I think Eustace is about as good as we can expect - though I would prefer someone like Neil, or even Hughes over him. All are shite, but I'd rather take shite with some proven experience over a prolonged period. Once again, Warnock would have been the ideal name, had he not just headed north.

I don't think Eustice is the answer - he's a relative rookie still and we need experience. Now isn't the time to be taking risks. If Fowler gets anywhere near the job, I'm genuinely out (and never returning). Nixon clearly has no idea at all. After all, he backed Kean as a 'gem' right to the death. He'll report whatever certain people pay him to report.

Sorry, only read the last few lines. Whilst not a single fan sees JDT as a 'God/martyr', most recognise that he's done a good job with a crap squad and no backing. TM also did a good job, agreed. It's not a competition between the two - they both did well for us. The worry should be who is about to replace JDT, because it sure as hell won't be anyone of his calibre.

You're rewriting history, tainted by recent poor form. JDT did an objectively good job for us - you can't argue with the facts (finishing 7th with a shit squad and no backing). The cup run was a bonus, but a very welcome one. You're only trying to fool yourself if you think he was shite here and he'll go on to much bigger things than Rovers. However, more importantly, we have Gareth Ainsworth to look forward to, senior players who get a bit scared when the nasty crowd boo them (after failing to beat teams like QPR and Huddersfield at home...) and Waggott successfully deflecting attention away from his own severe deficiencies. Oh yeah, and that's on top of the transfer debacle, which in all reality was internal politics and sabotage, potential financial ruin and owners seemingly unwilling to do the right thing and piss off. I'm pretty much done. Certainly not spending another quid until this shitshow is addressed. Literally no leadership at the club. No-one who actually cares about Blackburn Rovers Football Club, just whatever benefits the individuals.

I just can't give any credibility to the 'oops, sorry, we forgot to press the button' excuse. Both the club and the individuals involved have processed hundreds of transfers without any such incident, over many years. All of a sudden, we see 3 cock-ups in 12 months. It simply cannot be accidental or incompetence. And it cannot be allowed to be swept under the carpet as such.

What I mean is, I think it could either be a tipping point for a large number of fans - or whatever is going on behind the scenes could mean the beginning of the end for the Raos. Either way, feels potential seismic.

Yeah, I don't entertain conspiracy bollocks, but I am not buying this for one second. For it to happen last winter window (twice) was embarrassing at best. For it to happen again now, oddly on the only deal that would cost us a few quid, it cannot be another admin error. The club surely don't expect fans to just accept/believe that? Something is afoot and I think it's not far from coming to a head...

Ok, so trying to make some sense of the McGuire situation. From a few sources, we apparently submitted the local/FA/PFA transfer forms on time, hence why we were happy to announce the signing - pending international clearance and work permit requirements. The ITC in this instance would be us completing and returning this form: https://ussoccer.app.box.com/v/international-transfer-pdf Which doesn't need to be completed before the UK transfer deadline (just required before he can play for us). Which leave the work permit situation. I haven't been able to find anything which confirms if this needs approving before the UK transfer deadline, only knowledge of how it works on FM (where you do need it in place prior to the deadline). All of that said, if there was no issue, surely the club would have put something out - or even paraded the lad during the QPR debacle. Yes, I was bored, no I've not been drinking and yes, I'm now going to bed.

He wouldn't have featured either way - international clearance / work permit stuff.

One thing to consider in all of this was the recent Venky henchman (added to the board, IIRC), specifically brought in to oversee financials at the club. Wouldn't be surprised if he was making decisions from the shadows, over the last few days.

For it to happen in 2 consecutive winter transfer windows makes it hard to believe otherwise.

The one positive I picked up on was that Pears was pretty good. Proactive, quick off his line and decisive The 1-on-1 save was very good, too.

Who is doing the transfer paperwork, the Work Experience kid? Once is embarrassing. Twice is criminally negligent (if true, etc).

Today felt weird - I couldn't make it down, so watched on (completely legitimate...) TV. And I felt nothing. Normally you'd get that knot in your stomach when the other team score, or a bit of excitement when we got one back. Even getting pissed off when that ginger kid on their team was winding our fans up near the end. Still, nothing. Almost felt like a neutral watching. And I'm one of the more optimistic fans (certainly on here anyway). Feels like something big is happening and not good big.

Putting everything from the last week to the side for a brief moment, we need a win tomorrow. I'm not one of those looking downwards, particular with only being a Burnley-handful of points from the top 6 and with a few home games coming up. An early goal or two to settle us would be ideal, but let's see how we go...

I find it's the older generation who seem to be pro-Venky's, certainly via social media. Maybe they believe everything they read online, like the flat-earthers or those who think Bill Gates was secretly popping microchips into our arms, so he could see how many times we nip t'Asda in a week. Anyway, hopefully Tommy is right and it's something and nothing. Losing the best manager we've had since Big Sam would not improve the current situation in the slightest.

Agree with this. It was far from a 10/10 window, but there are some obviously exaggerated reactions. But you have to bear in mind that this community seems to have a disproportionate negative outlook as opposed to the wider fan base (rightly or wrongly). The lad from Crewe does look a prospect and the American boy is intriguing as well. As for the rest, well we certainly added experience and some numbers, so let’s see how it all pans out. Nothing has changed my mind that we’ll be closer to the top 6 than the bottom 6 in May (10 points and a game in hand on 6th at the time of writing - even after a horror run of form). The worry will be what happens in the summer, with owners/funding/etc, but we’ll have to cross that bridge when we get to it.

I think JRC has a strong shout of making a CM position his own, but only when we have sufficient cover at RB.

Who would/could have done better in the circumstances and with all of the restrictions he's had to work with? Genuine question.

I was thinking that it would be the most Rovers thing to happen, in this scenario, for the lad to be holding up the halved shirt at some point today. If it does collapse due to the reasons we’ve all speculated since last night (and nobody comes in at all), I genuinely do think it’ll be the beginning of the end.

Poor lad looks gutted.

How you can point the finger at anyone other than the owners is quite bizarre. GB has been working with both arms tied behind his back. And now both legs have been chopped off tonight.

Probably more suited to a Channel 4 Despatches episode.

Sheff U managed it with the Anel lad last season - only ended up paying for him once they have Prem money.