I've skimmed through this thread, so apologies if I'm repeating what others have said. When we signed Charlie Mulgrew, I asked a Geordie friend exiled in Glasgow what Mulgrew's position was. "Midfielder", I was told. Similarly with Darragh Lenihan; he had the potential to be a good midfielder for Rovers - and the Republic of Ireland - for years to come. But no; both are corcered into service for Rovers as central defenders. Each of them does such a satisfactory job for us that each gets selected for his country in those positions. BUT Can we please, please, please use this summer's transfer window to acquire central defenders of Championship standard? Otherwise, - and as fan in whose veins the blood runs blue and white, I fear that most of next season will pan out like the 2nd half of this season and we'll be a lot closer to the Championship relegation zone this time next year than we are at present.

As a 70-odd year old Rovers fan, one of whose biggest regrets is that he didn't inherit his Dad's blue and white eyes, am I also the only one to regret the club's apparent inability to commemorate the passing of the heroes of my teenage years? In recent months, we've had the deaths announced of many of my [and many others on here, I know] childhood heroes. Would it really have broken the bank at Ewood to have had the team wearing black armbands commemorating - e.g. Barry Hole and Kit Napier? Perhaps those commemorations took place at midweek home games which the logistics of a midweek return trip from Heywood to Ewood by public transport prevent me from attending. Even so, I can't recall reading anything in the matchday programmes. What do others think?

I rarely visit the Message Boards for which I signed up in my early years on t'Interweb because, while I respect other people's views, I don't like the way that many of them - including dome of the ones I agree with - are expressed. I haven't voted in this poll because none of the options represent my precise views on here. Those fans I know personally are probably fed up of me pointing out that when I watched the first match I remember my Dad bringing me to - 65 years ago - we were in mid-table in Division Two. And where are we now? Mid-table in the Championship. While it would be WONDERFUL to be back in the Premier League, I would rather see it happen slowly and steadily, and wouldn't worry too much if it didn't happen next season or even the season after that. We've had a real rollercoaster ride over those 65 years and after the misjudgement, imo, of our owners replacing Allardyce, with first Kean, then Bowyer, I welcomed the arrival of Tony Mowbray as our first "proper" football manager since BFS was sacked. I'm becoming less enamoured of TM because of some of the points that others have made; it's felt like we've signed players whom he knew when they were in their early years and who are -probably - just about capable of functioning at our present level. To me, we feel over-provided for in midfield - that group of the squad has almost got a 'Never mind the quality, feel the width' - with the defence and attack under-populated by comparison. I worry who the owners would choose to replace Mowbray if they decided to sack him; but, for the time being, I guess it's better the devil we know for the time being. But the summer window will be crucial; he has to show a ruthless streak towards lads who may have reached their peak professionally and cannot push us further up the table.

I don't come on the Board often these days, but old habits die hard on Transfer deadline day. Seeing that we seem unlikely to recruit anyone between now & 11.00 tonight, I thought I'd ask a question not directly connected with this window but may have an impact on all future ones. Does anyone on here know - not, 'is prepared to speculate' but actually know - if Brexit will affect our ability to recruit players from Europe? Will we only be able to sign European players of a certain standard? Will we only be able to sign players who aren't EU-nationals? It could be important for our beefed-up Scouting Department. Mind you, given that most sectors of British industry seem to be complaining that the Government is leaving It extremely late to issue guidance on how Brexit will affect them, perhaps not even the Government knows.

https://www.themag.co.uk/2018/04/newcastles-adam-armstrong-fire-making-9-goals-8-games-another-2-take-loan-team-top-league-newcastle-united-blackburn-rovers/ If we do finish below Wigan, respect, blueboy! Do you tip on the gee-gees?

