They signed Ronaldo because if they hadn't done, he would've signed for their noisy neighbours (who did / do have need of a striker), which they just could not have allowed for face-saving reasons. They literally had no choice in reality.

It's a delicate balancing act that's for sure.

On term of the contract "rebels", ourr current form makes it both easier to persuade them to sign up (I.e they'd be mad to go elsewhere given our position & their first team action, & if we do go up we may be shopping for bigger fish when they'reout of contract) but also increases their bargaining power too because they've all been so key to us being where we are. I just hope common sense prevails & all parties to staying as their best option, and tbf none of them look desperately unhappy, which must count for something. 

BBD is different of course; for me he stays the rest of the season, no matter what offer comes in.

A guy on their forum has posted today saying he was at Ewood today to buy tickets and the queue was "all the way up the big hill". 

I presume he means Livesey Branch Rd, not Cravens Brow! But whichever, that suggests there's good demand for tickets 24 hours pre k/o.

41 minutes ago, magicalmortensleftpeg said:

This would have been the reaction last winter if we’d agreed a new deal with BBD. The club can’t win.

Spot on.

It's worth noting with Gallagher that another goal would put him in amongst the top 20 scorers in the division, not bad for someone who has only started half the matches and even then only as a wide forward with significant defensive responsibility. 

Give him a traditional no9 role and he will easily be a 15-20 goals a season man at this level if he plays the majority of the season there. Therefore well worth keeping on imo, given that BBD will almost certainly leave this summer if we miss promotion. 

I was with TM until the 2nd half of last season, I felt he'd done well up to then, & was scuppered by injuries to key players the season before.

But I would've been happy to see him leave in summer, as Feb - April was a disaster, no doubt about it. 

But clearly he still had the players on his side, so whatever he was doing with them behind the scenes was working, whatever else it might have looked like to us as outsiders.

Imo he deserves all the credit that comes his way for galvanising this squad into what it has become, much against the odds; let's hope this ride can continue, I don't see any reason why it shouldn't. 

48 minutes ago, Sparks Rover said:

I think the idea of congratulating the club on protecting its asset is laughable considering the better players we have let run their deals down.....that's what the poster was doing

Does it not show though that the club has has learnt it's lesson and shows they're looking ahead a little? After all, had the club done this 2 years ago with Arma, or 1 year ago with BBD, TK, JR, DL & RN, we wouldn't be risking them leaving on frees (or cheap, in Arma's, BBD's & TK's case).

Someone said on here previously that it's famously quoted that the definition of madness is to keep doing the same thing & expecting a different outcome. This is an example of the club doing something different to what has been done in the past, yet being criticised for it.

Hopefully it's a positive sign of some forward planning, of football people making sensible football decisions, for which the club should be given credit (albeit perhaps standard operating practise elsewhere, but we know hasn't been the case at Rovers for far too long).

As an interesting aside, I had to scroll onto page 2 of the forum contents page to find this thread; if that's not a sign of the times, I don't know what is!! 😅

With reference to SG signing a new deal, coupled with the spirit, passion & togetherness shown in recent weeks, I think we can safely lay to rest the suggestion that TM is not someone who the players respect. He, as much as anyone, would have cause to complain about TM's square pegs/round holes approach, & his insistence on his (mis)use as a right winger, yet here he is signing a new deal despite his best attributes perhaps being sacrificed for the greater good of other players & the team as a whole. 

Money talks of course and contractual security is a 2 way street, but there's no way he would commit himself now if he thought badly of Mowbray. 

Let's hope DL, RN & JR can quickly come to see things through the same prism as SG does; or maybe the club will be see fit to offer further improved deals now given the current situation anyway? Either way, I don't think the reason they're not signing new deals is a reflection on the manager...

As for the match itself, apparently a lot of their players were out on their feet on Weds night after their win at Forest. With one day less than us to recover, we've got to view this as a really good opportunity for 3 points. 

This tickled me on one of their forums:

"£30, do you get the town of Blackburn thrown in with that 🤔"

12 minutes ago, Tugayisgod said:

Am I the only one who thinks Gallagher has had a decent season and played well when fit. 
Happy to see him sign

3 minutes ago, Beanie01289 said:

No your not the only one I happen to think when he's played this season he has put in 100% 

I'm a 3rd. But it's more than just his work ethic for me; his goals to minutes record isn't that bad considering he's been mostly played on the right as opposed to through the middle, which is entirely on TM. 

