Herbie6590

A slightly longer version of this week's Accrington Observer column Dack’s Double Keep Frustrations Bottled Up Northbound on the M1 around junction 37; some political graffiti has emerged during the early days of the election campaign. One of the epithets painted onto a bridge straddling the M1 proclaims that “Barnsley doesn’t believe bullspit Boris”...at least I think that’s what it says, though I did pass at seventy miles per hour on Saturday morning (honestly officer...). Based on sentiments expressed on fan forums and social media over recent weeks, Rovers fans are growing increasingly, similarly frustrated, with what is seen by some as the same tired, old platitudes trotted out each week from our manager. Same old problems, same old bullspit? When results are poor, it seems the performance is what matters but when performances are poor, it’s the results that take primacy. The players seem to be called out individually and collectively more frequently; referees are invariably in the firing line after defeats but as Mowbray himself admits, the buck stops with him. Indeed it does. Mowbray is a fundamentally decent man in a sport that tends not to laud the principles of honesty and integrity as it ought, but he does sound even more world-weary than usual of late. Would Barnsley prove to be willing accomplices in helping to cheer up Tony? Barnsley arrived on the crest of a slump, fifteen games since their last win, but with a newly installed manager inducing the fear of “new manager bounce” in the home support, concern was widespread around pre-match Ewood. Many (your correspondent included) expressed a desire for a win by almost any means. With some tricky fixtures looming on the horizon, this was one you would simply have to mark down as a “must win”. The team selected looked decent enough; Rothwell starting, Lenihan returning and with Williams and Nyambe unavailable, the main talking point on the bench was the inclusion of Ben Brereton following his injury rehabilitation. Once the game started though, it became clear that Sam Gallagher was to be deployed wide right and Adam Armstrong was played through the centre. I recall Mark Hughes once deploying Roque Santa Cruz wide right against Manchester United in order to dominate Patrice Evra in the air. Bentley, Pedersen and Reid picked out Santa Cruz with a series of diagonal balls that he won easily and Jason Roberts was then to feed on the supply. It almost worked but a Carlos Tevez equaliser late on secured an ill-deserved point for the Reds. First Brereton and now Gallagher are being used in this fashion, but as a regular tactic and I have yet to comprehend fully the rationale or see it demonstrably pay off. The Sam Gallagher of that opening half hour at Deepdale looked almost unplayable. Rampaging through the centre, latching onto channel balls to feet or dangerous crosses in the air. This incarnation looks what it is; very much a guy playing out of position and growing increasingly frustrated with his lot. When Danny Graham plays, the team has a focal point. He holds the ball up. He brings others into the game. He categorically brings the best out of Bradley Dack. He is also 34 years old of course and so some kind of alternative approach is needed, with increasing urgency. I’m not convinced that continuing to play either Gallagher or Brereton as right wingers moves us closer to the ultimate answer. As a tactic, it has all the logic of asking a plumber to re-wire your house. It might work, but be careful plugging in that lamp. Barnsley very nearly left Ewood with a point, in all honesty they could have had all three. They dominated possession, had more shots, the same number on target and in Ben Williams (a former Rovers youth player incidentally) at left back and the tricky Conor Chaplin introduced at half time, further ahead on the left flank, Elliott Bennett was a busy man, especially in the second half. It took a brace from Bradley Dack, a first Rovers league goal for Stewart Downing and some desperate defending late on to secure a much-needed, if barely deserved victory. We tend to remember those games where our team plays well but fails to accrue just desserts and soon forget those lucky wins. A defeat here you sensed would have uncorked the genie from the bottle of pent-up crowd discontent. The mood was at best “unsettled” – with each Barnsley equaliser the frustrations grew louder and more vocal. Dack’s winner kept it in check but only just. Ten games without a clean sheet now. Post-game, Tony Mowbray proclaimed that "Danny came on and gave us a platform to play off". He did indeed Tony, just as he so often does. Who knows, perhaps Sam Gallagher might have been able if played through the middle? Instead we had the master of the offside call, (I counted at least five in the first half) Adam Armstrong; pitted against a couple of massive centre backs as Christian Walton amongst others, launched high balls down the middle. A victory earned despite ourselves it seemed. Brentford were next up at Ewood allowing David Raya the opportunity to state his case that he was a better keeper than Tony Mowbray believed him to be. Brentford back in February of course was the catalyst for that horrible run of form that looked like it might threaten Rovers Championship place. Should Rovers race into another two-goal lead expect a lot of knowing glances being exchanged in the stands, but that would be a nice problem to have. As it turned out. a single-goal lead, the result of a lovely back to front, side to side sweeping passing movement was sufficient. It was delightful move, the best Rovers conjured up in the match. I wonder how many Rovers fans polled at 7:45pm would have declared one goal sufficient to garner three points? Not me for sure but what a pleasure when it happens. Brentford play some truly intricate passing moves and dominate possession but as we say so often, the most important statistic is the one in the goals scored column. In truth, Rovers could have had more, Raya's denial of Rothwell and Armstrong demonstrating what Rovers fans already knew. Brentford's best chance brought the very best out of Walton, who too had a decent evening. The win was a reward for effort, application and dare I say it, the manager. No Bennett in the starting XI, Graham playing through the middle, Armstrong wide right, Rothwell starting; many fans' frustrations addressed right here. Those two victories have certainly dispersed much of the gloom that was building up over Ewood. November will be seen out on Saturday with a trip to Stoke, themselves coming into the fixture following back to back wins under their new manager, Michael O’Neill. As one of those sides currently below Rovers in the table, this fixture is another that falls into the critical category. Maintaining a healthy margin over the sides in the relegation zone would undoubtedly keep the genie in the bottle...for now at least. Barnsley M1 bridge photo courtesy of @_thesaturdayboy on Twitter - a great follow if you like your quirky sports photography www.thesaturdayboy.co.uk

