Reading staring down the barrel of a 6 points deduction, putting them right back into a relegation dogfight.

I think long term it certainly isn't the way to run a sustainable football club, and I hope it isn't repeated in future. I think the issues were that if there were any credible offers, they were so late in the day that it left us without a replacement - we'd started the season well and there was a lot of talk at the time of him being crucial to a promotion push. I hope in future we have much better contingency planning and plan more responsibly, but we were hamstrung by a previous lack of forward planning.

If we go up (and it's a big if), then keeping BBD was a fantastic decision as no doubt he will have contributed to our success. If we don't, then the debate rages on. I don't buy that he ever downed tools, even during his leaner period he was still working hard, he just wasn't as clinical or as effective as he was during his wonder season. We don't really know what offers we received in summer; there was a lot of talk but never appeared too concrete. He's sadly likely out for tomorrow, which is a big blow for us. I have no doubt that he'll give it his all until May regardless which shirt he'll be wearing in August.

I don't think the players are too worried about people shouting at them - I'm not sure why the Burnley fans seem to have this feeling that they're a particular scary/intimidating bunch that our players cannot handle. If anything, the decision was out of spite (you gave us 2k (for good reason), you get the same), a slight competitive advantage (whilst it isn't a case of not wanting too many people shouting at them, it's still arguable that a greater % of home fans has its advantages) and just out of caution - more fans = more trouble, particularly if you can win the league. 7,000 was always pie in the sky, and whilst the other 6 points are just as importance points wise, it's unlikely any of those sides will bring 7,000 anyway. Plus, the players endure enough shouting from some of our more impatient fans, let alone that of the opposition.... My personal thought was that I'd have given the same percentage (10% or so), but I'm also not remotely sad to have less people than usual gleefully chanting about the death of Jack Walker in the away end. I am not tarring everyone with the same brush and I'm fully aware we have our idiots, but that's usually one of the most vocal chants and I won't be sad to hear it a bit quieter than usual.

We haven't announced prices yet have we? I know we have for the away end, which I presume will be applied around the ground. Not sure they are allowed to price cheaper in the home ends if the view is identical, so you'd assume BBE is £30 too. Plus, any more discounts and suddenly the 5 for £99 is more expensive than buying individually. I hope we get a good attendance in. No chance we sell out Ewood, I don't think we'd have sold it out with 7,000 Burnley fans there. We should really be getting 20k home fans in for this one, I appreciate it may be a touch ambitious but Burnley had 19k vs us and the fans have a team worth supporting in what is a huge local derby.

Not sure this thread was evidence of people moaning, the only thing I saw was a pretty sensible debate about which keeper should start. The general consensus appears to be that you can make a case for either, with some favouring one or the other with very good reasons. I don't think you'll find much moaning (at least from those on this thread) if JDT opts for the other. I fully agree though we're in a really nice position with regards to squad depth. We're no longer an injury away from crisis in most positions, and I think JDT's flexible, 'no shame in playing for the under 21s' approach has helped with this. Potential replacements are match fit and raring to go, with nobody assured of a place.

I'm happy to see us written off by others. Nice to go under the radar a touch. At this stage last year, we were well in the midst of our death spiral and we were already well on the way to being reined in by our rivals. This season feels different, but I'm still cautious. Games like Saturday are absolutely crucial - will we win as we should on paper? Or will we succumb to one of those lifeless away displays we suffered earlier in the season, losing to nil and wondering how one team can be so up and down? The Sheffield United game could go one of two ways. It feels that rather than dishearten us too much, team (and club) spirit has gone through the roof. If anything, it made me feel more optimistic, as we went toe to toe with the team in 2nd on their own patch. I think a short break after the emotions of it all was a good thing too. I don't think there are 6 teams better than us and I hope we prove it.

Ignoring fuel economics, I'll be getting a train. Don't drive and wouldn't choose to drive anyway, as part of the away day appeal to me is finding a new pub and making a day of it. Plus, living in Cardiff I wouldn't have the luxury of lift sharing. I can't wait for this one. It's one we really need to be winning - I'd love a win to banish just a few of the demons from Bramall Lane. I'll be getting my ticket tomorrow on payday - others might be the same.

I'm heading over from Cardiff now the rail strike is cancelled - will be more than happy to meet any like-minded folk for a pint.

Couldn't find a more appropriate thread - but any indication on how the 'final 5' offer has been received?

