13 hours ago, Miker said:

I think Bucko came in for some criticism last year because he was quite light weight and got brushed off the ball too easily. That criticism was absolutely fair IMO, but this season it was noticeable that he had bulked up quite a bit and the biggest improvement in his game has been the crunching tackles he's been putting in. His bravery, strength and defensive play has all improved substantially this season and that is allowing his talent to flourish.

I don't think there was any doubt of his technical ability and creativity, but you can't create much if the opposition is shoving you to the ground as soon as you get the ball. So he deserves massive credit for addressing those weak points to become a key player for us now. Hopefully he keeps going from strength to strength!

I don’t think he’s bulked up. What happened is he’s more confident after a long run of games. Goals will make him the complete midfield player.

2 hours ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

We need to exercise a bit of caution here. Sign the wrong player and we could start going backwards

. I remember Man City playing really well and leading the old First Division going into the run in. For some reason they decided they needed “ the last piece of the jigsaw “ so they put the boat out to sign Rodney Marsh. Although Marsh was a class act it took them a few weeks to fit him into the jigsaw. By the time they had fitted him in they’d slipped off the top and Notts Forest pipped them to the title.

Tyrone you’re wrong Marsh joined in March 72 that season Derby won the league under old big head. The following season Liverpool won the title.

57 minutes ago, RoversClitheroe said:

Wes? Or Chris 😭

Does it matter if it’s  Brown you know what it is

1 hour ago, unleaded said:

Brown would be a freebie … out of contract …. 

Last Brown we signed on a free was superb.

Has anybody taken a bet on Ben getting 30 goals this season?

2 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

I don't think he would posted where he got them from since I asked I asked a few other questions which he refused to answer tho you are more than welcome to ask him yourself

He’s a Rovers supporter so why would he have itk for Brighton? It must not be from the web as it would be easy to check. Even without saying where he got the information from he would add credence by indicating the source without compromising the identity. Therefore I would say this is bullshit, which we only need to wait 6 months to confirm.

On 23/12/2021 at 18:45, darrenrover said:

Quite pertinent but surprising, Brighton aren't too fussed on either Khadre or Van Hecke! (Khadre has been a disruptive influence and Van Hecke considered to be injury prone)

From what I've seen (and I go to every game home and away), they'd both do for me!

1 hour ago, chaddyrovers said:

Do they? cos this poster has said this

https://www.brfcs.com/forums/topic/35141-january-transfer-window-2022/?do=findComment&comment=2270490

Quality player, used to playing in back 3, and someone I suggested 3 years ago as a potential signing.  Have you ever watch him play? 

here a video of him if you want to look at it https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=john+souttar&&view=detail&mid=C00FEAAE95E927E10235C00FEAAE95E927E10235&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Djohn%2Bsouttar%26FORM%3DHDRSC3

Who knows what the budget will be but I don't expect silly wage budget and I would not be paying above 25/30k a week for any player

You seem to take these comments as gospel. Have you asked where Darren’s information has come from? I very much doubt this is true.

What is the right end of the stick? If I’ve missed something-lease enlighten me 

2 hours ago, Ulrich said:

Well in that case:

You're all pants lads, not one of you could pass a stool, let alone a football. I fully expect you to get us relegated with a record low number of points. My granny could do better than the lot of you and she's been dead for 15 years, call yourselves professional players.

😉👍

Are you taking the piss. It’s Christmas and good cheer to all. They’ve done better than expected so far this season. Apart from the Fulham game you can’t criticise their effort. 

29 minutes ago, only2garners said:

No it isn't, unless you are involved in Covid 19 work or are a diplomat.

Not strictly true on the French Government’s website 

Workers in the land, sea and air transport sector or service providers (including drivers of any vehicle for the transportation of goods intended for use on the territory of a Member State as well as those who are only in transit or travelling as a passenger returning to their home base).
Travellers in transit for less than 24 hours in an international zone

I don’t think the final point would allow a scout to fly to Bordeaux watch the game and fly out straight afterwards. There are more valid reasons, but none would cover our scout.

On 23/12/2021 at 11:46, El Tombro said:

Rovers' scouting won't begin and end with Wyscout. Surely they want to see these players in action over the course of a few games before bringing them into the manager's office.

Regarding France there is surely nothing stopping Rovers from providing a brief to a freelance scout based over there if we really are interested in a player.

At the end of the day, who knows? But there is too much painting club operations as a black and white scenario on here. People are working around COVID-19 to try and continue as normal. Rovers will be doing the same.

Travel to France is permitted for business purposes I would expect a scouting mission to fall under that category.

9 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

know what? Still scouting players from Europe or Rovers using scouting tools like wyscout now?

It’s not rocket science, is it information from within the club or have you picked it up from the web. Does that make it clearer?

It’s the best way to see the matches for those who are boycotting the games. With the package and streaming you have all the bases covered.