Also notable that TM says in an interview on the website that Gallagher will get his chance down the middle. Tying him down is right, if we don't then imagine the uproar if he becomes another top scorer who could potentially leave for nothing at the end of the season.

Now to try everything possible to secure DL, RN & JR...

Happy New Year all, at home and abroad, & thanks for all the work done on here by all mods & feature writers.

Despite our differences, and there are many (like there should be, or life on a forum would be boring), this club is the lifeblood of us all. We all want it to succeed, albeit we have different ideas of how that might be achieved.

2022 could be THE season to get us back into the PL. From various national platforms (even Jim White!!) I'm hearing a lot of love for this team, for TM and for the club, with many saying they'd love us to go up. Let's hope this year they all get their wish.

HNY

COYB

Hi all,

Sorry if there's a thread related to this, but I thought that now Christmas is done & we've probably all given received presents, it would be good to put stuff up here. Not only would it be interesting generally, but it will help all fans know what weird & wonderful things are out there & might increase sales of said item.

Hope this is all within the scope of forum rules!

I'll start with a book I received called "No Nay Never - Blackburn Rovers v Burnley" by Michael Hodkinson, published in 2021 by Legends Publishing.  I've barely scratched the surface of this 480 glossy-paged behemoth but it goes from the 1880s to the most recent meeting and seems to cover everything that could possibly be covered, and there are swathes of quotes & interviews from players, staff, fans & contemporaneous newspaper articles.

The detail is sensational, really well presented & full of really attractive pics and photos.

I'm really looking forward to settling down with this once the Christmas & New Year madness has died down. I'm sure it's a must read* for all those who bleed blue and white!!

Hats of Mr Hodkinson sir, for a wonderfully researched & produced read about football's longest existing professional Derby!

(* except the chapter entitled "Burnley Back On Top: 2009-2021"; I might give that one a miss.)

Spot on. Hope you're feeling OK.

I think we'll win on Sunday, more comfortably than on Wednesday. Yes Hudds are on a good run & can't be underestimated, but we should have enough pace & creativity up front to score & enough steely determination & organisation at the back to limit chances.

They got a great result last night, winning 1-0 at Forest.  But by all accounts Forest should've won, having 23 shots (6 on target) to Hudds' 9 shots (2 on target).  If they allow us 23 shots, I'd be confident of half being on target and at least 3/4 goals. Likewise if we allow 9 shots on goal, I'd be confident no more than 3 or 4 woud be on target & 2 or 3 of those blocked or saved.

Plus, they'll have ideas of attacking us given their form, leaving pace in behind for our pacey forwards to thrive.

I know football doesn't work like that, but I think a 3-1 or 4-1 win can be reasonably predicted.

Fingers crossed!!

1 minute ago, neophox said:

Styles and Brittain was doing everything for Barnsley... Both are young. Would fit in here.

Beat me by seconds!!

Credit to Barnsley too, they played well and fought for their club's shirt too.

I know it's only one performance, but I thought their No 7 Brittain had something about him. Potentially someone we should be interested in as RWB cover?

Styles too impressed. If he and Bucko are good friends and last night epitomises what he is like, he might be worth a shout as well

It was a v satisfying win last night, I'd forgotten what those last-10-mins nerves felt like! A good battle, hard fought, and showed again what spirit & togetherness this squad is showing.

Of course it could (should) have been more comfortable; unusually for us this last couple of months, we missed some gilt-edged chances, and TK had little else to do besides 1 decent save & picking the ball out of the net in freakish circumstances. Other than that we defended well, generally kept composed and came through well.

I did sense some legginess though, esp in Rothwell & Buckley, both if whom are rather unique talents who would be hard to replace like for like in this system. Hopefully they're fit for Sunday, start, help get us a comfortable lead then can be subbed off early & rested at Wigan.

Awful refereeing again throughout, though it worked in our favour once too as I thought Lenihan could've easily have been shown 2 yellows.

