Yeah but even so, it was within the large gap at the front of the riverside, nothing to do with that block being populated with fans. Police just 'encouraged' fans to move along and the crowd dispersed. In short, there's absolutely no extra 'risk' from opening the end block.

Come on, it was hardly mass disorder. People gathered telling them to fuck off and wreck their town etc with about 80 police in the middle. That was at the front of the stand anyway, all those people weren't sat in the end block. I'd say Ewood is one of the most secure grounds I've ever been to in terms of segregation with the massive gates up surrounding all sides, nothing would ever happen. Oh I tell a lie, i think a toothless dingle who was holding up an EDL flag whizzed a bottle of Fanta. Turf moor on the other hand, it threatened to kick off big time one season when the flimsy door separating us got booted through and a couple of young Asian stewards were the only ones there initially .

I wouldn't be surprised if it is/was something as daft as a leak in the roof, Swag will have stretched the maintenance budget to patch it up in the hope of shifting more cans of fosters👍

It'll be a great atmosphere up there, it'll make a noticeable difference having fans in the upper tier with dingle hatred filled vocals bouncing off the roof

It doesn't really put the cost argument to bed though. We need to consistently improve the crowds at Ewood. Of course people will part with their cash for a one off game, granted nobody expected it to sell quite this well though. Improved season ticket sales are the only way to achieve consistency with the crowds. Get them on sale now promising a refund if we somehow achieve promotion.

I watch a lot of football and the prem is probably my least favourite. Yet we'd be ecstatic to get there a again....it'd soon wear off like, but the cash would make it bearable

It started off OK, Wissa had a cracking 'goal' ruled out and its gone downhill since. Enciso wasted multiple chances too.

I'd be tempted to play him off Gueye tbh. Whilst I'm not a huge fan of Gueye, you have to respect his assist count and I think he'd give Leonard some ammo. A modern day Quinn/Phillips combo.

Leonard has to start for me, embrace the confidence he will have gained from yesterday and let him loose for 90 minutes, he could be crucial for the remainder of the season if he kicks on. Their game v Preston was wide open, that biting twat missed a few sitters. If we're on our game we could bang a few in, but they've also got the potential to cause an upset. 2-0 home win.

Fair enough, haven't seen that angle 👍 That's twice now he's managed headers that we're hard to suss out, Sheffield Wednesday being similar for his goal.

What was ominous about it?

Yep it was looking like Sunderland might run away with it after they sliced us open like that twice in quick succession. Is it just me or was it Baath that got the assist for Leonard's goal? I'd had a few like but to me he climbed on Gueye and nodded it across, but Gueye has been credited with the assist.

They've only won 1 in 5 away from home, their win at Swansea was decent like after being 2 nil down. Losing Trav is absolutely gutting and to a lesser extent Pickering. We've not done TOO bad with injuries up to now but you just knew it would scupper any faint play off dreams. Just wish it could have waited till after we played that lot 😪 Needs a big reaction on Boxing Day, something Trav would have helped with as well.

I've tried to engage with him but the snake never responds, surprisingly

We now feel how Sheffield Wednesday fans and Hull probably also did after games against us. Not much in it and decided by a single goal. They way we play there's likely to be more of these too, just have to hope the majority go in our favour. Particularly cruel given the time of the goal and also whilst being down to 10 but that's football. Big test next, not only given the quality of the opponent but also to see how this group of players react. There's got to be a slight hint of nerves here that we've been down this road before and a death spiral usually follows....

Is he? I can’t imagine fans of many other teams have left a game against us saying “blimey that Hedges looks like a real player, we would do with him”. No idea what sort of wages he’s on but I wouldn’t be increasing them much if offering a new contract.

Yeah but in fairness, back then cost of living was ever so slightly easier on the wallet, no question about it people had MUCH more disposable income. Attending football for many people in this area is now a luxury 🥲 Obviously there's many more reasons for the decline like....

Yeah makes perfect sense, also hurries people along to snap them up thinking there's only that many left.

Hedges has regressed and he was never great to start with. He did used to have a half decent shot on him, no idea what happened to that. He hasn't been helped by a dodgy injury record, but he's 30 next year so that's likely to get worse if anything. Can't fault his effort like, but we cam and should do better.

Your team sacked him at the start of October, we're in the middle of December now, its not that similar. The position he has us in is a lot more impressive. Must be at least 10 games further in.

Playing them twats always attracts more fans, playing them when we're performing well obviously attracts many more. Just glad it's on the Saturday as the following Monday will be a monumental struggle as it is without a super Sunday piss up 🤣

Whilst I hope Gueye continues to improve and its good to see him at least contributing a bit, he's still very much a liability risk. His miss that people are claiming an assist for could have cost us the game the other day, likewise his stupid red against Burnley. He always seems to be at risk of a booking, pretty sure that was the case at his last team too. I could just imagine him in a play off final having a Gazza moment in the first minute and getting sent off for a horror tackle or diving to save a shot with his hand.

We've won 4 of our last 5 games 1-0 They've lost their last 3 games 1-0 1-0 away win anyone? Won't be an easy game at all though, they'll be up for the fight, literally. At home they've already beaten Leeds and Burnley as well last month. We're going to lose at some point and I wonder how we'll react, obviously I'd rather not need to find out like... 1-0 away win, Gueye knocking it in with his schlong.

If Rudy has contacts in Belgium then he should be on the blower to Sint-Truidense. Adriano Bertaccini looks a talent, caught my eye a few times now, 10 goals so far this season. There'd be a fee involved though so....

Probably just gives him something to bicker about with you....I don't think anyone else bar Chaddy would be surprised if he gets the boot.