15 minutes ago, lraC said:

I loved Garner and named my son after him.

You named him Garner?

18 hours ago, Ulrich said:

The undercover British spy?

He was just pissing by.😬

36 minutes ago, USABlue said:

Difficult game, ciuld be iur undoing if we are nit up for it mentally.  Hope COVID stays away.and we get to play.

What ever you’re drinking make mine a double🤠

11 hours ago, Tom said:

Fulham lose at home!

 

 

They’ve had their losing runs we have Jan and Feb are still to come.

9 hours ago, JHRover said:

Anyone have any figures for how full the Riverside is on a typical matchday?

At a guess I would say there are maybe 1000-1500 in there on a good day and the stand holds what? 4,500+?

So maybe a quarter to a third full on a typical matchday.

Given that this stand runs the length of the pitch and provides what is traditionally a sought after side view of the action it seems that the people buying their tickets don't agree. 

Anyone think of any other 'side' stands in the Championship that are usually only a quarter full on matchday?

It really does let the ground down and as I've said before it isn't all about the attendances - if the club had an eye on anything beyond the next few weeks and months and any semblance of a medium to long term plan it would be developing that lucrative area into a modern facility - media, disabled, covered, concourses, better floodlights, internal spaces.

Fulham have been building a new stand at their ground - started in the Championship - they didn't need to as they don't need the extra capacity as a Championship club and their old stand was ok. But their owner wanted to improve the ground and grow the club. 

Really galling for me the losses the club has racked up and yet the facilities have been left to rot through neglect and starvation of funds.

The money comes in, the money goes out, the club sees little benefit. 

Loads from the limited highlights I’ve seem on TV.

On 19/12/2021 at 08:37, rigger said:

Everyone is entitled to their opinions. Mine is that both Van Hecke and Khadra will be premier league class players. I don't know if Diaz will.

You must be one of those that thought the money spent (what ever it was) on Brererton was too much. Forget what’s gone on in his first two seasons he’s on top form. To say that these players who are now performing are better than him is really stretching the point. 

1 hour ago, Spartakfenni said:

Van Hecke is the same, his big mistake in the Fulham game really cost us, but thankfully he’s learned from his mistake. Probably the missed game time allowed the coaching staff to really work on him. He’ll go back a better player than he arrived. That’s the frustrating part, as Carter has looked good when he’s played, and proved last seasons loan at Brentford did him good. He now needs to go to a lower Championship team for that next step up. Someone from Swansea downwards in the league.

BURTON, bloody predictive text!!

24 minutes ago, Admiral Nelsen said:

 

I know we were going through something of an injury crisis, but Branthwaite was the perfect example of the sort of Prem loan that you don't want. I.e. a player who has all the attributes for a good career but needs a spell of making mistakes so his parent club can feel the benefit.

 

A player who'll probably have a good career, but a few of the performances he put in for us were up there for some of the worst for a centre half in our recent history. Agree with @tomphil though that our possession game was partially responsible too. 

Van Hecke is the same, his big mistake in the Fulham game really cost us, but thankfully he’s learned from his mistake. Probably the missed game time allowed the coaching staff to really work on him. He’ll go back a better player than he arrived. That’s the frustrating part, as Carter has looked good when he’s played, and proved last seasons loan at Brentford did him good. He now needs to go to a lower Championship team for that next step up. Someone from Swansea downwards in the league.

19 minutes ago, benhben said:

If he alligned to England, he wouldnt have yet had any caps and therefore likely wouldnt have had this new lease of life. Entirely the right call and a great opportunity. 

Totally agree, plus it’s been a real bonus to the Rovers. We are the number 1 foreign club in Chile, and if our commercial department gets its act in order can bring much needed funds into the club for years to come.

4 hours ago, Paul Mani said:

Butterworth is never an 8 in a million years. What’s all this comparison with Rothwell? He’s a 10 or false 9. Buckley will take Rothwells position next to Trav eventually.

Dack and Butterworth to fight out the false 9

Paul were you one of those that said Diaz was not worth £7m? Butterworth has had a couple of years out with serious injuries. Give him the chance he can cut it. Don’t write him off after a handful of sub appearances.

2 hours ago, El Tombro said:

Furthermore you can remain in the Riverside well into retirement by quietly joining the rug and flasker club with no eyelids being batted. It's a cradle to grave type of stand.

I’m already a member, plus my flask contains hot chocolate, my hip flask is full of Woods Navy Rum!!

1 hour ago, OldEwoodBlue said:

People I know were being dripped on in the Riverside yesterday. Wasn't even raining. The whole stand is knackered.

Jack long since had his money's worth. Time for Venkys to start investing in the club and building their own legacy.

It was me and my son who were dripped on. Although irratating it wasn’t the end of the world. To say it’s a shithole is over the top. We have perfect views and I wouldn’t change it for the lack of atmosphere in the Jack Walker stand.