garnersfags

GB was responsible for the Jan '23 fiasco, he said so himself. It is the main element of his role. It was a massive administrative failure, and it will never be forgotten. This one abject failure directly, yes directly, cost us a play-off place. There are many of us that hoped he would then step up and pull the odd signing out of the bag, despite the challenging financial landscape. The loans have got to work, and the signings have got to be at least League One standard. James Hill apart, this has not happened, and some responsibility for this lies directly at the door of GB. It's not personal, it's based on direct evidence, whereas the support for him is based mainly on pity. Sorry.

For most of us, it's not hate. We just base our extreme disappointment on the evidence of who he has brought in he arrived, especially the permanent signings, who he has said were his number one targets. We have all been waiting to see if last January's catastrophic cock-up, which directly cost us a play-off place, would prove to be a one-off. The answer so far is no, we are still waiting for him to support Rovers to punch above their weight, which is the sign of a good football administrator. I've not seen that he has quality contacts, or the ability to 'spot a player', and these are the main requirements of his job. A decent director of football manages to find quality, regardless of budget, and he hasn't brought in a single quality player (Hyam excepted, although he was identified before GB arrived). Broughton has had to work under increased financial pressure since June, but he has known that he would probably have 4 or 5 million to spend since last week, or before, so a DoF worth his salt would have had 2 quality players lined up in advance of Adam's departure, but no, not a single major signing to make up for the debacle of Jan '23. That's why the jury is out, and for many of us, he is part of the problem, not the solution. JDT's talent has provided protection for him for 18 months, but many of us see-through that. Are you any clearer now?

I feel a bit embarrassed to be marginally positive on here, but if all reported incomings arrive, it will feel a lot better than it did this lunchtime.... I happen to rate Andy Bayes's journalism, so I'll keep my fingers crossed. I know its a low bar to improve on last Jan, and I am totally critical of Broughton's performance since he arrived, but I'll retain a smidgen of optimism, at least until 11. None of these signings will work until Buckley returns, however. We need creativity in midfield. AW hasn't sparkled recently, but we'll notice his absence against better teams. As I say, fingers crossed, and bitten...

Yep, there'll be a few caught out by this, and a few who'll assume it's 8 due to tele selection. We could be out of sight by then, one way or the other 😀

It really doesn't look like they've sold anything like those numbers on the Select your own Seat view on the Ticket site. That's a relief, but it won't look and feel like 18,000. COYB!!!!

Yep, there will be a few walk-ups surprised they have to settle for the Riverside... For me, the Riverside is the best viewing experience in the ground... Estimated crowd? 20,000? Need our creative boys to turn up today... C O Y B !

That's better. It's matchday. Hope any waverers are deciding to bite the bullet and get down to Ewood. We genuinely need the vocal support. Hoping our new defensive unit benefit from the impressive but tough 90 min at Norwich. If we can repell them defensively for 45 minutes, we should be in front. I've told my PNE mates, and neutrals watching the tele, they they will see some neat, controlled football, with phases of brilliant, intricate passing, which SS and maybe even TD may finish off. If he decides to play LT, then AW needs to push on and look to directly test their keeper more. JRC is a miss, but as a result I look forward to CB ghosting into his usual midfield and forward roles, which no team can prepare for or manage. I'm nervous, it would be great to continue our momentum with a good '90 min', quality performance, and even hopefully the 3 points. Can we put 3 of our 9 decent chances away??? COYB, for Birdy....

Sorry to go off topic, but how do we feel about our chances of winning and replacing PNE in 6th place? As usual, I feel it could go either way. We will come out of the traps at speed, but we need to be as pro-active in the 2nd half as the 1st half. I'm worried he will feel he has to play Trav, after we were bullied at Ewood last season, although that was mainly Evans. We will run rings round them in the 1st 25 min, we just need to score, score, score. Lots of ale will have been taken so the atmosphere will be good, at least to start with. Really looking forward to it.

Bit worried about our attendance, never mind the away fans. I really think we need to make the Riverside seats £5 cheaper for these games, but that will never happen whilst our priority is to fill the JW for the 'TV view'. £30 min is steep for a Sky game. I know we'll sell a thousand over next 36 hours, so will make a good atmosphere, but every shout counts...

He's been disappointing for the last few weeks...

Did Ennis touch the ball????

Agree with all that but he's behind JRC, Brittain, and Hill.

Our full backs are Brittain and JRC, we just need our midfielders to step up and be Championship midfielders. This will allow us to play Hyam & Hill in the centre for the rest of the season... Pickering on the bench, with Carter. Boom...

Is JDT sending a clear message to GB by not including Telalovic in the squad, and not bringing Ennis on despite the perfect opportunity to give him vital minutes...?

Really good effort from the youngsters, as always. I'm proud of them, and how JDT has us playing, throughout the squad, in the face of seriously challenging working conditions. One Broughton blunder and one nailed on penalty decision away from a decent result. Decent-ish reward for our brilliant fans. Shame about that 2nd mistake..

I really think that Saturday, and then tonight, has showed that we don't have a nailed on 1st/best eleven. This is our equal best 11, with the addition of SS. We are short of a goalscorer, as we have been for the last year. And that Leonard effort shows that we are still short. Stage is set for an Ennis impact, if he is good enough....

Really good performance again. Sad that another mistake by Broughton has cost us. All to play for....

Ok, it's definitely not the West Ham 2022 scenario... Big, big test, bring it on.

That could've easily have been the starting 11 in the League, last week or this week. JDT definitely influenced by Poccetino's claims that he would start a strong eleven. We're as strong as we could be, let's do it....

Ok, 6 changes. Relatively experienced side. COYB !!!!!

We'll make between 6 - 10 changes from Saturday. It will arguably be a stronger starting 11 than West Ham last season, but I fear for our new central defence partnership of Hill and Scott. We'll be brave on the ball and driven on by our brilliant fans. You never know....🙂

What a great night, best penalty shoot-out I have seen, nerves of steel from our teenagers....

Wow. Few saying Scot W and Carter struggled, but just as many saying they were solid. Think they all deserve credit.

Brilliant result. Millwall's bogey team. Hopefully another few hundred on the gate on Saturday, they won't bring as many as Cardiff. Proud of the boys, after that dodgy run.

Perfect, thanks