Where to next for them? I've been trying to work that out by looking at some of their forums. The answer doesn't seem to be there. Surprisingly little traffic when you'd expect that they would be overrun with fury. Bolton fans beaten down by it all?

Just now, matt83 said:

I’ve no doubt we are Noblot just a few years behind them. When our regal owners get bored with their baby we will be left with £150 million oak debt and no way to pay it. So at that point it’s administration and the creditors will try to sell us as a going concern. If there’s no buyers wound up cease to exist. 

Its a genuine concern of mine. Trapped between the devil and the deep blue sea. 

If we aren't back in the top flight within a couple of seasons I suspect that we may be looking down the barrel of an existential crisis.

6 minutes ago, DE. said:

What's scary to me is that there are a lot of clubs, ourselves included, who could be in the exact same situation as Bolton should the owners suddenly decide they are done funding the club. The rotten underbelly of the game is being brutally exposed by what is happening at Bolton, and what would it do to the stability of the league structure if over the next few years there are multiple situations like this occurring? Are we reaching the point where the bubble bursts? The PL is largely immune from these issues at present, but how attractive is the PL with no viable structure below it? The footballing authorities have been sweeping this creeping problem under the carpet for over a decade now, but it feels like it's bursting at the seams now and could completely fall apart if there isn't a pretty huge change in the game's regulations.

This scares the shit out of me. Our owners are so unpredictable we could be in Bolton's position at any time for any (or no) reason.

Just now, S8 & Blue said:

Would you? Unthinkable.

The floaters have already jumped the sinking ship.

A phoenix club with a few thousand supporters can rocket up the leagues a la Wimbledon.

I think it depends on the club. Bolton and their fan base are so much like us in my view. We're not the most passionate and can be a bit cynical. They haven't really shown much fight in their resistance to various terrible regimes and I honestly don't think there's the will or passion in the town or amongst their fan base to build a viable phoenix club.

Just now, blueboy3333 said:

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17601649.bolton-wanderers-star-wants-to-quit-club-after-pay-battle/

Bolton players handing in his notice. Probably the 1st of many if they don't get paid.

Is he any good? We could do with a full-back or two.

Polish international so will be no mug. Wrong side for our needs though?

Just now, old darwen blue said:

Couldn’t care less what they think. 

Back to bolton, I recall their fans behaviour when we were protesting against the venkys and that is what prompted me to suggest karma has taken place. 

Fair enough. There's knobs amongst all support, just nip over to the Bolton News site for some prime examples of ours on the comments page. Cringe worthy. I don't want them to fold for selfish reasons, as I said, it could so easily be us. 

Probably what the Dingles are saying at the moment.

Shocking stuff at Bolton. They don't bother me and I don't consider them rivals but I've kept an eye on their circumstances. Shades of Stanley's demise with the latest development for me and the situation seems, for the first time really, to be critical. Their supporters must be absolutely frantic. Could so easily be us. Terrible.

2 minutes ago, Exiled in Toronto said:

I was under the impression only the Nuttall St stand was a Leitch design. Must dig out my Inglis first edition.

I think the Nuttall St Stand was a unique Leitch construction due to the 'crank' as it approached the Blackburn End. I wasn't aware that the Riverside was a Leitch stand but whilst, there were similarities with Goodison, Villa Park, Ibrox  and Fratton Park, it was still one of a kind. It became a bit of an eyesore in the 80's and looked like it was held together with corrugated iron around the back but it was my favourite part of the ground.

It's a shame that some of Leitch's grand old grounds have bitten the dust.

3 hours ago, Biz said:

“A hugely strange signing.” 4/10/18

“Imagine how much worse it will be if he is still a flop come January and we have to sell Dack to pay for him!” 5/10/18

“In my opinion, a signing as puzzling as many others in recent years.” 7/10/18

“£6m down the swanny” 13/10/18

“He's been a bit Chris Brown if anything.” 27/10/18

You've been very generous there. A cursory look through the dedicated thread is enough to confirm how much the usual suspects have enjoyed getting stuck into Ben Brereton.

Just now, S8 & Blue said:

I'm reliably informed by other learned members in the U-23 thread that size and physicality doesn't matter anymore.

So him being taller or stronger is completely irrelevant anyway ?

Naughty!

I get the feeling that we might have to put up with Journos speculating about Lenihan over the summer months ?

I'm surprised that Butterworth's burst into the box from within the centre circle and subsequent cross shot hasn't prompted more comment. Excellent balance, technique and no little confidence.

Just now, Parsonblue said:

That brought back memories Paul.  I remember Luke Staton playing for our youth and reserves - must be nearly twenty years ago, frightening how quickly times passes.  If I remember rightly he had a brief spell with Bolton after we released him and then ended up playing in Wales.