I have friends who are lifelong Smoggies and they always rated him both as a player and as a manager in the North East. Mind you, his managerial career at 'Boro was for a Chairman who was the 21st Century equivalent of Uncle Jack. If I'm being realistic, I think the 18-month contract will allow him to pull off the miracle [starting on Friday] this season; but, given our owners' lack of pride in their possession, see him doing his best, but failing to keep us up next season. And, as others have observed, if your career is "football manager" and there's a vacancy which will pay the bills for you and your family, then you'll apply for the job. Won't you? I know I would if my career was "football manager" and I was temporarily out of work. Fwiw, as I'm sure we all know deep down, it isn't down to him - I'm sure he will be an improvement on Coyle; yes, yes; I know; he couldn't be any worse. The problem, simply and solely, lies in our owners' neglect of their 'toy'. Only it isn't a toy; it's OUR football club.

Surely a marginal improvement on Lambert in that respect??

Yes. +1

I just wanted to add a couple of points which Steve Claridge [no; I can't normally stand him, either!] made in commentary on Radio 5 last night which nobody else seems to have quoted on here: 1] We've had a lot of bad luck with injuries, with CKR's being just the latest. Now; some of them may be what we'd think of as "injuries" and those injured players may not have made a lot of difference "cometh the hour"; but firstly Appleton's, then Bowyer's, hands have been somewhat tied when it came to team selection; 2] he made a very favourable comment on Goodwillie's part in our first goal, in terms of him making a dummy run and distracting some of the opposition defenders. As regards whether Bowyer should be appointed permanent mananger [whatever that means at Ewood!], I write this as someone who is distinctly not "itk". What we've got to remember is where we are, just above the relegation zone in Division 2-really, and the reputation we have under our present owners - did anyone else squirm as much as I did last night when Radio 5 played the Muppet tune behind the timeline of what's happened to us? We're highly unlikely to attract a high-calibre unemployed manager; what I think we need is to appoint someone who's comparatively young, and hungry to make a reputation [maybe a bit like Howard Kendall circa 1979]. Who's to say Bowyer wouldn't be such an appointment? At least he knows the set-up. I agree, though, that there's a lot of work to be done in pre-season on the players' fitness. Finally, stating the bleeding obvious, there's got to be a serious clear-out of players who aren't fit for the Championship next season. Going back to Steve Claridge last night, he was clinical in his analysis of Markus Olsson's worth to the team!

