1 minute ago, J*B said:

How often do you read this message board out of interest?

Apologies. Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.

One of our self proclaimed ITKers used to trot the opposite out to quite the amount of (deserved) derision. 

Struggling to believe this, are our owners refusing to sign cheques?

Travis, as a player, isn't bad but isn't great either. The problem here is that he'll be a hell of a lot better than the pile of dung that replaces him. That's if we even do replace him.

On a slightly related topic, I saw Keith Andrews in Hawksmoor restaurant in Manchester last week. He was in with all the Sheff Utd staff prior to them playing City - how the hell has he pulled that gig?

3 minutes ago, CambridgeRover said:

Unsackable gk coach, unsackable firs team coach. Welcome to the clown world

The retention of these 2 through various regime changes has always felt iffy to me.

I mean, look at the state of Stig of the dump Lowe, he wouldn't look out of place in a shop doorway yet he continues in employment at Ewood overseeing year after year of decline.

4 hours ago, Sparks Rover said:

He decided to go back weeks ago and he didn't want to get injured.  Big few months ahead for young James.  We are a basket case.

That would suggest that, as I have suspected, all is not well within the squad and maybe the players have stopped playing for the manager? It would explain a lot.

1 hour ago, Leonard Venkhater said:

We wondered the very same.

Something afoot...

I thought it when he was left out earlier in the Christmas period.  Surprised he played today to be honest because he's getting sold along with a couple of others - hence the Indian delegation at Ewood.

2 hours ago, booth said:

He's on the bench every match. I imagine if JDT and Remy go, he'll be caretaker.

Good, those leaks in the Riverside might get sorted then and he can give the stadium a power wash.

5 minutes ago, martonrover said:

Buckley will be as much use as a chocolate teapot in a survival scrap, for us or Wednesday.

Indeed. "Balls of Steel" Buckley is exactly what we don't need in a relegation battle.

3 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

Missed out on the play offs to the Premier League on goal difference. 

What’s the response?

Normal club? One more heave!

Here? Slash the budget and tell the media that the club is happy to just stay out of the third division.

 

What’s the point of any of this?

In the 40+ years I have been watching us there has always been some ambition, even when we literally didn't have a pot to piss in. Now, not only is there the intimation we cannot compete but our CEO is actively telling us what the 'height' of our ambitions are - survival with billionaire owners.

Your last sentence stands tall, what is the point?

How many of our cash buys could we actually sell now at a profit? 

Szmodics - possibly

Hyam - maybe

Markanday, Pears, Wahlstedt, Brittain, Pickering, Gallagher, Telalovic? Not a chance. And before these we had jokers like Edun and Davenport who made no impact and disappeared out of the club.

It's piss poor recruitment and it's been going on for years. When you're checking the back of the sofa for loose change you can't afford this many mistakes.

1 hour ago, chaddyrovers said:

My world is very simple and easy

Oh I don't doubt that.

1 hour ago, Rover8T4 said:

In other news, spoke to Bucko earlier and he says he's out for 40 days. We need all the help we can get, so hopefully he's recalled 

Like our lads he's giving up football for Lent. Or something like that.

When you have billionaire owners selling players to pay the bills and a large part of the fanbase thankful to them for keeping the lights on you know you're in trouble.

4 minutes ago, West Yorks Rover said:

They obviously did nowt, sat around and had a coffee ?

I reckon they had a game of beer pong. Ennis won of course.

I see Morgan Whittaker has bagged another brace this afternoon, excellent player at this level and costs about the same as a German pub player.

Blimey, no excuse for just downing tools. Yes we have injuries, yes games come thick and fast but to just give up is unforgivable.

1 minute ago, Blow-in said:

You were not alone!

Yes, there were a few lauding him after his first sub appearance based on him dealing with a couple of back passes and looking good in a keeper shirt. I said at the time he looked weak and hesitant.

Just now, Oldgregg86 said:

I’ve just seen Leo catch it 😂

That's funny. The Leo I see is cat shit.

This keeper is shite. Arguably at fault for the last 3 goals conceded.

2 hours ago, Rogerb said:

Bloody Chorley are exploiting well and up to third.

With Paul Caddis's Hereford just behind them

3 hours ago, sympatheticclaret said:

Gents,

Enjoyed my first visit to Ewood since 1988, courtesy of my Rovers supporting friend. I thought the Fanzone set up was excellent and great to briefly meet Miller11 & Herbie6590, the latter for the first time since 1981. For obvious reasons, I kept my usual allegiances quiet. I almost felt myself " going native ", when Rovers took an early lead, but quickly had a word with myself ..

Rovers were good value for their lead at half-time but, as others have said, the combination of tiredness of young players, and the  quality Watford had from the bench proved the difference. Both keepers made a belting save each, and I thought a draw would have been a fairer result. Before he tired, Adam Warton looked the standout player from both sides, you have a gem there ..

Salvation Army Band playing at half-time took me back years, a lovely touch and the sight of what was presumably a Granddaughter, arm in arm with an elderly Gent with a stick reminded me that, whatever the local rivalries, there is still far more that unites fans than divides them ..

Have a lovely Christmas, all, and best wishes for 2024 ... 

 

Class act you are pal. All the best to you and yours.

5 hours ago, rigger said:

Why ? We will lose Hill, Morton and probably Adam Wharton. 

Completely agree. There's no such thing as building a squad over consecutive seasons at Ewood as we're reliant on loans and selling our better players for a profit every summer.

The longer this goes on, the more chance we'll regress so we have to take our chances when they come. And soon.

Bad result that but this is what happens after years and years of reducing investment in the squad.

Why the hell are we chasing the game when we're in possession?