You should be able to yes. As long as iFollow sees you connected to a foreign IP address (hotel wifi?) then it should allow you to buy it. The issue is where the device is connected to the internet...or where iFollow *thinks* it is connected !

It’s a hellishly expensive hobby...especially when you don’t attend games or gain any discernible benefit from ownership...beats me what they get from it TBH. At least people who run classic cars usually drive them occasionally. ?‍♂️

Last accounts showed an overdraft of £12m with BoI cf a parent loan of c.£109m. The wording you quote is pretty standard “accountancy speak” in accounts of companies wholly reliant on parental support to keep trading. Nothing to see there. The issue is (as it has been since Jack bought the club in reality) we are not profitable & we rely on our owner to keep the club afloat. The borrowing from the BoI isn’t the issue, it’s Venky’s patience that is the issue.

For the sake of factual accuracy, I know it’s unfashionable during an election campaign...Rovers are not in hock to the Bank of India as per the last accounts. Rovers debt (save for a relatively modest overdraft) is to Venky’s.

No, youth development programmes are an allowable expense but not fees.

Yes, as recently as March.

I suspect “proper go” meant spending more than just the Brereton & Gallagher fees, though TBTF would have to confirm. If it didn’t, then by definition having spent that dosh we have had a “proper go” but just made a botch of it...which is a separate problem needing a separate solution.

Agreed

FFP regulations - we’d get hit with another transfer embargo & potentially a points deduction

Never go back...never the same 2nd time around. None of those listed has current working knowledge of the Championship. Nearest is Paul Lambert and he used to manage Aston Villa BTW but he rarely mentions it.

