Forest were poor last night I thought and stood off them and allowed them too much possession. It was funny though to see two VAR decisions to against them. It's a pity there was no VAR when the convicted drunken driver handled the ball in the penalty area last season at Ewood.

They aren't that much more. In fact a child and adult/senior in their family stand is cheaper. https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2023/february/20/erimus--we-shall-be---early-bird-season-cards-on-sale/

I was buying chips for my granddaughter on Saturday (btw these are 25p cheaper than last season) and I noticed a bloke behind me who I know and haven't seen for a while. We were waiting for the chips he said all he wanted was a cup of tea. Known for his sharp wit he said to the young girl after a few minutes waiting "just give me a teabag and I'll suck it". His humour was lost on her.

Because they are the antithesis of us - well run and owners that actually care.

He was a proper football man. Played and managed at a very good level and took up refereeing later on. Had he started earlier in his life I think he would have gone all the way.

It was quite a difficult game to come into I thought for a striker as Middlesbrough were enjoying their best period of the game and we were on the back foot. I thought he was strong and looked mobile and showed a decent touch.

I'm pretty sure he worked at ROF when his professional career ended Andy. Working there at that time was Jimmy Birkett who was also the Darwen manager who persuaded him to sign.

The person on Swags left is Rick Parry, the chairman of the EFL.

Chris Sulley, Paul Round and Marlon Broomes are three that haven't yet been named.

The correct position is in line with the second rearmost defender.

Rankin-Costello was the ideal man to bring on. His energy, tackling and ability to carry the ball was something we just didn't really have today in midfield particularly when we were under pressure.

I sit in the JW Upper in a similar position to you and in the immediate aftermath the linesman was pointing at a Rovers player who he was saying played Crooks onside. That made it even worse for me. Not long after he gave an offside in which the Boro player looked at least level to me. I said to my brothers that the pressure he was under from the crowd got us that decision.

I knew the Boro goal was close to offside but how on earth has a full time, professional official missed that. Shockingly bad. The same linesman missed two clear fouls on Pickering and Hyam right under his nose. And when he finally flagged for a foul on Szmodics later he was wrong.

Three points is always the objective so it's mission accomplished. The main reason we weren't more comfortable was there for all to see and it's an area which is starting to worry me. In our last two matches we have created enough chances to have won several games but we simply haven't taken enough of them. I thought the majority of other aspects of play we were good at. Intensity, passing, movement and creativity were good today and it we can just convert a higher percentage of good chances we will do well. Once again Tomasson deserves credit for his set up and changes he made. It was telling that Carrick played more on the counter attack in the second half as a testimony to his well we played in the first half. That said I would be making changes for Wednesday with Dolan and Travis being my choices to be replaced. Both of them were under per today and Dolan in particular with his awful decision making. Hopefully the talismanic Szmodics will be fit. His importance to us was never more evident than today up until getting injured. I'm happy tonight as I a!ways am with a win and if we can follow this up with another on Wednesday I'll be delighted.

It only appeared on Rovers twitter earlier this week which indicates to me that it almost fell through the cracks at Ewood and perhaps a third party brought it to their attention. It's another rush job, get a few players to say a few words and roll out some old players. And Rick Parry is making a presentation presumably to Waggott (the man I just don't see representative of our proud club) at half time. It would be right and fitting if Waggott was roundly needed from the stands.

The suits behind this decision (likely to be Cheston and Swag) probably take £500k out of this club in earnings. If they took a 0.5% pay cut it would more than cover the expense of shutting the Blackburn End. And another thing that grinds my gears is that these twats don't even pay to watch Rovers. They sit in the lap of luxury in the Directors Box and will be fed and watered for free. Any away games they go to will be the same. The gall of these self serving knobs is really beginning to grate with me.

The hypocrisy is alarming. Somebody authorised the spending of a reported £3k on that unsightly lettering in the Darwen End Upper and yet, to save money arguably the most popular stand is closed. I recall when Waggott closed the Family Stand and quite a few regulars didn't renew their season tickets in disgust. I think this will probably push a few over the edge, supporters who have sat in the same seat since the ground was rebuilt. And how many Cardiff fans will the Darwen End be opening for? Shambolic decision making by the club once again to save a few quid.

And Coar did nothing in them 'turbulent times'. I remember him threatening legal action against a supporter who asked him if he could look Jack Walker in the eye were he still alive. A freeloader.

Saturday's game is our 5000th league fixture in our history. I can't help thinking there must be some commercial possibilities to mark this milestone but the article doesn't mention any. https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2023/september/12/rovers-set-for-milestone-match-/

Try and contact Rovers Community Trust. They do lots of good work in the community and could perhaps point you in the right direction. https://www.rovers.co.uk/community/

The under 21's are at Reading tonight and the match preview specifies that Sigurdsson won't be playing and there is no mention of Ennis. Hopefully there will be a BCD match this week so they can get some game time as Tomasson said both would be back after the international break. I'm slightly worried though that they might not get be ready for Saturday.

Sincere condolences on your loss roverandout. The next few days will be tough but try and be strong for the rest of your family. RIP roverandout's Dad.

I couldn't find a Rovers Ladies thread so I am putting one up. I went to watch Rovers Ladies against Sheffield United today primarily to meet an ex refereeing colleague but I have to say I really enjoyed the game. In truth I have been a sceptic about ladies football before but watching closely today has changed my opinion. From being one goal behind and missing a penaty in the first half Rovers came back to win 2-1 in a thoroughly entertaining match full of commitment and no little skill. The only criticism would be about our failure to turn really good chances into goals. Rovers were clearly well coached and a tactical change at half time saw us become dominant and in turn worthy winners. I heard on the PA system at full time that we play Crystal Palace on October 8th at Ewood. We have already pencilled the date in.

Keep going for your Dad mate.

The irony of closing the Blackburn End is that the Darwen End will be open for a few hundred Cardiff fans. Another new low in our history. We have racked up a few in the last thirteen years. 😬