Horrible news. He had a bright future, professionally. Rest in Peace.

My name is Steve Moss (surprise!). I'm 46 years old, married (to the girl I loved way back in high school), we have two kids (girl and boy, ages 9 and 6). I'm a native of Arizona and think 100 degrees or more is fine and wear a coat if it hits 60.

I never knew soccer existed as a sport until my daughter wanted to sign up with one of her friends for U5. So I signed her up and a week before the season was informed the coach quit and the team would be disbanded if a replacement couldn't be found. End result, I was drafted. Since I knew absolutely nothing about the sport, I immediately began to read, watch training DVDs and watch the Premier League to learn the game. Five years later I'm now an unpaid volunteer running the league (916 kids, ages 4-19) as my full time job, which takes so much time my real job seems to be part time. Amazingly, we're doing very well despite my ignorance (which tells you persistence is far more valuable than brilliance).

The first week I served as coach is when I found the Rovers. Hughes was the manager. The Rovers were the fighters in blue and white. Half way through the season, I was hooked. I'm fairly well down the road of hooking my kids to. Our coach admin asked Mallory who she thought the top four teams were (in relation to our league, though she didn't catch the implied limitation). She replied her's (U10G, the "Heartbreakers"), her brother's (U8B, the "Firebirds"), Blackburn Rovers and Chelsea, in that order. I have no clue as how Chelsea slipped in there, though it is worrying.

Nelson is my favorite player. He's a rarity, a good player and a decent human being who seems loyal to the club. Salgado is a close second, though I think his time is done and he should go into coaching. My first live Rovers' match was in March, 2010 at Tottenham. I should have had two Rovers matches but the Birmingham match at Ewood was moved, though I still went to the club shop and bought a Salgado shirt. I hope to take the kids in a year or two.

Jensen did not leave of his own accord, he was removed and the reasons for why he was removed to be frank stink. He has been made a scapegoat by you know who.

Kamy, any chance he would do an interview explaining what has been happening the last many months?

This has really irked me. Kean really is the Venky's blue eyed boy. He is going nowhere. Venkys are the biggest problem in all of this, how dumb can you get, being wrapped around the finger of that utter clown?!

I agree. Venkys' blind loyalty/inability to deal with Kean is a major problem.

I should add that it isn't limited to the younger members of society... an older single fella who ten years ago may have gone out to try his luck at a bar can now use facebook or a dating website. It's much easier to be confident behind a keyboard.

I'm 45 years old. I'm the eldest of 7. My youngest sibling is 21. I have noticed a distinct change in how my three youngest siblings (2 girls and a boy) date as compared to the three eldest (all 40+ year old males, including me). While we went to clubs, sports bars and house/block parties, but actually found our wives in the classroom or at work, the youngest three all seem to find their significant others via the internet. And not necessarily dating sites. The online games with thousands of players seems to be a bit of social interaction service also. I'm not sure the new system is an improvement.

The one thirty something is useless for comparison as she has been married and a mom since her early 20s.

As it's an american film about something rising against humans, i'm going to stick my neck out and say the usa army Marines saves the day and kill the apes.

Fixed in the interests of realism.

Actually, as I think it is a "prequel" I'm fairly sure we don't save the day this time around.

No that's fine really, whatever makes you happy. You should really come the whole hog though and wear some cut of jean shorts, tie a knot in your Tshirt and insist on being called Biscuit.

I would have to raid your closet to pull it off, and I prefer to leave your wardrobe to you, Biscuit.

Buffy... really?

Yes, really. I love the dialogue. But I'm told the first step toward recovery is admitting a problem, so perhaps there is hope.

And you can add to the list Top Shot, Ice Road Truckers and anything on the Food Channel, the best place on TV.

Rome

Band of Brothers

The Pacific

Sorpanos (except the gay mafioso season)

True Blood

Game of Thrones

South Park

Firefly

Buffy

Angel

Burn Notice

Justified

Boardwalk Empire

Deadwood

Oz

I did not list them in order, except for the first 2.

. . . you can buy your pretzel, bratwurst and beer. You can also drink in your seats and at the end of the game give your cup back for either your €1 deposit back or give it to a charity stall so they can reclaim the 1€.

I noticed that spectators can't do this in England. Which surprised me as I'm used to being able to sit and watch a game beer in hand in the USA, and thought it it would be even more prevalent in England since England = Pubs = Beer in many American minds.

RED with Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, etc., was funny and excellent. Good date movie, a shoot 'em up with relationship overtones.

When I saw the South africans being led out by The Axe and they were all singing and dancing in the tunnel it sent shivers up my spine and covered me in goosebumps, also so many South African fans talking about there best player Benni Mccarthy before the WC, the majority not even knowing he wasnt in the squad.

How they really could have done with an in form and fit Benni too, he could have made hero status in his home country if only he would have given some effort, I certainly cant speak for him but if he hasnt got the biggest regret of his life after missing out on that then he was born with no heart.

Such a shame for him to reflect back on in later life, some people just never learn.