A slightly longer version of this week's Accrington Observer column Where To Source A Footballing Fix ? Yet another international break brings some light relief from Rovers’ current Championship tribulations; a chance to pause, reflect, re-set and look elsewhere for a footballing fix...but where exactly to find it? Let’s explore the options further... England This last week saw England play their 1,000th international fixture and secure qualification for next year’s Euros with a comfortable win over Montenegro; themselves without the services of the now-retired Rovers “legend”, Simon Vukcevic. In the course of those 1,000 matches Blackburn Rovers have contributed 48 players to the nation’s cause – the ninth highest contributing club to date - Spurs lead the way with 78. Without resorting to Google, can you name the last Rovers England international to date? (Answer lower down in the column). Those 48 players won 321 caps in total whilst also representing Rovers and contributing 41 of those is club legend Bob Crompton; ahead of Bryan Douglas on 36 and Ronnie Clayton with 35. Bob Crompton actually passed away following a heart attack suffered watching his beloved Rovers play Burnley during a war-time match in 1941. The 1995 title-winning team not entirely surprisingly, was something of a bedrock of modern Rovers England representation, providing seven internationals during the 1990’s halcyon days. In keeping with social media themes circulating last week, here is an England team of Blackburn Rovers internationals, fit to take on any other club representative England team in my biased viewpoint (and yes, please forgive the recency bias..!) :- Flowers Newton Clayton Eckersley Le Saux Douglas Batty Dunn Wilcox Sutton Shearer The problem position of second centre back would have to be resolved by playing say Bob Crompton inside at centre back, Bill Eckersley inside or more radically; Chris Sutton could drop back and make room for say, David Bentley to play the “Number 10” role behind Shearer. The substitute’s bench could accommodate such luminaries as the aforementioned Bob Crompton, Bobby Langton, Stuart Ripley and Stephen Warnock – yes, he was the most recent England international capped whilst on the staff at Ewood. Not a bad contribution from a town club and ahead of the likes of Newcastle, Leeds, Wolves, 1966 World Cup Winners West Ham Utd and...well, Burnley. League One Tried it, surprisingly enjoyed the enforced break, but don’t particularly want to go back again if I’m being scrupulously honest. But on a blank weekend for Rovers, I am not averse to undertaking a bit of ad-hoc scouting “just in case” you might say (!). “Surely both Rotherham and Stanley aren’t going up?” Well, no, they aren’t...but... With Accrington Stanley visiting my patch in South Yorkshire, the opportunity to drop into the exotically named New York Stadium once again, was too much to resist last weekend. It’s one of my favourite away grounds and one of the best examples of a club relocation in recent years. The Millmoor floodlights are still visible from outside but the new stadium is even closer to the town centre. You can easily park nearby, there are town centre pubs welcoming away fans, the view once you are in your seat is excellent, the sound is contained within the ground, generating decent atmosphere and most importantly, I can be home within twenty minutes or so of the final whistle. Both of these teams might be in different divisions next season based upon what I evidenced on Saturday. Rotherham seem tidy, well-organised and move the ball quickly to feet, making them tricky opponents. Stanley sadly, on Saturday’s first half evidence at least, look like they might have a bit of a battle on their hands this season. They were insipid in the opening forty-five minutes but at least made “a right good go of it” in the second half as Gary Bowyer would have it. It was too little too late and a single goal reverse does nothing for their confidence. Once again, a team I was supporting, wearing blue, came a cropper at the hands of the Millers. Rovers Return Back to the Ewood beat, Rovers next visitors are Barnsley in what is already in danger of taking on the mantle of a relegation six-pointer, even at this embryonic point of the season. Tony Mowbray’s expression and voice tone tend towards the world-weary at the best of times, but the last few weeks have given him particular cause to furrow his brow. Another reverse against the side currently bottom, with just a single victory so far - and that on the season’s opening day, against one of the favourites for promotion, Fulham - really would light up the forums you suspect. Since then, it’s been a tough old journey for Barnsley, but they have taken a point each off Derby, Swansea, West Brom and Bristol City so they need to be respected. Joey Barton’s best friend Daniel Stendel quit last month after a 5-1 defeat at Preston, capping a run of what was at that point 10 games without a win. That run has now stretched to 15 and playing a team on that sort of a run brings out the fatalist in my character. Radio advertisement voiceover: “Is your team struggling to find form? Without a win in 15 games you say? Why, come on down to our Ewood Park rehabilitation facility forthwith and receive the warmest of welcomes from the local back four...” Defeat here really would be ugly and deeply concerning. Just five points separate Rovers from the drop zone and of the teams currently beneath Rovers, Huddersfield seem to be on the up with new manager Danny Cowley and Stoke similarly with Michael O’Neill now in situ. This is no time for a slip up, unless Mauricio Pochettino really fancies a new challenge. Tony Mowbray knows that football is a results business and he will be fully aware that this is the second poor run in the calendar year. He has lost two key defenders to injury of course in Cunningham and Lenihan, but he has also constantly tinkered with the midfielders and forwards in front of his back four, much like a chef trying to conjure up some culinary magic by adding familiar ingredients and spices somewhat randomly to his dishes. “Bolognese...ummm...but what if we added curry powder or used prawns instead of mince...?” The opening twenty minutes at Deepdale demonstrated that when this side plays at pace, with courage and determination, they can be a match for the division’s best. However, the second half at Deepdale served only to emphasise that confidence is a brittle commodity and once lost, much like Prince Andrew’s credibility, is terrifically difficult to regain. After Barnsley comes Brentford at Ewood and then another “six-pointer” away at Stoke. The fixtures come thick and fast in the Championship and yes, it is definitely a results business. Right now, Rovers need to dig deep and find at least a couple from somewhere, fast. Or kidnap Mauricio Pochettino.

