...and we better not see akin to Jack Walker benefactor model. This is a benefactor model with a lot of asterisks or as some might call it "subsidised model". I prefer the latter where the Raos are concerned. Of course every club operates under the "adapt to FUP" model. ? Of course if they want to leave the club in a stronger position than they found it then they really should start with a new manager. Can anyone say that Mowbray is a better manager than Souness, Hughes or Allardyce? Even if you think he can win promotion (and I don't think you should base that on perhaps scraping through the playoffs after finishing 6th one year) don't think anyone can argue his case there. At the time of starting a new manager poll (a few weeks back) my thoughts were the upcoming season would start off very badly. I've changed my view slightly on account of the last few games (though wouldn't totally rule out an awful start) but mixed results at best still aren't going to win promotion.

Yes I'm aware of that but primarily money is the main issue for Vince. Something threatens that and things will change. The problem is I'm not sure what will happen to threaten them financially anytime soon. I certainly don't want the company to go out of business but The only other thing would be if AEW started beating them in the ratings. I'm not convinced that will happen but aside from money issues can't think of anything else that would change anything. The talent need to be more combative as well. The only thing that interests me in WWE at the moment is Undertaker v Goldberg. I'm not completely convinced the Undertaker will win either so there's some intrigue there. I think it's better than Undertaker v Sting (even if the latter could still wrestle) as Goldberg's more badass/intense. There's no way Sting would have won but Goldberg might especially if they have a rematch.

I don't think much of the current product either but the company is still successful. If that changes then Vince will change no doubt about that. The problem is does anyone really see WWE having much reason to change anytime soon? I don't agree with having so many people on the creative team either it's better to have 1 or 2 for consistency, etc. Plus get rid of a lot of deadwood or wrestlers not being used. In 98/99 Russo usually gave everyone a storyline and that's the way I would do it. Someone like Vince is needed at Ewood for issues like coaching people on what to say, etc and the overall mentality of the place. If Vince was here players would be referring to the club as Rovers and there wouldn't be statements about "learning from being back in the Championship" like Bennett's the other day. As for AEW thought the first show was fine. Especially the Cody/Dustin match. Not entirely convinced by the other 2 announcers (by that I mean the ones not called JR) but it was the first show and they might talk over each a bit at first. JR's supposed to be the play by play man though. I would have him paired with a heel as well it's not "passe" at all.

The only one which makes any logical sense is the Rangers one. Whether it's home or away. I've expressed similar thoughts before that playing lower league clubs (with possible exceptions like Sunderland or Coventry away) is a waste of time. Teams can always be invited to Brockhall behind closed doors there's no need for Blackburn Rovers to visit someplace like Barrow or Accrington who are often included. It would have made sense to invite prominent European opposition as well. Especially with new corporate hospitality partners replacing Northchoke. Granted it would have been difficult for them to negotiate such terms but you would think they may have suggested it.

FUP with UEFA? Never!

Wasn't even holding a beer.

Some nerve from Neville here comparing himself to Jack Walker. Or for that matter comparing Salford City to Blackburn Rovers what an insult. How much money is Neville even putting in himself? There's a majority shareholder (Peter Lim who appointed Neville for his Valencia failure) and the rest seem to be there more as figureheads to attract insufferable media attention. They are probably being paid to be there. Admittedly I haven't had any issue with Fleetwood or Fylde but one ex Man United player involved is reason enough to treat them with contempt never mind 5 or whatever it is. https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/man-utd-hero-gary-neville-14997876

Wouldn't surprise me if the WFIT turned down several good offers out of spite. FUP would have ruined it for time being anyway or at least limited impact.

Insert Phil Jones joke...

Watched them in past 6 years have you? Or the Champions League Final where Barcelona kicked their ass? Twice.

Presumably if someone scores the "goal of the century" between tonight and end of season it's subject to change? I don't see why people can't just vote on their phones (whenever last game is at Ewood) and fit in some kind of presentation with the "lap of honour" stuff. Or if the final game is away from Ewood present it at an awards night. Lazy staff.

