I really don't know who the assistants are or the processes they use. I know he is the manager of some Rovers staff at Ewood and they have never even met him.

Indefensible from Rovers. The liaison guy, the actual club secretary works from home......in Brighton.

As it stands right now Rovers will have from July 25th to August 9th without a match. Going two weeks immediately before the season without a game is poor and will surely affect Ismaels preparations. I think there will be something hastily arranged but pretty much every Premier League team are fixed up and Leagues One and Two start on August 2nd. That narrows it down to a non league opponent or going into Europe which I don't think is ideal the week before the season starts. Poor from Rovers.

For anyone who has seen both friendlies so far it's clear that Ismael has a plan and it appears the players have generally bought into it. High intensity pressing from a fit, athletic team is what we can expect I think (and this is something Ismael has spoken openly about) which is reminiscent of Tomasson's style with perhaps not as much unnecessary passing. I enjoyed todays match and we counted eight Academy graduates playing by the end. Cantwell stood out for me and looked a different player with a pre season behind him. There were lots of other good performances too although primarily this was about fitness and sharpness. I know these are only friendlies but some of my fears have been allayed and hopefully the other signings will improve us and maybe another addition or two to give us more depth.

McLoughlin is an experienced Championship centre half for a position where we need experience. I can't remember seeing him him play too much but that might be a good thing. If he is as efficient and understated as Batth he will do for me.

I recall the lady Roa when they took over saying something like 'in business nine out of ten decisions have to be right'. I'm honestly struggling to get one in minutes from them regarding Rovers.

It will be interesting who starts alongside Hyam today. Wharton's still being nursed back and Carter is lame again. At some stage either Atcheson, Pratt or Litherland will probably play.

Exactly. And to be marketable they invariably have to be different which ours certainly are.

He is. My granddaughter was at the same school as him and it was their sports presentation night recently. He was presented with several awards mostly for his athletic prowess in various disciplines. I know the club have really high hopes for him.

My granddaughter pointed out to me that Harvey Higgins was on the photo shoot for the new kit. This young lad is a few weeks into his first year scholarship and the recognition of being in the kit launch is hopefully how highly he is rated. Get him tied down as soon as possible if that's the case, no waiting or hesitating. Of course it might just be that he was included because he is a Blackburn lad and from a family of Rovers fans but in my opinion it's the former.

Rovers Police have confirmed 4000 Everton fans will be in attendance. I thought we had given them the whole Darwen End.

I've sent you a message.

I think I will be in a minority but I think it's really nice. It gives some identity to the town.

Rovers Customer Charter says they will reply in three working days. Send it again and point this out - I did and got an immediate response. Out of interest who did you email it to?

Allegedly is the key word.

Our marketing people get (rightly so) pelters sometimes but on this occasion I can see the logic. They go on sale on Saturday morning and there will be many, particularly kids who want to wear the replica shirt we are playing in (my granddaughter is one of them). If this helps to shift a few more shirts on Saturday then I say well done.

On Saturday Rovers will play Everton at Ewood in our 'marquee' friendly match. With so much going on in the background it will be interesting to see who plays. Will Brittain carry on his strike, will Travis and Tronstad start and what the centre half pairing will be. Will Pears or Toth be available? For anyone who is interested Everton TV are covering the game live. I haven't seen anywhere that Rovers are yet. https://www.evertonfc.com/live

Thanks Carl. I thought it was odd that he didn't go on to treat Carter.

But we signed 33 year old Adam Forshaw received who I don't think is as good as Luongo. I didn't mention him because of his recent success at Ipswich but because he is a steady Championship performer. Some of our best players recently have been McFadzean, Batth and Weimann.

Massimo Luongo is training with Millwall. He is an experienced Championship central midfielder who won two promotions with Ipswich recently. He is 32 though and won't fit the latest 'project' we seem to have burdened ourselves with.

I was on the other side and couldn't tell but there didn't seem any immediate concern from the doctor and physio who both ambled on to the pitch. I thought Ismael's description of cramp seemed misguided, I mean how many professional athletes get cramp after after half an hour. I like Carter but his injuries are a real source of frustration. Last season he had two lengthy spells out with knee and calf injuries and now a hamstring problem. On a separate note I noticed the regular physio, Andy Proctor wasn't there on Saturday.

The priority position for new signings might just have changed. I have been told Hayden Carter is out for five weeks as a result of his 'cramp' at Accrington. That leaves Hyam and Wharton as our centre halves with any experience and Wharton is having his game time carefully managed. How we could do with a player like Danny Batth right now...........oh wait a minute.

After the pre match shenanigans I was looking for a reason to turn it off. 'Double pivot' and a chant of 'let's go Chelsea, let's go' was enough of a reason to do just that.

That's an easy one to answer Tyrone. It was brought in so broadcasters could have extra time for advertising and cascaded down so it has now become the norm.