25 minutes ago, JacknOry said:

Didnt Smallwood refuse to play for the u23s?

He played several games for the Under-23s last season.  I think there were Lancashire Cup games when players were given the option at times if they felt they needed game time to improve their fitness levels.

1 minute ago, Stuart said:

I just see yet another young player disillusioned by Mowbray. He must look over at Armstrong who was given so much faith by the manager during his earlier lean spell and who, let’s be honest, only got into real form after he was allowed the freedom only afforded to Dack - another happy accident (a la Travis). It seems Tony only has room for 1 ‘Arte’ outfield player and 9 ‘Labores’ - chiefly because he cannot sort out our defence.

Mowbray knew the kind of player Chapman was and bought him anyway. Now when he doesn’t (or can’t) conform to the manager’s archetypal up-and-down the pitch player template, the player gets pelters (from manager and fans - and in-house commentators*).

When you keep buying square pegs for round holes you will get players that can’t be changed. That’s on the manager. Better recruitment required.

* those same commentators who decried Chapman yesterday - every combo he had with other players was used to criticise him - didn’t even flinch when Brereton made yet another glaring miss. At least he didn’t fall over his own feet this time. Anyway the point is, some players get a free pass - even if you get in trouble with the law - maybe Mulgrew has a point...

In fairness I really don't think Chapman's lack of progress is down to Mowbray.  At the start of last season his performance levels for the Under-23s were dreadful for a young lad trying to make an impression.  Sadly, the impression he made was the sort that would not endear him to any manager. His attitude was in stark contrast to the likes of Smallwood or Graham when they turned out for the Under-23s and took a professional pride in their performance.  Ironically, his better games were often when he was playing a more central role.  I think it's his lack of workrate that has held him back when playing out wide.  Wide players have to get back and defend as its simply part of the role of being a winger today - indeed, has been for many years.  Sadly, Chapman doesn't seem to have the ability or will to do this.  Maybe the injuries have taken something from him but at the moment he looks a long way from a Championship player.

Must admit that I really like the new shirt.  Much better effort than those in recent years for me.

Decent first-half but went to pieces when Holtby went off.  Started the second-half poorly and paid the price.  Pleased with the recovery to win the match - in Cup games that's all the matters.

I was impressed with Dolan again - the difference between him and Chapman is chalk and cheese - and really can't see much future for Chapman here.  Once again, I thought Rothwell flattered to deceive.  He has the ability but very rarely delivers an end product.  A squad player but not a regular starter for me.

We are desperate for a left-back.  Bell simply can't defend and going forward he rarely gets a decent cross in.  Again, OK for a back-up option but not as a starter.

A decent left-back and experienced centre-back should be our main priorities at this point.  I think we are well covered in midfield with Johnson, Travis, Evans, Holtby, Buckley, Davenport.

I must admit that I liked the new home strip.  

I must admit that I was surprised our game against Bournemouth hasn't been chosen for Sky.  Guess it will be a case of watching on Bournemouth's iFollow.

1 hour ago, Stuart said:

Reading that Stanley press release the early stages of this are going to be a shambles.

Some clubs - not sure about Rovers - will sell more STs than they will be allowed to admit into the ground. What happens to ST holder number 771 or 1536? Paid the same but can’t watch and no iFollow?

The way I read it is that iFollow will continue whilst there are restricted numbers in grounds.  If you can't attend then you have the iFollow option.  But I agree, it could well become shambolic in terms of deciding who's allowed in if numbers are severely restricted.  I suspect iFollow will have to stay in place for most of the season if not all of it. 

41 minutes ago, Exiled in Toronto said:

He picked Rothwell far more last season than I would’ve done, he being the prime exponent of a running player who gives the ball away.

Seems clear to me it’s the lack of tracking back that’s Mowbray’s issue with him - on full display again tonight.

Totally agree.  Dolan was prepared to track back and do the hard yards defending as well as being a constant threat going forward.  Chapman is happy to go forward but doesn't do the defensive part of the game that wide players are expected to do as a matter of routine.  As you say, it was very noticeable tonight.  

Really enjoyed the game tonight and great to see so many young players on the pitch.

I thought Johnson was excellent in midfield and Holtby played some really intelligent passes.  Whilst I'm not his greatest fan, I thought Brereton looked sharp and took his goals very well.  Fisher - who I've always rated - looked the part and his handling was excellent.  Young Dolan gave another impressive display and was particularly impressed with his defensive work - perhaps Chapman could take note of how the youngster was prepared to chase back at times.

