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.

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!!

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!

Is that about the Humber Bridge? (Sorry, poor taste I know, but couldn't resist.)

Well this next few games could tell us a lot then, as we play Luton & Hudds in the next 4, all of which are eminently winnable & could really consolidate a play off spot at least; what progress that would be. I'd like to think that the confidence gained from the response to the Fulham embarrassment outweighs those other disappointments, but we'll see; confidence is a fragile thing...

But we all now know that this squad has guts, spirit & fight in them, given the Fulham match & the first 2 mins v Sheff Utd. That's what gives me REAL hope that we can achieve something special this season. Agree re the dangers of over confidence though. Just focus on ourselves, match by match.

Happy hunting, hope they turn up...🤞

Where is this from please?

Merry Christmas everyone!! (Ben, if you're reading this, "Felis Navidad!") COYB

With a lovely family Christmas planned with a wonderful wife & 2 young kids, is it wrong to be looking forward more to Boxing Day than Christmas Day?

I think we will all agree that a lot HAS changed since September, pleasingly!!

Looking at that link that Chaddy posted (cheers Chaddy), I can't think there's much if a chance Khadra will come here permanently. They clearly rate him (who wouldn't), he'll be too good to stay in the championship & if we get promoted it would take a large sum to get them to part with him. Same with Van Hecke. Hope I'm wrong mind.

Not sure that matters if he contributes to us getting promotion.

If this is correct (I don't recall hearing it said previously), then it's not a bad start to Park's Ewood stint; if he can pull more rabbits out of the hat like Khadra then that's good enough fir me.

Thanks Tony. That makes it sound like Pickering had a really bad game, but I didn't get that feeling at the match. After all, a full back / wingback's first job is to stop the crosses. It's funny how deeper analysis can dispel first impressions.

To be fair to Gallagher, he's never been one not to put a shift in, whatever other criticisms may be levelled against him ability-wise.

But that's exactly what was being said by many about Ben 12 months back. I'm not saying anything spectacular like that will happen for Gally, but if he is played in the right role then I think he can be very useful and be a 10-15 goals a season player. He's on 5 already this season, that's playing less than half the season and mostly outside of his strongest position. He's worth giving an extended contract to, there's no doubt in my mind.

All valid points in the posts above. Playing devil's advocate a little, Lord Baltimore admits that there's not much young talent coming through in Chile hence why they looked further afield for qualifying players, so in 2/3 years' time will they realistically be challenging for the latter stages of the Copa America or the WC in 2026? Also Matty, who would have said 12 months ago that he would be flying like he is now? If he continues to develop, who knows what ghat could lead to? Look at Jamie Vardy for an example of how a player can come through from nowhere & hit the top, especially if they offer something different to their peers. Anyway it was a daft question, albeit thought provoking. I would tend to agree that whatever happens from here he should have no regrets as it's been a unique journey for him. Thanks for humouring me!

We must try our damndest to get Lenihan, Rothwell & Nyambe all signed up long term, if necessary with non-promotion or modest buy out clauses effective from summer onwards; failing that, reject all offers & keep them here until the summer to try to finish the job. Same with BBD & Kaminski, though that's less urgent & probably harder to achieve, esp in BBD's case. To be fair, none of them seem unhappy; quite the opposite in fact. Hopefully the common unity & desire not to spoil it for the rest of the squad will carry some weight in their decision-making. Cancel Poveda's loan (with some reluctance) and Clarkson too (I can't see he has a role to play this season). Spend decent money on a RB / RWB to challenge RN; no need to break the bank, but I'm sure there's a right-sided Pickering out there. I genuinely don't think we need too much more; we have decent cover almost everywhere, somewhat unexpectedly. January is never the best time to buy, and we don't want to risk undoing the harmony in the squad by signing a well-known player that likely comes with an ego.

Here's a half-serious / half-jokey question to discuss; having been born in the delectable (ahem) Stoke on Trent, in 2 or 3 years' time might BBD regret nailing his colours to the Chilean mast at the tender age of 22? Off you go...!

Plus I have some signed, framed memorabilia of Nobby Stiles & Sir Bobby Charlton, the only 2 English players to win the WC & European Cup / Champions League. It would have no value if England win the WC!! (It was a drunken purchase in an auction at a kids xmas footy do years ago. It's stashed away wrapped up in a dark cupboard, there's no way I'm putting it on display with Utd's badge on it!)

Rovers. Simples.

I presume those comments were made in response to specific questions, and was therefore put on the spot? If he's not been told by the owners - his bosses - what they plan is, he's hardly going to publicly commit them to anything is he, especially if he is after a new contract himself. Would you make outright promises about your company commiting to a certain level of investment without any authority's to do so? I think folk read too much into managers' media interviews, be it pre-match comments about the opposition, post match analysis, transfer speculation etc. I'm sure internal conversations are very different and much less diplomatic.

I'm a Riversider too, have been since mid-80s. Wouldn't swap my seat (at the top of the "E") for anywhere else in the ground. Fantastic uninterrupted view, covered, great legroom. Yes it's dated, needs a tidy up etc, and the facilities aren't great, but I love it; it has a certain atmosphere that's different to the rest of the ground. It could be improved and change isn't always bad, but let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater. There's many around me who, like me, have been there since it was built; forcing them to sit elsewhere, or ramping up the cost by 30% to cover any upgrade, would be a big own goal by the club imo (not unheard of, of course). Maybe I'm a creature of habit, or have lower expectations than others; but after all, I'm there to watch the footy with my family, and it's perfectly adequate for that at a reasonable ST price.