Does it contain memories? Of course. But the 1990 re-build (that’s 1990, not 1890), is a cheap ramshackle eyesore thrown up to sort out what was now an open terrace, it is a poor piece of infrastructure compared to what it replaced, and always was. THAT earlier version of the stand had tradition and was ‘rustic’. This version is only three or so years older than the rest of the ground, so what ‘heritage’? Jack himself hated it - if it wasn’t for the unfortunate events of the ‘99 relegation followed by Jack’s tragic death soon after, it would’ve long been pulled down by now…

No arguments there. The buzz in the Blackburn End is like going back twenty years,

As you all definitely know, I have plenty of views on all things attendances. But you really can’t use yesterday as a barometer of anything with everything that’s gone on over the past week.

How did I know who this thread starter would be?! England? I get someone like the original poster, he’s long stopped being particularly interested in Rovers. I get those that would say ‘Rovers’ if you pushed them to say who they support, but generally only watch football every couple of years for international tournaments. But for those that have stuck by it over this horrendous decade, get to Ewood etc, I just couldn’t fathom choosing an England team full of players you’ve no particular connection to, that hardly anybody bats an eyelid at outside said tournament, to the club you pour your heart and soul into week after week, year after year, who you often have family and local ties with going back generations etc etc … but each to their own.

Deserves a statute for coming second in the third division! ‘Kin ell! 😁 As a reminder this is a club with no statue of Lewis, Crompton, Briggs, Clayton, Douglas, Lee, Kendall, Faz, Garner, Dalglish, Parkes, Hendry, Shearer, Tugay, Friedel, Souness etc etc. You almost had a few there that you were actually here to debate and not on the wind up… so close!

I get you are enthusiastic Chaddy, so am I, this season has been an unexpected, but fantastic ride so far. But you need to get real. Just because ‘the EFL have said x, y and z’ on the 16th December means bugger all when things are developing and changing this quickly.

That’s Waggott’s excuse sorted next time someone brings up the catering at the FF…

I’m not getting into it the lockdown element (I don’t do politics on this place, long stopped going over to the badlands that are the ICBINF news/politics threads) one way or the other, it’s just interesting that you are so uniquely careful and sensible that you can somehow avoid a highly transmissible virus 😁

Well it isn’t ‘my opinion’ that it’s far more transmissible, it’s ripping through the country. But as I assume you now live your life in a big sealed plastic bubble, you won’t be impacted…

Well it does, but 👌

Let’s hope lockdown 4 (5?) is over by the last weekend in May…

Those in the game can use any term they want, a manager any method they want, who cares, it’s about results and what works. It just amused me that you think it shows you are ‘intelligent’ and ‘progressive’ if you do. They’re just words and doesn’t imply anything of the sort. It’s the tactics themselves that show such qualities. But as always Joe you have such a thin skin, everything is a personal affront.

Surely it’s about the instructions themselves, explained to the player in a clear and concise way that shows good leadership and coaching, not a load of ‘progressive’ jargon?

Well obviously, didn’t expect to see him with a Do Not Disturb sign round his neck. John Williams was the same, but he had substance behind the glad handing. SW’s tenure hasn’t offered much else…

He sounds a very amiable chap. When I saw him doing the rounds in the Premier Suite the other week he looked like he was having many a jolly chat. But that isn’t what he’s paid serious cash for…

Totally agree, and that’s where Joe differed, as he believes now calling it a ‘low block’ was a sign of ‘intelligence’ and ‘progressiveness’.

I didn’t know I was making a sweeping statement? Surely it’s a given that the earlier you get exposed to live pro football the more likely you are to be swept away in all that makes being a football fan, a club fan, so great and fulfilling (despite all the lows!).

Well he didn’t mean that actually, as he dismissed those that discussed ‘football intelligence’. He said it’s actually a sign of ‘intelligence’ if players, parrot like, regurgitated jargon. That isn’t what makes an intelligent player, just like it doesn’t make for an ‘intelligent worker’ like that individual that constantly talks in jargon and acronyms in the wider world of work. Yes, of course, there’s a place for data, for better tactical knowledge, indeed a vital place - but Joe often seems to forget about the human, the emotional, the nous element of playing and coaching.

And that’s down to parents, a seven year old can easily get into the habit, engrossed in live football (plenty won’t, obviously, some kids just aren’t interested), but if they already enjoy the game, through playing for a kids team, by playing FIFA etc, it’s an open door, surely?

The problem with this club is they often come up with/stumble on a promising idea but go at it half heartedly or give up fairly quickly.

Of course there is a big chance of catching it, this variant may be milder, bloody hope so, but it is massively transmissible. So it is obviously ‘high risk’ of catching the thing, even if it’s mild.

I mean, I’ve been coming on here for twenty years and for the first time I’m actually speechless. 😳

Getting young fans to Ewood is now ‘taking a back seat’ ?!? Sorry what!? (These the kind of *changes* you are hearing so much about, @Revidge Blue ? ) Jesus.

Then that is quite sad. My nephew is 6 and of course he likes computer games, but he is also enjoying his first season as an Ewood regular. The buzz of the whole day is absolutely everything to him and he doesn’t stop taking about Rovers all week. A lifelong attachment has now been created, so wait until he can go to away games etc. You cannot tell me that buying a ‘blue skin’ for a game in anyway compares? And surely the parent (if they go to games) should also be looking to get them down to an actual football ground?

I’m all for progress, of course the game has moved on tactically, sport does that, as does the general workplace, my line of work has transformed from when my dad started in the same company as me decades ago. Cricket is a prime example in sport, a totally different game in terms of what batsmen, as an example, can now understand and add to their game. But I’m not going to let Joe cannily try and paint those that are sceptical of these mere cosmetic language changes as some kind of backward dinosaurs. Tut tut! 😁 So I’m still waiting for him to explain how not creating a new tactic, but just renaming it, i.e ‘low block’, means you are ‘progressive’ and have a ‘bright mind’ and are ‘intelligent’?