bluebruce

Don't think there's been any clamour to 'replace' Davenport, a lad who has sadly only played one game for us if I remember rightly? We have a ton of CMs and the lad is only out for 6-8 weeks (for now..). There wasn't really room in the squad as it was for two fringe youth players who should both be pushing on.

I'm struggling to understand this Walton loan deal from a few angles. Maybe someone can help me out. Why don't Wigan want him back? If they do, why are Brighton or the player in favour of sending him to us instead? He's played a lot of games for them over the last couple of seasons, and kept a scary amount of clean sheets (I assume the vast bulk in League One though). On the face of it, it seems he would be the number one at Wigan, playing in the same league, familiar environment, and just going off goals conceded in total and away, a slightly better defence? I can't see why Brighton or Walton would swap that for a new environment, shaky defence, and being only a challenger for the jersey based on TM's remarks. So I'm assuming it comes down to Wigan not wanting him back, or having signed a better goalie? The other part I doubt anyone will help me with, they'll probably just give me opinions I don't agree with (I can picture them now), but I'll say it anyway. What's to be gained from this being a loan deal, for Brighton or the player? Again, he's not likely to be a guaranteed starter here at all if we get this more experienced goalie, and at this point of his development surely he needs that and can get that (maybe from one of the promoted teams if nobody else?). I can see how it helps us, we presumably get cheap, decent cover without splashing out for it. I'd rather we signed him permanently though. I'm wondering if we might find out this is actually a loan with a view to buy (if not in clause, then in principle if we like him). Partly because we like to do that, and partly because it would make more sense to Brighton (financial incentive) and Walton (chance for a stable home and maybe as number one after our older keeper ends his loan or starts to wobble). A further benefit for us might be that if he doesn't play so much due to competition here, his price tag might drop...though this might make him less likely to want to join us.

Oh I look forward to reading the implosion tomorrow (sarcasm).

But would he want you to take him?

He has said Raya wanted to go. If we didn't want to sell really, then it makes sense to replace him with similar.

Funny enough, the other day I asked Alexa to tell me about Blackburn Rovers. I kid you not, she said: 'Blackburn Rovers Reserves are the reserve team of Blackburn Rovers.' That was it. Worrying I was about to fall out with Alexa and burn my firestick, I asked her again, tell me more about Blackburn Rovers. This time I got a decent amount of our history. Maybe she couldn't handle the accent and I thought I said Reserves instead of Rovers the first time?

Cut him some slack. Let's not pressure him into giving info he can't so he loses his contact like Madon did.

That looks so, so much better.

Well, accounts vary wildly.

No worries then, I wasn't sure. No offence, but with you it can be hard to tell if you're joking, as a lot of your posts are caustic. All good!

You know, every time I think 'nah I'll leave those words or that sentence out, the meaning is obvious', someone always has to chime in.

Ahh you saw the whole thing then. I was just going off the clip! We really do have an exciting crop. Hope the right ones get the right opportunities.

Ah yes I remember hearing about that now you mention it. I think film or book is a better medium for it personally, due to the visual nature of footy. Not that you can't describe games on stage, of course. Just think it's better suited to the other mediums. Until I become a multi-billionaire, buy Darwen and take them to the promised land ?

Weren't they both working class teams? If it is about Suter, Rovers did pretty much 'poach' him so there's an element of conflict there. Darwen were meant to be paying him, which wasn't allowes yet. Rovers overtook Darwen, who were briefly reckoned a better side, and the area probably wasn't big enough for both clubs to flourish. Plenty of room for drama and some villains within both clubs without either club being villified entirely. He played for both so with him being the protagonist I don't expect either club to be slammed. If one is, it'll probably be Darwen, as the protagonist finished playing for Rovers. We will see. Let's not get a persecution complex though, this is a good thing. Looking forward to it.

They'll be trying to create a more Victorian feel, so of course they'll be using those backwards shitholes ?

Apart from the City lad coming in who can play RB but is mostly a centre half, I have a feeling you may be very disappointed at the end of the window... Goalkeepers and centre backs are the stated priority. Rightly so, though I'd definitely put a full back close behind. No mention of this from the club (or LT I think) all summer though. So don't pin your hopes on it, beyond the City lad. Edit - further to this, this article really doesn't suggest we are planning to do much else about fullbacks. Joe Rankin-Costello sounds good though, but still untested.

Ahh, so there's a long term plan to make us all stab our eyes out. Then it won't matter what style of play we use. Ingenious!

Same. We both thought the same thing watching that. Only 17 until October according to rovers.co.uk @Parsonblue what do you make of him in general, presumably having seen a lot more than that little clip?

We've picked next season's now? Is that a joke?

Really hope not. Rather take Adam. Think we should be loaning Smallwood out too before we need any additions though.

Could we get a better 3rd choice CM than we currently have? Yes. Is it a priority? Absolutely not. It's the last position on the pitch that currently needs help. If we get rid of some of CMs 3 through 10 (yes, it's 10 potentially now) then I'm all for it. Otherwise it's a criminal misallocation of resources.

This is fantastic! Really stoked for this! I wonder if the footballer they're following is Fergus Suter, the first professional, given the mention of moving towns and a focus on Darwen FC too. Unofficially he was probably the first professional when he was at Darwen, though it was illegal at the time and he claimed to be a stonemason. He then moved to Rovers and officially became the first professional when it was allowed. I've always been fascinated by the early history of both clubs. As a would-be writer, I've considered whether there was a good story to be told about Darwen's early history, particularly the incredible comeback against Old Etonians in the FA Cup (semi final I think it was) where they came from 5-0 down to draw 5-5 and earn a replay. If I remember rightly they didn't score til about 15 minutes from time! Has to be the greatest comeback ever, against the team who were the top dogs at the time. Back then the replays had to take place at the same ground, so Darwen had to travel down to London for it. At the time that cost a hell of a lot for a football club, and it nearly bankrupted them. Locals gathered funds for them, only for them to draw the replay and have to do it again! No extra time or penalties back then. Think the replay was 0-0. Another whip round was done, they went down and got pasted this time. Excuse my memory if it errs, but I believe it was a big factor in replays taking place at the other ground. Not sure when extra time etc came in. Lot of football's early history at Darwen, it was a shame they got wound up over such a small bill (a few grand I think it was?) and weren't saved by Rovers or local fundraising. Rovers have helped save other clubs in the region before, like Accy. In the AFC format it's basically the same, but technically that history isn't theirs now.

He's not wrong though. Watch back all the goals we conceded and look for what Williams is doing during them. I lost count of the times he was partly or entirely at fault. Poor positioning was a common theme. Did surprisingly well at CB.

Out of curiosity, why are you sure he's neutral?

Why on earth do you think we need another central midfielder? We need that like we need a bigger stadium.