Agree with the second bit, and it had crossed my mind. Don’t think so re - the first part. If he was ill I think they would have just come out and said so.

Yes, with all the good work being done by the supporters groups, I was looking forward to seeing more occupied seats and a better atmosphere. The Szmodics news has deflated my anticipation. We need an unlikely hero or two tomorrow 🙏

I suspect there is more than meets the eye to this story. Perhaps Szmodics has approached JDT and requested to be left out. He’s recently withdrawn from the Ireland squad for family reasons.

…….and tomorrow’s match is brought to you in association with the number zero.

Another parallel - the government doesn't give a sh*t about the railway, in the same way that Venkys don't give a sh*t about Rovers.

The problem is, having a small, inexperienced squad could really come home to roost during the busy Christmas period. I fear it could be a horror show. Thank goodness this is a free midweek.

I still think he is doing a good job, under the circumstances. Today was a reality check. I mentioned a few days ago about a seasoned, wily wheeler dealer being better suited to the constraints we are working under. At a club that was skint but well run, that could work with the right appointment. Alas, this is Venkys Rovers, and we will continue with the vanity project, with an inexperienced DOF signing random players, (and not enough to mitigate for all our injuries), and chucking them at the Head Coach. Even if we did go back to a more old fashioned structure, ie a manager, we would no doubt make another terrible appointment.

Pretty much sums it up. Fortunately, we are comfortably placed in the table, for now, but the writing is firmly on the wall for the not too distant future.

Watford aren’t going to be short of confidence after today. Thank goodness we won on Tuesday. Surely even the most optimistic will now realise the play offs are a pipe dream this season. I hate to think where we’ll be this time next season.

Can we have a Chaddy and Mercer podcast, please? I’d definitely subscribe.

Paul Robinson wanted to go up for a corner in injury time, but said after the game that Bowyer said “no” as he wanted to “protect a point”. If that doesn’t tell you everything you need to know about our lack of ambition …….

100% agree, and JDT isn't perfect, (no head coach / manager is), but with a flimsy, youthful squad he has us sitting comfortably in the top half of the table. With someone less able I think we could've easily have found ourselves in relegation trouble. We want to be in the top six, (preferably the top two), but under these owners, and the goons they appoint to the club's hierarchy, that simply isn't going to happen.

At some point, I’m sure JDT will. Just to clarify, I’m not at all happy with the current state of Blackburn Rovers, and the low crowds and flat atmosphere are demoralising. I just don’t believe any of the blame should be laid at JDT, because under the circumstances he is doing exceptionally well.

I am quite obviously aware of that, but that still doesn’t mean Telalovic is the answer.

When we did see him, (albeit briefly), he looked miles away. Even if JDT did just bung him in, I think he would get lost in the same way that Leonard and Ennis do. If there’s one position that JDT should be a good judge of it’s surely centre forward. He might come good in time, but we clearly needed at least one out and out striker who was oven ready to come in and make an impact.

With the resources at his disposal, JDT does well to have such a high win percentage. Expecting him to win in style is really pushing it. He can’t even be blamed for the players brought in during his tenure, because they are not his signings. It’s painfully obvious we lack pace in attack and a decent , actual striker.

Sunderland are ambitious and want to go up, so didn't let Mowbray outstay his welcome. For us, it's the exact opposite of the above.

Agreed, the attendances are nothing to do with JDT, who is doing a great job under very difficult circumstances. They are a result of thirteen years of terrible ownership, and a justified lack of faith in the direction of the club until Venkys leave.

Well at least the empty seats will include those in the Darwen End this evening. We can only hope the flat track bullies ride this evening, to lift what is sure to be a morgue like atmosphere, (bar the usual Burnley based chants).

Agreed, he’ll definitely take it if given the opportunity.

Which is why I think the current circumstances lend themselves more to a wily, experienced manager, rather than our current set up. This is just an ongoing vanity project. That said, I certainly don't blame JDT, and the next Head Coach /Manager is likely to be a downgrade.

This. The powers that be will be happy that we added more value to the squad today. The match day experience at Ewood is now utterly demoralising, and it rubs our noses in it when a full Darwen End is in stark contrast to the rest of the ground. Reasonable effort today, but never laid a glove on them. Predictable.

Good to see we’re giving Leeds fans our oldest rolling stock 🙂

Think we might be lucky with timing. Radar suggests it will dry up from late morning and stay dry during the game.

I've just checked and it's on the public timetable, so isn't a special, as such, more an extra service due to demand. For my employer it's kerching! 🙂