I must admit I refuse to use the self-service tills in shops or machines in banks.  I want some human interaction in whatever transaction I'm doing.  As Meadows so eloquently put it above - machines cannot replace everything or replace human interaction.  However, with regard to the programme an app isn't going to improve the quality of the content - that comes down to individuals wanting to produce a quality product which seems absent at Ewood but not at the likes of Rochdale or Scunthorpe.  The last Bury programme I looked at read like a small novel such was the depth of the content. 

Just now, J*B said:

I reckon for every signature a player must do.. 10(?) selfies? I understand there is a generation that wants vinyl and books but the reality is in 10 years they'll all be non existent, IMO, because time moves on.

 

I appreciate theres people that buy the programme and don't use apps. What i'm trying to explain is that in the very close future, unfortunately, you won't have any other option but to use apps - even if you preferred the paper copy. 

People were saying something similar in the 1990's when computers were being poured out in huge numbers in schools.  We were told that within a decade nobody would be reading an actual book.  Last time I looked Waterstones seemed to have reduced the area given over to electronic books and was doing a thriving business in the old fashioned, proper books.  I know you are right in the long run but I suspect it will be another generation before the change is complete.  At the moment ifollow would seem to be the platform for the type of content material that you describe - it has the interviews, training ground stuff and match highlights.

1 hour ago, J*B said:

I do realise that, but an app would offer much more interactive reading at a fraction of the price. Its the way the world is going and unfortunately is a case of get on board or stay at the station. Eventually it will happen and I see no reason why it shouldn't happen now. A subscription service at say £1 per home game for all programmes or £2.50 one off download - brilliant, read it on the way in, pre match, half time, full time, whenever you want. It would also reduce the pressure on the writer as you could include content e.g. interviews, training ground footage. Its really simple stuff, but unfortunately as a club we seem to be happy to be left behind. See 'Radio Rovers' which could have been retained for hardly any cost and made accessible via an App also. Make it a subscription service and start bringing money in for once. 

Interviews and training ground footage are already available via ifollow which we already pay for.  There are many folk who buy the programme but don't use apps and so you would cut off a large section of your prospective buyers.  Whilst some clubs offer a choice, no club has done away with their paper programme so clearly there is a demand for a decent product.  Like Jim, I have a couple of Kindles which are now unused in the garage as nothing beats reading an actual book.

40 minutes ago, J*B said:

If they had any sense they'd make it a download from a Rovers app. Blows my mind that anyone buys paper copies. It'd save a bloody fortune. 

Not everybody uses apps J*B.  I believe some clubs do offer it as an app as well as a paper copy for the 'traditionalists' - a polite term for old gits like me. Ultimately, the product is garbage no matter how it is delivered.

Apparently put together by some lad in the Community department who seems to have got landed with it and Rob Gill - our head of media.  It's a pathetic excuse for a programme - particularly when compared to the likes of Rochdale, Scunthorpe and Southend, to name but three.  Yesterday reached an all time low with the Leigh Edwards syndicated garbage not knowing the difference between Wimbledon, MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon.  Not sure how Johnny Haynes played for a team in 1950 which wasn't founded until 2002.  I would have thought Mr. Gill would have been embarrassed looking at the product he is producing compared with the rest of the League who are working on smaller budgets and with smaller potential sales.

6 minutes ago, Bigdoggsteel said:

Why can't you just say where you heard it? 

I would have thought it obvious and others have heard the same.  This is the best crop of youngsters we've had since the likes of Dunny, Johnson, Duff, Taylor, Douglas were all coming through.  I suspect that these lads will eventually come through and enjoy good careers but, sadly, not at Ewood Park.  

14 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Do you think Platt is ready for the first team this season?

The only way to find out is by playing him.  Platt, Grayson and Charley Doyle were excellent tonight against an experienced opposition.  I can understand Mowbray wanting Downing for his experience of League One football but young Platt should be on the bench at the very least.  We have a crop of really good youngsters at the moment and my fear is that we will lose them if we don't give them an extended chance of first team football. 

Cracking game at Leyland with the lads showing Mowbray that they are well worth a place in the first team squad instead of importing other club's youngsters.  The midfield trio of Tomlinson, Hardcastle and Rankin-Costello were outstanding against a very strong Wigan outfit.  Johnson and Dunny have got these lads playing some really entertaining football - so much more enjoyable than watching the tedious build up that we see at first team level. 

7 hours ago, JAL said:

Thank you parsons that's why ....this club shows that it's bent !

Excellent my backside .........let's have the Nyambe watch ?

You are becoming obsessed with your dislike of certain young players.  All young players make mistakes - it's part of the learning curve.  Just as the likes of Metcalfe, Faz, Barker, Bailey and so many more who went on to have long and successful careers, made mistakes in their early years with the club, so too will Nyambe, Raya, Tomlinson, Doyle and the rest.  However, you don't write them off simply because you disapprove of their agent.  Young players are nurtured and develop over a period of time.  Sadly, your obsession with agents really does detract from sensible discussion.

