What a despicable sack of skin and waste of oxygen. The biggest lowlife to (dis)grace this great club.

Just now, blueboy3333 said:

So when you asked me if I 'understood' that we'd need to pay substantial transfer fees to improve you actually meant something else. I don't agree either way. Players out of contract or quality players from lower divisions can improve us. Ironically doing a Redknapp and spending A fortune on BB didn't improve us one bit. Our domestic and foreign recruitment needs to be a lot better. 

I think we’re arguing over something we agree on. The recruitment needs to be a lot better going forward (in terms of quality and value for money) if we have any aspirations of progressing as a club.

2 minutes ago, blueboy3333 said:

So we can improve without doing a Redknapp or spending 'substantial transfer fees'? 

Indeed, but only if there is a radical change in transfer policy at the club regarding foreign recruitment. Mowbray indicated that we don’t do any scouting abroad so it seems unlikely that this will be in place for the summer window. That inevitably means paying over the odds for established domestic talent, or going for more “project signings” that some in here like to turn their noses up at as it shows “a lack of ambition”.

Just now, blueboy3333 said:

So we won't improve then unless we do a Redknapp? 

It depends whether or not we intend to just stay in the British market to recruit players. If so then the odds of picking up bargains like Bowyer did only 4 to 5 seasons ago get slimmer and slimmer by the year.

Just now, blueboy3333 said:

I think you've just made that up. Fans just want better players. 

To get better players than the ones we have, substantial transfer and agents fees will have to be spent. I hope you realise this?

Just now, DE. said:

Project signings are fine as long as they aren't brought in at the expense of first team improvement. Rothwell, Davenport and Chapman are all pretty negligible as far as fees and presumably wages are concerned so fine, low risk, potentially high reward. Brereton is unfortunately not in that category and it's concerning that the lad isn't even getting time in the u23's, let alone out on loan anywhere. What is being achieved by letting him sit on the bench and get 20 minutes here and there? 

The difficulty we’ve got at the minute is that to improve the first 11 than a lot of money needs to be spent. Not only in fees (which Venky’s seem willing to pay lately) but also in wages. That is the big issue. It appears that a very rigid wage structure has been implemented across the playing staff in order to get the wages/turnover ratio to a more sustainable level. This means that a lot of the domestic recruitment tends to be limited to these “project signings” as they will fall in line with the wage structure we have. This means that as a matter of urgency we need to be hammering the European market to try and find those hidden gems. Scouting in the Uk only is no longer good enough if you want to operate on a budget.

1 minute ago, Miller11 said:

This new phrase that is cropping up - “project signings” is a big worry for me...

We have a top academy that should be about building players for the first team squad. 

IF  there is any desire for us to get back into the Premier League in the foreseeable future, I don’t see how these so called project signings fit in. Are any of them going to be able to cut it in the top flight?

Our efforts at the moment should be concentrated on Promotion, and signing players who can help us get there... and before anyone chirps up and tells me it’s unrealistic to expect that this season, I don’t expect it, I’m not saying this season. But I am saying ASAP. Also, let’s not forget it looked distinctly within reach a fortnight ago.

I agree that if we have aspirations over the next couple of seasons to get to the promised land then we do need to up our game in the recruitment department. However, the policy of a lot of fans is just “spend, spend, spend” Redknapp style which would just make things worse and leave us back at square one.

8 minutes ago, Hasta said:

Travis substitution was spot on. Dack however .....

I agree that the Dack substitution was questionable and one I wouldn’t have made. However in December some folks on here were calling for Dack to be dropped from the starting eleven altogether. Others have today stated that he is our most potent threat (which I happen to agree with) but it’s banded about as one of the reasons we lost the game. It wasn’t, the reason we lost the game was p!ss poor defending of a set piece.

I’m astounded that a minority were questioning Mowbray for taking Travis off. Absolutely the correct decision but just shows that some will find any excuse to get the pitch forks out when we lose. That doesn’t mean I think Mowbray is exempt from criticism, but some of the daggers that people try to stab him with are dirty to say the least.

