Exiled_Rover

To be fair it was our problem when we were good too - we produced loads of Championship / L1 / L2 players, but very few PL players and they were eventually snapped up. Money talks.

The article says it was Mowbray. It also looked shit on tv.

I'm attributing it to JDT.

Fourth choice? Luxury! We were down to our sixth choice on Sunday - Pickering as emergency cover.

I imagine they'd just say "you're not going to play for us ever again - so rot in the reserves on £100k a week or take a pay cut and move elsewhere".

My dad turned to me after his goal on Sunday and said "if I was a PL club on the fence about buying him, that would have convinced me". He obviously then went on to skin two Watford players and lay it on a plate for Gallagher.

Because he's a big intimidating bully in CM and that's the style of play Bruce prefers. He was constantly in the ref's ear yesterday and clearly had a massive influence on how he officiated the game.

It's why the minnows try to lock them up early - before they've had a chance to establish themselves and get on England's radar.

Do we know how serious the Carter injury is? We've just been told Wharton is out for a couple of weeks.

I think we're doing ok in terms of 'replacing' players, I think we need to improve on them to push on: Rothwell - replaced by Morton (who looked a gudd'n yesterday) Johnson / Davenport - replaced by Wharton and Garrett (neither played much for us last season anyway) Lenihan / Van Hecke - replaced by Carter and Phillips To push on we need a CB (ideally one who can cover RB with Carter and push Wharton / Ayala for a starting spot), a starting LB (Pickering isn't quick enough and Edun is a disaster there) and a quick CF.

If it was my son I'd be advising him to sign with Blackburn Rovers. I'd do the same if he was breaking through at any Championship club at 17. If he's good enough those Premier League offers will be there in a year or two and you'll be in a better bargaining position too.

We need a CB, a LB and an attacker (preferably a quick CF) to consider it a 'good' window.

Exactly, they'll be in the Playoff mix come the end of the season. We looked leggy because the weather was ridiculous. Whenever we need a break during games we drop into that mid block. We need reinforcements due to injuries rather than tiredness at the moment - although that will soon change with 2 games a week for the forseeable.

I don't think one is influencing the other - they're after a certain quality of player and those deals are taking time to get over the line.

Luxury, I know, but a set piece taker would be on my transfer list - Buckley and Pickering's delivery isn't cutting it.

It's not allowing us to.

I think you have to push the boat out. I wouldn't offer him parity with Ayala, as that's a contract we can't really afford, but definitely parity with first team players. I was hugely impressed with him yesterday - he was everything that he's been hyped to be. Pay him now and provide him with first team football in the Championship - it would be a travesty to lose him for pennies on the dollar.

Phillips was quality today - you don't want to play him too much, too young, but he can absolutely play at this level. No concerns about him at all as one of the options at CB. Need one more though - two if Carter / Wharton are out for any length of time. Five is enough at CB with Pickering able to cover as the sixth choice.

I thought he was fine personally - added energy from the bench. I think that's what he's best suited for. He lacks that extra gear to really worry defenders though.

I've not heard it that loud at Ewood for a while. It's amazing what a manager that genuinely engages with the fans with enthusiasm does to the atmosphere. His team are a credit to him at the moment.

Cool nonchalance. Didn't walk around the edge of the pitch applauding with the players at the end - came out to the centre circle, clapped the fans then walked back in. i.e. it was just job done for him, rather than a cup final.

He prowls the technical area and encourages players.

He's genuinely a much better CB than LB. He's just too slow to play on the flank, but his defensive instincts work well at CB (not that I'm advocating he plays there full time).

Morton on for Brittain - I assume someone cracked him during that corner? He went down holding his head as the half time whistle was blown.

We've completely neutralized them and fashioned a chance that Brereton has brilliantly slotted away. Your mate needs a lesson in football.