I think the Premier League clubs won't be convinced yet of spending a sizeable fee given he's 26 years old and, perhaps, had his first consistent half season. Remember, last year, he was a squad player, playing behind Trybull and, even, Downing, at times. Fulham, Bournemouth, WBA and Glasgow Rangers et al would obviously take him but know that Rovers would ask for a large sum, if they even agreed to sell. Perhaps, only Fulham could pay up and, as mentioned, they're scoring for fun as is. I think we're probably going to see our best attacking central midfielder since Cairney/David Dunn(?) for another 4 months or so before he goes for free. Edit: That said, I agree with your allusion that an astute club would do well to gamble on him. His late development as a first teamer are, I think, down to confusion about his best position and, also, perhaps, a lack of the natural confidence of Dack or Brereton. However, he seems to have found his groove now.

McBride seems to be hitting some form. Interesting to see what the club decides about him. I suppose if the club's decided that he can go this summer, he might be free to be talking to clubs now to sign a pre-contract. He won't be short of suitors, as his success as a PL2 player of the season nominee was being reported in the nationals in Scotland, last year. People are rightly hailing the achievements of the U18s this season. However, my concern is that the success of the U23s last year hasn't translated into first team promotions yet. Carter and Butterworth have been involved but are a little older, I think, and they weren't involved that much in last season's U23 campaign that resulted in an impressive 4th placed finish. The team were in the top two, I think for a while, but fell off at the end. By contrast, the prior 'year group' has seen Buckley, Butterworth, Carter, Travis and Nyambe come through to make appearances. There's still time for players but it does look as if the U23s of 2020-21, are largely going to fall by the wayside, despite success amongst Premier League peers. As much as there is no guarantee of success or transition, the fact that not a single member is, apparently, anywhere near coming through must raise questions. It begs the question whether the next generation will face the same issue. With Ash Phillips and Adam Wharton being fast-tracked to appear on the first team bench for the FA cup tie, it may not be the case.

I'm guessing he's competing with Khadra and Brereton. Moreover, Mowbray experimented with Clarkson and Poveda as the No.10, before Buckley became the regular, so, can imagine him throwing him in there, if Buckley's absent. To start with, I guess he'll take Butterworth's place on the bench and, perhaps, his place at the club. We'll have to see if Butterworth will sign a new deal or if Rovers will even offer him one, as Transfermakt site has his contract expiring in June, though, there might be the possibility of the 1 year extension, which the club seems to insert as a standard clause. It's a shame for him, as he's shown fleeting glimpses but hasn't quite had the minutes to convince, I'd say.

An interesting article. Thanks for sharing. It paints, generally, a rosy picture, though, referencing the high wage to turnover ratio. I think a key omission is the contract expiry situation with so many players in the last or second to last year, which is a major uncertainty with the club (and, perhaps, as a poster here suggested, with other clubs too). The situation with the planned sale of the training ground which was in the offing before is also a worrying sign which needs to be considered when assessing the state of the club. I would contend with the "and limited finances restricted Mowbray to a handful of loan signings," as we did sign Harry Pickering (albeit the deal was done in January 2021) and Tayo Edun, whose transfer fees were undisclosed but LT online suggested that the latter deal cost £450k and I can imagine Pickering could have been a similar value. It is nice, however, for Rovers to be getting some limelight again. Though, it should be said that though we have been in the doldrums, as former Premier League champions, it doesn't compare to some other clubs - including former Prem clubs such as Bolton and Portsmouth.

I'm guessing that teams have got onto our counter-attack style and are also matching us up in formation more often. The team's rising to the challenge but a lot of onus is on Buckley to create and hold possession. Last two games, he's struggled, by the reports. In the last game v. Huddersfield, one of their attackers was drawing Wharton, I think, into midfield and creating gaps in the backline. I think Buckley's got to be doing that at times for us to disrupt the other team. The other issue might be Travis. He's playing every game and physically, it's asking a lot

With the talk of at least of one new forward coming in, I'd be interested to know what the general view is on the club trying to keep Dan Butterworth or letting him go this year or next. I can only guess that he rejected an offer of a new deal, thus far. It'd be madness from the club to extend Dan Pike and Louis Annesley's deals last summer (U23 defenders now on loan in non-league) and not seek to do so with Butterworth. However, the club seems to work in mysterious ways, so who knows. I think he has done enough to earn a new deal. I don't like the idea of relying on any potential 1 year unilateral extension, as that increases the likelihood of the player leaving on a free, even if they make a impact, as we are seeing with others.

