I dunno. We are all slaves to a certain degree. The silence of previous managers / coaches is quite telling. I mean, surely the likes of Coyle, Mowbray and Bowyer could shed light upon the realities behind the scenes at their former employers? But no, we hear nothing and they say nothing. I know that gagging orders 'settlement agreements' are common these days (a form of corporate slavery without a doubt) but didn't the gurning chump's contract simply fizzle out without being renewed? He'd be a good person to go for a pint (of tea) and lemon drizzle with, to get the skinny on the set up and its impact on the club. Surely an investigative journalist could wheedle something that would help to make sense of our current invidious position, from one of the trio? But we hear nothing. Nada. Niet. Of course, it might mean there is nothing to see (unlikely I think) or it isn't very interesting (again unlikely) or there is something stopping the light of day being shone on the cockroaches infesting the place as they scuttle about, stinking and gradually sinking the club with their odious weight.

Powder puff defending starts with a powder puff keeper. Even if your goalie is young and somewhat stick thin, you need him to demonstrate some flair, capability and self-confidence when between the sticks. Problem for Leo is he doesn't appear to have it in him to be a bit crazy and come barging through his own players to claim the ball. Your goalie needs to be a ball magnet and a beast, not timid, tepid and teflon. As with all players, confidence plays a big part, and no doubt Leo's confidence is shot to pieces at the moment. But we cannot afford to continue with the same suicidal approach to defending, and whilst a large share of the responsibility for getting the basics right rests on Leo's shoulders, I am worried that he hasn't got the experience or self-confidence to deal with it. Back to basics for me, folks. Bring on the brass knee-caps and knuckle-dusters and let's start fighting for a change, starting with no-nonsense row z clearances and desperate lunges to be first to the ball anywhere in our 18 yard area. If no-one is coming in, we will be needing JDT and the current crop to cop on and do the necessary. Starting on Saturday. Feck the tippy tappy look at me in the shop window fancy dan football. Give me hoof ball and a clean sheet for the next 10 games, and the other end will take care of itself.

Step forward any successful suitors I say, and watch as even more Rovers stalwarts (including me) turn their back on the club for treating them like simpletons. We have been very lucky to enjoy the windfall of Szmodic's goals this season, and his workrate is a testament to his quality. Take his goals and workrate away though, and the remainder of this season suddenly looks less than positive, especially as everyone including JDT knows that any money coming in ain't being spent on qualty replacements (or much else than the Wassock's salary). Sing along folks...

Erm, JDT doesn't sign the players. He is dealt a hand by those in the shadows and the bright eyed baldy guy. There is an old saying that you can't make a silk purse with a sow's ear, which appears apposite to JDT's position. It's also known as a shit sandwich, and a situation that is unpalatable for anyone asked to chow down, like us fans, like the bright eyed baldy guy, like JDT. It's probably not a box of chocolates for the playing staff either. Yes, our keeper is a liability. Yes, our defence is a hapless shambles, Yes, there appears to be a fire sale in the offing, Yes, we as fans have no influence whatsoever on what happens on or off the pitch. But we still care. Is there a magic solution? It seems unlikely, with us so balls-deep in the mire. But as I said in an earlier post, a couple of wins would put a whole different slant on the situation and outlook. What a pity we seem incapable of delivering even that miniscule feat at the moment.

A couple of wins on the trot and all will be well, on the surface at least. Behind the scenes, dark shadows continue to beleaguer our once proud club. Oh I know that it isn't all champagne and caviar at other clubs, but most fans haven't had the weirdness we've had to endure since the absent ones took leave of their senses and signed their sense away. You have to laugh - most hostages subjected to this level of abuse for 13 plus years would probably have developed Stockholm syndrome by now, and gone over to the dark side... Oh, hang on... Invasion of the body snatchers I tell you.

And I never said anything about agents. The owners pay their wedge regardless of whether agents take a cut of transfer fees or not. Only, in recent times, the owners seem to have reduced their financial commitment, which again begs the question of why they continue to be owners, if there is nothing in it for them other than losses. It's a conundrum for sure, but not one in favour of keeping hold of the club.

Of course there is a slight glaring flaw in the argument that they want us following along in the 2nd tier, developing players for resale. That is they appear to be completely pants at making the model work. Whatever it is 'supposed to do' like make money for instance, hasn't happened yet and isn't happening any time soon. Even the most cryptic of business minds would be hard pressed to come up with any compelling logic to explain why the Venksters continue to 'own' Blackburn Rovers. All I can conclude is that the spoilt bastards are still sore about the snowball reception and chickens on the pitch things. Dumb as fook. But rich, spoilt, inept and vindictive too. Nightmare goes on..and on...and on. Venkys out.

It's fairly obvious if you join the dots up - no pressure to get results, other than to stay in this league, gaffer training players to adopt a style that is prevalent at most higher ranked clubs (and many below us too), stark refusal to fix the clear gaps that need filling but rely upon makeweights or no-one to get by, management team (haha) committed to cost cutting rather than the customer experience, and horse-shit nonsense spouted to draw a veil over the role of the ownership. Yes, we are the Marie Celeste of the footballing world. It would be interesting to see what would happen under JDT's stewardship if he was given decent resources, but let's get real - that is not happening under the current regime. So, suck it up, boys and girls. The shit show is here to stay - the only upside is we aren't supposed to get relegated (hmmm, have heard that one before..)

If Rovers were in prison, we'd be on very strict suicide watch just now. All the signs point to deliberate self-harm, confusion, lack of engagement with those close to us, verbally painting a bleak outlook when questioned about the future and a definite air of hopelessness due to learned helplessness. For info, it has been scientifically proven that sentient organisms when placed under conditions of enduring no hope, give up. If these criminally negligent buffoons in Pune sanction the selling of the only glimmers of hope available to the club in this window, that will be the end for many, including me. Gloomy times - what a mess.

I think it is telling that a 'delegation' comes over from India, then there seems to be another flurry of cost cutting measures that further tie the manager sorry head coach's hands. If a bid comes in for Szmodics, A Wharton, or Carter, what is the betting that the whole season gets written off so that the sodding bean counters can save face?