Something that is almost always overlooked is Broughton's job is NOT Chief Scout. He isn't in charge of finding players. To quote him:

“It is different at every club and has to be context specific. At Blackburn Rovers the role of Director of Football is to oversee the sporting side of the Club including the six departments: First Team, Academy, Player Recruitment, Analysis, Performance and Medical."

That's quite a lot of areas to oversee at once. I'm sure our Head of Recruitment/Chief Scout, with the other scouts, does the vast majority of busy work identifying players and drawing up lists based on what budget and priorities are given to them. Budgets which have changed repeatedly and made this part of matters very difficult to conduct. I'd expect Broughton's roles in the recruitment process to involve deciding (with the manager) who from the narrowed down lists they still want pursue, and then conducting the negotiations (again very difficult with the rug constantly pulled from under you). But his role is never going to involve personally finding gems, short of being recommended someone by whatever contacts he has, and if the lists presented to him are crap, there might be no gems on them, or only polished ones we can't afford.

All this, combined with the fact the brief is now to find cheap, young, unpolished gems who will take time to polish so can't exactly be judged as failures or successes within 9 months or so, inclines me towards giving him more time before I decide if he's crap or not, though I do have some issues with him. He needs to be replacing scouting staff who aren't up to the task, I'm sure that would come under his remit, but, especially since we are always reluctant to pay staff off and may struggle to afford better staff, he will need to give it time to see if those players develop in order to judge the people who suggested them.

2 hours ago, joey_big_nose said:

Surprised by that? I thought he was very established at that level and playing well for Palace in the Premier League? Is he injured?

What's funny / depressing is Tyler Morton has ben called up despite playing at Hull and being - as anyone can see - a much inferior player. 

EDIT - just looked it up and Adam has never played for the U-21 - just the U-20... wow. Pretty amazing a player can be sold for £20M+ and not even get a U-21 call up. Shows the strength England has now in the youth teams.  Harvey Elliott despite playing a key role for the team at the top of the table still not made his senior debut yet.

I'm not sure it shows the strength of it though if Morton is being called up before Wharton. Just that whoever is selecting the squad is a total fuckwit.

2 hours ago, Sparks Rover said:

Ayari is in a different league to Bucko.....levels

So is Tronstad (is he fit though)

Lol Ayari has had a couple of good games. And some poor ones. He still has a lot to prove. Prefer him if you like, I did say arguably, but levels above him sounds a bit silly for now. Buckley has mostly looked good since he returned. Tronstad isn't fit so I wasn't including him.

18 hours ago, ruggles1995 said:

so what are our cm options for this game? Garrett, ayari and moran? 
Wonder what Scott Wharton or Pickering might be like in cm as a 1 off? Maybe put one of them in there to win headers and win the ball back, and maybe move Oriordan to cb with Hyam, playing 4 at the back.  A bit square pegs in round holes, but not sure Garrett, moran and ayari are that much better, esepcially away from home against a tough boro side. id like some steal in there away from home.

britain oriordan Hyam Christene
dolan  garret pickeringORWharton Sigs
               Smods
                Gallagher

Looks a bit of a mess I know, but just not sure Moran and ayari away from home at a team like boro will do us much good. Feel like we need some defensive minded brains in the centre of the pitch. 

probably get slaughtered for mentioning it, but i think sometimes when your that short and current options arent great, thinking out the box as a one off might just get you out of jail, especially as the only fit options dont look likely of getting a team over the line. 

Have you forgotten about Buckley, or has he picked up an injury? That's a lot of talking about CM options without mentioning probably our best (fit) one.

Just seen that Michalski has only just turned 17 today. Whilst it's great for him to have been on our bench lately and hopefully he's one for the future, it seems pretty damning of our situation that a 16 year old keeper was sat on our bench. Of all the positions, that's the one that matures latest. It's probably the equivalent of having a 14 year old outfield player on the bench 

Hopefully he becomes something special.

2 hours ago, miqaayil said:

Guys this is not about funds leaving india... their instruments are from SBI , State Bank of INDIA and constant Loss in investment which affects the bank and economy. So the gov is suspecting some kind of funneling which is why they ask to put equivalent amount in pledge before sending out more of SBI monies, which they won't ...i'm not a financial forensics expert but from what i understand this is in nutshell , The gov is worried SBI will write it off as bad debt... and they afraid to open books in UK incase of a sale which they must.

If that's true, the irony is that by withholding funding and thereby preventing any effective trading (as players get sold cheaply due to our weak position, we have no chance of ever buying a Szmodics/Armstrong etc again, and inevitably get relegated this or next season, potentially resulting in administration) hugely increases the chances of the SBI having to write it off as a bad debt.

5 minutes ago, Lancaster Rover said:

All schools teach Spanish and/or French from KS2 Y3 onward, so the notion that languages aren't taught in Britain until high school is factually incorrect. The general attitude toward learning languages and the small man mentality vast swathes of the nation has toward Europe is the root of the problem. 

