Parsonblue

Bob Crompton, the 'greatest' Rover of them all would need to take pride of place on such a monument.

Agree with everything that Arbitro said about yesterday. Charlton is never my favourite trip but yesterday was probably one of the worst performances I've seen in a long while. Quite simply we we bullied by a team who wanted it more, that had a clear game plan and who had players who knew how to exploit our many weaknesses. I couldn't believe that this was the same team that played so well at Watford the other week. Today was the sort of game that cried out for the type of leadership that Travis gave you on the pitch. We needed a leader on the field who was prepared to do battle. For all his footballing qualities, Cantwell is not that sort of leader and he disappeared for large parts of the game. Indeed, some of his passing was way off yesterday. I accept that these players are new and still adapting to the Championship, but we can't afford too many more of these sort of performances. I'm looking for a huge improvement against Swansea.

A really disappointing performance in the second half today. Despite being in a strong position at 2-0 and then 3-1, the youngsters lost control and then failed to do the basics in terms of defending. Blackpool, who don't have an under-21 team, looked a pretty decent outfit. This was a steep learning curve for our youngsters but hopefully, one that will benefit them in the future. A Blackpool fan informed me that James Butterworth, who scored a couple for the visitors when he came on as a second-half sub, is the son of John Butterworth - a former youth and reserve player for us in the early 1990s who many will remember from when Jim Furnell was running the youth set up.

I think John Prince was taking the team with Tuffy assisting. It was a pretty dull affair, particularly in the second-half. Fully agree with arbitro about Batty. Really needs to move on for his own sake. Looks totally disinterested at Under-21 level and also caught out of position on so many occasions. Another game for the Under-21's today which I expect to be a very young side.

What's the rivers like next to their ground? It's been a while since I was last on Chorley but I don't recall it being in a similar situation to Ewood. Unfortunately, and it doesn't happen that often, when the river is in its present state there is not much you can do. To do anything about the river it would require the Environment agency to get involved and that would be a long drawn out process. I remember games being played in a sea of mud in the sixties but we still had abandonments and postponements. The pitch has improved beyond recognition to those days but the torrential rain we had today was always going to be a challenge. In fairness, the ref was in a difficult situation as conditions got steadily worse during the second half. Driving home from Ewood, the roads were none too clever either. As for the game itself, it was another encouraging performance on the back of the good result and performance at Watford.

Totally agree with the above arbitro. Yesterday was exactly what following Rovers is about. So much to be encouraged about. I must admit that looking at some of the individual performances yesterday, I think Gestede and his crew deserve a bit of praise for finding some of these players who, to be honest, I'd never heard of until they arrived here. Morishita, like Ohashi, has skill and the right work ethic. Gudjohnsen looks a real handful, Miller is a player who can adapt to different roles and certainly lets the opposition know he's not to be messed with. Alebiosu is really growing on me as an attacking right-back. Admittedly, it's still early on in the season, but I've seen plenty to be encouraged about with this rebuild thus far. Val has got the type of players he wants to work with so it will be interesting to see how it develops. It was also great to see Carter and Wharton back to their best yesterday. I'm especially pleased for Scott who bleeds 'blue and white' and after his injuries it was wonderful to see him in such commanding form.

Another great away day. This was the perfect away performance in so many ways. On the front foot from the start, high energy, quick attacking moves, robust tackling. Defensively we were excellent. Carter and Wharton provided the rock on which we could build. Scott was my Man of the Match, a truly outstanding performance. Cantwell looks a different player this season season. He links up play in the opposition half so well and the move between himself, Ohashi and Morishita that led to the goal was pure class. In midfield, Tarvares showed some flair for passing but is clearly a work in progress. Tronstad was he usual solid self and how we will miss him when he returns home in the summer. However, a special word again for Ryan Hedges who continues to be a workhorse. Val seems to have got the best out of Hedges and he now looks an automatic choice for that position. Morishita looks a real player. Intelligent in his movement, good control and packs a fierce shot. He looks a real find as does Gudjohnsen on this display. Strong, mobile and plenty of skill he looks like another player who will be a real addition to our ranks. Of course, it's still early days, but there are some very promising signs at the moment and much to be encouraged about.

Yes I still do. You'll be the first to know when I change my mind. In that case I'll hold my hands up and admit that I was wrong.

Most clubs have this role. Last season Stuart Jones did it. Rhodes is the ideal choice for the role. As a young lad at Ipswich, he had a number of loans to other clubs as he was developing as a professional footballer. He knows the problems youngsters would have going to other clubs on loan because he's been there and done it himself. He's also had loans at the end of his career so knows the problems it can cause late in your career. Thus he has the experience for the role and he has a knowledge of Blackburn Rovers. For me this is an excellent appointment in so many ways.

That seems a sensible appointment. Many clubs use ex-players in that position. I think Lescott does it at City. A number of former players have taken up roles at Ewood when their playing days have ended and its usually worked out well.

Alan Browne to Middlesbrough on season long loan. Cracking signing for them.

Because if you don't hold your own against most teams in the division you tend to get relegated. It's what I feel after seeing all the games thus far. I may be wrong, but at the moment I feel we are team in transition and I think there are some promising signs from what I've seen. A goalscorer is still needed but hopefully they can find someone over the next 48 hours.

