Ben Marshall can take a running jump.

Yep it's the sheer number of clubs and the close proximity to huge worldwide names in big cities that dilutes it a bit around the North West any muppet can see this but each clubs hardcore fanbase are as passionate as they come just not huge in number. A quick glance at Boros gates when Mowbray was in charge might make interesting reading and something that might need pointing out to him and Steve. Yes they can pull a bigger crowd overnight and now get healthy averages but the main reason for that is despite being a similar size and economics to Blackburn it has Stockton and the doorstep and is miles away from anywhere else meaning double our core catchment.

Did they 'sell' their best player to finance a two or three in one out building job or did they get an offer they couldn't really refuse along with the player wanting to leave then have gone about reinvesting astutely ? It can be dressed up many ways.

Welcome to Blackburn Steve, soon slotted in to the arse covering blame the fans mantra. Tbh it is a bit disappointing when they are signing a few players for decent money that it doesn't seem to have got a bit more interest going again but there are still so many reservations about if/when they'll start selling others and if the manager will get a bit more ambitious in his tactics. End of the day as pointed out we are just a midtable second tier outfit now who have enough about them to stay out of big trouble and an outside chance of crashing the top 6. It's just like the late 80's except everything costs more. Crowds are pretty stable for that version of BRFC. Welcome to Blackburn Steve !

Wasn't it touched on that the City kid was guaranteed a certain number of games at West Brom hence him being shoe horned to right back ? Either way what he does bring is much needed height that'll be his main attribute despite being raw and something we need but other than that the jury is well out but i love how he's being turned into the reincarnation of Samba.....because his club manager happens to be Pep.. ? I'd not be surprised in the slightest if he begins his Rovers tenure at right back either coming on as sub or when Mowbray finds another slot for Bennett. All they've really done to try and bolster the defence is go for the highest profile cheap option, pretty risky i think this debate will get really tasty in the next few weeks.

As soon as Bowyer moved Lowe from middle to right back and left a right back on the bench it set the tone of the season. I hope this Tone is a tad more ambitious.

Yes very good point he was an instant upgrade but it was league 1 after all i'm not sure how he'd have coped having a first full season at Champ level at that point. As for Steele it's another of those, he has a well connected agent or he works cheap so is seen as handy 2nd/3rd choice.

And also bought Steele ?

Charlton have never turned out up here aside from their operation Ewood a few years back with free travel etc. I think they were celebrating winning the second tier one season and last away game was up here, 800 they brought. Can't be too harsh though they probably don't have loads of exiles living up here to boost numbers a bit like when we go down there.

This. But then again it's one for the manager to sort and he's given himself a few options now. Evans is never going to turn into David Batty but for once in that spot it would be nice to have someone who can put a foot in AND pass the ball 3 yards instead of having 1 who can tackle and 1 who can pass backwards but sod all; else between them.

Sounds like it wasn't a bad fee for Nuttall the lad still has lots of lower division potential and he was handy to have around although a bit bizarre how he was overlooked at times. That though probably reflected his lack of all round game he's a lurker rather than a worker and a poacher rather than target man at this level. Worth the experiment though and they've got a bit back towards covering it so best of luck, feed him and he'll bag a few.

It's an unforgiving industry at times and he's got plenty adulation and hero worship for his scoring exploits but his job is to help keep them out so no he hasn't done more than enough. 20k+ plus per week and being allowed to put country before club at times is more than enough to take a bit of justified flak.

Once went to watch Brum v Newcastle with a Geordie mate in a midweek game at the pre redeveloped St Andrews hell hole because Speedie was playing for them. He didn't disappoint after being taunted throughout by the barcodes on the back his his antics and goals towards them at Ewood a few seasons before he clattered their keeper right in front of them who if i recall correctly had to be stretchered off. Then under even more hostile abuse he 'did' the sub keeper who spent the rest of the game reaching for smelling salts from the back of his net. Can't even remember who won. On the City lad if he's good enough he could play the guy has just done almost a season for West Brom. While some do reach for the beating stick too quickly others will make up every excuse that comes off the top of their heads for the manager. Tony has already said certain players for a certain games so the tombola will be in overdrive next season aside from the usual senior favs. This is why he loves back up signings it gives him license to jiggle about constantly it's the way he works and always has. He won't change now so we have to lump it.

Colin Hendry as well i think.

He has though.....Downing ?

Landlords over Buckshaw way will be hopeful too.

Experienced keeper that won't cost 25/40k pwk like some of the other higher profile names, makes more sense really.

I think due to his experience he's done lots of good work behind the scenes, a bit more than just a steady hand like Bowyer but on the pitch and in the transfer market he's bang on par with GB yet for me.

Seems like he's banking on a taller keeper and two out of position older/old heads to stand up a bit more in the full back positions and try and cut out a few more crosses. Rocket science i think they call it !

He'll have to find another spot for Bennett so it may take a couple of weeks for someone else to be out and create his starting place......

There was also a recent one at Huddersfield although nothing like our numbers where i think debt owed to the owner was put back onto the club when it changed hands. Not sure what's happened since but it's possible although the amount we owe them would shut the club overnight if they did that. Whilst it's secured in India if it is real debt then it's ok and i suppose the main thing is keeping the BOI happy. Recent funding suggests they are happy with the squad value now as outlay is recoupable.

Any chance of anyone taking Smallwood for free or a very modest fee ? Yes probably but any chance of anyone paying him similar wages or him taking a big cut to move ? No probably not. Rinse and repeat for several others leaves us where we are, that is in the remote possibility that the gaffer actually wants rid ! I'm sure the bean counters do but it is what it is. As you were.

I back Mowbray on that score but what puzzles is why they keep wasting their time and don't move on. Where is his scouting network and what does it ever turn up ? They wasted time on no 1 defenders are coming target Bauer only to lose that but right at the beginning of the window so plenty time to follow other targets up surely. Instead we've been hanging on Rodwell coming back from holiday and declaring his devotion and this lad for weeks where there are clearly several snags. Still waiting for things we get presented by 3rd parties instead of being proactive it looks like.

But if the aim is 15th to 10th then whilst blooding youngsters, putting value in others and plugging gaps with pals and senior favs then it is acceptable to those implementing it i suppose. That was half the problem of the GB era, i think it's a club mindset rather his.

Very worrying if he thinks sticking his very mediocre hardworking right sided midfielder at right back and his 35 yr old former winger jobs for the boys signing at left back will solve last seasons defensive issues. Every window he seems to try and strengthen the forward areas but at the same time weaken an already week defence it's a genuinely bizarre policy no matter how any PR spinners try and dress it up. Hopefully Sat was just one of his multitude of experiments and a bit of sense will prevail before the big kick off, maybe it'll work for a while but to me it's another of those just waiting to be found out systems.