Devon Rover

There is a time for holding your nerve and sticking with something in the belief things will turn around. Then there is a time for making things change by trying something different. For me, we are in the second of those. The tactical approach this season isnt working. I would try something different to take control of a significant slump. That's an important part of a managers job and I think he needs to take meaningful action, now. But I agree that the team and formation above is probably what he will stick with again. 2-0 Stoke.

This is not intended to be negative, especially as I think those statements are very good. But what is the intended audience and influence for them? Until Glen kindly posted them above, I hadn't seen them. That's probably because I'm not a group member. But I would imagine it isn't group members who need to receive and read the statements but those of us outside them, and the media, if they are to have any effect. Have I missed those anywhere, in which case ignore me?!

I should add: I don't think the decision to stop the game was wrong and it isn't the main issue in the grand scheme of things. Im just not sure a justification for it based on danger is necessarily helpful or appropriate. But I've asked the question because I may be misunderstanding.

It should, but it won't.

This might have been covered already but, genuine question, what is the "danger" to players in playing out the last 10 minutes of a match 16,000 people have paid to attend, on a pitch where the ball won't bounce or roll? My 16-year-old plays football matches each Sunday on pitches that undulate and contain random holes. Occasionally the pitch, which has no designed drainage, becomes waterlogged during a game. Is that any more or less dangerous? Because they play to the end unless there is lightning. I'm a bit confused by the references to danger.

Agreed on ability and style of team that he'd need. In terms of selling or loaning him - I don't really care, to be honest. Either way, we aren't going to use the sale money and/or wage saving to invest in the team. The money we have received from other sales in the transfer window (and previously) primarily subsidises and mitigates Venkys' losses and inability (unwillingness) to invest. In my mind, the more money we bring in through player sales, the longer Venkys can drag out the destruction of Blackburn Rovers. If we have to get rid of Gueye for financial reasons then, on balance and outside of the window, I'd favour loaning him out and hoping he finds a semblance of form that enables him to contribute something more to our team on his return. Because we aren't likely to replace him with anything much better.

That's definitely one word. I was thinking of the words "the lazy part-time bastards".

Totally agree. It is easy for any of us to comment on what departed staff should do but, having been in a similar position before, it can impact on your self-confidence, health, and anxiety levels about future career opportunities (if you have years ahead still to work). In my situation, I became nervous, withdrawn, and just desperately keen to find a way to move on. Blowing a whistle, or engaging a lawyer, were the last things I, or my family needed me to do. For others, it might be exactly what is needed to move on, but I think it's important not to judge what someone should or shouldn't do - even if it seems like the logical/ required thing. The greater good doesn't always come into it when it is family, health and mortgage payments on the line. This is all desperately sad stuff, though, for all except those very senior at our club, Whilst they are here, it isn't my club.

I might have missed it but, "good enough" for what? Avoiding relegation, pootling around middle table, or pushing for playoffs/promotion? The lists of players considered good enough, or not, would, I assume, change based on the aspirations.

I've never known an organisation to be so keen to convince everyone of how hard they are "pushing" for things (acquisitions, contracts, etc, etc) to happen, whilst not actually delivering any of those things, then repeating the same thing, over and over. All whilst senior members of the organisation speak to the press about being "confused", or their standard working environment being "difficult" or "strange". Meanwhile their competitors just get on with actually making things happen. Bloody amateurs, the lot of them.

On field Balaji BJ.

But the players you list there, except Cantwell, are defenders. I don't think anyone would suggest it wasn't a good defensive performance (apart from the very, very poor errors in the last 10 mins or so). But in terms of attacking play, chance creation, and goals, we look a very poor team and it was another unimpressive performance, in that regard. That has to be a concern for everyone, as should three goals on target in two games. It isn't just a stat for which no monkeys should be flown. It is a basic, important, and meaningful indicator of where the team's definicies lie. Unfortunately it won't resonate with our owners so I guess it doesn't matter, but any supporter unconcerned about this major flaw in the team must be facing the pitch but not really seeing.

Yes, i think that is three shots on target in 200+ minutes of Championship football. It is nowhere near good enough, yet no surprise based on the transfer dealings of the club. There is little to defend here.

I'm talking about a recurrent habit of falling away and conceding defeat from the jaws of victory or useful points. It doesn't really matter what the pattern of play was, the result was the same.

I was thinking this, too. Going into the last 5 mins I felt sure City would have at least one big chance to get something from the game. And when it went to 1-1 with 10 extra minutes to play, I felt no confidence whatsoever that Rovers would strike back. There have been so many of our games that play out like this late in the match - and (virtually) never in our favour. That speaks not to refereeing, or 'luck', but to character, mindset, fitness, confidence, or all the above. The club has become overrun by losers and people who aren't good enough for whatever role they have, at all levels. We are a mess and I defy anyone to say administration and a fresh start would not be preferable to this horrific experience.