Enjoyed the game today. Norwich by far the better team in the first half and we were fortunate to be only one behind at half-time. McLoughlin badly caught out for the penalty and red card. However, I was impressed with our second-half display and thought we were unlucky not to come away with a point. There was much to be admired about our display with ten men but the lack of a goalscorer is a major issue at the moment. It's early days, and considering the major changes we've made to the squad, it's going to take time to come together. However, I feel confident from what I've seen so far, that this squad is capable of more than holding its own against most teams in the Championship.

We were destined for relegation until he brought 'Big Mac' in from Newcastle. That guy literally dragged us up from the floor and restored some pride back into the old club. 'Big Mac's' importance in the history of this club can never be overstated.

At least its better than some clubs. Stockport refuse to let you take any food and drink into their ground. Their prices made ours look a real bargain!

Apologies Matty, I worded that very clumsily and no offence was intended and please accept my sincere apologies. The point I was trying to make is that in the world of cut-throat professional sport I've always found Mowbray's 'old fashioned' ethics to be admirable. In terms of the owners he based his opinions of them on actually meeting them. Which to me, is fair enough. Again, apologies for any offence I may have caused and I've removed the post.

Absolutely right. He agreed a budget with the owners and gave his word that he wouldn't come back asking for more. That's one of the reasons I admire the guy. I know old fashioned principles like keeping your word isn't something you expect in football but I find it an admirable quality. Like all managers he made mistakes, they all do, but on the whole I think history will record his tenure at Ewood Park kindly.

Loved that episode with Mowbray. A top class guy who, for me, did a fantastic job for this club at a time when we were in a mess. His love of football is there for all to see and you can see why he is so loved by players and fans alike. A principled man in an industry where principles are often cast aside all too often.

Sad to see Buckley leave us but, in terms of his career, he needs to move away. I've always thought that he was a more than decent midfield player, one who had an eye for a pass in the final third. Sadly, I think only Tony Mowbray was actually able to integrate him into the team and get the best out of him. He's lost his way over the past few seasons and a fresh start will hopefully kick-start his career again. Like Dolan, I wish nothing but the best for the lad.

I honestly can't remember when I last saw the Under-18's play as well as they did today. The first half was as good as it gets. The passing, movement and clinical finishing was a joy to watch. Fulham had no answer and seemed very disorganised in comparison to our lads. It will be interesting to see how these lads develop but there were some stand out performances today,

Games like today make you realise why you still keep doing away games every other week. This was a superb performance, a real team effort with everyone making a contribution. For the first time this season we started on the front foot and with a high press and what a difference it makes. The new players are slowly bedding in and doubts I had about Alebiosu and Tavares were swept aside today. Both looked very comfortable at this level. McLoughlin looks a very good signing, younger than Batth but just as good in the centre of defence. He looks a real bargain. I must admit I had my doubts about Cantwell as a captain, but he rose to the occasion and gave his best display so far for the club. He was unplayable at times today and took his goal very well. Hedges showed why Ismael continues pick him. He worked hard throughout, scored a goal with an exquisite finish and played an important part in the second. The bonus was the return to form of Tronstad. He was simply outstanding from first to last and completely bossed the midfield, particularly in the second-half when Rovers took complete control of the game. We still need to strengthen, although I was pleased that Montgomery put the Bradford game behind him and looked the part when he came on in centre-midfield - his proper position. One or two more performances like this and I might start revising my view of a bottom half finish.

Totally agree arbitro. I thought there was a huge gulf between the two teams. As you say, Brighton were big, strong and quick but all seemed to have the ability to control the ball, pass the ball and looked to be well organised in terms of shape and movement. Sadly, I couldn't see one player in that team who I would be happy to put in the first team squad - and if we get any sort of injuries and suspensions we will be relying upon them to make up the numbers. Like the first team, there is no threat in front of goal. Two big home games for the Under-18's coming up - Burnley today and Fulham in the Cup on Tuesday. They will be interesting tests for our youngsters.

At Michalski's young age he shouldn't be sat on the bench every week. He is just starting to learn his trade as a professional footballer. If you look at the stats over the past few seasons, the number 2 goalkeeper plays very little football during the course of the season. As for the mistake, I've seen him do the same thing at Under-21 level, but there he can get away with it. He needs to follow the same path as Raya. Go out on loan and learn your trade playing every week in games that matter. I think Michalski could be an outstanding goalkeeper from what I have seen of him. However, he won't be if he spends the next twelve months sat on the bench every week. If Pears isn't going to fill the number 2 role, then we need to go out and bring in another experienced 'keeper who will challenge Toth.

There were protests about Jim Iley in the 70s. Remember everyone shouting outside the Boardroom on Nuttall Street. Difference then was they were local businessmen who had customers in the town, so protests could have a direct influence on their business. Today, clubs are owned by global enterprises whose owners are often based on a different continent!

Sky is totally reliant of the Premier League and the Premier League is totally reliant on TV money from Sky, TNT Sports and foreign broadcasters. Meanwhile, clubs like United can make people on minimum wage redundant whilst paying players millions of pounds every year. Football in this country is a mess. Look at Morecambe, look at Sheffield Wednesday, look at what happened to famous old club like Bury. The authorities don't care as long as the money keeps rolling in. Eventually, I suspect, there will come a point when it will all implode.