Christmas Jumpers out now... https://theterracestore.com/products/blackburn-christmas-jumper?_pos=5&_sid=81b0a8bbd&_ss=r

If a shop existed today that had sports stuff, records and toys under the same roof I think I’d move in TBH ? I don’t remember it myself but it sounds like heaven.

The book is an ideal Christmas present for a Rovers fan, easy & enjoyable reading....(apart from my quotes ?).

@Wegerleswiggle Ian Miller was on the home team & Vince O Keefe on the away side. Vince played out in the 2nd half & was better than everyone else on the pitch...except Windy who still had pace to burn in that company at his age ! As the old gag goes...”You can go past....the ball can go past...but not both...” ?

I did back in 2001 - it was the day after “that night” at Deepdale so there was a lot of joy around the place. Souey turned up,at one point to be interviewed by TV so I managed to get a photo with him as well. My rationale was it was my childhood ambition, I’m the same age as Mark Hughes & I thought if he can run around out there, then so can I..*? I absolutely loved it and you will always have those memories. So do it...?? * I couldn’t ?

Official launch event now publicised....

That’s how we paid for players in the Kendall/Saxton era isn’t it ? ?

I don’t remember Forbes TBH. I bought my school uniform from Grays (next to Reidy’s ?) & spent a lot of time in Gibson’s - both Accrington & Blackburn incarnations. Those were indeed the days...

Indeed...I posted something on Twitter to that effect - as this is for the Accy Observer I focused on Accy sports shops but I spent a fair amount of pocket money at Pratt’s in the 70’s. @arbitro I was involved in a lovely thread on Twitter a few years back reminiscing about traditional sports shop & they joined in, I think they major on cricket kit these days unless locals know better ? When I lived in Birmingham there was a fabulous shop run by a Harry Parkes at the top end of Corporation St, I didn’t realise for years that he was a former Villa player. When he died the shop disappeared and a part of me died as well. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/aston-villa-legend-harry-parkes-86711