INTRODUCTION. Yes; this is the fourth time this season weve lined up against the team who have been our bogey team this season. [Actually, I wouldnt blame you for thinking that m1sts previews are the bogey; given that my last three previews have been for the Championship game at Hull, the Cup tie against Millwall, followed by the game against the bstards in claret & blue.] I prepared a catch-all Millwall preview for the cup-tie and this game but obviously didnt post the League section of it for the Cup game. So heres a preview relevant to the League game. HISTORY. Millwall was founded in 1885 and, like ourselves in those early years, had a Scottish influence [the club was founded by employees of a canning firm, the head office of which was in Aberdeen] which is one reason for their tradition of blue shirts and white shorts. They were founder-members of the Southern Football League in 1894 and were champions in each of that Leagues first two seasons, finishing second the next season. For some reason, they also played in the Western Football League in the early years of the last Century and were champions in 1908 and 1909. The following season, the club moved from Millwall to a new ground south of the River called The Den, located in the New Cross district, where they remained until 1993,when the present ground was opened. This ground was the first to be built in the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster and was, according to Wikipedia, designed with effective crowd management in mind [given Millwall's crowd problems at the Old Den], with the escape routes being short and direct. When, after the end of World War I, it was decided to expand the Football League from its roots in the North and Midlands, a Third Division was formed in 1920 and Millwall were one of the founder-members of that Division. Millwall played in what became known as Division Three [south] the following season [when a parallel expansion in the North and Midlands took place] and were promoted to Division Two when they won their Division in 1927/28. Only the champions of the regional Divisions were promoted in those days, a situation which remained in place until the establishment of Divisions Three and Four in 1958. Millwall remained in Division Two until 1934 when they were relegated back to Division Three [south], where they remained until 1938 when they were promoted to join us in Division Two for the 1938/39 season which we ended being promoted to Division One. After that season, the teams didnt meet in the League again until we were relegated to Division Two at the end of 1965/66 season. When we went down to Division Three for the first time in 1971, they remained in Division Two but the clubs swapped places when we returned to Division Two in 1975. The Lions followed us back the following season and we met in that Division for three more seasons until we were both relegated in 1979. Because Millwall remained in Division 3 until 1985, the teams then didnt meet until the 1985/86 season. That was a time when The Lions had forwards like Tony Cascarino and Teddy Sheringham, who were responsible for them overtaking us and in 1988 getting them up to Division 1. They stayed there for a couple of seasons before joining us back in Division 2. We, of course, left that Division when we became founder-members of the Premier League in 1992, since when the clubs have never met in the League until this season. COMMON LINKS. The two names which immediately spring to mind in this context are Lucas Neill and Steven Reid, both of whom we signed from Millwall. We signed Neill, whos now back in Australia playing for in the A-League for the same Sydney team as Brett Emerton, in 2001. He stayed with us for six years and, according to Wikipedia, he was well-regarded by us largely due to his never-say-die, determined attitude. However, the same source notes that, although once a cult hero at Blackburn, [he] left under something of a storm [do they mean "under a cloud"?] and is now extremely unpopular amongst Blackburn fans. Do the words, one, greedy and bstard ring any bells?! He went on to play for West Ham United and Everton, from where he went on to Galatasaray in Turkey. He then went on to play for two clubs in the United Arab Emirates [Al Jazira, and Al Wasl] before joining Sydney in the A-League earlier this year. According to Wikipedia, hed only played two games for them so I asked John Leigh of BRANZ for an update on whats been happening to our erstwhile hero. Johns understanding is that he only signed to the end of the season to put himself in the shop window. If so he's failed miserably because a) he's played very few games he's been very ordinary and c) he's now associated with a team that has failed to make the end of season play offs, even though they had Del Piero, Neil and Emerton. The conclusion John drew was, In a nutshell I would say his value is plummeting rapidly. A couple of seasons later, we also signed Reidy from Millwall. He had a fairly short debut for us, being shown a red card 12 minutes after coming on as a substitute for Vratislav Gresko in a game at Bolton in 2003! He scored a cracking goal against Wigan Athletic, which won Goal of the month in December 2005 and his goal in a 1-0 win in our penultimate game of that season at Ewood against Chelsea clinched our place in the following seasons UEFA Cup. Unfortunately, he had a lot of injuries during his time with us; he missed most of the 2006/07 season with a back injury, then a cruciate ligament injury and missed most of 2008/09 season because of a knee injury. He then went on loan, first to Q.P.R., then to West Bromwich Albion, for whom he signed when they won promotion to the Premier League in 2010. OPPONENTS OPINION. As I dont know any