense, for Buckley. (Even if, for Beattie, the reasons were lifestyle related, if I remember rightly). The focus should really be on getting through the next Buckley, Travis or JRC. That's where the worries grow. With little to be proud of on the pitch at Rovers, it gives me some pride to think Rovers have fairly recently produced such technically gifted midfield players as Adam Wharton, John Buckley and, from women's football, Keira Walsh.

Nice return for Connor McBride, our former striker. He was shortlisted for PL2 player of the year (I believe Cole Palmer was amongst the names on the shortlist) after a great season of goals, playing alongside Sam Burns. Following year, he got a first team pre-season appearance and scored a deflected free kick, I think. But it was all downhill from there, in terms of his career. It is negligent to be fielding young Tyjon as a lone forward, if he was there. He doesn't have the strength or the mobility for it. Last season, I believe, he was run into the ground trying to plough a lone furrow upfront.

In a way, reminds me of Martin Taylor. Could do a job and technically decent, hence, sometimes going to RB. However, pace (and injuries) will be a issue when getting to the top echelons.

Not sure about his age at the time, but David Raya is the only one I can think of. For all the propaganda about 'becoming men' by going off to the fifth or sixth tier (George Pratt's just gone to Chorley to play "regular" football for "a month" (note the contradiction)), it appears unlikely that many, if any, will return to be Rovers first teamers. Montgomery is favoured by the manager and he was at Chorley, but not sure he'll make the cut long-term. Players like Darragh Lenihan, Scott Wharton, Hayden Carter and so on, cut their teeth at L2 and then L1 levels. Then, players like Travis, JRC, Nyambe, Buckley, broke into the team/squad without going away on loan, as far as I recall.

Thank you, I stand corrected and appreciate your knowledgeable updates. With this info, it looks a far better move but, nonetheless, I do wonder if a League 2 move might've been possible. I suppose, arguably, it may not be of great quality difference. Edmondson is, supposedly, one of the brighter U21 prospects and Rovers are in dire need of some these to come through, at least as squad players.

Was Tyjon ever prolific? In past season or so, he hasn't seemed to have had the impact for the U21s or England youth that his hype would suggest. That said, he is a lot younger, of course, and suffered numerous niggly injuries. I just wonder if he's burning out early.. or whether it is something of a plateau before further development.

Yup, mentioned it before but Crystal Palace played him for several games, I believe, last season, carrying a groin injury. Without having any medical knowledge, it strikes me as irresponsible and, even, cynical, given that his form had captured attention of the media and big clubs, apparently.

Rhodes has only stepped through the door, I guess, so hard to know how much influence he has on this one, but James Edmondson's loan move to Macclesfield, announced yesterday, doesn't look good, in my opinion. How can it be that one of the best performers for the U21s (a low bar, admittedly), who performed well at Macclesfield in NL North heads back to the same level? Surely NL at least or Div. 2 should be the target for him? I find it hard to believe a club wouldn't have had a punt. And if not, keep him at the club and involve him with the firsts. Edit: Could still work out, if, as expected, he gets regular games and progresses quickly. However, still looks a missed opportunity, I feel. More generally, will have to await to see how Rhodes does. I was not aware clubs, especially, Champ, had dedicated loan managers. It seems odd to me that existing staff, coaches can't cover it. It's not as if we're Chelsea, farming out players across seven continents. I just hope a more sensible approach is applied at U21s level. The quantity over quality of loans seems unproductive - especially, the micro-loans in the lower non-leagues where injuries seem to be abound. I would be interested to know if the club profits financially, at all, from youth loans.

The melee of short-term non-league loans haven't been launched yet. Are the club keeping a stable U21s this year, favouring quality over quantity with loans, or is all that coming soon?

Rovers have some new tie-up with Belgian football? Yet another. Not necessarily a bad thing but just wondering who is doing the scouting.

Noted Ben Chrisene's name on Norwich's team sheet. Another loanee who did little to nothing and goes on to be decent (although, not sure how far he'll go). It seems odd that quite a few loanees come to Rovers and barely make a mark only turn into decent players, be it Ayari, Branthwaite, Morton (who, it's true, played a fair few games and I just saw is playing for Lyon). Part of it will, admittedly, be the nature of short-term loans. It's hard for any player, even the most talented, to have an impact in a short period. Yet, part of it must also be some disconnect in the transfer policy. [Eg. did Eustace really want Ayari and Chrisene (and Koumetio)?] and also, in cases, just poor management.

Wolves match report: https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/under-21/20250829-u21-report-wolves-3-1-blackburn/ They have the line-up as follows and Rovers goal from Powell. Now sure how accurate given that Barrett seems to come on in defence: Wolves | Gracey, Ojinnaka (Okoduwa 66), Pond, Olagunju, Lima, Bradbury (Rawlings 66), Griffiths, Lembikisa, Mane, Angel (Sutherland 81), Chirewa (Edozie 71). Unused sub | Voice. Blackburn | Michalski, Batty, Atcheson, Carter (Barrett 64), Houghton, Vare (Farkas 78), Edmondson, Doherty (Boggan 72), Stritch (Dunn 46), Powell, Hood. Unused sub | Davies.

Madness to sell McTominay. He should've been their Darren Fletcher. Steady, high-performing, loyal player that the team or squad is built around. A puzzling thing about Utd is they don't seem to have successful youth development. Arsenal have brought on Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly and now Max Dowman, in past few seasons, but can't think of Man U players, albeit, I don't follow them much at all. Their transfer policy is, needless to say, poor. The most obvious signing in the world, in my opinion, was Kvaratskhelia, before PSG got him. A player like that, with, admittedly, a functioning team, is clearly of an elite level and with his attacking, exciting style, lifts a club. Edit: Easy to say now, but I would also have said Kieran Dewsbury-Hall was a banker of a signing for any top club. Not sure what happened with Chelsea, probably, just one card out of a whole deck But playing regularly, with support, he is a really good player and most probably capable of Champions League level.