I definitely wasn't taught it until high school. If it's changed, fair enough.

Just now, Theopinionatedone said:

A fan has just told me the venkys have done the honorable thing since being here so...

 

Well now they're incapable of doing 'the honourable thing' so that fan needs to change his mind, get a lobotomy or shut the fuck up.

7 minutes ago, Rogerb said:

Accountants need to be sure the business is a going concern when they sign it off don't see how they can be until the final hearing in August.

That seems strange to me, as I don't see why that matters to an accountant and surely there need to be accounts for the authorities to go over regardless. But I'll take your word for it.

12 minutes ago, Theopinionatedone said:

Worst part is, chant anything anti venkys or anti waggott and either:

A - nobody joins in
B - Our own fans boo you and have a go at you

Most of our fanbase actively deserve this now and have blood on their hands

There's a chance that will change after this latest news. If not, that's their problem, chant it anyway. Fuck those fools, the club is at stake.

2 minutes ago, Devon Rover said:

 

I guess the best case scenario is they find a way to reroute sufficient cash to get through until the summer then sell Smod and Carter to keep the life support electricity running a bit longer?

That's the worst case scenario. The best case scenario is they sell the club. I'd take administration before the scenario above.

14 minutes ago, Rogerb said:

Don't see how the accountants can sign off the accounts at the end of this month.

Those players where rovers have an option to extend their contract for another twelve months this summer can take it that won't be happening.

Didn't think about that. If we can't even offer Dolan the same terms we will lose him on a free rather than getting compensation.

Don't the accounts get signed off if they're accurate and not suspicious, rather than because the club is financially secure going forward?

The only positive contribution Venkys were able to make to this club was to send us funding. If they can't even do that, they're precisely zero use to us, yet still the enormous cancerous liability they've always been. Surely even those who bizarrely wanted them to stay, and even Venkys themselves, must admit that now. They were going to go crawling to the Indian courts every 3 months or so it seems, but by the time the January one is dealt with there'll have been an additional 7 months passed. Utterly unsustainable, and we'd have to sell an Adam Wharton a season just to tread water in the same inadequate way we have been doing for years.

The only chant at Ewood now should be 'we want Venkys out' or variations on the theme.

4 hours ago, OldEwoodBlue said:

Don't be daft. We haven't played anyone, failed to beat anybody and got battered at home to Plymouth Argyle.

We got battered 1-1? Don't be daft yourself.

Failing to beat anyone doesn't mean you're odds on to get beaten by more goals than you've been beaten by so far, when only 2 out of 8 teams have beaten you at all lately (9 if we include Stoke) and a strong Prem team couldn't beat us over 120 minutes. As for haven't played anyone, Newcastle aside, Norwich are 5 points clear of Boro and Cardiff and Preston are tied with them on points. So by that logic, Boro aren't anyone either. We also drew with all 3 of those.

I'm not saying we definitely won't get pasted, absolutely that may happen, but there's nothing daft about pointing out the concrete fact it would be against recent form if it happened. Form suggests a draw or a slim defeat.

4 hours ago, Armchair supporter supremo said:

 I didn't like your tone and think it's just "lazy" of you to simply label British people lazy👍

 

Does that answer your question precious? 

 

Eithervway who actually gives a fuck, whatva boring subject and why did i get involved (more fool me!) 

You had just said British people are shit at learning languages, implying an actual lack of skill. I think saying we can't be bothered to learn them because there isn't as much need is an improvement on that.

I'm also British, so reckon I'm alright to give an opinion on a people I belong to. But you do you.

2 hours ago, Blow-in said:

Edit: Jesus Bluebruce you are ruining my day. He made the point before me.

And got downvoted for my troubles, for some reason! 😂

25 minutes ago, SIMON GARNERS 194 said:

Give him the player of the Season Award now..no one else comes close.

I agree, he could get injured for the rest of the season tomorrow and he'd still be my pick by some distance.

7 hours ago, Blow-in said:

Sammie is a class act. Not even a hint of a story about him going to another club, obviously keeps his agent on a short leash.

And he is a much better finisher than Armstrong, not saying he would do well in the Premier League but Armstrong's pace was nullified in the PL because everyone is quick. SS has more nous and intelligence in my opinion.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-41351755.html

Good news for Ireland, looks like the Hungry links are very much dead in the water.

Article also mentions 15m link to Brentford. Surprising amount of true.

Don't care how much he goes for we won't see any of it. Hope he stays another year or two and runs his contract down and then leaves for free. 

I'm a bit confused, you said no hint of a transfer story, then posted a link that mentions a transfer story?

1 hour ago, Armchair supporter supremo said:

British people are generally shite at learning languages (learning well enough to have a fluent conversation anyway!) 

Just a fact and it was no different 2 years ago when they first started calling the lad up to the Chilean squad! Hypocritical of them to use that against him now, they should simply say he's not being picked because his form for club/s and country the past 6-12 months has been poor

British people aren't shite at learning languages, they're lazy at it because English is so widely spoken that there's less need. And Ben is indeed being very lazy, it's no excuse.