Whilst the possible Spurs forward signing sounds promising, I have two concerns. One being that, I think central midfield is the most pressing need at the moment, given that our back-ups are Johnson and Davenport. I hope we'll bring in someone to make an impact, as Rothwell and Travis can't be expected to play every game. Moreover, I think the ideal situation would've been to try and sign Reda Khadra on a permanent deal. He looks like a brilliant prospect and, even, when thrown in right at the start, he showed his ability in a constantly shifting line-up. It might well be that Brighton wouldn't sell but, given that they aren't taking him back in January, it seems he is down the pecking order. A January bid might, possibly, test Brighton's resolve as Khadra hasn't gained as much publicity as might do, should he continue in the team ans coring goals. If not, I would hope that a bid might be made by Rovers in the summer, money permitting. Possibly for van Hecke, as well. Edit: On a different note, I am surprised to read that Tayo Edun might have cost the club £450 k or so, according the LT online, Where they get that figure from, I don't know, but so far, Edun hasn't shown his worth. He may well do with more opportunities but it was a big outlay for a future prospect/squad player from League One, in these times. He has at least go youth on his side.

Boro managed to sign Folarin Balogun from Arsenal on loan. Wages permitting, if we're going to get someone on loan, we should be looking for that kind of level. If we're going for the slightly lower level loan signing, I think deals should be done in anticipation of potentially seeking a permanent deal. It worked brilliantly with Tom Cairney and can be a way of testing a player before spending big money. "Polishing up" players for the benefit of other clubs doesn't seem sustainable as a strategy. It's hard to develop and build a squad when key players are coming and going every half or full season - and then the benefit of the loan deal - and the financial outlay, redounds to other clubs. It starts to act as a subsidy from Rovers for Prem clubs' youth development. In other words, I believe Rovers should either be loaning in the best (Folarin Balogun eg.) or, players who might become available and fit into Rovers wage structure, as permanent recruits. In the latter case, the expenditure becomes more of a longer-term investment and there's potential for a sell-on transfer fee. Moreover, I wish Mowbray would wax enthusiastic about polishing up his own fringe and youth players, as much as he does the Prem loanees that he likes to laud. I don't see that kind of consideration going to his own squad members. PS. Rovers haven't made an announcement on Poveda, as far as I can tell, so it looks like we might end up paying his wages and loan fees for the rest of the season, though he's unavailable and doing rehab at Leeds.

Somewhat misleading regarding Harwood-Bellis as, although he signed on 1 Feb 2021, from what I can tell, he only made his starting debut as a centre back (alongside Branthwaite) on 20th February, against Nottingham Forest, by which time we'd dropped to 12th. That was after a period of three defeats, including losing to Preston and Barnsley. The team capitulated around this time and, eventually, Harwood-Bellis established himself as first choice, alongside Lenihan. Incidentally, the line-up recorded by the BBC website for the 17th February 2021 defeat away to Barnsley, when Harwood-Bellis made his starting debut, speaks volumes for the utter confusion amongst management as to what the strongest line up and formation was. According to that site, Gallagher was left wing, Elliot Bennett right wing, Stewart Downing central midfield, alongside Travis, with Harwood-Bellis and Douglas the full backs. Rothwell, Brereton and Buckley were on the bench. It would appear that a few might have been unavailable, such as Elliot and Nyambe. A few games later, a 1-0 defeat to Reading, eight changes had been made to that starting eleven.

It's hard to judge fully because the Rovers team last season was extremely dysfunctional. We played a 4-3-3, with wingers who were strikers and who didn't track back effectively and full backs who struggled to defend. Hence, we had Adam Armstrong and Harvey Elliot amongst the top goal scorers and assist-makers, respectively, in the league and, yet, we were headed for a potential relegation fight. Harwood-Bellis came in in the Jan transfer window and improved our defence a lot, overall, and was key, I feel, to guiding us to 15th in the league. He complemented Darragh Lenihan, who likes to play the somewhat more passive sweeper role, by being aggressive and on the front-foot. In a team with a structure, I think he should be very good. I would've wanted him back at Rovers as he looked like he could play LCB. which, for us, after Wharton, I'm not confident we have someone who can do that, in a back three.