Overall v pleased at the grit & determination this team is showing; can't win every game at a canter! We just need to continue taking one game at a time, try to ignore the table (!!) and keep focused on what we do.

6 wins in a row and 1 goal conceded; what's the opposite of a death spiral?!

53 minutes ago, davulsukur said:

I have no issue with signing Souttar based on his ability/potential but his injury record is a huge concern for me and if it becomes a case of Lenihan walking and this guy replacing him, that is a massive risk as we could very will lose both him and Ayala (would be 2 of our main Cb's) for months at a time.

I agree with that, but I'm not saying that's the only deal I'd do; I would  want us to sign another CB either in Jan or summer as I do think that we are short there exp if playing a back 3/5 system , taking into account injury records & likely suspensions for our existing CBs.

I just think that given his reputation as a quality player, IF Souttar can avoid injuries he would be a good signing for the next couple of seasons and not especially expensive, whether we go up or not.

7 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Totally take your point that it is impossible to pre-judge based solely on what league/nationality a player is from.

Billy Gilmour has been hopeless at PL level though so a poor example, Norwich fans were singing "fuck off back to Chelsea" today and it is difficult to stand out as poor in that team!

I was unaware of that, but he's still only young & a quality player in the making. Anyone would struggle at Norwich just now.

Fair enough if you disagree, but I think my overall point still stands, looking at the other examples cited.

For those suggesting that the Scottish route to recruitment isn't ambitious enough if we have an eye on the PL, I don't think that's true. There's plenty of Scottish players performing well in the PL, namely Andy Robertson, Billy Gilmour, Stuart Armstrong, Keiran Tierney, and of course John McGinn who joined Villa whilst they were in the championship with us (indeed we were supposedly in for him then).

Souttar clearly has ability, though I would agree his injury record is concerning. But if he can be signed now on the cheap or on a freebie pre-contract for the summer, to me it's worth doing imo.

5 minutes ago, 4000 HOLES said:

If I can stand and the atmosphere around me is good, that's all I want really. I've been reliably informed by some old time Rovers mates that the back corner in the BB end is pretty much stand up anyway, that's where my ticket is and I'll see what it's like. 

If I do get the bug again I want to get in to the away games again.

I think that's definitely the part of Ewood where you'll feel happiest!

 I'm all for singing, shouting, cajoling, booing, etc, and have been known to get irate & throw the odd expletive-ridden paddy from time to time, so I don't want to come across as holier than thou. But I just think that the fans in the Riverside have always been a particular sort (as alluded to in another post I made a few days back) that like to be able to watch the match whilst seated & without having to hear such frequent bad language or raucousness that typifies other areas of the ground. I think that's fair enough when there are areas of the ground accommodate that (as surely you'll recall that from your history of attendance)?

Oh, and welcome!!

15 minutes ago, 4000 HOLES said:

In fairness I was specifically talking about the home fans, we've always had terrific away support. I'm not too big to admit that I may have gone OTT, I've probably still got a chip on my shoulder from the way I went from going every week to not going at all, cold turkey. I still stand by my comments about the vast majority of the fans that attached itself to the club for the glory years.

The bottom line is, football in nothing without an atmosphere, I can't stand to be in a quiet stadium, as I said I love my town and I love the Rovers but I've denied myself going for over 20 years.

I'm in the Blackburn End for the Barnsley game and I stand to be corrected about the atmosphere, I'll be singing loud and proud anyway. There's nothing I'd like to see more than Ewood full every week, I know it's a pipedream, but it would be nice if they were all hardcore.

It's possible to be fanatical about your club without being especially vocal or demonstrative, singing sweary songs, or without going to away games. Football fans come in all shapes and sizes, noisy & quiet, brash or reserved. It does not make one fan more deserving of fan status than the other.

Others have a right to watch the match seated, whilst whining about what they are paying to watch, without someone in front of them constantly swearing. Be considerate 

I agree that all seater stadia have brought a different, often more sedate atmosphere to grounds; Ewood is not alone in that. There's still a place for the loud, vocal fan at Ewood though; however the Riverside is not that place!

24 minutes ago, matt83 said:

Bridge too far now for me. 

Is that about the Humber Bridge?

(Sorry, poor taste I know, but couldn't resist.)