If Mowbray was thinking of playing 5 at the back with Nyambe and Ayala out today would be a good a time as any.

I wonder when we’ll see Ayala again ?

In other words - run Blackburn Rovers like a normal football club ! After 10 years, in our hearts, we all know it isn’t going to happen.

I’ve had that feeling for the last ten years. It’s getting a bit wearing by now.

I agree. I’d be really surprised if we see a penny of this money spent out on the pitch.

“ Discretion is the better part of valour “ ?

When I did my back 35 odd years ago the osteopath/physio I consulted had been doing some work for Rovers in the mid 1960’s on a consultancy basis. He had rooms in Blackburn and Rochdale. We got to talking about the Sheffield Wed game. He told me that Ronnie had been suffering back trouble in the week before the game and he’d been having traction every day in an attempt to get him fit. Traction, for those who don’t know, is were you get put in a rack like device and your body is pulled in two directions in an attempt to correct a disc problem. I speak from experience. I don’t think they do it now.

There’s a great Bryan Douglas goal in the other game on show v Spurs away.

Both teams have changed from their normal strip. Wasn’t that the rule in the FA Cup at that time ? I’d like to see our current team play on that pitch !

I’ve worked with several guys who’d emigrated to South Africa and then came back home. It was the racism that was too much for them and I wouldn’t have said any of them were particularly politically correct. I’ve also met a few white South Africans/ Rhodesians over here and I didn’t like any of them.

Given the state of the ball, boots and pitch the individual ball control in the old days was excellent. Especially from the forwards. Players could beat their opponents with ball skills in those days. Nothing like as much square passing, players were looking to get the ball forward ASAP. Lots of hours spent playing on the old cobbled streets with a tennis ball !

That’s better reading Tony. That’s as good as being there and a good bit cheaper ! Thanks as always.

Ken Taylor was playing right back in the Stoke game.

Mm, don’t mention the heading. That’s not so easy to practice on your own.

Becoming two footed is one of the easier aspects of the game to develop. It’s something any player can work at on an individual basis. Like with MGP it requires lots and lots of time and patience, but you just need a ball and a convenient wall.

Good result given we were behind ?

I wasn’t his biggest fan but I must admit he was terrifically two footed. He didn’t seem to favour right or left and he’d a great shot in both feet.

Barry-Murphy just got Rochdale relegated.

And for losing Big Brad.

In an ideal world they should be able to play either position. When I first started watching we had 4 first team full backs. Keith Newton, Ken Taylor, Dave Whelan, John Bray. Only Taylor was limited to playing right back. The other 3 played on either flank from time to time. Newton played right back and left back for England and I couldn’t tell you which position he favoured of the two. He was a natural in either position.

I remember it well. A Stoke fan tried to take the referee to court after the game for “ spoiling his enjoyment of the game “. It was on the news the Monday night after the game. Needless to say he didn’t get anywhere with the case.

He’ll make a difference but not enough of a difference I’m afraid.

Just my opinion matey. I was expecting to see some benefit when Johno was moved up the ladder.

I’m not expecting anything from Brad in the future. Whatever he achieves at Rovers in the coming seasons will be a bonus.

I think Johno has been tarred with the Mowbray coaching brush. He must be well out of the reckoning now.