Mattyblue

With you there. I remember a Brian Clough quote from the 90s in which he said something like 'The way TV deals are going in the top flight, you'll soon be able to let fans in for free'

Live coverage of matches between 3-5pm is off limits in the UK, to promote matchgoing.

I can only go off what I was told around Easter time- the contract he was offered was hardly an improvement on his youth terms. First team squad member who rightly believes he can get far better elsewhere. Just a strange way of doing business, especially when you think of what Stokes will be earning...

That's exactly JH's point! If even as a Championship club we couldn't offer a comparable package to Barnsley, then the club has serious issues (something we all know, but we are still perfectly entitled to be fecked off about).

Why does it? It perfectly illustrates the rapid decline of the club.

Do I want him to say? Of course, Blackburn lad, decent winger with the kind of set piece delivery that would be an asset in League 1. However, let's be honest, 6 years ago he'd have just been another Keith Treacy/Josh Morris, we now just have much lower expectations and standards.

Though them wanting a move is to be expected, I've not spotted any reports relating to Mulgrew and Lenihan?

What happened to all the fans groups that were plentiful in the 1970/80s? Darwen Blues, Accy Blues, Valley Blues etc. The London Branch are still fairly active- meetings etc. , but unlike a lot of other clubs our local groups seem to be long gone. Is re-setting them up something the Trust could look at? Could be vital in the future...

Yes, he was a good manager doing a good job. A time when we had quality professionals at all levels of the club.

A sizeable minority of Rovers fans STILL get on Allardyce's back. I was talking to a bloke on the way back from Forest 'well sackng Allardyce was the right thing to do... just shouldn't have brought in Kean' Amazing.

We will 'keep it tight and try and nick a goal' says Mowbray. Risky strategy when we in all likelyhood have to get 3 points... http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/15259962._We_have_to_put_that_doubt_in_everyone___s_mind____Rovers_head_coach_looks_to_put_pressure_on_relegation_rivals/?ref=mac

Just the four 'grand slam' belts isn't there? WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF?

Interesting stuff from colt, this has all the hallmarks of a relegation season from the 'rubber dinghy men' to the supposed kick offs from Givet et al with Kean. Main difference this time is half the team don't belong to us and don't care enough to even kick off.

Guthrie? He's from Shrewsbury, no?

When you are on a wretched run like Birmingham, the last 3 pressured games of the season (one of them away at your arch rivals) is a tough ask for any new manager, so who knows there may not be the fabled 'bounce'. Saying that though they only need one win and we won't be catching them.

Harry Redknapp in at Birmingham... http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39628280

I've probably said it before, but if anyone is after a great TV show- The Americans. Into Season 5 now and it really is superb.

Agreed. Though the fact we are even having a discussion in which we are comparing crowds and incomes with the likes of Chesterfield and Gillingham says it all.

All of it is down to the last 7 years. And of course Blackburn Rovers are more of a name than Chesterbloodyfield, however I'm looking at it purely on income. Though we do contiue to pay big wages, so though we probably have a similar income to Barnsley, I would bet our wage bill is far higher- so in that sense we will perhaps be 'a draw' to players.

Of course it is, but 'true club size' is just an abstract concept and doesn't provide an income. We will end up on Chesterfield sized gates, however a quick glance at their ST prices (up to £500) says we will actually be bringing in less revenue, with a gargantuan debt on top. Total mess.

These owners have dragged us to new lows on a regular basis. So why not our actual lowest point- the 4th tier for the first time in our history.

Bolton made a decision to keep big earners like Wheater, Clough (till big money move in January) and Vela, obviously worked out for them. Can you see the likes of Mulgrew still being here next season?

Wiith crowds of about 5/6000 and no owner input, we will simply be a mid ranking League 1 team. Just think that through a moment and look at the clubs Venky's have made our peer group... 1 Sheffield United 445.667 21.222 2 Bradford City 379.874 21 18.089 3 Bolton Wanderers 302.658 21 14.412 4 Charlton Athletic 232.342 21 11.064 5 Milton Keynes Dons 209.598 21 9.981 6 Bristol Rovers 193.123 21 9.196 7 Millwall FC 191.395 21 9.114 8 Coventry City 190.782 21 9.085 9 Oxford United 173.906 21 8.281 10 Southend United 152.692 21 7.271 11 Swindon Town 146.302 21 6.967 12 Northampton Town 129.531 21 6.168 13 Gillingham FC 126.301 21 6.014 14 Chesterfield FC 125.172 21 5.961 15 Peterborough United 117.239 21 5.583 16 Shrewsbury Town 112.526 21 5.358 17 Walsall FC 102.172 20 5.109 18 Scunthorpe United 93.886 21 4.471 19 AFC Wimbledon 93.877 21 4.470 20 Port Vale FC 92.817 21 4.420 21 Oldham Athletic 88.161 21 4.198 22 Bury FC 78.394 21 3.733 23 Rochdale AFC 71.709 21 3.415 24 Fleetwood Town 66.851 21 3.183

Birmingham have gone on a horrendous run, just one more win from us at some point would have dragged them right into it. Another lost opportunity.

I'd say Norwich away also. Go 2-1 up against 10 men and still throw it away.