2 minutes ago, Neal said:

I'm sick of this long ball up to Graham nonsense now. It's tired and predictable, it's a sign of a sh*t midfield when you have to completely miss it out. 

or shit tactics from a shit manager

Just now, Bigdoggsteel said:

The Birmingham players clearly know we are shit at the back. We actually can't defend for shit!!!!!! 

And who do you think could be to blame for that ?

Just now, dallydally said:

Smallwood is a League One player at best

Apart from Graham, Mulgrew and Reed, they all are.

Ridiculous

3 hours ago, blueboy3333 said:

When you start virtue signalling your own values you better be winning football matches or you start to sound like you're only interested in how you're perceived. I don't give a shit what his values are, he isn't the Dalai Lama.  I just want him to win football matches, which is what he is paid to do. 

Our away record over the last ten games is a disgrace. The fact Tony has them all sat round the camp fire at Brockhall singing Kumbaya doesn't make that any more palatable. 

100% agreed BB

Problem is that Biz holds the concept of "taking part" above the one of "winning". 

This season Tony gets a "free hit" because of what he did so far. Next season he needs to get us promoted or get the sack.

Today he had better make sure we win the game.

He was very easily knocked off the ball every time he got it, which gave away possession.

Just seems very weak to me. 

And he isn't the type of player who can receive hoofball.

And he isn't a winger

Why did we buy this lad ?

Not to mention the fee.

We needed 7 Championship quality players to go into the first team replacing the 3rd division players.

We bought none.

We only got Reed on loan and its possible he will get recalled next week. 

Yet we spent a relative war chest on something.

3 minutes ago, Tom Stinny said:

No idea. If he's not available I'd rather give Travis a go over Smallwood because he can cover the ground much quicker. Need runners for this game with speed.

Tony will prefer Palmer and Smallwood

2 minutes ago, Tom Stinny said:

Got a feeling the manager will go with a back 3/5 formation for this.

 

Raya

Lenihan Downing Mulgrew

Nyambe Reed Rodwell Rothwell Bell

Dack Graham

 

Plenty of energy and speed to match them. Give Dack a full free role with three midfield runners.

 

Let Reed and Rothwell get forward to support with Rodwell holding the fort. Would like to see either Armstrong or Brereton at some point up front with Graham during the game just to see how it goes. Can't drop Dack though.

Is there an update on Reed’s hamstring ?

During the Villa game on Radio 5 they were discussing when Ron Saunders won the league title with a squad of 14... included Gordan Cowans

Them were the days

1 hour ago, Mattyblue said:

Im delighted that we are in a position to spend, we could become contenders again. However, we won’t if the ‘model’ is just young, English players. Too unbalanced approach for this relentless league. And the 7 million must and I wager could have been spent better than someone who’s as raw as BB.

Who replaces the experience of Mulgrew, Graham?

 

Graham, Mulgrew and as proved recently, Conway.

These experienced players will leave a big hole and need to be replaced wisely.

Take these out of our side and Reed going back then what have we got left ?

Fought hard today and made a good side work very hard.

Reed was excellent. We need to buy that lad next month if we have any kind of ambition.

Nyambe was very good (second only to Reed for MOM)

No surprise both were knackered the last 10. These 2 really put a shift in today.

Then we had Palmer who is absolute crap. I can’t actually believe he was brought on as he should be nowhere near our first team. His contribution was losing the ball (as usual) three or four times. The first almost cost a goal and he didnt even put any effort in to get back, just trotted back like a fancy Dan.

He also managed to play a terrible pass pushing Brereton too wide when it should have been a certain goal effort.

Must go back next month.

Brereton seems a bit weak for this mens league.

Graham held up a few balls today like he was a rock.

Chalk and Cheese. Man and Boy.

Waggott’s Xmas offer = massive FLOP

13 minutes ago, blueboy3333 said:

Indeed. Rovers have been sending texts out this morning to notify fans.

Did the text mention total commitment ?

Interested to see the attendance today. 

Waggott’s Xmas offer.... 20K or a flop

Back to plan A (there is no plan B )  of flogging half STs

If they suddenly offered 20 quid off an adult half ST if bought today with a match ticket for eligibility, they would shift a few STs I think.

Half price shirt voucher if you buy a half ST today.

Seems some innovative ideas might be more effective than “buy a half ST or you are not a proper fan” plastered on every bus stop.

26 minutes ago, Bigdoggsteel said:

Nonsense. If he got us promoted to the premier league his wages and reputation would go up so much his earning power would increase well beyokg what it is plodding along in the championship. He is squeezing some money out of venkys, are you telling me if they offered him more to spend he wouldnt take it? 

Nonsense. TM is a cautious creature in a brutal industry.

IF vs job security ?

They did in the summer and he went on record as refusing it in favour of slowly slowly

2 hours ago, Stuart said:

There is no benefit to a slow build approach while Venkys are still propping us up with £15m added to our debt each season. It is just going to take longer to be rid of them.

TM benefits from lowering expectations and telling them it takes us 6 seasons to challenge... slowly slowly.

Nothing like a bit of job security.

Alternative is yes ok I will spend 25 mill and get us up this season and get sacked when fails.

I have felt for a while that we may be hindered by TM both on and off the field. Jury is still out.

7 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

Err £20 for Norwich! Can’t wait to see the queues on Saturday! (The collection queue that is, or they’ll be paying full whack with surcharge!)

£1 discount 3 days before Xmas is a stroke of genius.

Of course we cant offer deals unless reciprocal so the blame lies elsewhere but none of that rhetoric increases attendances.

2 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

West Brom on NYD would have been ideal for us to offer a proper deal.

However, as it’s the mighty West Brom, Waggott has made it Cat A, on the assumption they’ll be bringing hordes he can fleece. Alas, they won’t, they’ve sold around 900 so far.

You make it £15 anywhere in the ground, we’d sell agood few on a bank holiday and I’d imagine they’d fetch plenty more too. Be a good occasion, but no make it around £30 and have the usual 13,000.

Errr Earth to Matty

The club already stated there will be no deals. 

I am intrigued to hear the noises coming from Ewood after the half ST nonsense has passed. At the moment it is full on BULLSHIT SELLS HALF STs. All hands on deck. 

3 hours ago, Mattyblue said:

Then he can expect a sizeable fall in numbers, as Rovers fans will just not turn up at c£400 for mid table second tier football.

not according to Chaddy

you cant both be right

On 18/12/2018 at 02:01, Bbrovers2288 said:

Bryan Oviedo for me 

sounds half Portuguese

48 minutes ago, blueboy3333 said:

He's told to do that by Mowbray. That is a tactic. 

Boz is correct

It’s either a tactic as you say or Lenihan is just a bit thick / rubbish

Wish people would stop talking about signing Chapman

The lad’s career is finshed due to injuries.

Forget him.

WOOSH