Hayden Carter and Joe Rankin-Costello, supposedly, joined the club in 2014, aged around 15 years old. Without a youth football system that accommodates that age group, they may have ended somewhere else. Similarly, Scott Wharton, Ryan Nyambe and, back in the day, David Hoilett, apparently, joined the club aged 12/13 years old or so. Other players, now elsewhere, such as Connor Mahoney, James Tarkowski, Matty Pearson, Joe Garner had spells in the Rovers youth academy, with Mahoney and Garner earning the club some transfer/compensation fees. (In Garner's case, it was probably a mistake to let him go for £150k or so, given the transfer fees he commanded after that). The number of players that have come all the way through, like Buckley, who reportedly joined the club aged 6 years old, might be limited but those that join at a later age and have success can be considered, in some way and to differing degrees, products of the academy. Certainly, Ryan Nyambe, Scott Wharton and Jason Lowe are 'products' of that system. Some of those that didn't make the cut would have supported the development of the few that have by being team-mates and opponents in training. I don't know enough to know if having very young age categories for boys in the Rovers academy is particularly helpful for the club or healthy for the children. Unfortunately, the elite clubs have turned the youth system into a relentless "gold rush" and there is pressure on clubs to compete with that system. I'm sceptical about boys as young as 6 or even younger being taken into academies - though, I don't know much about what that experience involves. However, I feel that having a schoolboys system for teenagers, at least, whichever format it takes, is beneficial, and has proven so - and could be yet improved. Rovers probably could get more out of the system. If Jason Lowe can contribute 173 first team appearances, I think more youth players could contribute to the first team, given a chance. It would also help to somehow keep hold of the likes of Mahoney, O'Connell and Alan Judge when they're recruited and come through.

It could be that, or, perhaps, he's not considered match fit/sharp? You're right, though, Liverpool fans/press seemed to think he'd come in to play in the FA Cup. Will be interesting to see how his career progresses as Mowbray praised him highly on leaving: “You talk about Harvey Elliott, he’s got all those qualities, weight of pass, brilliant finishing, an amazing footballer who sees all the pictures, all the patterns. Yet he’s come at a time when our team is functioning and he understands. He knows football, it’s hurting him because he’s a Rovers fan and I haven’t been able to give him the game-time and he understands that because the team is winning and functioning." I find these comments disingenuous, as, if Mowbray thought so highly of Clarkson, or was so keen for him to play, he would have given him sub appearances at least. He would also have talked more about trying to keep him. Barring some kind of onerous contractual obligation, like high appearance fees or something, a Harvey Elliot talent doesn't remain rooted to the bench, whilst Bradley Johnson is coming on, with all respect to Johnson, who has greater experience and physical strength but is coming to the end of his career.

Could it mean that Leeds are insisting on Rovers fulfilling the loan and wage payments for the full season? In which case, the Poveda loan contract didn't have a termination clause based on serious injury or a Jan break option and no other settlement has yet been reached, so he remains on Rovers books. I'm speculating but it does seem likely that Premier League clubs are calling the shots on loan deals. Also bemusing that Clarkson was on the bench every match and not trusted to play a single minute latterly. With Prem youth players increasingly in demand on continental Europe, I can imagine that, the big clubs especially, are making a fair sum from loan deals and, at the same time, dictating terms. By contrast, Rovers are sending out some U23 regulars into the regional leagues below conference level. Another example of the grotesque gulf between top tier and second tier - which gets worse the further you go down.

A lot of players out, seemingly, for the U23s - Eastham, Saadi, Barnes, Cirino, Whitehall, Nolan and, perhaps, Baker. With the loanees gone too, the U18s will need to step up. Glad to see that McBride scored off the bench, and a spectacular 20 yard lob, it's described as. He really needs that loan move. I believe that the club should take the punt of giving him a new contract, despite his lack of form this season. He showed a lot of promise last year and clearly still has the ability to score goals at U23 level. Recalling his goal for the first team in pre-season, a deflected free kick, I believe, what was notable was that he ran and picked the ball out of the net to resume the game. If that is reflective of his mentality, then, it's rare in a young player and will stand him in good stead.