Blackpool's was very much an experimental line-up but, ultimately, you can only beat what's in front of you and we did that and looked very impressive at times.  Only disappointment for me was another insipid display from Travis who, like Saturday, let the game pass him by without getting involved.

Heartbreaking to see Ewood Park in this state.

Just now, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

Vladdy Gresko looked an half decent left back on initial inspection, it was only later on we realised he was bobbins.

I still take him before Bell or Williams.

15 minutes ago, JHRover said:

All true but if we are discounting or diluting seasons or achievements pre WW2 then we must do so across the board. 

We can also apply similar approaches to so-called Big clubs outside the top division at the moment. 

Such as Forest. We can say that they had a golden era during the late 70s and 80s but apart from that nothing since way back when.

The point I suppose is whilst I agree we aren't entitled to a place in the top division, we should certainly not feel any less deserving or worthy than anyone else because from what I can see our pedigree both pre WW2 and post WW2 is as impressive as anyone else's around this division. Sheff Wed similar in having the majority of their success way back. I dont think it is any more or less relevant than say Wolves being good in the 50s or Leeds in the 60s. 

Even if it were true that we spent most of our time in the 2nd division that still puts us in a bracket above most at this level who have been regulars in the 3rd and 4th divisions. So even if we accept that we are a regular 2nd tier club that still puts us top end in this league.

I would agree with much of that.  I think if we are playing in the second tier then we ought to be challenging at the top end more seasons than not.  

15 minutes ago, JHRover said:

Not correct. 73 seasons in the top division, 44 seasons in the second division and only 6 in the third division.

But let's not forget that of those 73 seasons in the top division some 44 seasons were between 1888 and 1936.  Since football restarted after the war the majority of our time has been spent outside the top flight.  The Jack Walker/Walker Trust era was very much a golden period in our modern history.  I remember John Williams saying at the time of Big Sam's appointment, that if we got relegated it would be very difficult to get back.  Many of us remember the 25 years in exile after the 1965-66 relegation season.  I would agree that we are not a Third Division club but modern history suggests we are a club that spends long periods in the second tier.

59 minutes ago, unsall said:

Looking at Venkys figures and they like other firms been hit hard. The share price in 12 months has gone from a high of 1942 inr to a low in April of  580 inr, but has come back to 1052 inr last week, so let’s hope they have a few quid in their back pockets for us.

I think that is a point that is being missed in any transfer talk.  This virus has impacted all global businesses and Venkys are no exception.  With their Charitable Foundation to support - which is of vital importance to the people of Pune and its surrounding areas - I suspect that Blackburn Rovers is even further down the agenda than normal.

I think Mowbray was quoted a few weeks ago talking about loans, freebies and promoting youth players to cover gaps of any players we have to sell.  I suspect this is the reality of where we are at.  Hopefully, I'll be pleasantly surprised but being realistic I not expecting any earth shattering moves in the transfer market.

Very sad news.  Remember him making his debut and what a superb player he was.  Started out as a winger but developed into an outstanding midfield player.  A key member of the Third Division Championship side under Gordon Lee and such a wonderfully gifted player.  RIP Stuart. 

Not sure how they could sell season tickets at the moment - aren't most of the staff still on furlough?

With the uncertainty with regard to when supporters will actually be allowed into grounds - and that may be impacted throughout the season with local lockdowns - I can understand why they are reluctant to start selling at this moment in time.  

Witty's comment today that we are at the limit of what can be opened up very telling.  I doubt fans will be allowed in any ground this side of Christmas and perhaps for even longer.  Really don't see how Leagues One and Two will operate next season without any income and the cost of testing etc.  I suspect many Championship clubs may find it a struggle over the next few months.  I suspect the transfer window is the last thing on the minds of many clubs at the moment.  

In a perfect world young players go out on loan to make their mistakes at other clubs. 

However, in the past young players came into the first team and often made howlers, but the good ones came through that initial baptism of fire and went on to have good careers with the club and elsewhere.

