There was a few handbags outside at both games and at the train stations I think, doubt it was anymore than some ordinary league games. That was with 10k plus crowds and away followings of 2800 & 1200. What would this match draw ? 3 or 4K all in ?

As someone who watches the u21s when I can and have been to these fixtures in the past I'm aghast at this. It's absolutely pathetic they can't police a game that will be attended by no more than a couple of thousand fans. Never seen more than a few handbags or mouthing off at these and as usual most of it comes from the dark side.

Not seen it yet so hope to catch up on it this weekend. The Smith v Fielding fight could be an interesting one, can't see past Smith myself but may be a tough one for him.

Like a few others it was just before my time of starting going to Ewood but I was always aware of his time there. Remember as a kid reading the promotion brochure and seeing reports of that great run and some photos of the Bury game and being gutted I'd just missed out on it. Real legendary stuff and a massive achievement. RIP

It was mentioned a bit back that Williamson had played enough games last season to automatically trigger a clause for another year. Maybe they were going to look to phase him out last season but the injury crisis forced otherwise ? If Lowe wasn't injured I could've maybe seen them letting him go in Jan or out on loan.

We can't say for sure but on the face of it things surely looked like he was finding someone to play alongside Lowe rather than instead.

You have to ask yourself why it's come to people unfortunately saying these things. Then just look back at the evidence under Bowyers tenure in regards to Lowe, his selection, results etc. The answers are all there and whilst I don't want a player injured if he was available he'd have been in and it probably would have affected recent performances and results. Best case scenario here is he gets right then gets loaned out hopefully until he's 100% fit. We all know damn well he'll be back in as soon as he's available. It's a giant achilies heel of Bowyers sadly and he's changed the team just to accommodate this guy several times before so no reason to think he won't again.

A guy I know over there reckons they get about 4 or 5 k on but the gates are usually given as around 7+. He did say that quite a few bought season tickets covering several seasons otherwise there'd be even less on. Don't know if that's correct or not but it's amazing they get any on at all.

Which is a nice bonus and hopefully something that can be worked on. Never worked out great that way with Rudy as he just operated with a 'i'll just get my head to it' style and Rhodes often went the wrong way to his attempted flicks.

He's even putting it about a bit more this season in a better attempt at leading the line so that might suit one or two. He's likely only playing for his big move though which will surely come so they'll get their wish eventually. He must stay till the summer though....or else

Sounds like they played well again and it'll be handy having Taylor back, at least he isn't another defensive mid. I just wish a few more people would turn out to watch them when they play on Ewood, we get the same on at Leigh.

Just in exile I think.....or reincarnated

It's a poor do if they ban you, don't throw in the towel so easy. Anyway I'd be more inclined to call you Gav than Gordon

Eubank Jnr has just signed with Eddie Hearn and Adam Booth (formerly of Haye and Groves when he was looking decent) is now in his corner I think so expect his career to finally get going in the right direction. Best thing he can do though is get senior out of his corner.

More likely ticket sales are the reason. If it's just postponed a month then I think that tells the story. If Wlad tries to wriggle out of it then you might be right although I doubt it. I'd like to see Fury fight Wilder and I'd probably support him on that one, just before AJ comes along and spanks the lot !

All about opinions pal Anyway it's off now and I do feel for the guy on that score. I'll stick to my guns though and say it's all about timing. Even just on the British scene ten or fifteen years ago he'd have struggled to shine imo. I'll watch that when I get chance, read a few bits about him and yes he was certainly a pioneer and a 'lad' even before being a 'lad' was even thought of. Such unbelievable characters some boxers are, all adds to the interest for me.

If Fury wasn't such a dick I might find him entertaining but man I've never wanted to see someone knocked out so badly. Sky and everyone else are all over him but he's just a comedy act enjoying his 5 mins. On achievements he's no right to be in the ring with Klitschko yet but the division is so sparse of challengers he's there already. If he pulls it off then fair play to him but it's a travesty for boxing if a goon like him ends up with 4 world title belts.

Agreed, that punch allowed him to boss most of that fight and it gave people the wrong idea of him. Had Froch's head not been scrambled it's likely he would have got to Groves around midway. There was never any sign of that kind of performance from Groves before or after. People drumming him up because of the Saint George angle and seeing him as a possible to fill the Hatton void but in truth he was overated, just a good domestic fighter. Mind you he's a rich kid now so being a gobshite's done him no harm

I'll be honest I've never liked Groves one bit even well before the Froch fight although I do repect him as a fighter and a trier. So I haven't got a lot of sympathy for him and now he should quit whining and get back in line. He needs to work his way back after a very long rest if he carries on, the lad looks drained. Big competition in that division even domestically now and I think Degale or even young Smith takes him out without much bother at the min. He's been handed 3 title shots now and I couldn't see him getting past any of the top boys, time for some serious thinking George.

Gaz has stayed in tonight with a 6 pack of Special Brew, a live salmon as a snack and a box set of Bear Grylls dvds. I expect him on the touchline tomorrow night in nothing but a gym vest and a pair of combat pants, sporting an SAS tattoo. Lose if you dare he will scream !

The push for the play offs starts tomorrow night, infact if we win I can see a thread opening in it's honour !

I think it's also fair to say that had he ever got to grips with setting up the midfield and defence and bolstering them correctly during a near 3 year reign with over 30 players signed then, when bad luck does strike we can still come out of some games with a point or something. Keep conceding first just shows he's never created that platform for us to play from. He's kept faith with Hanley and Duffy again who underperformed so badly together last season . Despite them playing quite well individually this season the signs are still there that they just don't work well together. Both have been at fault numerous times for goals against this season already, it's repeat things like this as well as his rotation and the Lowe situation that show he'll never get to grips with job.

Correct, they could have done most of those points at ANY time in the last few years and anyone with any genuine Rovers connections would advise similar to those points. It could all have been turned around and still not cost them anymore than it has. I just hope their interest has now really reached the end, they are sick of it and just quietly exit at the end of the season. I think they just might but the final act could be us relegated.

No probs, totally agree with your last point as I'm absolutely convinced that IF we went down under this lot it's curtains. We'd follow the Lutons etc of this world. If we went down because they bailed and maybe admin brought someone with a damage limitation plan we'd probably establish ourselves in league 1 / 2 for a while. With these lot we are goners the downward trend has been in action since they walked through the door and there is no reason whatsoever to believe it would change.

You can't say that changing manager won't make a blind bit of difference of course it can and it's been proven time and again in football down the years. Yes it could get worse but if we keep losing then how can it. If a new guy steps in and simply does enough to keep us up it's all that's required at this moment in time.