A year ago, U23 right back, Dan Pike was training with the first team and being talked up by Mowbray: “I like Dan Pike, he’s an earthy footballer, a throwback full back who likes to tackle his winger. He likes to run up the pitch, he passes the ball forward and he’s hard to play against. He is someone I like. The bottom line is ‘when do you throw them in and expose them?" Now, he's so desperate (or, perhaps the club are) to get away from the club that he didn't wait for the Jan transfer window to look for loan options, and instead, back in December, he headed out to National League North club AFC Fylde. one level below the conference league, for a another month - I think, until mid Jan or so. In my estimation, the club have failed to plan for the RB/RWB spot, knowing that Nyambe was probably leaving and JRC rarely fit. Pike never looked impressive for me, albeit, in the very brief times I saw him play, being, seemingly, somewhat short on pace and not great on the ball and a back-up has long been needed. (That said, full backs have had good careers without both and Pike has time to develop). It looks like it's being rectified in this window but it's a bit late.

Not entirely surprised by the result. I was nervous about the likes of Edun and Johnson coming in again after the Fulham horror show. That said, we have been poor in cups for a number of eras. I'm a Mowbray sceptic overall and his selections reminded me as to why - even if they weren't key to the defeat. Starting Gallagher as a wide forward is a discredited choice that Mowbray won't give up. It makes no sense to play Bradley Johnson at centre back. This selection is reminscent of last season's efforts to shoehorn the elder 'statesmen' in Bennett, Evans, Downing and Holtby in every game. If need be, play Barnes, Magloire or Carter who are, at least, defenders. (Scott Wharton's cover is an issue as he plays LCB and I'm not sure we have anyone comfortable there). Dolan at RWB seems like an unnecessary experiment. Put James Brown in there, if fit. Buckley's done a job there too. Or play Nyambe, if fit. As was mentioned above, Travis needs a rest. He's played every game, I think. Where's Davenport? Ultimately, Pears cost us but it's hard to be too harsh. He's barely played a game and expected to come in. He did well in the previous outing but this one might just confirm that he's not ready for a first team spot. MWith Kaminski likely to be coveted by other clubs and his contract winding down, I think the future goalkeeper position is a worrying one for Rovers. All the other reserve goalies seem to be heading out, leaving Pears the obvious successor or a new signing

Still nothing from Rovers or Burton Albion on Chapman, whose loan deal is meant to expire about now. My guess is that Burton are looking for a loan extension and Rovers will likely agree once they sort out their incoming players. He scored a goal in the last game and maybe Burton are hoping he might find some form. There's a chance that Rovers might get some compensation for him when he leaves for free in June or so - though, my uneducated guess is that it'll be very limited given that he's barely contributed of late. Chapman must go down as a bad signing by Mowbray. Rovers paid an undisclosed sum for him from Boro and, despite being out of the picture, was given a one year extension (possibly, to try to salvage some compensation money), gave him a taste of first team football and then sent him packing to Burton. Mowbray repeatedly questions Chapman's attitude and yet, the player has been on Rovers books for some four years, including the earlier loan spell. Though Mowbray has made some good signings that are belatedly showing some consistent form, it shouldn't be forgotten that he has thrown money away. How much, we don't exactly know as most transfers are undisclosed and Premier League loan fees aren't reported, but Stergiakis, Davenport, Chapman, Bell are some of the recent transfer signings that went down the drain. In Stergiakis' case, I presume he is heading out as there's been no mention of him from the club for months. Chapman's struggled at Burton, after a great spell in League One with Shrewsbury. Burton fans do say he doesn't work hard enough and isn't consistent. Perhaps, Mowbray is right about his attitude. However, I would rather see Chapman on the right wing than Gallagher, which is what Rovers had for a lot of last season. Edit: Chapman is 24 years old, as of 5th November 2021, so it would seem that Rovers won't be entitled to any compensation come June 2022, or so. Perhaps, I was trying to credit the club with too much logic with their decision to extend his Rovers career by one year last summer. Edit x 2: Chapman back in training at Rovers and likely to see out his contract here: https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/19831103.harry-chapman-back-blackburn-rovers-loan-spell-ends/

Thanks for sharing this. There's something fascinating about watching two strikers play in a 4-4-2. The combined creative and physical struggle is very visible as they try to connect and spring the opposition defence. It's even more the case with players like Cole and Jansen. The element of scrappiness and fortune in the goals makes them all the more beautiful. I had forgotten that Tiny Taylor played at right back and how good he was in this game, albeit, I'm not sure Spurs tested him as they could have with Ziege in the team. Edit: It has to be said that our route to the final was rather fortunate. If I remember rightly, we faced a reserve Arsenal team (albeit, Wenger's reserve teams were nifty) and then, I think, Sheffield Wednesday in the semi-final.