Very disappointing. We looked very leggy and laboured throughout the match. Lot’s of huff and puff but no cutting edge. Be interesting to see what Mowbray says after the match. However, let’s not lose sight of the fact that with pretty much the same side as last year we are in the top half of the Championship. In my opinion, performing above expectation. I find the culture of having a scapegoat for every defeat very odd. Just accept that we were beaten by the better side today, it’s healthier for us all.

Planning for next season now starts in earnest.....

Very interesting and entertaining as usual. Keep up the good work Ian!

Well done Mogga and Arma! Fully deserved!

3 minutes ago, Mellor Rover said:

Lenihan out for obviously this game, but could be a long one. Report today says he has medial ligament damage in his knee.

Time to find out if his trust in injury prone Rodwell and Mulgrew with a shite left back in Williams as cover is justified.

Medial knee ligaments can be a funny one to predict. Can range between 3 and 10 weeks, it all depends on the player. 

11 hours ago, old darwen blue said:

Have you just had a job interview pal?

 

?

? Wish I had! Could set Waggott straight on a few things.....

I think this hall of fame should recognise special individuals that have had a spectacular impact on Rovers both on and off the field.

1 hour ago, Bigdoggsteel said:

Be some game for Big Ben to get off the mark 

I think we’ve said this in every pre match thread since August.....

Just now, Stuart said:

That’s ok though as there is absolutely no value in winning any title outside the PL.

Just ask Mowbray.

It would be poetic justice looking back at this in 5 years time as a Premier League club remembering Mowbray guiding to the 2nd division title! ???

Just now, 47er said:

It does seem very likely. Transfer windows closed, what other side of things are they vaguely interested in?

Maybe just as simple as a mid season catchup when they happen to be in Europe on business.

Just now, 47er said:

watch repairs?!!

I’d bet on it being Venky related.....

Just now, tomphil said:

A lot of things have gone on in Zurich involving Rovers, Venkys and er....others !

Lets hope it was a planned constructive meeting and not Barry and his mates slipping under big sis radar again if indeed it was anything to do with Rovers at all.

I thought that was the place a lot of the SEM/Kentaro business was done also?

Updated prediction:

Norwich, West Brom and Sheff Utd promoted. Leeds bottle it to finish 3rd and fail to win in the playoffs. Relegation spots belong to Ipswich, Bolton and Rotherham I think.

Where do you personally see the club heading over the next 5, 10 or even 15 years? What do you think the aims and objectives of the club should be moving forward over that timescale? How do you see us achieving those aims, or what strategies should the club adopt to achieve them? Maybe this could be a longer term thread and we can look back in a few years.

Discuss............. ???

P.s I understand how hard this can be with the present ownership in charge!

As I said in an earlier thread, Palmer will probably bag an injury time goal. The one thing I don’t want is that arrogant tw@t Lee Johnson celebrating on that touchline. Hate his guts, always blaming the refs instead of his own shortcomings. In our own camp, looks like we are ravaged by injuries with Mulgrew, Lenihan, Evans, Dack and Graham which is a massive blow. Very reminiscent of the Brentford home game back in August when we managed to nick a narrow 1 - 0 win. I’d try to replicate something similar to what we did that day and try Bennett in the number 10 role and shift Nyambe to right back. I’d go with the following:

                          Raya

Nyambe     Rodwell       Mulgrew (if fit)    Bell

               Reed          Travis (if fit)

Armstrong       Bennett            Rothwell

                         Brereton 

Subs: Leutwiler, Williams, Magloire, Smallwood, Conway, Nuttall, Butterworth 

That makes us look really thin on the ground. Typical as it’s just after January.....

Let’s hope for a gritty performance and get back to the more stable January performances. Won’t be easy but we’re a decent home side. I’ll go for a 1 - 1 draw. COYB!

p.s   I think I might bring my boots down to Ewood, just in case they don’t have enough subs.

Just now, Gavlar Somerset Rover! said:

I read that on Twitter too. Anyone got an idea? 

I am aware that a lot of Venkys offices are located in Zurich. Maybe met Balaji?

He was in Zurich yesterday and today. I wonder why...........