https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2024/july/18/guard-of-honour-returns-for-2024-25-season/ This has really surprised me. Rovers Community Trust are inviting local kiddies teams to apply to do the Guard of Honour when the teams enter the pitch. They are charging £25 each for midweek and £30 each for Saturday's (or when Sky dictate). They get to take penalties at half time and a match ticket. I have always applauded the work done by the RCT but this is poor in my view. This should be free and the club using it to forge links and tap into local youngsters for future support. Instead they are being opportunistic when the whole things cost virtually nothing to operate. Poor from Rovers again.

I really think what you have written is completely true but to add a little more I genuinely think that the two main protagonists, Waggott and Suhail are the only ones who have a direct line to the Punekars and their word is acted upon. I have said before that I very much doubt if Tomasson or Broughton ever spoke to them. And as you allude to anybody who merely threatens their cosy little lifestyle are gone. I believe it's one of the reasons that Mowbray lasted so long. He didn't rock the boat t and played the game. And, importantly he went to India. For Waggott and Suhail read Shaw and Agnew. The singers change but the song has been on repeat for fourteen years.

There is a pattern forming here with the new deals. Having seen many of them I don't believe they are good enough but when injuries, suspensions and players being sold really starts to bite they will be in the first team squad because we aren't able to bring players in.

As far as friendly games are concerned there appears to have been a news blackout from Rovers. I haven't seen any games listed on the website and no reports given. I found out we are playing Nantwich Town away at 3pm on Saturday by scouring some non-league fixtures.

I understand that Leonard has a shoulder injury and Gilsenan a thigh muscle injury. I was told months out rather than weeks. Interestingly Scott Wharton has gone to Austria to carry on his rehabilitation but those two haven't.

Well at least your expectation was exceeded. I think there has been an improvement since the last Euro's. It is probably one of the most talented squads in the world and lost to arguably the most talented. Mistakes were made but ultimately second place was achieved.

Priorities change and we have a very limited budget. Leonard and Gilsenan are going to be out for a while and with such a wafer think squad particularly forwards will need replacing. Signing Barrett is ominous.

From Mark Bullingham. In the 25 tournaments post 1966 before Gareth took charge, we had won seven knockout games. In his four tournaments we have won nine. So, in his eight years, he has won more games that really matter than in the previous 50 years.

The majority of these have had to eat a slice of humble pie because he took England to the final. What were your expectations pre tournament?

But got to the final which 22 of the other teams would have been delighted to do. I think you must be chuffed to bits they didn't win it. When did he blame the fans and pundits?

I find the vast majority of these pundits the same. Out of the ones I saw at this tournament Fabregas, Mata and Mendieta were the best by far in my opinion. Lineker is on a reported £1.35m just from the BBC. That is scandalous in itself.

An honourable man doing the right thing in football - who would have thought it. Well done Gareth. I love to see the likes of Lineker, Ferdinand, Neville and the host of other comfort zoned snipers put their head above the parapet. Do I expect any of them to? Not a snowball in hell's chance.

And that is probably the main difference Ian. Foden and Bellingham have been excellent for their respective clubs last season but both have real quality alongside them like De Bruyne, Silva, Viniscius, Kroos and many more. I don't really see the same quality in many England players, just more functional players and up against a side like Spain with their quality it shows. I like Southgate. He seems a really decent, likeable bloke and if he wants a new deal he could get one. Personally I don't think he will accept one though. At times during this tournament he has looked haggard and it seems to me that the criticism has really taken its toll on him and the weight of expectation has been a real burden. If I was advising him it would be to leave, have a long break and then look to get back into club management.

The first tranche of the Wharton money has all but gone and the second isn't due until January. The reported £5m for Raya won't last long. There might be some money due from Luton and Spurs but again it will be small in the scheme of things. Your first sentence is the reason we will sell him I believe.

That's the spirit. 🙈🙉🙊 😂

I really and truly want to be positive about Rovers and not just insignificant things. But there just isn't anything in my opinion. I have no issue with anybody wanting to be positive but when there is a counter argument to their positivity the 'n' word comes out in response. Edit: For balance I really dislike the 'happy clappers' term.

But when the buyer knows you need to sell something quickly it puts them in an advantageous position. The end of the transfer window was closing in and Palace knew of our desperation. It's as simple as that.

But he clearly was part of the Wharton deal or at least involved in the 'serious conversations' about it.

According to this he did. “The situation accelerated very quickly with Crystal Palace in January and in 72 hours, it had gone from an offer we felt was nowhere near acceptable to one we had to have a serious conversation about.”

That's quite a compliment when you consider they bought Olise and Eze recently.

Tranmere with no numbers on their shirts looks really odd.😁

I didn't think there was any particular stand out performance although there weren't too many who played the full match. If pushed I'd say Brandon Powell.

I was at Macclesfield today and got talking to a man in front of me and he told me he represents Zac Gilsenan. He told me that he picked up a serious thigh injury in training this week after only starting back on Monday. He said he will be out for a while. It was a really young Rovers team who generally acquitted themselves well but lost 2-0. I wasn't too impressed with Barrett the new keeper though although it's unfair to pass judgement after one game. Does anybody know if he has signed a deal with us?

So after 13 Premier League matches Adam Wharton's value has more than doubled, in fact it was reported that Bayern Munich were prepared to his £60m for him. Parrish and Freedman knew of our desperation for money and ran rings around Waggott and Broughton. They had us over and the evidence is there for all to see.

I really don't fully understand what you are implying. I think I might know but can you clarify.