I didn't see him play but I remember him being touted as a real hot prospect and representing England at U18 level. Around the same time as James Thomas?

Looks to have done alright for himself and made a career in the game.

Does anyone else remember those bell ends Zulu and Tango Dancer who used to haunt this forum? (particularly around the time of Trotters games)

Just now, m1st said:

Really? Surely someone in the club's backroom must keep an eye on this Message Board?

Not saying that he'll act on our suggestions, mind!

I hope not!

Just now, S8 & Blue said:

That’s the way I see it, but in order to hold this opinion you have to accept that -

 

A ) TM was right

B ) TM has improved the player

 

that’s along with signing him in the first place!

 

Don't think we’ll see a concession along these lines from some.

 

Trav could go on to win a ballon d’or playing for us but TM would be getting pelter’s for not having him in the team as an under-9.

I bet TM has no idea that he is such a polarising figure. He doesn't seem the sort. I can see why people get frustrated with him but his cautious approach might have paid off with Travis and Rothwell.

Just now, roversfan99 said:

Rothwell wouldnt be a Rovers player at all if it wasnt for Mowbray so to say hes a good one in spite of Mowbray is a little unfair.

That being said, I dont think at this point in time you could judge him as a very good signing simply on account of lack of games and as a result, goals and assists.

Travis has much less reason to feel aggrieved about how he has been treated, indeed I have been pleasantly surprised that he has managed to break up the Evans and Smallwood axis on practically a permanent basis since coming into the team at Sheffield United. Deservedly so.

I'm under the impression that Rothwell wasn't getting a game because he was neglecting the ugly side of the game. Isn't it the case that the lad has displayed his abilities of late from a platform of doing the nasty stuff when he doesn't have the ball at his feet?

Just now, Stuart said:

He has done a decent job. In spite of the advantages in his favour last season, a complete novice would probably have mucked things up. Any decent manage would have got us up though.

However, I do not see him taking us any further and because of his own stubbornness will probably stick with most of this season’s team which could well see us in a relegation battle. Notwithstanding he has finally seen the light with Rothwell and Travis, there are still a lot of areas in the first team which needs upgrading.

What is your yardstick as to whether he has taken us as far as he can? Or would you only make a change if it looked like we could be in danger of relegation?

Could it be that Mowbray has made Travis and Rothwell better players?

Just now, blueboy3333 said:

I suppose to be taken seriously, or have your opinion taken seriously, you'd have to be a published historian on our great club, and not just a pleb on a forum. What do you reckon? 

Don't be so sensitive.

5 hours ago, blueboy3333 said:

It's refreshing that you're owning it. Fair play. 

The suggestion being that I'm completely one eyed in my views on this forum. This despite me stating that I think that we'd probably be better off with a new manager but that the constant sniping at Mowbray has been overdone. I know you're feeling a bit under siege at the moment but your lack of self awareness having spammed the forum for weeks is surprising nonetheless. 

Your constant snark is also very tedious but unlike your spamming I suppose that is subjective.

Just now, Stuart said:

But you and your ilk aren’t “enjoying wins”, you are enjoying the opportunity to score points.

Well, make hay while the sun shines.

Do you think any of our young players should be given a chance in the first team before the end of the season?

You and your "ilk" were doing exactly the same during the miserable run, which made it even more miserable. I often found myself starting to believe that some actually enjoyed defeats.

I was very disappointed with the line up yesterday and I'm not buying the "disrupting the u23's season" line.

I'm not Mowbray's biggest fan but I'm also not a fan of repetition and grinding negativity. 

Just now, Stuart said:

 

Interesting how emboldened they become after a run of 2 or 3 wins then disappear completely when normal service resumes.

 

Bloody Rovers fans on here enjoying wins.

Just now, Doug said:

Unfortunately not as I don't have sufficient spare time on my hands! ?

He doesn't like 'likes', he's hardly going to like Mowbray.

Just now, Paul Mani said:

Amazing how people simply remember what they like to...??

Bowyer did a VERY good job for us BUT he blew his moment. That season was the one he had to achieve his goal. When he failed, I wanted him gone too. The club is always my priority. I just refuse to act like a spoilt child every time there’s a few bad results. ?

To be fair it was more than "a few bad results". It was the manner of some of those defeats in that terrible run and the amount of goals shipped. It was unacceptable and very worrying that Mowbray either couldn't stop it or wasn't learning. I lost confidence in him and suspect that we might do better with someone else.

That having been said, some of the criticism went too far for too long. He's not the mug some would have you believe but you'd struggle to find nuance anywhere on this forum.