Replacing this firm with Northchoke? Ludicrous. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodexo

What more and more supporters are seeing is everything Mowbray Magoo can't see.

Plus Rovers proved they were better than Rotherham last season. So there's that as well. I can't see why Rovers can't win a couple more games between now and end of season but a horrendous start to next season might be too much to recover from. I don't know about Reading's situation but certainly can't see Bolton making any recovery. Hopefully Birmingham City and QPR will also be OK and give a big middle finger to FUP.

No that would be Heathcote who haven't exactly been happy with Bolton recently. So you would imagine they might be looking for a replacement contract elsewhere.

Might have missed it but didn't see anything on the recent fans/club meeting minutes about the new executive caterers. (EDIT-It was brought up but no word on the replacement) Presumably it will be someone who charges less extortionate prices than Northchoke did. Nor owned by someone who thinks it's funny to post pics of "manager's parking space" signs and captioning "anyone interested?". Hopefully entirely new staff as well even though Bancroft was arrogant enough (not an uncommon trait particularly if you read up on the minimum wage story) to practically order the club to keep the current lot. My guess would be to have a look at other clubs (particularly in North West) and see who their executive catering partners are. Prior to Jack's death and Matthewman's friends being rewarded the contract shortly thereafter it was a firm named Sodexo.

https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/f3538575-91bb-4b1f-b1d4-9c64290904e4

BINT BINT BINT BINT BINT Myself, tomphil and an old git on Twitter will understand.

Considering Ipswich Town's victory at Bolton Wanderers it will be interesting to see what happens in the Ewood fixture with Bolton soon. Don't think a victory would say an awful lot but a defeat sure as hell would. I doubt Bolton are going to win each of their games between then and now.

So why defend him in court when that may have been the opportune time to launch a smear campaign? I know that this club and logic don't combine well but why now? Infact what Dack did could have been considered breach of contract. Of course unless he was jailed (not applicable in his case but bans for drugs, etc other examples) the club aren't going to lose out on a transfer fee. Virtually no club would unless they really wanted to make an example of someone.

Indeed and it's not the sole reason to bring up Jason Wilcox. Granted there's no guarantee he would want to work for clowns but he's someone who might bring back some positive mentality to this football club. Farke and Wagner took their talents at youth level and transferred them to the first team without having even managed in this country before. Plus you can't underestimate just how important respect for Jack Walker is to me. Wilcox certainly had respect for him but then again respect for Jack and working for Venkys? I'm not saying he would take the role (primarily because of them he probably wouldn't) but you can damn sure ask. Why on earth club approached Joyce when a league title winner (with this club) was in the exact same type of role is beyond me. It really sums up people inside the club don't have a damn clue. Maybe Waggott would have who knows but don't hold your breath... Also Wilcox never really won respect from some fans as a player here even at his peak. Perhaps there's part of me that wants him to come back as a manager and shove it in their faces if he succeeded. Of course he wouldn't do that because he's a better man than them. Johnson could be interesting but who really knows what his deep philosophies are. People who promote youth coaches to first teams sometimes know what they are doing and can spot talent where they see it. My biggest doubt with Johnson is how can anyone in their right mind think David Dunn was a good choice as assistant? Or a first team coach for that matter.

You say Bowyer might not have been able to get promoted from L1. Sounds to me like he's exactly like Mowbray (also weak) except he was to L2 what Mowbray was to L1. Of course it's hard to blame him for Bradford's situation at the moment especially when their thrashing by Blackpool included several players he had brought in.

...but who's to say they did anything more than sign off on Mowbray? It seemed more like Senior's appointment. Still remember the 0-0 draw at Wolves and Mowbray's decisions that day confounded logic then and embodied weakness. There's a difference between L1 managerial ability and Championship plus it helped having one of the biggest budgets in the division. Just because some people felt Mowbray was capable of getting promotion from L1 (including myself) does not mean they feel he's a great Championship manager. I don't think he's even capable of "scraping into the playoffs" in this league and you can't hire a manager on that basis either. You need to feel like they can gain automatic promotion and build towards reaching that point.