2 hours ago, JAL said:

Ryan Nyambe can he defend ?

Obviously, which is why he is rated highly and given a long contract.  An excellent prospect for this club.

Just now, Swanson said:

I tought Joe Grayson was a midfielder?

He was converted towards the end of last season into a centre-back and looks far better in that role.  He's been very impressive in that position up to now.

27 minutes ago, blueboy3333 said:

Mowbray and his players don't deserve the support based on the first two league games of the season.

So you only support the Rovers if they are winning.  Walk away when they are not and return when they start winning again?

11 minutes ago, JAL said:

 

Charley Doyle looks an interesting character where did he come from thought he had a decent game despite looking like a pub player ?

He's come through the Academy - one of the four that they offered pro contracts to at the end of last season.  Can play centre-back or centre midfield.  I believe he is from that part of the world that you are none to keen on!

Excellent performance tonight.  Totally agree Stuart that Mols was outstanding and Nuttall led the line exceptionally well.  Scott Sellars was clearly unhappy with the officials and ended up being sent off.  Last season the Under-23's were excellent to watch - certainly more so than the seniors and it looks like it will be the same again this season.  Johnson and Dunn are doing a fantastic job with the style of football that they get these lads playing.

1 hour ago, gumboots said:

Probably because you keep repeating yourself. We've heard it all before. You go to your matches and leave the rest of us to wallow and we'll all be happy.

So does everyone else on here.  If they didn't nobody would be posting.

A much better performance from everyone.  We played some very attractive football at times and dominated the game.  Smallwood and Evans were very good in the centre of midfield whilst Samuel was much better in the centre.  You can only beat what is in front of you and this we did comprehensively.  A very enjoyable night for the travelling fans.

33 minutes ago, Mike E said:

Religion or not, burning cow pats just sounds as pointless as Venkys' whole tenure here. Wastefully, too; would be better left alone to fertilise the fields.

Only difference is it's funny, whereas 'burning' us hasn't been at all funny.

I think you'll find Mike that it isn't pointless or funny in Hinduism.  Let's not go down the route of attacking our owners, or indeed anyone else because of the faith they follow. 

Just now, Dunnfc said:

Wake up man forty years since. we have first class facilities and a stadium fit for top flight football. The club and most fans deserve better than this not a harkback to the good old days running out a crumbling stadium and a kick about for training on pleasy. Game has moved on since then it's no longer 11 lads boozing smoking and working there way through the week for a match bonus it's a serious profession and sport supported by numerous staff at Ewood in many day to day cross functioning support roles with mortgages and co to pay.

You may not have noticed but first class facilities and a stadium fit for top flight football didn't prevent Wolves, Norwich, Leicester, Sheffield United, Southampton, Leeds and plenty more all falling into the Third Division.  If following a Third Division club is beneath you there is always Burnley if you want Premier League football.  We aren't the only club to fall on hard times.  That's football.  

1 hour ago, Dunnfc said:

I've not even mentioned anything about Mowbray pal but for the record If we are not in the top two after ten games then he better be gone.

Last time we were in the Third Division we were at the bottom at Christmas - stuck with the manager and ended up being promoted that season.  Good job we didn't have you making decisions when Howard Kendall was here.

1 hour ago, JAL said:

Cheers ! Looks like a Joe average player nearing the end of his career.

We've signed some excellent older players over the years who have given brilliant service to the club.  Guys like Big Mac and Waggy became cult figures at the club and offered a tremendous amount on the pitch.  This lad has always looked impressive whenever he's played against us.  A very positive signing for me and the type of experience we will need in League One.

11 minutes ago, Lancaster Rover said:

Productivity - All a prem academy has to do is offer a young player 1 minute of game time and they have achieved more than we have since relegation in the eyes of EPPP.

EPPP was designed to allow the big clubs to take players from lower league clubs, the blow was softened/clubs held to ransom by the increased solidarity payments by the Premier League. My Dad was at the FL conference in Portugal where pretty much all the FL clubs were in agreement they were being shafted by the PL but were powerless to do anything as the threat of having the solidarity payments withdrawn would have bankrupted most league 1 & 2 clubs.

League 1 clubs are not wanted under cat 1. That is fact. Unless we make it back to the championship very quickly our academy will suffer irreparable damage.

Totally agree that being in League 1 with cat 1 status was not what the Premier League envisaged when this was drawn up.  The problem is that there are not enough Premier League clubs who meet the cat 1 requirements.  However, with the likes of Burnley improving their youth setup, it may well be that at some point in the not too distant future Burnley take our place at that level.  It would be more difficult to do in the Championship due to the number of Championship clubs with cat 1 status.  Ultimately, I think that raising the bar, in terms of what is required to meet the cat 1 status with regard to facilities is what will ultimately see our downfall from this level.

