Andy

Would the NI adjustments in 2025 have made an impact on salary costs? I know for the business I work for (a medium-sized local firm), it was somewhere in the region of an additional £500k-£750k over the course of this year.

Ipswich are the luckiest side to have come to Ewood in a long time. Outplayed and losing the initial game; rage quit and rematch. Outplayed and should have been down to 10 men in the rematch; equaliser with the last kick. Standard of officiating was beyond horrible, even by EFL standards. They were really poor and won't be anywhere the top 6 come May. As for us, we need to learn how to see games out. 4 points dropped in 3 days due to last-gasp equalisers.

I've been a bit ambivalent in recent times, for reasons which I suspect a few others share. But the obvious injustice of the first match has made this a bit of a grudge match and one I really hope we win. It's a shame that it'll be in front of 10k-12k, as it's the exact kind of game that a decent crowd would give us an edge for,

Despite what happened at Soton, Will Still is still (will) a level above what we can hope for, should VI walk away.

It was a fumbled catch, I said this at the time. But, as I also said at the time, credit for his positioning to be in the right place for the header.

Shame to concede late on, but a point is alright. Thought we were finally going to beat one of these promoted League 1 sides.

Seems Deadman is dead between the ears. Does he realise we're 1-0 up late on?

The save was a fumbled catch, but credit for the positioning to be there in the first place. Aside from a couple of dodgy kicks early on, he's been decent today.

We have to listen to his cockney voice every game, in fairness. And agreed on the earlier point on McLean - scumbag on and off the pitch.

I feel like there's a gap between defence and midfield - where Tronstad normally plays. They've had a couple of runs at us in that area so far, feels like a risk if nobody is dropping in out of TGH and Foreskin.

Gudjohnson is the real deal, really like him.

That was my first match in the Blackburn End - couldn't believe the difference in atmosphere from the JW and Walkersteel.

This is my era; what a list that is 🏆 Uncle Jack has to be the most sure-fire vote on all of these lists, from all of the eras, surely?

Nah, we did very well at Hull and Bristol just off the top of my head. We've been alright away from home for the main part this season.

Absolutely criminal that we're about to be beaten by a header from a player who looks no more than 4'6".

That loose pass from Miller was completely unnecessary.

Agreed. We must have other kids in the Academy who could do a better job than what we're seeing?

I'm not keen on our attacking plan being 'just twat it forward and see what happens'. Pretty dire so far.

Surely they wouldn't have given him the armband if they knew that he was only going to play a dozen games this season? Even by Venky's / Pasha / Gestede standards, that would be a new level of stupidity.

And that's before you even take a look at his bank statements.

The ability to defend is absolutely the priority. But a modern defender, at this level, has to be able to play in addition (pick a pass / carry the ball / etc).

Ah, apologies if I misunderstood - but I guess the logic applies to both.

One thing he does exceptionally well is scan the pitch. Watch him off the ball; he never stops scanning. The elite players do it and he's always had it in his locker - it's why he's a step ahead of most players he comes up against.

There's a time and place for it, absolutely - I coach a grassroots side and my lad plays CB, so I know this all too well. But, equally, a modern defender needs to be good with his/her feet also now.

Based on what we saw last night, with some nice headers, interceptions and well-timed challenges - I'd suggest he most certainly can. Being a defender in the modern day is inclusive of being comfortable with the ball at your feet. It's no longer about Peter Kay style 'ave it clearances as the staple.