Put your tongue back in , Scouse ; it's attracting the flies

The fact that we have a trust fund , coupled with a top manager who can not only balance the books and attract good players but undoubtedly move us into the higher reaches of the league (which itself brings in extra funds) means that the drop in attendances isn't necessarily as catostrophic as some people make out in the short term. In the long run it will be - the demographic situation alone will kill the club stone dead within 30 years . But for now we have to keep Hughes happy ; when he leaves , which he inevitably will , we need to be an established top 8 team . Giving him money is not like giving Souness money . Souness' dealings were avoidable mistakes (to say the least) Hopefully the board/trust fund can learn from their errors of the Souness era and realise that Hughes is a different kind of gamble completely . It has to said that if Hughes doesn't consider us ambitious enough , then our best players will come to the same conclusion . We could end up in a situation whereby a manager leaves us in a stronger position whilst also bringing us a net profit in the process - never mind a 900k deficit . That cannot be allowed tp happen .

Mmmm ....I suppose it all hinges on whether the sheikh will be deemed as an employee of the NoW (which he obviously was) and therefore the confidentiality clauses should apply . Very confusing . Nevertheless , I'm glad Sven's taking this course of action now ; the more publicity it generates and the more the police and judiciary are involved , then the greater the likelihood that the average punter in the street will get to know of the true extent of the alleged corruption . Sven might yet do English football a service ....

He could hardly sue the fake sheikh could he ? He doesn't exist ! I tend to think that Sven has a decent case against the NoW on the invasion of privacy and breach of confidence angle - although to pursue will just open him up to even more ridicule . It would be better for the greedy ba$tard just to forget it all and concentrate on the World Cup . I reckon he'll quietly let it drop after a while ...

Well let's compare him to Norman Whiteside then......

Stop trying to throw your weight around unnecessarily , Flopsy . Nobody's actually said that any of Souness' dealing were as bent as a nine bob note have they .....?

Oppression on a voluntary basis that is .....

Not sure we're on the same track , Philip . How would letting kids in for free (with an accompanying adult ) differ from letting them in for a nominal pound as has been done in the past ?

If he's better than Adu then he's worth the money Arsenal are spending ! Any news on Adu anyone ...?

Too true . This board would be the poorer without The Drog .....

All the stands are empty so they may as well go where they want . Or more importantly where their accompanying (paying) adult wants to go . It seems to me that the organised school parties may be proving too difficult to organise on a regular basis . Much better just to eradicate that by letting all kids under a certain age in for free . Not that I expect the Rovers to make such a bold move ....

Yep ; the local pubs are already advertising the fact . Wonderful service - give them your support

I was thinking more along the lines of anywhere in the ground - except perhaps the B'burn End if that were ever to be a fans' singing area . Otherwise they'd have to be supervised officially . For what they'd get by charging a quid they may as well let them in for nowt .

To get the place filled the Rovers have to get kids in for free on a PERMANENT basis . Obviously these kids will bring in adults with them so revenue will go up as well . Better to have seats filled with future fans than to have them sit at home worshiping Man U and Chelsea from their armchairs. Like Cletus I despair of the lack of imagination from the Rovers . I am also heartily sick and tired of those who blame the Blackburn public themselves for the fall in attendance .

Strangely enough I was also thinking along these lines during the game yesterday . He could only have been more effective than Bentley and as OJRovers said earlier , Peter could have given us something down the wing .

Wrong . It was his own conscious decision to disregard his contract and get on the bike . Let's have no scapegoats.

Just keep the noise down , Ozzie , that's all .....

More like our defending too deep and giving the ball away too much ....It doesn't take too much hard physical stuff to push Bentley and MGP out the game I'm afraid ...

You're a cynical man , Theno ....

Redknapp was the first prem manager I heard on the radio after Newell's allegations and he stated that he never had any involvement in the financial side of transfers . How far back he's talking about I don't know . I'm strongly of the opinion that if managers have been dodgy dealing then their bosses on the board are also culpable for not keeping them in check .

....I hope you gave them some stick over that

Stalin eh ? Eddie and Ewood Spark'll be chuffed

I'd want him exposed , but like yourself I'd be absolutely amazed - he seems far too decent and intelligent . Not sure I could say the same about certain of his predecessors but I wouldn't want to incur your wrath by implying anything about the Rovers' past transfers that would shed unfavourable light not only on any particular manager but on his immediate boss.... Like Newell says , you have to be naiive not to believe that corruption is rife . All boards should have a fans' rep on board IMO .... Good luck to Newell ; let's hear some names , close to home or not .

The club might not want to hear it but the economic and demographic factors in the town mean that sooner or later they must address the issue . I firmly believe that if we are to have a long term future kids , if accompanied by a paying adult , must be let in for a nominal fee - preferably for free . Adults might begrudge less paying £25+ a ticket if they can make it a family day out . At the moment they are choosing to spend their brass elsewhere and the club are losing both present and future fans . We are in a fortunate position at present in that we have the trust fund to rely on . A more professional approach is necessary to maximise the numbers attending even if it doesn't make financial sense in the short term . On a similar point something desperately needs to be done to help punters get in and out of the area quickly . Park and Ride schemes would help as would improved car park facilities .This also would cost money in the short term . Unfortunately it would also need the co-operation of our woefully uninterested council . Perhaps a PR campaign aimed at them might help .

True ; and a very good piece as well I might add . He was definitely right about the drummer !