Not read the thread so apologies if this has been mentioned before. Where does Broad's 8 for 15 rank in terms of all time Test match and/or Ashes hauls?

Well jealous Bob. Was hoping to go but tickets sold out immediately and when I looked on ticket agencies a few months ago tickets were already 200 upwards. Wish I'd have gone for it even at that price now. Glad you enjoyed it.

The figure that caught my eye above was Beckford allegedly on 40k p.w. at Leicester. Who could ever think that Beckford even on his very best day was worth anything remotely approaching 40k p.w? (Milan Mandaric probably but it was a rhetorical question. You deserve everything coming to you paying those sort of wages out)

I suppose statistically given the number of players that have played for the Club over the last 40 years, you're always going to get a tragic story popping up occasionally about a former player leaving us well before his time. That doesn't make it any less tragic or shocking when it actually happens. RIP.

I don't think Messrs Battersby and Currie have anything like the wherewithal to take over the Club but if it's good enough for the man perceived by many to be the knight on the white charger to say that I don't see why it isn't good enough for everyone else.

Some very amusing imagery indeed but I think the concept of money laundering is lost on some on here. Hypothetically if you put 20m of "dirty" money in you expect to get 20m or 20m less a suitable arrangement fee back not lose the lot then carry on haemorrhaging money at the rate of 2m plus per month. On that note I notice Ian Battersby in one of his most recent interviews said it was time to put all the conspiracy theories to bed.

There's no reason whatsoever why ill feeling towards the owners will or should dissipate unless or until the unlikely situation comes about that they put us back in roughly the same position as that which they found us in. However I don't understand people's need to substitute rank incompetence for something more sinister such as shadow owners, illegal betting scams etc etc.

Why? Whenever ill feeling towards the owners seems to be dissipating slightly it seems someone feels the need to stir the pot up again by starting unsubstantiated and ultimately unfounded rumours about Judan Ali/Shebby Singh returning (delete as appropriate) In this particular instance Glen dropped a broad hint about Ali thereby getting everyone flapping then admitted therr might not be anything in it after all.

Indeed, their record speaks for itself without any need to invent far fetched conspiracy theories and the like.

When was the last time ANYTHING Glen posted a scaremongering story about came to fruition? When things have have gone quiet on the owner front for a while he seems to feel the need to start a rumour which places the owner in a negative light, sadly.

As for the game in general, a very encouraging performance imo. We completely dominated Palace for the most part and played some super football to feet without resorting to any of the aimless hoofball we saw under Appleton. I still couldn't say for certain that Bowyer is the man to take us forward, that said, I think we could do a lot worse. If like Appleton he was allowed to bring his own players in and make his own footballing decisions unfettered by outside interference he might just be a revelation. There are some very encouraging signs. Incidentally, what a performance from Josh Morris, didn't think he had that in him on the basis of his displays prior to Saturday.

Pedersen's an absolute disgrace to the colours, and has been for several seasons. It may be we can't afford to pay him off instantly but ideally we'd be far better served by doing so imo, we've formed an idea over the course of the season who can and can't graft week in week out over the course of a gruelling 46 game season and in my view we're unlikely to get very far whilst chronic lead swingers and p*** takers like Pedersen, Orr and Murphy remain on the books dragging down the performances of everyone else. Tyrone is spot on with this one we need young and/or hungry players if we're to progress not players only interested in boosting their already bulging bank accounts of the ilk of Pedersen, Orr and Murphy.

Overall I thought this was the most enjoyable game of the season albeit the first 20-25 minutes wasn't very impressive. Yet again Rhodes proved the difference between the two sides with a very sharp finish. I just don't understand the criticism of him at all. As with the Blackpool game, Williamson was my MOM with Kane very close behind. I also thought Jones had a much better game than of late as well. Dann was superb in defence, Givet looked way off the pace at the start but got better and better as the game went on. A sterling effort from him. The three players who were substituted all had poor games I thought, King, Lowe and Best. Along with Marcus Olsson. Great cameo from Goodwillie when he came on, the sharpest he's looked since he's been at the Club. Surely deserves a start ahead of the very disappointing Best. Sadly the same couldn't be said about Dunn, looked overweight and sluggish when called upon for the last few minutes. I'm not sure, but we are certainly crying out for someone who resembles a natural LB. Have been since Warnock was sold.