Also they haven't said he's not being picked because of this, the coach has been clear on it not being the cause. So clearly it's because of his poor form.

14 minutes ago, alcd said:

Transfer fees are accounted for based on the total fee payable - in this case c£18m - and the unpaid balance is in debtors on the balance sheet so a loss in this accounting period is inconceivable. The operating loss before transfer income should be no more than £15m. If it is questions need to be asked about some of the non-wage items in the accounts. Particularly what are Venkys taking out as management charges? 

Not sure what you mean, the common convention is that transfer fees are amortised in the accounts over the length of the contract.

I've also never heard of Venkys taking anything out of the club as 'management charges' in previous accounts, though I stand to be corrected. That said I do suspect some dodgy accounting has happened, we seem to make losses no matter what according to the accounts.

On 10/03/2024 at 20:35, NeilInBristol said:

It's two things. The free time and salary affords then the ability to which should be a given but to play for your country should be about pride.

Even if you don't have money or free time you should be proud of your heritage.

Spanish isn't that complicated it's not like Welsh.

I think the coach is making a good stance. The guy has had two years to get learning and even moved to Spain so no excuses

I'm highly confident that if I had a Chilean mother I'd already have been at least intermediate level with Spanish before the callup came through. Surely you'd be sufficiently interested in where you came from and maybe even speaking to your relatives out there to have picked up a foundation to build on. 2 years later and playing for the national team with 6 months spent living in Spain? It's pretty pathetic tbh.

Hell, a B in GCSE French 23 years ago and a casual bit of fannying around on Duolingo in the pandemic has gotten me close to intermediate in French and I have zero connections to the place nor real plans to use it. All the time he has and the ability to hire a personal Spanish tutor, with all the incentives he has to learn it...it's a really poor show if he's not at least semi-fluent now.

It should be pointed out the Chilean coach has stated that this is not why he hasn't picked him though. I expect it's a factor, mind.

On 10/03/2024 at 14:18, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

That’s his level. I hope Villareal fired the scout.

Given he was a freebie, I bet they make a profit on him. I'd imagine the Sheff U loan will have already written off all or most of their costs so far. If he more or less continues his form so far (2 goals in 4 games) they'll be able to sell him for the decent fee we should have got. Their scout will likely have paid off his own wages and those of most of his colleagues for the next decade.

On 09/03/2024 at 23:19, alcd said:

How in God's name can they not make a significant ie £10m+ profit this season having sold Wharton for £18m and summer sales of £5m?? Anything less than that makes me think there's some nefarious dealings going on. 

Given that we lose 20 million most seasons (apparently...though I do think this looks suspicious in itself given we constantly slash the wage bill and rarely spend whilst selling a fair few assets), that 23 million, minus about a million spent on acquisitions, would theoretically change the picture to about 2 million profit, not 10 mill plus. Ignoring any loan, signing on and agent fees. When you factor in that the money received from sales won't come all at once and will be drizzled over at least 3 seasons...if the slim possibility of Venkys being refused the right to send us money in this hearing transpires, we will probably end up declaring a loss! Which is sickening.

5 hours ago, windymiller7 said:

I was queueing for a burger with my daughter on Saturday at the burger van behind the club shop when a young woman with a pram and another little girl in tow needed to get through making her way from the car park towards Nuttall St. Naturally I shuffled back a bit & allowed her to pass through, she said thank you & went on her way.

It was at this point my daughter said "do you know who that was?". (I don't do all this SM stuff) "No idea love, why?". "That's Sammie's missus & *insert kids names*"

The point I'm making here is that this could've been any young mum, not glammed up like most footballer's wives would be & I think that's a fair reflection on Sammie & his principals. No airs & graces, what  you see is what you get, work hard & pick up the rewards you deserve.

Absolutely love Sammie. 100% all the time, nothing less will do. Unfortunately I wouldn't be at all surprised if he's not here next season, regardless of what division we're in.

In fairness, a factor in that may be that he hasn't earned the vast sums many have. Until he came here he was probably never on more than about 5k per week, and that would have been relatively recently too. It's great money to the man in the street, but if he's become a millionaire yet it will have been inside the last year I expect. Short career, and already coming into the last few years or so of it on a good wedge (relative to the footballer life), with a family to raise...yes other footballers might still feel the need to be silly and flash with it, but a bit of financial prudence is to be expected of someone with a brain. If they're still keeping it low-key after his inevitable big move then it'll be more of a testament to character.

That said, I do agree he seems the type to focus and work hard without getting distracted by all the other trappings of the footballer life. Big fan of the guy's ability and application. It's scary to think where we'd be without him this season, probably in Rotherham's position. Which is a real shame because we do have other talented players. We just lack proper depth and a cohesive unit (largely stemming from having a manager who was fed up followed by a manager who seems to be shit, but also just characteristics we lack as a squad such as height, bottle and enough pace).