Going off the Sheff Utd fan comments, which is a tiny sample, of course, it sounds like he's a James McClean type player. There's probably a better comparison, as McClean has, despite his limitations, had a good career at Championship level, mostly. That is, he's a very "basic" winger who'll outrun and try to cross but doesn't have much else to his game. On their game, these wingers can look amazing, but when closed down and matched with pace and aggression, they might struggle. That said, I know nothing much else about him and maybe his big money moves suggest there's more to him, so have to reserve judgment. Personally, feel that we could do with someone with not just explosive pace or power, but some guile, to open defences as, I'm sure, a lot of teams will defend deep against us now that we're front runners.

Any new right back needs to be quick (as well as a good player). Nyambe's probably the fastest of our defenders and helps with covering other positions. It's notable that he was the player who stayed back when everyone else went up for the late corner against Huddersfield. Admittedly, his goal record isn't much but no doubt his pace was part of the reason for this. That said, I do think JRC is a good player, and hope he gets a chance, should Nyambe leave or be unavailable. It might be he could play CM, as well.

Ah, yes, that's true Bluebruce, however, the unilateral one extension should really be a last resort by a club - as when a player is into that extension, they are, very probably, if any good, heading out the door for nothing or a low fee, as within that year, they can start to talk to other clubs about a bumper Bosman deal.

I know that tactics have changed and Buckley's role is different from a No.10 in a 4-4-2, but in Rovers recent history, fantastic players like David Dunn and David Bentley were played in that No.10 role and struggled - and, ultimately, were moved back into centre mid or right mid. It goes to show the challenge Buckley faces in proving himself in that comparable role - albeit, it's arguably somewhat easier with two wing-forwards supporting, rather than a single striker. A challenge Buckley faces is how he adapts his game when Rovers have the majority of the ball. Teams will, I think, increasingly defend deep and flood the midfield against us, fearing our counter-attack. Rather than turn and play a through ball, he's got to be patient and dictate the play. He may have to play, in those circumstances, more often with his back to goal, which will be more like the No.10 role.

Brown was in the PFAI team of the year in Ireland, for Div One, in 2020 and then the same for the Premier Division in 2021. Clearly, a lesser standard and he is 23, which means he's hardly a youth player, but it could be promising signing.

To add to the mix of players who could be leaving on a free this summer are, as far as I can tell from a quick online search, Sam Burns and Connor McBride. From I read online, the club might have unilateral one year extensions to keep them until 2023 but it would seem that the club aren't convinced, seeing as they are leaving things late. By contast, U23 defenders, Louis Annesley and Dan Pike, now on loan in the conference league and lower, agreed terms until 2023 last year. The list of contracts expiring in 2022 reads, as far as I can tell, based mostly on the site, Transfermarkt (which inaccurately includes Carter in the list, who got a a deal until 2024): Joe Rothwell Darragh Lenihan Ryan Nyambe Harry Chapman Bradley Johnson Ben Brereton Diaz Thomas Kaminski Jacob Davenport Dan Butterworth Connor McBride Tyler Magloire Sam Burns Jordan Eastham Joe Hilton Luke Brennan Reda Khadra Jan Paul van Hecke Ian Poveda

Ex-Rover, Joe Grayson is at Barrow, I think, in League 2 and Annesley's perhaps, in that category - though I stand corrected by those who watch the U23s regularly. I think, Grayson's better on the ball - and, admittedly, has an influential contact or two. I still find it surprising that Dan Pike has been sent out one level lower than Annesley at Woking, to the National North, with Fylde. With the transfer window opening, I would've thought it'd make sense to keep him here and at least try to find a higher standard for him to test himself. If McBride's and Burns' loans go through at Crewe and Scunthorpe, it'll be excellent news, I think for all. From what I can see, both players' contracts expire this summer, with a one year option. They are very close to be let go by Rovers, barring, perhaps, a good loan spell. I think it'd be a mistake to let them go so soon, but the loan spells could shed more light on that. Edit: With 23 year old James Brown coming in from Drogheda United, to play right back and the choice to let Pike go out to Fylde, it suggests that the latter's days at Rovers are looking numbered, barring a major turnaround.