I don't think Benni is particularly bright and he's likely very selfish. He'll wake up sometime around his early 40s and realize what a fool he's been. By then, though, it will be too late.

I think the above is true of most top tier footballers. They forget what they are (athletes) and instead become celebrities. Problem is without the first they lose the second.

For you British types, saw an amusing WWII movie trailer on the net today:

http://www.joblo.com/index.php?id=32429

My uncle and I intend to come into Blackburn and watch the Rovers play Birmingham, spend a week touring whiskey distilleries, and then watch the Rovers at Tottenham before flying out again.

Any suggestions as to what areas to buy tickets in for the Rovers v. Birmingham and the Spurs v. Rovers? Our objective would be to avoid the areas with poor fan behavior.

Rely on unproven players when in a relegation scrap, bit risky, no?

Our 'proven' stars have not exactly lit the world on fire. I think its riskier to stick with the same old unfit, lazy and arrogant players. We'd be better off bringing in some younger, hungrier talent.

Relying on a player moving to a new country to make an immediate impact is quite a lot of pressure.

I believe we definitely need to sign at least one "fresh blood" from within the Premier League or with PL experience, even if we get Ibricic who is an exciting talent.

I wouldn't disagree with this it all. So far it looks to be an even mix of experience and youth that Sam is bringing/has brought in

smoss, it is 23 January and the post that got me into so much trouble 13 days ago because I didn't have a question mark on it still applies.

I cannot think of any permanent transfers this window- can anybody?

I think the point being made is not about Rovers comparative advantage or disadvantage in the market, I think it is that there is no market this window, or certainly not in the first 70+% of it.

I agree. It seems much ado about nothing. But then my addiction to football's transfer window drama is akin to my wife's addiction to Oprah/Desperate Housewifes, etc. (shudder).

Happens all the time over here in the states owners/gm/coaches will bench star players rather than give into demands.

Better to make a high profile example of one or two, then let the players get the idea they're in charge.

imo Hoillett would be a big loss.

I agree. But first he has to have the desire to be a Rover. And while I would love to keep him, it seems a lost cause. So if he lacks the desire to be a Rover, he needs to be shown the door. In a very polite and professional manner of course.

What market?? Accrington? Darwen?

Push comes to shove, this club needs to use what it has, and use it well. We can't afford a facelift - we can't even afford one new player.

I think our comparative financial weakness is overstated.

First, to the extent that we are "weak" its only in relation to the top 8-10 clubs. We aren't truly competing with the wages of ManU, ManC, etc. we're competing against Burnley, Hull, Wigan, Wolves, etc.

Second, with a sustainable wage bill of about 35 million (a guess on my part), we should afford some decent quality. Especially if we go for a mix of 'up and comers' and elder, experienced professionals who are only half a step off.

Third, Burnley is proving that a club can scrap by on the cheap (though I think they cut it too close and should have updgraded their qaulity a bit to avoid the battle they're in). Not every player need be paid 50k/week to put in a solid performance. In fact, paying a player that kind of money is just as likely to spoil him as motivate him, IMO. We need to find some solid footballers who want to play, want to play for the Rovers, and will put in a decent shift to justify their wage. We aren't getting a lot of that now. And the rot has been setting in for awhile.

Fourth, out problem is not locating affordable talent. Our problem is too many fat, lazy, arrogant, too full of themselves players who don't play often enough or well enough to justify their salaries. IMO, getting rid of them opens a lot more in the way of positive possibilities than risks.

The level headed fan would ask if there's enough goals in Roberts, Di Santo and Kalanic to see us safe this season, if Benni is moved out without a quality replacement.

I think Kalinic would do the job by himself, with proper service. Di Santo and Roberts only improve the odds.

List of senior players stamping their little feet.

Roberts - being pushed (entertaining???)

Pederson - being pushed (entertaining???)

Diouf - Benni's bezzy mate and Bolton (frequent) drinking partner. (entertaining???)

Hoilett - Wants to be a striker (entertaining?? - can be)

Benni - being pushed (entertaining...bi-annually!)

Dunn - wants a long contract but Rovers worried about his fitness (entertaining?? - can be)

Anyone want to keep them??

Anyone of them can be shown the door and I wouldn't shed a tear or worry an ounce over the future of the club. We can do as well as or better in the market, push comes to shove.

I purposefully deleted Tugay and Warnock from the list as both have always conducted themselves as professionals in regards to the Rovers. Don't have the slightest problem with them and wish more players would emulate their behaviors (minus Tugay's smoking).

The cleaners at Ewood have always been hard-working, conscientious ladies in my experience although I did spot a speck of dust behind the aspidistra the last time I was in the boardroom.

Very reassuring.

I'm not McCarthy's biggest fan, so if he were to go for £2.5m (or indeed if it's a loan and we're getting a £2.5m fee and his wages off the books) then I'm not too fussed. He's an extremely talented player, but lazy beyond belief - it's a mark of his talent that he's able to play at such a high level despite barely putting in the required hours.