Agree on both of those Jason, couldn't believe how well Dann played tonight, perhaps he felt more confident having Givet alongside? Only dilemma with Kane if we could secure his services is, how do you fit him and Henley into the same side? Could Kane play right hand side of midfield perhaps?

He must be in a bad mood because we won.

Apart from that I quite like Rog's team assuming we have to go with Morris due to injury concerns. I'd play Nunes instead of Pedersen though.

My concern over Givet would be as to his lack of match fitness. When was it he came in after a long lay off previously, was it Blackpool away? He was extremely poor as I recall. The younger Rekik is more like to be sharper fitness wise and centre back is his preferred position albeit he has looked poor at LB. I don't think there's much to choose between picking either, both represent a gamble. Anyone but MGP for the suspended CKR please.

I've only just seen this thread and am really shocked by the news. I didn't know Kelbo but from his postings he was clearly no fan of the current regime to put it mildly and my main regret would be that he passed away with us in such parlous circumstances. Like I keep saying though at least he saw us lift the title in 1995 (and later the Worthington Cup) . Not many fans of various Clubs will ever be able to say that. Best wishes to Ben and family at this difficult time. It won't bring him back but I hope it's at least nice to read what a well liked and well respected contributor Kelbo or Kelvin was on here.

I think the parachute money goes 16m/16m/8m/8m. So hopefully failure to go up this season would not prove terminal financially. Difficult to see how it wouldn't be if we didn't go up inside two seasons though. Maybe the thinking is we would still be able to sell him with two years cleft on his contract if we haven't been promoted by then.

Valid point. I'm not sure if Petrovic is actually desperate to leave but if not I would say midfield options of Murphy Etuhu and Petrovic with Dunn available for cameo 30 minute bursts nd cover etc would look very strong at this level. That said, the wage bill won't stretch forever. I would imagine we're also hoping Jason Lowe can step up. Although he did better at full back than his alleged natural position in midfield last season imo. Edit: Oops - edited.

Agreed Ricky. Whilst we should be solid enough in midfield if Murphy and Etuhu stay fit, I can't see there's anyone currently at the Club in the absence of Best who will find the net on a consistent basis. That said, if we could land Rhodes it would be a coup of monumental proportions. Left back was also our problem position last season fior me. It will be interesting to see if we can solve that as well.

Very good signing imo. The only slight concern is the length of contract being handed out to players like him and Murphy, which reinforce the importance financially of returning to the Premiership inside two seasons at the outside. We have been saying for ages though haven't we, the need for more experience. You certainly can't accuse the owners of failing to back the manager though imo with six signings thus far, and three former Premiership players having been persuaded to step down a grade. Whether the manager is good enough to deliver - that's obviously a different question entirely.

The McDonalds near the ground might go bust - the team should survive.

I just caught the end of that as well. Basically he seemed to be saying he had no intention of returning to Blackburn (the area) SSN turned it into a bit of a PR piece for him, inferring how he was out of favour at Ewood and should be allowed to leave etc etc

Whilst I'm a little uncomfortable with the idea of selling McCarthy I now think we need to get him out of the place asap. He's clearly keen to leave and if the move were to fall through for any reason I reckon he'd be no use to us whatsoever. Even less so than at the moment. We do however need to replace him as a priority. I am surprised his replacement hasn't been sorted out well before now as his departure has been on the cards for ages. There must be someone better long term than Beattie about as well. If it means spending a bit more in order to get someone who'll be good for the forseeable future rather than just a season or so then that's the direction the owners should be looking in. The priority seems to be trying to replace Belly for the same price whereas we should actually be looking for the right sort of player. That's if we want to flourish on the pitch anyhow.