A slightly longer version of this week's Accrington Observer column Feelgood Factor Soon Fades Away Well that didn’t last long did it? Any residual goodwill after the late, late show at Ewood last week soon dissipated and you might say “normal service” was resumed at Elland Road. This was always going to be a tough fixture but the reality of Saturday’s display demonstrated that whilst Leeds Utd are technically, extremely competent and well-drilled they are by no means unassailable, it's just that Rovers failed to prove the point. I first set foot in Elland Road as a small boy when, on the way home after a Sunday afternoon trip out to Knaresborough, York or somewhere roundabouts, we stopped off at the ground on the off chance that we might possibly be able to go in and take a peek. It was a fetish of mine back then and in truth still is; I love looking at empty football grounds. Even more so if you can sneak in to look behind the scenes. I once had the great fortune to work in an office block overlooking Benfica’s Estadio da Luz and struggled to concentrate if I sat next to the window. Holidays with me are also an absolute blast when I see a floodlight pylon or a cantilevered stand in the distance. Unimaginable today, but a gate was open, some routine maintenance was taking place and I could wander onto the actual turf that saw the likes of Bremner, Giles, Lorimer, Gray and Charlton J. perform every fortnight on their way to Championship and FA Cup successes. From that moment on, I took close interest in the fortunes of Leeds United, lured in further by that glorious Admiral away strip which launched the modern era of replica kit manufacture and marketing. All yellow with white & blue stripes and the infamous “smiley” badge. I loved it, but despite repeatedly dropping hints, it was never to be mine. I would steam up the windows of Gibsons, David Lloyd Sports and EJ Riley each in turn when out and about in Accrington, pointing and insisting on its suitability as a Christmas or birthday present. As an aside, there were three (count ‘em..!) mainstream sports shops in Accrington in those days; all selling actual sports equipment and kit; bats, rackets, spare studs even jockstraps - not knock off jeans, tea mugs and enormous “bags for life”. That’s possibly worthy of a column in its own right. Leave that thought with me... Back to Saturday, Rovers started reasonably brightly in fairness. They looked comfortable but the passing accuracy was awry all too often and the speed at which the ball was shifted from back to front was too slow even to threaten to cause Leeds any real damage. Lots of froth and bubble but little substance nor cutting edge. Leeds by contrast were the epitome of ruthless efficiency, the first two shots on target that Rovers allowed, delivered their opponents a two-nil lead. One characteristic that we have in common with Manchester City this past weekend. The opener coming from the penalty spot was certainly “soft” but despite many protestations on the terraces and social media, by the letter of the laws, it was awarded correctly. My benchmark for these sorts of decisions is; “Would I expect it to be awarded to us if the roles were reversed?” and had it been Gallagher blocked off in that manner by a Leeds defender, then yes, I would have expected to receive a penalty kick. Adarabioyo's challenge was clumsy, though undertaken with no malice intended, he looked rather like a man trying to shoo away a wasp at a picnic with his foot in order to protect his sandwiches. With Adarabioyo missing the ball completely, Ayling took advantage of the situation, emphasising the contact and falling dramatically in instalments to ensure that the referee had spotted the infringement. In fairness, the second Leeds goal was a thing of beauty and demonstrated the influence of Bielsa on this side. Rovers lose possession from their own throw-in near the half way line, Leeds sweep the ball back to their keeper, from left to right and back again. Phillips emerges centrally just outside his own penalty area and strides forward, unchallenged for the length of half the pitch. A long ball into the area is controlled with balletic grace by Bamford and laid on a plate for Harrison to curl one into the bottom corner. Eleven passes with nothing approximating pressure on the ball from Rovers until Bamford became involved. Had Rovers scored it, the away fans would possibly still be celebrating now. Two nil and fears of an impending mauling rise. Rovers raced into a two-goal lead at Deepdale of course only to see it drift away like the scent of a Hollands Pie in the breeze; would Leeds fall victim similarly? A corner saw Derek Williams meet the cross with a bullet header and so just before half-time, Rovers were very much back in the game. The second half sadly just seemed to peter out. The anxiety felt by Leeds players and their fans grew as the clock ticked but frankly, it’s hard to recall anything remotely resembling a clear-cut chance for Rovers in that 2nd half. Tony Mowbray once more threw on Danny Graham to try and make the ball stick up top. A few minutes later, John Buckley entered the fray as his wild card to try and make something unpredictable happen. “It worked against Wednesday, why not here?” seemed to be the logic. With his final substitution, rather than the erratic but often impactful Rothwell, Mowbray deployed Evans. A puzzling choice at the time. A baffling one with the benefit of mature reflection. In the aftermath, Mowbray chose to focus his ire (in public at least) on the award of the soft penalty. This was not entirely surprising although somewhat dispiriting, predictable and already this season, tediously repetitive. A solitary attempt on target across 90 minutes, all that Rovers were able to create is most definitely not the fault of the match officials. The failings of this squad are starting to accumulate. Talk of the play-offs has moved from being optimistic/ambitious to fanciful/ludicrous and in reality, the league table these days is studied from the bottom up. There’s a long way to go, but moving into another international break on the back of another defeat was the last thing this increasingly beleaguered team needed. Anyhow, back to those old sports shops in Accrington...

I see how you read that, it wasn’t really what I meant TBH - I was meaning Berg, Appleton etc & Venky’s less likely to pull the trigger these days.

This thread has gone way off topic...plenty of other places on here to discuss Venky’s, Tony, results etc etc

You may recall John as a guest on Episode 112 of the podcast, well the book can now be ordered from deCoubertin Books following this link. The book is published on 27th November 2019. https://www.decoubertin.co.uk/rovers It focuses on 1991-5 mainly, but references other periods of Rovers glory including the Howard Kendall years to provide a comprehensive story that will delight old & young Rovers fans alike. Podcast link here: