They were basically” free hits “ . Nobody on here expected us to win at West Ham or Leicester. The first time we looked like winning in what had become a pressure game, the cup game against Sheff U, we couldn’t get over the line in spite of being in a great position to do so.

The Jam - All Around The World

We kept blowing up in pressure games. That’s been going on for a while now, before JDT. So I think if we had have got into the play offs the same thing would have happened.

Maybe we should have tried for Alonso instead. I know he’s just turned Liverpool down but we’re Blackburn Rovers and we have standards.

Gally and Hedges are in that ball park as well.

I think Buckley can play when he’s in the mood but unfortunately he’s a card on legs. Tronstad keeps out of trouble most of the time and If JRC gets a card there’s usually a good reason for it.

Err - Marv Johnson. Predictive text ? Lou Johnson - ( There’s ) Always Something There To Remind Me

Wilson Pickett - If You Need Me

I think he may be the new Butterworth. He was out long term with a bad back injury also.

I’m not over confident but I think we’ll get something out of this game. We are hard working and as a result we’ve become hard to beat. I no longer hide behind the sofa when we are playing away.

Me too, any income from transfer fees will be swallowed up by the Chicken Chokers. I’d be amazed if we spent anything like the sort of fees we spent on Wahlstedt and O’Riordan this close season.

I’ve got high hopes for Gilsenan. He certainly has an eye for goal I’m not in the doom and gloom squad if Sammi leaves. I hope he doesn’t go but if he does I believe we have other players that can and will step up. I’d hope we could get in a striker to replace Gally. He’s just become a blunt instrument who is becoming injury prone. On that subject - Hedges is also injury prone, as is JRC. Pickering misses a few games. Luckily you can have 5 subs now but having to keep chopping and changing the team helps no one.

I just wish we could find a good young striker. Having said that they’d be whipped away from us before you could blink I suppose.

“ they think it’s all over “ —————-

Mm, he makes his mind up how to react quickly. Always a good sign.

Fine Young Cannibals - She Drives Me Crazy

Was that the year they were only ever in the drop zone for about the last 10 minutes of the last game ?

“ Damning with faint praise “ is the expression I was looking for.

Oh yea of little faith.

The way we were playing towards the end of JDT’s time here no way would we have got a 0-0 draw yesterday. More likely we would have tried to go toe to toe with them and lost 3-1.

You can have charisma, charm and standing in the game by the bucketful but if the owners aren’t willing to pay the fee/wages nobody is going to sign.

When I was in my heyday it was in the Manchester Industrial League. 2 divisions. We were a yo yo team. The standards were high, the pitch had to be totally enclosed so you could collect gate money. Top class facilities. Two pitches, full time groundsman etc. Quality changing rooms etc. The 1966 Brazil team used one of the grounds, Manchester Ship Canal, for training during the World Cup. The teams were mainly very large engineering/manufacturing companies that are nearly all long gone now. Lots of old pro’s, released League club apprentices etc were in those teams. There was also about 4 other teams that played at a similar level but in different Lancashire based leagues. Below that there was the Rochdale Amateur League, 2 divisions again. The Sunday School league which was at the same standard. Maybe 40/50 teams in total. Below that there was the Youth Club league, where I started out. Maybe 12 teams of under 16’s. I look in my local paper and there seems to be about 10% of that going on now. I walk across a playing field were there would have been 4 games going on in my day and there’s nobody at all playing these days. Very sad.

I used to like wearing ties but I just wear casual stuff these days. I’ve got loads, mostly nice silk ones. Some by “ Turnbull & Asser “:, James Bond’s shirt maker. I should put them on EBay really.

Good to hear somebody is still playing. Amateur football has dropped off massively around my area. Same with women playing Netball and Rounders. At least they seem to be taking up what were seen as traditional men’s sports now. Regarding your earlier point. You should always be anticipating a mistake. I used to follow up ever shot by a team mate like I was playing for the town hall clock. 99 times nothing happened but once in a while the goalie would spill the ball for a tap in.

It used to be when it was broadcast live on BBC radio at 12-30 pm or 12-45 pm on the Monday after the 2nd games. Now I never know when it’s on.