Mattyblue

They were horrendously bright to start with, they looked as if they were turned down after about half an hour. Raya looked like he was basking in some kind of divine light from where I was sitting... well until him and Lenihan had their cock up.

Bennett and Evans are surely the answer. Evans can provide the calm head and passing ability, Bennett with the energy, plus he has an ability to ping a ball.

With three defeats out of three and not particulary good travellers, even without the red button, I couldn't imagine them bringing many more. Still early days, but I certainly expected less at Ewood last night (real and announced crowd). I think the winter nights will see the biggest drop offs.

I've been a big critic of Evans throughout his time here, a lot of it down to frustration with a player of obvious quality. He has often looked disinterested, ducking out of challenges and generally 'paper bag' - with a poor fitness record to boot. However, I think he's been excellent so far this season, a real composed presence in midfield.

Real gate of 8/9k, but it will be given as 11k.

Yep, it was requested by the clubs to maximise Saturday followings.

Only club from one of the UK's biggest cities, with supporters clubs throughout Yorkshire and they attract crowds of around 30k - often much lower when they are having an average season. As an example, they get similar crowds to Villa (though they share their city with Birmingham City, with West Brom on the edge of the city boundary too), yet unlike Villa, they have this ridiculous media profile that other, similar size clubs even in the PL don't have.

We have three academy graduates in the starting XI, plus Travis is looking more and more like he will be a regular around the first team. Mowbray has had faith in Raya pretty much from his arrival, making him number 1 as soon as he could. I believe his backing of Nyambe has really helped his confidence and he's looking more and more like the real deal. Lenihan? Not much choice with that one, the guy's going all the way! Would I prefer Wharton to Downing? Probably, but regular games is what he needs, as do Tomlinson and Nuttall and as they aren't ready to be first choice in the Championship currently, get them out on loan. I believe Mowbray does support Academy movement into the first team, but will blood them gradually and you can't really argue with the fella's results so far...

Plus Sky red button. Be interesting to see what a season of this does to midweek crowds across the league...

Indeed, love Trent Bridge, we were there today too in the Hound Road, it reminds me a bit of Lord’s around the Pavillion. As a ground it’s a great example of how to combine new stands and the existing heritage, it makes Old Trafford look a bit of a mess.

‘Twas me! Hopefully you didn’t spot the Guinness stain right down my tshirt! 16 wickets in a day and it wasn’t exactly hooping around corners like it can at Trent Bridge, some really poor shots played...

Exactly! Just need to re-establish it, just like other areas have, I.e the scrapping of Humberside, Cleveland and Avon with those areas going back to their traditional counties.

What should we pay him? The going rate for an 8 million signing and that ain’t 12k a week! We don’t pay big wages anymore? We (you included) didn’t think we paid 8 million for players until a week ago either, so Christ knows what he’d be paid.

An 8 million signing on a five year deal would accept 12-14k? come on!

Trafford borough is partly Lancs - the Stretford, Urmston area, so Old Trafford too. Partly Cheshire - the Sale and Altrincham area. Tranmere is on the Wirral - so Cheshire.

‘A lot used to get leaked from this club, I’ve heard’ Sounds like his dig is aimed closer to home...

You serious? People are concerned with Venky’s full stop. I was cautiously optimistic in 2014 with our team full of quality players for this level - they proceeded to sell the lot, so forgive folk if they tread very lightly with this mob!

Oh now that will be worth watching! Let’s hope the cameras captured his reaction to Rochdale’s 95th minute equaliser today!

I refuse to recognise such an abomination! As Stu did by adding Southport!

Where’s Everton? ?‍♂️

Will it ascend into heaven? ?

Brereton - if he was signed, the other four if they were signed, obviously!

If you buy a player for 8 million - more than the rest of our squad combined, he will expect to be paid accordingly, I.e top earner by some margin - will that not upset morale in the camp?

You’re probably right RV, Venky’s seem to want their best paid folk in manager roles - Chief exec and team manager to bow and scrape each summer. Lambert obviously wouldn’t do it, Mogga cannily used it to his advantage.

Oh aye, the young me couldn’t understand why you’d want rid of my hero Speedie! However, England capped striker for loadsofmoney Rovers is a different world than 19 year old Championship striker for Venky’s reliant 2018 BRFC.