I find it stunning that some quarters are actually trying to shift the blame. Pears was the difference between us picking up points and losing yesterday - that screenshot on the previous page of his teammates' reactions speaks volumes. And, again, whilst he's had a better season than last (which would have taken some doing to be worse than last season, to be fair), the big red flags have been there all season; he's just not been punished as regularly for them. See Coventry in our last home game, for example.

So, still nothing happening then? Absolutely criminal. Heads should roll. But we know the story and we all know how this plays out...

First goal was entirely preventable - his positioning was poor for starters. He was slow to get across to the relatively soft shot, even getting a weak hand to it and pushed it into the goal. Second goal took a deflection, but once again, his positioning was poor and his reactions equally so. A professional GK should not be beaten from that angle, by that weak shot. On top of that, his poor decision making should have cost us another goal, but Brittain's goaline clearance bailed him out. He's benefitted massively from a much more organised defence this season, but the same old Pears has still been there throughout - and we've seen the warning signs quite regularly. He's just not good enough and costs us points.

A professional goalkeeper should not be beaten from that angle, with that soft shot. Positioning was wrong, anticipation was wrong, reactions were not present. He has been at fault for both goals today.

The outfield players must feel disheartened. They're not great, but they've mostly played quite well today - I even think Buckley and Forshaw did a decent job in the middle. Gueye seems to be getting better game by game. Then you have a GK that just throws the game away for you, undoing all that good work.

Pears needs to - and I cannot stress this enough - fuck right off. Absolute liability.

Soft FK giveaway. Even softer goalkeeping - Pears is terrible.

I wonder if Jackson is alluding to the theory of Venky's being willing and able to spend money, but someone based in the UK (Suhail) is advising them not to / refusing to?

You're not. And it is. We have a substantial recruitment and data analyst team, which is why it's entirely unacceptable. It seems every year we manage to come across even less organised and less professional than the last. I genuinely, honestly, believe that a handful of fans on this board would be doing a better job.

On that last point, I'm always suspicious of how many small companies are linked/related to the club (owned by club staff). In addition to the multiple branched-off Venky's sub companies. https://open.endole.co.uk/insight/company/00053482-the-blackburn-rovers-football-and-athletic-limited Whilst I have no doubt that the snowball was a massive contributory factor to how things have played out, it seems highly unlikely that less legitimate things are not being covered up by the unwillingness to sell.

This is what worries me. TM was able to get the owners to invest because he'd go out there and speak directly to them. Now it seems that they leave Suhail to run the club and make the decisions. Unfortunately for us, he clearly has zero interest in us doing any more than treading water in the Championship (at best). Once JE leaves - and he will soon - we are a poor appointment away from League 1.

Not sure on anything else, but remember that account leaking this season's kits weeks/months before they were unveiled. Clearly has some info, at some level.

If the rest of the transfer window goes as we all expect, it's probably time to remove the 'friend' bit out of 'critical friend'.

You could see the deflection in real time (well, on telly, maybe not inside the ground), though I couldn't see who it came off. Let's be honest, Pears wasn't saving it either way. Shame the free kick was given away in the first place, very soft.

If anyone had any doubts that Nixon is nothing more than a red top guess merchant, the O'Brien 'link' should seal it. The laziest possibly link to make, along with linking BBD with us. Will absolutely not happen. And if it did, I'll show my arse on the halfway line in the subsequent home game.

Way before my time, but we've all seen the clips and highlights - clearly some player. That finish for City, against United, in that pivotal game is iconic.

Horrible, horrible performance from start to finish. Buckley was probably the pick of the players today and he was barely average.

I think these are all very good and valid points. It seems to have been lost somewhat, on some people, that we were absolutely a club in terminal decline. Right across the club, we were heading in one direction. TM played a pivotal role in grabbing us by the scruff of the neck and turning that direction around. Did he have faults? Absolutely - and many. But lets issue credit where it's due.

Yeah, the Dolan pirouettes are frustrating. He'll do something good or create a bit of space, then shimmy back and forth for no actual reason - and the chance has passed. I'm sure when he first broke though, he was more direct and had an output. And that's why it's as frustrating as it is - he just needs a reset and to forgot the stepovers.

He had a poor first half, but he's a player than needs those around him to make intelligent runs and movement. But the quality has shown this half with a big hand in all 3 goals. Lots of credit to Gueye also, I think he's been very good since coming on.

3-0. Another lovely ball by Cantwell - that's what he can produce even on a poor performance. Gueye did really well again. Good anticipation from Weimann.

Got away with a major one at our end, then great finish by Brittain at the other. ACD played a big part in that. Horrible performance, good win.

Pape! What a cross, what a header.

He's been poor, but he's a LOT better than the likes of Buckley, Weimann, Dolan and even Tronstad tonight so far. Change of shape needed for the 2nd half, get 2 up top and attack them.

Portsmouth are terrible. We've managed to be even worse so far.