If money is tight that it may well that those youngsters have to learn from their mistakes whilst playing in the Championship with Rovers.  Supporters will have to show patience with these youngsters and help get them through that initial learning period.  I have no doubt that Joe Rankin-Costello and John Buckley are going to be regulars in the senior squad next season.  Carter may go out on loan if we are able to bring in a replacement for Tosin - if not then he will be alongside Magloire, Wharton and Grayson as a member of the senior squad.  

40 minutes ago, Dreams of 1995 said:

 

 Does anyone know what has happened to Butterworth? He looked a real player in his couple of appearances a while back and I thought he'd be knocking on the door this season. 

 

He's been out with a back injury but is on the way back to fitness.

1 minute ago, philipl said:

One of those defeats which feels even worse the next day.

We owe Charlton fans a big apology.

Why?  Charlton finished in the bottom three because over the course of 46 games they were not good enough to finish higher.  Nothing to do with anyone else.  If Charlton had taken enough points over the course of the season they would have stayed up.  Charlton fans need to look to their owners, manager and players for the reason why they went down - simple as that!

55 minutes ago, Mercer said:

Last night was very interesting.

From bits I saw, Mowbray, IMO, looked very disinterested.  

Was Venus there - someone mentioned they didn't see him?

The normally statuesque Lowe seemed, IMO, to throw a wobbler at the end.

No Mowbray comments that I can see in the LT.

You can but hope that this is the end for Mowbray, Venus, Lowe and Benson.

 

Venus was there with Mowbray.  There is a post match interview with Mowbray on the club website, the tone of which suggests he will be here next season.  The interview illustrated why he was looking so displeased during the game - basically frustrated with the lack of consistency of certain players and suggested those who cannot deliver the consistency required would not be here next season.  Lowe was upset at the gamesmanship when Luton got rid of the balls that were part of the covid-19 protocols so that play was held up waiting for the one ball to be retrieved. 

Personally, I felt before the season started that our squad was a mid-table one at best and would need luck to get towards the top six.  Long term injuries to Cunningham, Dack and Evans really didn't help.  Has Mowbray been faultless this season - obviously not.  He has made mistakes, like all managers, but he has made progress - albeit of the slow and steady variety.  I've seen nothing to suggest that he won't be given at least one, if not both the remaining years of his contract to try to achieve promotion.    

With little or no money likely to be available we may well have to rely on the young players next season who will have to "learn on the job" as it were.  Carter made mistakes last night but no more than you would expect of a youngster breaking into the team - I'm old enough to remember some clangers that a young Mike England made - one spectacular own goal in particular that any centre-forward would have been proud to claim.  

With the new season just seven or eight weeks away, Mowbray is going to need to know the budget he is working with sooner rather than later.  The fact that every decision has to be signed off in Pune is what really hampers any progress.  Yes, money is put in and keeps the show on the road, but football decisions need to be immediate and until that problem is resolved we are always going to be playing catch-up with other clubs.

Just now, Mercer said:

But we extended contracts for Hart and Smallwood - IMO, utter incompetent madness if that's why the reason for Hilton's exclusion.

He may be injured - I know some Under-23's are furloughed but not sure about Hilton.

1 minute ago, bazza said:

Who is Eastham? I thought it was between Hilton and Fisher.

Under-18 goalkeeper.  I think Fisher is ineligible because of various loans and Hilton may be on furlough or injured.

An entertaining end of season affair which saw plenty promise from the younger players.  I thought young Carter did exceptionally well.  JRC looks good going forward considering that he's not a left back.  Buckley was very good when he came on both in movement and passing.  Armstrong looks better with every game and I suspect we'll do well to keep him during the window.  

If we have to rely on the younger players, I think Mowbray will be pleased with what he has seen today and will feel he has something to work with next season.  A sound goalkeeper, an experienced centre-back and a play-maker in midfield, if Downing goes, would be the additions I would be looking for.  We also need to replace Graham up front - not convinced by either Brereton or Gallagher as reliable goalscorers.  

However, I enjoyed today, enjoyed seeing the young lads given an opportunity and seeing them take it.  

Just now, J*B said:

Surely not. Not when we’re paying Smallwood and Hart with contract extensions that are not needed?

I believe a number of them still are.  I would have loved to have seen Brad Lyons being given a chance but not to be.

Just now, Tugay's Right Foot said:

Wonder why can’t Lewis Thompson be included as a natural LB. great to see Carter starting. Would have started Davenport and at least put Hilton on the bench

Is he still furloughed with a number of the Under-23 squad?