J*B

We’ve (somehow) agreed a deal with BRFCS legend Alan ‘Nicko’ Nixon to feature his Rovers stories on BRFCS. The first of which is now live for those wanting to keep track: https://www.brfcs.com/magazine/articles/o'brien...-oh-dear.../348 Future articles coming soon… as always, if you want to contribute, we’re open to it. If you reckon you’ve got a Rovers exclusive, there’s a deal to be made.

Straight into message board gold, both of you.

Blackburn’s on-off move for Lewis O’Brien move is in the balance … and here is the breakdown of the drama. Deadline day starts with Rovers following up a previous inquiry for the Nottingham Forest midfielder. Rovers are happy to pay his wages in full on loan for the rest of the season and wait on the player to decide. West Brom coach Carlos Corberan wants his old Huddersfield player to join his squad but the club is yet to commit. Sheffield United are desperate for O’Brien and the player is keen on them. However Blades are under a transfer embargo and need to sell Sander Berge. The Norwegian is waiting on Newcastle, who do not seem keen come the crunch. Alternative choices are headed by Brighton but they pull the plug in Moises Caicedo leaving and do not come in. By this point Blackburn have kicked on and say they will take O’Brien and agree to the Forest demand that they sign him for £10 million. This part of the deal hinges on Rovers being promoted and they are happy to do that. Baggies do not want to sign up for that plan. At 3pm on deadline day O’Brien gives the green light to Blackburn and heads to Manchester for a medical. There are no snags and his agents are at Blackburn to sort out terms on the potential full time move at the end of it. O’Brien’s advisors and Blackburn discuss what the wages and length of contract will be in the deal should they go up. Those figures are disclosed and Blackburn are not out off, but no contract for that eventuality is signed. Paperwork is done and sent over for the loan but the timing is delayed by those discussions over the future of the player AFTER the end of the season. There are no problems again and Forest say they are happy for the deal to go ahead on the basis agreed between the clubs. In the frantic final minutes O’Brien, who did his interview with the club press, was interrupted just before the deadline to sign the form. But then it is discovered that ONE signed form that was needed for the deal to proceed was not sent off after it was signed before 11pm. Now the EFL are looking into the details and the explanations of the case - among several others that are also borderline decisions.

Pure speculation based on hearsay but I don’t think this happens. I think the problem is we didn’t agree a contract with O’Brien in time if the future fee was activated. We agreed the loan deal and the future transfer obligation, but not the specifics of the player contract.

It’s probably announcement delay anxiety but I’m worried now.

“O Brien, Brierley and Markanday going on loan. Didn’t get a forward.” Thats just landed… I’m going to bed.

Rochdale fans on Twitter are saying we’ve signed Ethan Brierley — have I kept everyone up to see we’ve announced a 19-year old kid from Rochdale? We’re about to find out…

No no no! Stop this!

Now you’re all beginning to learn.

Being told it’s more than one signing and worth staying up for. As always, not ITK, relaying info.

I’m looking at holiday homes in Spain here. A game AND deadline day, on the same day? Here’s a live image of me sleeping tonight! *caveat, not true. I stupidly decided BRFCS would be a not for profit.

I’ve just been told the same on a couple of Rovers groups.

I can’t for the life of me work out why we’d spend a penny on a centre back when we are so desperate for a number 9.

I’m desperately trying to work out if I can put together a BRFCS therapy and support session over Zoom this evening. I’m thinking meditation, positive reinforcement chanting, yoga then a self observation discussion.

I reckon Bristol City signing Anis Mehmedi is the best move so far in our division. 1.8M is the rumour - or a Sammie Szmodics in another currency.

OK, I'm into panic stations now and thinking logistics. Rovers usually arrive at away games 60 minutes before the match (I believe?) On a good run, without traffic, Brockhall to Birmingham City is 2 hours 30 minutes on a coach. Rovers kick off at 7:45pm I reckon we have 36 minutes before the coach leaves for the game and the opportunity for a player to meet the manager before they sign is over. Does a player sign without meeting the manager in person? I'm not sure, does anyone know how normal that would be?

Astonished it’s 1pm and there’s no rumour of a striker.

Wow - Tayo Edun in the squad tonight according to Sharpe. I thought he was on the way out.

If I had to bet, I would say Sheff United will sell Berge to get out of their embargo and loan OBrien to get them promoted.

I can’t for the life of me work out why we didn’t sell Brereton if we don’t expect to finish in the top six. I don’t mind the ‘no expectation of playoffs’ and can see sense in it. But if that’s the plan you sell BBD.

The positive to this is the clown will never get a job here after this.

JDTs favourite is Fyles. Was recently the 19th man.

All quiet on the western front!

I’ve asked the club to change this and they ‘respectfully disagree’ with my concern. I believe under the headline: Blackburn Rovers wish to provide the following update regarding the report of racial abuse during Saturday's FA Cup fixture against Birmingham City. The following statement reads as if their is a minority of racist fans: "Blackburn Rovers condemns all forms of discrimination and we will seek the strongest possible sanctions in order to tackle anti-social and/or criminal behaviour. The mindless minority who choose to disrespect the club and behave in an offensive manner are not welcome at Ewood Park.” The club believes it is clear two separate issues are being discussed, anti social behaviour and racism. I don’t — and to go further — think the two are separate issues that should be addressed separately to avoid confusion. I suspect the narrative from those wanting to put the people of Blackburn, and Rovers fans under a bad light will be “a mindless minority… racist abuse”. If my suspicious are correct this could taint our club and our people for a long time to come.

My bad!