Just now, Lancaster Rover said:

Just looking at the list of Cat 1 clubs, there are only 4 (excluding ourselves) outside of the prem; Reading, Fulham, Derby and Norwich. In fact if the old rules still applied we would have been kicked out of the old 'Premier Reserve League' as you were only allowed 2 seasons in it post relegation.

Cat 2 wise there is Crewe, Colchester, Coventry and Charlton who ply our trade outside of the top 2 divisions. I am very confident in saying that getting relegated to league 1 will have, in the long term a disastrous impact on our academy.

When re-assessed you have to satisfy the 5 criteria of productivity, welfare, education, coaching and facilities.

Productivity - we will struggle if the highest level we can offer is league 1.  THIS IS DEBATABLE WHEN LOOKING AT HOW MANY PLAYERS THE SYSTEM IS PRODUCING AT ALL CLUBS AT THE MOMENT.

Education - most clubs are now funding their scholars through a private education and/or building on site schools, are we? Will Venky's foot the bill for this?  AT THE MOMENT THEY ARE.

Facilities - Other clubs are constantly investing and developing theirs, are we?  THUS FAR WE HAVE THROUGHOUT VENKY'S TIME AT THE CLUB.   HOWEVER THAT IS NOT TO SAY THEY WON'T CUT BACK IN THIS AREA IN THE FUTURE.  IN THREE YEARS TIME I SUSPECT THE BAR WILL HAVE BEEN RAISED TO A LEVEL WHICH IS UNREALISTIC FOR ROVERS.

Coaching and welfare we should be able to satisfy but realistically its the 3 I've mentioned above that carry the greatest weight.

Just now, Lancaster Rover said:

Yes we have competed, however those players were signed well before we were struggling at the foot of the championship. The likes of Wharton, Lenihan, Tomlinson, etc were taken on as scholars whilst we were in the prem or as a championship side spending money and looking to go back up. We are neither of those now, I think we will be able to tell an awful lot by the quality of the scholars we took on at the start of the season just finished and those we sign this coming season.

You're also kind of missing the point of EPPP, the most important detail is the E. EPPP was designed to bring players through at Elite level, league 1 is not elite level, premier league academies are churning out league 1 players for fun. The aim of EPPP is to develop players to play at the very highest level, us offering game time in league 1 is not the purpose of cat 1 academies. If we cannot guarantee an opportunity to play at the highest levels i.e. prem or champ we will be downgraded to Cat 2.

I know a few people who work at the academy and the work they do there is excellent, that isn't in question. My point is that the academy will not be exempt from the fall out from falling into league 1. In fact I think in time we will see that the academy is hit hardest should my predicition of losing cat 1 status comes home to roost.

Look at the line-ups over the past five or six years of Premier League clubs who have faced Rovers at Under-18 level and then look at how many of those players have graduated to the first team at their respective clubs.  Premier League clubs rarely promote from within.   A player has to be exceptional.  Coming to Ewood offers the chance to make it through to senior level and earn a move to a bigger club.  We only have to look at the number of lads we have picked up from Premier League clubs and who have switched to our Academy in the hope of improving their chances to make a career within the game.  You only need look at how Crewe have operated over many years and the number of top class players that have developed at that club.  Being in the Fourth/Third Divisions didn't prove a handicap to recruitment. 

41 minutes ago, Lancaster Rover said:

He may say that the first teams league status is irrelevant but he is lying. Yes, we may keep Cat 1 status (in the short term) however look at the number of clubs outside the prem who are cat 1, speaks volumes. You then have to look at the sort of players you will attract to a league 1 club academy, the players we will get will have realistically been knocked back by every other cat 1 prem club and no doubt a number of prem clubs in cat 2. We've been blessed in recent times of being a prem club with a successful/well run academy, we  no longer have the benefit of elite level football and will no longer be seen as an attractive proposition IMO.

 

 

The past two seasons have shown that we can compete on the field with any of those in the Premiership at this level.  The problem we face is that every three years, when the inspection takes place to renew category status, the bar is raised in terms of facilities.  A number of Premier League clubs have moved in recent years to larger complexes which has enabled them to improve the facilities.  Because we developed our facilities in the 1990's, we face a struggle to develop in the same way due to planning restrictions.  In many ways, not being a Premier League club provides lads with an incentive as there is a path to first team football.  The likes of Lenihan, Nyambe, Wharton, Raya, Tomlinson, Travis and Mahoney have all been around the first team this season which wouldn't have happened at Premier League level.  There is a lot of excellent work going on at the Academy and it remains one aspect of the club which continues thrive despite the ownership.  However, future success will depend on the level of financial cut-backs to the Academy.