arbitro

Quite simply Rovers under 21's were poor yesterday and I would struggle to name any player who stood out and should be training with the first team on that showing. We hit the post in the first half and missed an easy second half chance but those aside we were second best all over the pitch. Clearly those comments are tempered by the fact it was a friendly and the coaches will be relatively pleased that it was a good work out. Perhaps to emphasise that they brought on O'Grady-Macken at half time and played him at centre half when Max Davies was still on the bench. Davies did come on later and HOM went into his usual midfield position. Also we played three at the back in the first half and reverted to a back four in the second. The only player who didn't get any game time was Adam Khan.

Lost 3-0 - deservedly so I might add.

https://www.chorleyfc.com/blogs/news/our-second-2025-26-season-ticket-window-is-now-live-for-renewals-and-early-bird

Below is what Chorley are offering. In the 15 game package you can use more than one ticket per game so in theory it reads that you can use all 15 for one match. They simply issue all 15 tickets in one bundle so it's not too onerous to utilise. DUE to unprecedented demand, we are excited to announce a brand new Season Ticket type ahead of the new season, the SUPER 15. Many of you reached out to tell us you'd struggle to commit to all 23 league games with a standardised Season Ticket, so, we've listened to your feedback to come up with this brand new initiative. A SUPER 15 ticket will grant you 15 match tickets, to be able to pick which game you want to attend, for only £200. This is only £13.33 per game! If you wish to bring a friend, family member with you - no problem. The 15 tickets will be issued physically to each paying customer, meaning the flexibility lies with you to pick and choose as you wish.

The ticket website they use said the kick off is 13.00 when I went to book tickets last night. I emailed Curzon Ashton and the have confirmed it's definitely 15.00 kick off.

I saw that Chorley were concerned about low season ticket sales and canvassed supporters who were on their ticketing database. This is why they said they listened. I doubt very much that Rovers have even considered other initiatives ie discounted family tickets. The driver should be around 14000 empty seats.

https://www.chorleyfc.com/blogs/news/super-15-season-tickets-launched Imaginative initiative from non league Chorley. They have lots of standing room which undoubtedly helps but with us supposedly allocating safe standing areas it could work. The key sentence for me is 'You asked and we listened'.

The theory is fine but being confronted by that monstrosity was daunting. 😂

Not as bad as this one in Swindon though Tyrone? 😂 I used it a couple of times and really was confused.

Maybe he should have a word with our owners then.

Excluding the under 18's we have six goalkeepers for the first team and under 21's. For a club with no money that is over indulgent in my view.

Interesting to see Barrett with the under 21's yet we have four goalkeepers out in Spain including two younger than him in Michalski and Goddard. It made no sense in June when he got a two year deal (with another years option) and makes even less sense now.

I hope all goes well for you.

Rovers have announced the ticket prices for the Carabao Cup match against Bradford on Tuesday 12th August. Prices are very good but the announcement gives one price for both non season ticket and season ticket holders. Bizarrely the Everton friendly had a £2 uplift for non season ticket holders. Another strange decision. https://rovers.co.uk/news/2025/july/22/ticket-news--rovers-v-bradford-city/

Man City have put a £35m price on James McAtee.

This being a professional footballer lark isn't such a bad life.

I am currently reading Duncan Ferguson's autobiography and got to the chapter where he is on the verge of leaving Dundee United and mentions the clubs who were looking to buy him. He mentions a bid from Rovers with Dalglish at the helm but interestingly writes that Dundee were looking to build a new stand. Ferguson says that Jack Walker got wind of this offered to pay for the new stand to be built in lieu of a transfer fee. No coincidence then that Jack could have supplied the steel work himself and get Ferguson even cheaper. In fairness Ferguson does allude to this himself. He was such a shrewd operator and never missed an opportunity. We were blessed that he was one of us.

We appointed a bloke from Brighton after Ian Silvester went. He was working from home but it has been said he is now based at Brockhall. Is it not a Company Secretary that needs to be registered at Companies House?

Perhaps so but how it wasn't stipulated that he moved before then is bewildering. On match days and the lead up to them the club secretary is one of the most important people at any club.

At a Q&A in October last year Eustace said he had never even spoken to them let alone met them

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.