Millwall fans; and, as their equivalent Forums to this Message Board which I visited anonymously seem, erm, how can I put this, a bit assertive, Ive decided to dispense with this section of the Preview [especially in view of how their fans began fighting with each other at the Cup Semi-final]. HOW TO GET THERE AND WHERE TO DRINK [iF YOU MUST]. As noted above, Millwall fans dont have the best reputation, which is why the Wikipedia page on The Den includes the following guidance, which Ive augmented, for those fans making their own way to the game: The Den is served by the South Bermondsey railway station [trains every half hour from London Bridge station], which is a five-minute walk away from the ground. Away supporters have their own walkway link, which is available to them on match days. If unable to travel by train, it's recommended away supporters travel to the ground by official coach. There are no official car parking facilities for supporters. [My emphasis.] For those fans who live in that part of London, theres also a London bus route [ P 12] between Surrey Quays and Brockley Rise, stopping in Ilderton Road, a couple of minutes walk from the ground. Theres a frequent service from London Bridge to Surrey Quays station. As ever in one of m1st previews, the following guidance on where to drink is extracted from www.footballguide.com Again, Ive highlighted information which seems particularly relevant. There are not many pubs located near to the stadium and those should be avoided by away supporters. If travelling by train then it is probably best to grab a beer around London Bridge before moving onto the ground. I would advise keeping any colours covered, even when drinking in the London Bridge area. There are bars at the back of the stands at the stadium, that serve alcohol as well as some decent food such as chicken and chips. Chris Lynskey a visiting Scunthorpe United fan recommends; 'The Shipwright Arms on Tooley Street, near London Bridge. Come out of London Bridge tube station, turn right and its only 200yds down the road on your right hand side. A lovely little pub which also serves food. We left the pub at 2.15pm to go and catch the train to the stadium and made it comfortably for kick-off'. On the Borough High Street by London Bridge is the Barrow Boy & Banker, which is a Fullers pub and has the benefit of a large screen showing SKY Sports. Further down the High Street is the Borough Market, which on nearby Stoney Street is situated the legendary Market Porter pub. This pub is also a regular listing in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide and always has 9 real ales on tap. Mick Hubbard adds; 'Also on Borough High Street is the George Inn, which is owned and leased by the National Trust. It is an outstandingly beautiful building, and the pub itself retains its wooden flooring and wall panelling. It serves its own George Ale which went down nicely'. CURRENT FORM. What a difference a couple of months can make, particularly in the turbulent world that is Ewood Park. Going into the Cup quarter-final, we were as near to being on a high [Weve seen off the Arsenal; beat these and were in the semi-finals at the new Wembley for the first time!] as weve been since the Walker Trust sold the club. Only, of course, not only did we fail to beat these; we played so awfully against them and subsequent results were so dire that the third bloke this season to have been permanent manager at Ewood was sacked, and Gary Bowyer is looking like he could become the Tony Parkes of the 21st Century. Coincidentally, Huddersfield Town & Watford could have a decisive impact on the futures of both Millwall and us. After losing at Ewood, Huddersfield play Millwall at home this weekend while we visit Watford, who lost at Millwall on Tuesday. Neither teams recent League form has been that brilliant. Weve taken 8 points out of the last 6 games [from the home wins over Derby and Huddersfield as well as the draws at Ewood against Burnley & Blackpool] with away defeats at Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday. Millwalls League form [11 points from 18] has been good enough for them to have gone above us in the League. Theyve won 3 games [at home to Watford and away at Charlton Athletic & Leicester City]; lost at home to Sheffield Wednesday and drawn with Ipswich Town [Home] and Birmingham City [Away]. CLUTCHING AT STRAWS TIME! Millwalls recent home League form as above reveals how vulnerable they are at The Den to teams in and around the relegation zone! The match before those mentioned in the "Current Form" section was a defeat at home to Wolves. Writing this before we play at Watford, 6 of the 8 points weve got from the last 6 League games have come from the last two games; does this mean weve turned the corner? This is only the 16th season the clubs have met in the League and the balance is very much in our favour; if we win next week, well have won exactly half the League games between the two teams. TUESDAYS GAME. I think that, all in all, this is a really difficult match to call. Two teams in the lower regions of the Championship table and neither could be said to be in the best of form [which is, of course, why were both in the lower regions of the Championship]. I must confess that Ive become so disillusioned with things at Ewood that I havent seen us play since the home game against Peterborough United. So I can only go off reports as to whos playing well and who isnt. However [concluding this preview on the Thursday before the game], to kick the discussion off and with fingers firmly crossed, this is the team I suppose Id have starting the game: Sandomierski; Kane, Dann, Givet, Morris; King, Dunn, Williamson, Pedersen; Kazim-Richards, Rhodes. View full article

