I remember getting the board game Wembley as a child; I was overjoyed until I realised Rovers weren't a feature in it and I had to use a spare name slip to write our name on. Shameful, considering we'd won the darn thing 6 times!

That's what you get for appointing Steve Bruce. There are few less inspiring, motivational & creative managers around at this level than him IMO. Admittedly tho, Villa have had a habit of making bad managerial appointments in the last 7 seasons that's enough to rival Venky's!

I think that's right, though I really don't see us pushing for promotion this season and don't think any fan should expect it either. I get Stuart's point above in that we must strengthen in terms of the starting lineup and cover, and of course those with parachute payments are better placed than us before a ball is kicked. But we had 1 very, very bad season that saw us relegated, but don't forget even that was only on GD with a v high points score that most other seasons (every season?) would've seen us survive relatively comfortably. Most of us would I think agree that the current squad is better than that one (if loanees are replaced like for like) and, crucially, more confident & united, so we ought to be relatively confident of consolidation. We have a good, honest respected manager who is planning ahead, who can attract good players both permanent and on loan, and great facilities for players who want to improve to come here and do so. The atmosphere about the place is less caustic than it was 24 months ago, so our only main disadvantage in money. Of course that's significant, but on average once a season recently (Cardiff, Bournemouth, Burnley) have achieved promotion from this division without spending huge wads. We have to believe there's no reason why we can't join them over the coming 2/3 seasons if we apply ourselves correctly, which we seem to finally be doing (touch wood).

Sorry mods, I think I've inadvertently derailed this thread off Armstrong and onto who might supply ammo to him, when he's not even ours (yet, hopefully)! Blame it on my newby-ness! ?

I was quite excited when Coyle signed him, but it obviously didn't work out. He seems to fit TM's bill in terms of being young, hungry & eager to achieve, but I'm not sure if that previous stint wouldn't put off both parties... if the budget is as positive as Mowbray & Waggott have intimated, we may be able to aim higher for someone proven at Championship level.

I'm hoping this England team, with its youth, inexperience & low expectation , can be a bit like Rovers in 92 - 95, in the way it was a team that often proved greater than the sum of its parts. It had players that weren't - in the main - superstars but knew their role & those of their team mates, and worked to tried & tested methods. I suppose that's easier to drill into players at club level day in day out than it is into an international squad that is full of over hyped egos across a few weeks, but I think Southgate could be the manager who is brave enough to make tough decisions about individuals - similar to choosing Gerrard over Lampard or vice versa - for the sake of team unity.

I like Armstrong a lot & thought he was a breath of fresh air when he signed in January. That said, he struggled in the last month or so & missed a few gilt edged chances during then, but there's clearly quality there not just pace. I see the comparisons with Michael Owen (who was a better finisher) and also Craig Bellamy. He could do worse than model himself on the latter; many teams will come to Ewood next season (esp in the first half of it) thinking they can get at us and play a high line, rather than pack the defence & hit us on the break like happened painfully often the season just gone. The way Bellamy played for us was nothing short of sensational, so often breaking off the shoulder from the half way line, and if we can find a role for him in the side next season much like Bellamy had, who can exploit a high line via medium distance passes from midfield or the back, he'd be a real asset as an alternative to a target man style CF. Oh, and we'd also need a new CM to see and make those passes; I'm not sure our current options have the speed of thought, vision or accuracy to link up with Arma in that way too often. I don't see enough football beyond Rovers to know who might realistically fulfil that role tho, any ideas?

Long time reader, first time poster. I'm not sure that's the case bluefred, provided last season's loanees are loaned back or replaced with someone of equivalent standard. This squad should at least hold it's own, as IMO it's stronger (ability & confidence wise) than the one that went down so narrowly & for fear of stating the obvious, TM is a far better manager than his not-to-be-named predecessor. Yes strengthening is required to compete towards the upper echelons next season (which should be our maximum realistic expectations; anything else is a bonus) & it sounds like TM is confident he has the budget to do that. The future seems a little bit brighter; not many of us would've said that 12 months ago. In terms of signings, I think as priorities (perms or loans) we need an experienced Champ quality CB & promising box-to-box CM (as we have injury frailties in both those positions), and a strong up'n'coming CF and pacy winger (Chapman would be a risk worth taking) where we're weak full stop at this level. I'd also def have Armstrong back. I'd keep Graham & Conway for their experience & seniority (IF the deal is right for Conway in particular i.e. not sentimental), Evans (he's got something, I'm sure!) & Samuel (ditto). I'd be happy to see Whittingham & Gladwin shipped out, and Payne not to be re-signed. Youth wise, Travis & Tomlinson might be the answer in CM, Wharton n Nuttall loaned out to League 1, with 2 or 3 others from the U23s loaned out to League 2. That should be enough to see us finishing mid-table or top half, potentially with a playoff tilt. I'd like to see us challenge higher, but Ewood can't be rebuilt in a season. Those in the playoffs were, by definition, amongst the best of last season. We ought to be stronger than the majority of the also-rans and I'd be happy with stability in that respect.