I'm more concerned about whether we'd see the money or not. Knowing our board they'd simply argue McCarthy off the wages brings us closer to the required squad wage budget and bank the money.

I've been concerned about this. Assuming:

1. First teams of 25 players; and,

2. Sam prefers playing a 4-4-1-1; then,

Di Santo and Kalinic would seem to fill the required striker upfront roles. Benni and Roberts fees and wages would presumably be spent to find 2 players who could play behind the forwards. Dunn could, but is frequently unable, to fill the role. But if the board is thinking that Dunn is one of the two hole players, the board may not see the need to invest in 2, while Dunn is on the books.

What we should be doing is offloading Dunn, Reid, Benni, Roberts, MGP, Andrews (and hopefully, EHD), and buying 2 hole players (Ibricic would be a good start) and getting 2 new "passing" midfielders (to use Sam's term), a left winger (to back up Olson or vice versa) and a left back (with Givet/Chimbonda as back up). Alas, most of these changes look to happen in the summer, which may not be a bad thing as too much mid-year disruption would be a problem.

But the real question is whether the board understands the need for a housecleaning and whether they'll be 100% behind the process if and when it starts.

Simple.

£3m for the loan....free transfer if they want to keep him on a permanent after.

Alan Nixon is reporting they are considering an 18 month loan for 1.75 million.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Benni-McCarthy-close-to-agreeing-long-term-loan-move-to-West-Ham-article297041.html

If true, the good news is he won't be able to play against us.

Who is financially responsible if a loaned player is injured?

If you had Pretty Flowers FC you could have used rovers badge!!!

I never thought of that. I rue the missed opportunity.

Smoss are you a yank or an ex pat? you do post quite a bit of sense on here!!

I am a Yank. (I've never used that term. It's pretty cool).

I only got involved in football about 3-4 years ago, when my daughter started playing and I was drafted as her team's coach [1] due to a lack of volunteers (now I coach her and my son's teams). Starting to watch the EPL on Setanta to learn the game, liked the Rovers as they showed a lot fight on a small budget and were blue collar/small town. Didn't hurt that Blackburn was in Lancashire. My direct paternal ancestor 15 generations removed immigrated from Lancashire to Virgina (was on the losing side when Cromwell took over), so there was some connection, even if remote.

Sorry for the biography. It's clear that a lot of you know each other personally and I am a bit of an interloper. But I do watch the games, and buy myself and the kids a jersey every year. And my daughter loves her Rovers' banner.

As to sense, that's a matter of opinion. Quite a few posters post sensible things, but they're so busy throwing rocks at one another they hardly notice. As to me, I don't have much in the way of preconceived notions so I don't really care where a coach or a player is from, or what tactics are used, as long as they work.

IMO, MGP is 'working' for a new contract so he has to go. If you give him a new contract, he'll go back to sleep. EHD and Benni have too many issues to be reliable, and are too old of dogs and/or too self-important to learn new tricks. Roberts could be useful but doesn't appear to like the role he'd have to play, so move him on also as he'll just continue to be discontented and might spread the disease and ruin a youngster or two. Andrews might turn into a decent sub but if the supporters are booing him, sell him for his own good and the good of the team. It's not rocket science.

[1] Note to future youth coaches reading this. Give your young girl team a certain number of choices as to a team name. DO NOT allow them to brainstorm at a team meeting. That's how I came to coach my first team, the "Princess Chihuahuas". Which was a marginally better choice than the runner up "Pretty Flowers".

I disagree, 75% of the time his performances make him a liability.

One good performance doesn't change the last 6 months.

Agreed. I have nothing personal against Benni, but his interviews tell me that he has issues. We need to sell him and bring in someone a bit more focused and reliable. And I'm not singling him out, as I share the same opinion of Roberts, MGP, EHD and Andrews.

I think Benni is finished at this club, looks overweight and past it. Time to sell him and hopefully raise some funds to bring in a replacement, Kalinic is the future of this club but he needs a strike partner.

Agreed. And we need to offload Roberts. Maybe if we sell both Benni and Roberts, we could afford a decent partner for Kalinic. Roberts wages to finance the transfer fee and Benni's wages for the new striker's.

Not a chance. We're far too soft for that. I'd turn a water cannon on them myself...

I like the way you think.

I actually thought the article was very positive for Sam and Benni isn't getting it. Benni's convicting himself out of his own mouth. He admits that:

1. Sam is a decent guy.

2. Benni hasn't met Sam's weight and conditioning goals and that it is his fault.

3. Sam is still playing him.

4. Sam is scheduling him for extra training.

From Benni's words, I get the impression that Sam values Benni, sees Benni's potential and is trying to get Benni to realize that potential. That Benni is whining about it shows a lack of professionalism on his part, not Sam's. Benni's paid 35,000/week (per one of Alan Nixon's recent articles). Forgive me if I fail to sympathize with him about Sam's demand that he report to training at 7 am.

The only thing I would fault Sam about in the article is that I would have the entire team in for 7 am training, not just Benni. And I'd tell them that schedule would continue until they won three in a row.