I stopped coming on this site after a childish spat between two members when I was trying to follow the reports on a game and won't be on here after I've posted the thread for the Millwall League game the week after next [if a moderator on here can get as childish as happened the other week, it's not the place for me]. However, I wouldn't want to leave without paying tribute to Kelbo, whom I never knew but who won my respect by his posts.

Agreed; nobody should leave us so young. I wasn't at today's game, so don't know what, if anything, has been sorted out; but it'd be an indictment of the club if nothing were done in her memory.

What an excellent article, sensitively written. I, too, have had bouts of depression and have worked with people who suffer mental health problems and, while too old & infirm to contemplate an expedition like St. Jimmy's, would be interested in knowing if it's a go-er when all the possibilities have been investigated.

Too old & set in my ways to be on Facebook or Twitter or any of that stuff! Would love to be there but can't get over and back on public transport - sorry; will be with you in spirit.

Doesn't this speak volumes about the ridiculous lengths the "Elf Ann Safety" mob will go to these days? *shakes head sadly* How long has this tradition been going, ffs? I used to have [i lost it during the course of moving house] a sort-of Memorial card from 1971 when our relegation into Division 3 coincided with Knob End's promotion [under Alan Ball Snr] back to Division 2. I don't remember any trouble and that was at a time when fans of both clubs had an interest in the ceremony - I seem to remember a report on "Look North West" on BBC1 on the Monday evening

When I was preparing the Preview of the game against Wolves at the end of last season, I came across something which said that he'd gone into coaching in Australia but had come back to this country and been part of Mark McGhee's backroom team when McGhee managed Wolves in the late-1990s. Not heard anything of him since, though.

But, of course, it was important in two senses. One was for a whole generation of us who were teenagers in the late 50s/early 60s because I'm sure we all thought we'd never be at Wembley, watching Rovers. Let alone see them winning there! The other was that, having done it, it was only 5 years later before we were back for the play-off final, with what felt like about 6 minutes' stoppage time [no Fourth Official holding up a board in those days!]! Then a bit later on came what was then called the Charity Shield. Then the visits to the Millennium Stadium, while Wembley was being rebuilt. The rest is history!!

I remember going to the game at Gigg Lane. In those days, one of my mates, who still sits next to me in the Riverside, and I worked in Rochdale so we made our way across from there to Gigg Lane, where we met up with the rest of our little group. One of our colleagues lived on an Estate off the Manchester Road about a mile or so further away from Bury town centre [most, if not all, the streets on the estate were named after League grounds!] and she gave us directions for how to get to her local pub for a post-match pint or two of Boddington's [when it was Boddington's! ] with our mates, so that we didn't waste any celebratory "supping-time". Which is how there was one table in this nice suburban pub with Rovers' fans round it and all the locals wondering how the hell we knew about their pub! 31½ years ago, and it seems like yesterday!!

Pity it wasn't the day before - had it been, I bet the sub-editors on the sports pages would have used the phrase "St. Valentine's Day massacre", although it certainly didn't feel like that for most of the first half. As it happens, it was the day of the 5th Round of the Cup; and, speaking from memory [it's nearly 37 years ago - aaagh! ], the BBC was contracted to show F.A. Cup games, rather than League games, on MotD on those Saturdays. Otherwise, I'm as sure as I can be that it would have been on MotD because, speaking from memory again, the BBC's contract with the Football League in those days required them to feature a limited number of games from the lower Divisions. And it was 2nd vs 1st [at the kick-off, anyway!]. I remember wandering round the town centre in a state of euphoria after the match and going to the house of an older, die-hard colleague and interrupting his and his wife's Saturday tea because I just needed to re-live the game! Happy days!!

Hear hear. Wouldn't it be great if we did win today? I doubt if it'd mean anything to anyone in the club's hierarchy, though.

Well, it made me , Uxbridge!

Well said, that man. What a wonderful sentence that is to one who was brought up on tales of his Dad having watched the likes of Harry Healless & Syd Puddefoot and who has seen all the later names on that list.