I'd have given them 3,100 - prevents looking petty as it's the exact same proportion of the ground. Not upset they've got less mind, but them expecting 7,000 was fanciful at best. Not sure how many we'll get in the home end, hopefully a decent turnout if results don't fall off a cliff between now and then.

My family live near the Alex - not sure if you meant the latter pubs, but that one's still open. Generally very quiet, mind. I'm generally at a loss as to where to go for pints pre-match now, only a few options sadly.

All the threats of violence, mayhem, carnage etc - given their promises of trouble, maybe Rovers were right to limit their allocation.... Also finding funny 'easier to control 7,000 of us in the ground than in town' - as if they wouldn't go to town for a drink beforehand anyway. Ultimately, if they're willing to travel to Blackburn for a game they don't have tickets for, then more fool them. There's barely a pub to drink in, the police will no doubt be all over them and they'll miss out on watching it at home with like minded folk. And all the talk about fans in the home end is nonsense - you'll get a few, but definitely none of the rent-a-gobs online.

I'd have given them 10%, same as what we got, no arguments. Means they get more fans yes, but nothing daft like 7,000 of them. Shouldn't be punished for having a bigger stadium and therefore being forced to give a huge away following, especially in such a big game. A few extra quid doesn't make sense. Can see why it's limited - no idea if police involved. Just hope it doesn't lead to a Rangers/Celtic style tit-for-tat over allocation with each constantly getting lower allocations each game. I'm glad we haven't rolled out the red carpet, that's for sure.

Lots of debate over Morton, with a smattering of fans online saying he's just a young lad, everybody makes mistakes etc etc. I am absolutely furious with him. He actually had an okay game and contributed towards our 2nd goal, but the theatrics were absolutely ridiculous. He had the ball and diving around under little-to-no contact cost us possession, gave them loads of space and it led to the goal. Then he had the nerve to (no doubt out of embarrassment) stay down for a good minute or so after the goal still clutching his face. I thought it was absolutely pathetic - I remember shouting at him immediately after to get back up and I stand by it.

Why not Norwich? We've beaten them twice in their own backyard. Sunderland have just been there and turned them over as well. Burnley is a very tough game, but home games (especially given our home record) should all be targeted as wins, even if a draw isn't necessarily a bad result.

Only 150 left of the extra 1,000.

I was thinking the same myself - it's hard enough to find somewhere half decent as a Rovers fan!

Is this confirmed? It's good to see the club stand firm on this and not give them the advantage of a 7,000 strong Darwen End. I expected something closer to 5k though with the first 5 rows taped off. Seen lots of 'Burnley fans in home ends' posts. As Longsiders said above, it's a tale as old as time. I personally couldn't think of anything worse than being sat mute besides rival supporters when you could watch it in the pub surrounded by like minded folk. Ironically, the Burnley fans talking about the chaos of Burnley fans descending en masse to Blackburn and the resultant trouble are undermining their own case for a big allocation - I vaguely see their point regarding smaller allocation = more chance of fans in the home end, but thinly veiled threats about trouble in Blackburn town centre justifies a smaller allocation. I'd personally have said 3,000 or so would have been fair, same proportion as we got there.

A lot stay in England, but even within England an English manager hasn't won the Premier League ever (I don't think). Not sure who the last top division winner with an English manager - maybe Howard Wilkinson?

Very excited for this one. Toying with the idea of official travel, but if anyone has any alternative coaches running then please drop me a message and I'll speak to the people I'm attending with to see what they fancy.

Very true! Shows the power of football and the other forces for good it can provide. Sorry to hear about Mrs R0verb0y. 💙

My Dad used to always comment on how my sister being born made him miss a Shearer hat trick at home to Bolton. Us football fans aren't wired up right are we? 😅 Brilliant 🤣 had a great chuckle at this

Me saying 'soon' was over-egging it a touch, it's September 2024! It's on a Friday so sure my wife-to-be won't mind me nipping to the Rovers on Saturday....

I love Dack and was his greatest advocate when he wasn't (and when he was) being picked, but he currently wouldn't start even if fully fit. Szmodics has the shirt for now, and him and Dolan's relentless pressing, energy and link up seems our best bet. That being said, what a great option to have off the bench if Szmodics suffers a dip in form or if there's fitness issues. Dack was certainly our best player for a bit, but the team have been much better the last few games and this has come from the long awaited high, aggressive press we have adopted. I'm not sure that suits Dack. If Dack plays, we either modify our approach slightly or shuffle the pack slightly to ensure someone else is replacing the incessant work rate of Szmodics.