mmm fair question, if nothing else he earned a ton of respect and now he's earned the disrespect (mine at least). But then I feel the same about Shearer and he was a legend (or is that a leg end mmm).

Ah, I see. A scenario: man woos a woman, the woman falls for the man, they marry and make their legal covenants to each other. The wife then gets tempted by another bloke with more cash and pisses off. A question: do you reflect on the warm memories of the good times or do feel aggrieved at the treatment you received? Personally I'm enraged by the actions not placated by the memories.

Why on earth would he say any of this stuff!? It's ridiculously naïve. Why didn't his agent stop him. He has to come back to Ewood this season, why get everybody's back up with stupid unnecessary comments like that. He was a legend at our club and held in great regard by the fans now it turns out he gave us two fingers and told the club to do one. Don't know about you but I love rejection. What kind of reaction does he anticipate? If he aspires to get into coaching after his playing career is ended he's pissing on his chips with any return to us. I defo would have given him real good round of applause when he came back to play against us but after treating us with such disrespect he'll get an earful. Self centred and entitled like all the rest of the overpaid footballing pre Madonnas, absolutely no respect for those who make them as rich as they are. Do one Sammy.

Beck will be the toughest of acts to follow. This guys on a hiding to nothing if he signs on as a LB. He has no reputation as a defensive back and if it's left sided pace Gestedes after then what's the point when you have Kargbo in front of him. If it's a signing for cover then maybe given Picks injury record but then that's what Hedges is for isn't it, I can't say I'm anything like excited by this [rumoured, potential, possible, definite maybe] signing (assuming we get the registration papers submitted in time of course).

Spot on. 100% of nothing = nothing. Job done. Exceeded our only promise (10% earlier). Good window.

It's like picking up a new book and reading the last page first, we know who dunnit. Watching others getting excited at the thrills and spills of actually reading the thing is comical to us - we know the outcome. Been here many times before with Rovers and the transfer windows, it's pointless even going through the motions. The only new things are the interesting plot twists that explain WHY someone wasn't signed or WHY someone left but it's always Colonel Mustard in the Library who's behind things. 6 candidates for the crime, 3 in Pune and 3 in the boardroom, though I guess that doesn’t quite work now as Professor Plum has left the building. In case you can't wait to get to the last page it ends in tears and frustration and the perpetrator gets off scot free.

AI wrote this. Usually it showcases the intelligence of the average Burnley supporter but in this case the last sentence is interesting. If true then we should be glad of a truely awful transfer window :-) Enjoy! Blackburn Rovers' future under Venky's ownership remains uncertain, but here are some key factors that could impact any potential sale: 1. Financial Situation - Venky’s have limited investment capacity due to ongoing financial issues in India. - The club operates within EFL financial fair play constraints, limiting spending. 2. Fan Pressure & Ownership Commitment - Fans have repeatedly called for a change in ownership, especially after funding cuts to Blackburn Rovers Women’s team. - Despite frustrations, Venky’s insist they remain committed, though that doesn’t rule out an eventual sale. 3. Potential Buyers - So far, no confirmed takeover bids have been reported. - The club’s status as a historical but Championship-level team may make it less attractive to high-profile investors. - A sale would require substantial investment to re-establish Blackburn as a Premier League club. 4. League Performance & Future Ambitions - If Blackburn Rovers achieve promotion to the Premier League, Venky’s could be more inclined to hold onto the club due to increased revenues. - A continued stay in the Championship might strengthen the argument for selling, particularly if financial struggles persist

Agree in principle, that was great vision by Jack, but that vision was that WE should benefit and that one day WE might produce a Man U style golden generation for ourselves. When the charlatans took over that dream disappeared, we were never going to benefit from a major emerging talent, others were. We're less of a nursery now and more like a simple incubator. For those old enough, think Crewe. They produced some really good players but they were never going to play for Crewe. Agree that Academy sales keep some of the lights on but we get peanuts when the talents emerge and are told by their agents to not sign long term papers. Most of our kids come from far and wide, they're not all Wartons from Blackburn. They owe us nowt and aren't emotionally tied to the club. They're here for one reason only - we're recognised as a launch pad for better things elsewhere. So I repeat ... what's the point? This wasn't Jack's vision.

As I've said previously, the Academy is a business venture not a football venture. It runs parallel to the Championship side of things but are IMO only linked through branding. The Academy is a sausage making machine. It will (should) produce players who are solid enough in the lower divisions but will never set the world on fire. The occasional gem that gets snagged up in the net is soon recognised by other watching recruitment teams and are gone before we've even got a sniff of watching them contribute to a promotional push (ho ho yes I know, but we live in hope). The ones who make through to our first team are earnest tryers for sure but never amount to more than squad fillers. So ... what's the point? Venkys see us through the lens of a business (remember the renting players quote), they're just viewing the Academy as a machine to hopefully defray running cost, keep the cupboard stocked with pencils and bog rolls available in the visiting dignitaries toilets [the backroom guys get torn up newspaper pushed onto a nail]. Promotion will never happen because you have to buy most of it, talent acquisition, wages, coaches who can do the job etc., etc.. With Venkys in charge you can forget about every aspiration you ever had ... full stop. The Academy means nothing at all. I suggest we even stop thinking about it as a solution to anything.

The club have pushed us all over the edge, we're bipolar club supporters, extreme episodic bouts of mania and depression. The answer to your question depends on the day that you ask it. How can we be anything other than manic depressives in this mad house of a club, disappointment follows optimism, hope follows failure the only constant at the club is chaos. It's a rinse repeat situation. Follow the Rovers these days and you're signing up for a self inflicted rough ride. I salute you all but you're all mad as a box of frogs. Expectations for the season ... only that I'll be writing the same words this time next year.

Wheels wobbled on the truck when Baker left. Good player. They came off when Eustace bailed. We finished well, 7th hurts but not too shabby taken in context. One gets promoted from the 4 play off teams, it was never going to be us. Kargbo will come good, needs proper coaching. Dennis, please go. Dolan, please stay. Venkys do one, waggott etc do likewise. VI and backroom staff have earned the right to have a punt next season. Academy, look out we're coming for your kids. Onward and hopefully upward :-( yes I know, whistling in the dark but you know, Rovers supporter and all that. Laters.

Poor days are usually a required investment for the good days to come. The pain of growing into something worthwhile just has to be taken on the chin as we look forward to better times. The foolish approach is to suffer the pain and then let the finished product walk away for free. Dolan has found the escape tunnel, he's not for turning back. A lucky break for him, a win for whoever signs him and a kick in the b*ll*cks for us fans. It's been a rocky road with him so far but just as we see good days ahead we get the middle finger treatment. 'Twas ever thus.

Brill, many thanks all.

We're perfectly capable of winning this one, I actually think we will. Was surprised by Watford yesterday as they threw the kitchen sink at us like their lives depended on getting a result yet they had absolutely nothing to play for. I fear the same from Sheffield United who in theory should be putting the reserves out as they've nowt to gain from this match but risk injuries. So we know how that's going go don't we?!! Still, academic IMO as we are reliant on other results and not every other team is a West Ham. Rovers to win and not qualify.

Is there a short cut to get to 'first unread' or 'last read' in a thread?