21 minutes ago, roverandout said:

Cheek is that player but no good giving him 30 minutes..should build the midfield around him

Disagree, hes more of a number 10, hes not one to sit deep and control it.

Dont think theres a case for building the midfield around him either, whats he done to prove he is THAT good to build a team around him.

Jekyll and Hyde performance, some lovely movement and interchange first half, albeit nowhere near ruthless enough., good to watch though.

Second half ive no idea what happened, subs didnt help, an obvious downgrade bringing on Welbeck etc.

Central midfield a problem, Dier is crap and we lack someone to calm it down when we go under pressure, im unconvinced that the way we played the 3 in midfield will work v better teams, may need to put the impressive Delph next to Henderson.

33 minutes ago, Bigdoggsteel said:

Why do you hope not? 

Because hes 33, and a winger whose played the majority of his career in Russia, apart from an underwhelming spell at Everton quite a while ago.

Bloody hope not. Doubt it.

18 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

Very unfair on Heckingbottom IMO. no chance to bring his own players he wanted, working with unbalance squad, far too many foriegn players.

Christiansen started well but things went bad after a couple of months  

They had Rosler, Christiansen and Milanic in the past 4 seasons aswell. 

Leeds in last few years have gone nowhere. 

Biesla has no experience of football in England. Will be culture shock for him. Yes they have some managers who has been successful but alot more failures. 

Lee Johnson and Dean Smith have both done good jobs at their clubs. I would prefer one of those than someone like Biesla. McClaren is McClaren. 

My point is, that yes he didnt bring in any players, but with the same players that Christensen had, who was deemed to be underachieving, he was doing considerably worse thn him.

Find it strange that you think Bielsa, a manager with a good CV is written off, yet you are so sure Lampard is a good appointment, a man with no managerial or coaching experience at all.

4 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

3 months with Heckingbottom in charge with a squad that wasnt good enough and lots of different nationalities there is enough time? No transfer window to bring players he wanted. 

Heckingbottom shouldnt have gone to Leeds in hindsigt. Reckon he might get the Bradford job

Leeds will go nowhere under Bielsa IMO. 

To be fair, it seems that under Heckingbottom, theyve actually gone backwards compared to under Christensen, his record albeit only over 16 games is incredibly poor, the fans seem unanimous in their response, its like with Lambert, patience is only good if you see signs of progression, and as I said and the stats prove, they have slid further under Heckingbottom.

Not sure you can go down the "not another foreign manager" route either, I know you like promoting British managers but theyve given many a chance over the last few years, Redfearn, McDermott, Hockaday, Monk, Evans and now Heckingbottom and it hasnt worked for any of them.

Bielsa seems to be a bit of a firecracker but hes a bit of a tactical revolutionist whose managed some big clubs and is highly respected by managers including Guardiola and Pochettino, so maybe it would be a far more exciting appointment than someone like McLaren, Lee Johnson, Dean Smith, or than a total novice like a Lampard or a Gerrard.

Just now, chaddyrovers said:

But Leeds have had zero success.

Heckingbottom wasnt given a chance there. 

Leeds go for another foriegn manager. Rumour it Biesla. 62 years old.

Will it be another crash and burn for them?

I know but im saying that its not that managers there arent being given enough time, its the quality of manager thats the issue.

Bielsa is a hot head I think but is well thought of and experienced. Suppose Leeds could argue they went with an English manager and look how that went.

9 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Leeds united is another club who hire and fire every season but achieve nothing at all in years

The problem is in the poor managers, not the system.

Look at Chelsea and Watford, both have achieved relative success with a short term hire and fire system.

38 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

I think they will be mid table and possibly playoffs depending who they appoint. Grayson would be decent. 

Do fans have sympathy for us over what we been through since the club was sold? Some do and some dont. 

 

I think Lampard will do well there. Its good to see him taking on a Championship club instead of waiting for PL job like Shearer. Its very annoying he take a job when he had a chance. I remember him being interview after Hughes left and he was interested in Rovers job after Kean left. Didnt Kenny Dalglish recommend him to Shebby Singh?

What do you base Lampards prospects on chaddy may I ask? Think hes done well to get a chance so high in the pyramid based on very little. Very much an unknown quantity.

4 hours ago, RoversClitheroe said:

Everyone's forgetting that Jack Doyle is far greater than Sam Hart. Jack Doyle would be fantastic cover for Bell

Based on what?

Not sure Pilkingtons one of the pacy wingers I had in mind either.

Cant see him coming to be back up, he starts where he is, so where would this leave Raya?

25 minutes ago, MarkBRFC71 said:

Just because 3-5-2 works OK for you on FIFA doesn't mean it will work in real life .....

And you'd be happy with the two CBs that got us relegated last time round in the Championship, plus the LB from the same side - but playing out of position??  Wow.

Said it before but the first signing we need is a proper experienced, blood and thunder, proven Championship CB.  It's become a cliche (but it's nevertheless true) - you always build a team from the back.

Agree on 3 at the back not working for us, and also on keeping Williams away from centre back. (he also prevents Mulgrew from being able to bring it out from the back in that formation as Mulgrew is then pushed central, but thats another issue)

Disagree on the need for a blood and thunder centre back, Mulgrew and Lenihan are an excellent pairing, they didnt have a season together in the Championship, Mulgrew signed quite a few games in, both had injuries and flirted with the idea of being central midfielders. (an idea correctly abandoned for various reasons) The likes of Greer, Brown, Wharton, Hoban, Ward and a Shane Duffy insistent on a move were all unworthy stand ins, Mulgrew and Lenihan were 2 of the players that looked more than capable at that level, and hopefully will be again, fitness permitting. I wouldnt reject the idea of a centre back to cover them, but it wouldnt be a priority.

3 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

I agree with your posts. 

I think some coaches are far too old fashioned and haven't developing the coaching ability 

I agree with that. I think Mahoney and Wright made the wrong decisions in leaving here. not one has made a first team appearance in the league for the club that bought them

Of Course I watched Conway played. he struggled in some games but played well in some. 

I think you will find that I was posting a couple of weeks before Mowbray even said owt on the subject that I would offer him a new 12 months contract and I outlined my reasons why. 

We don't know the finances are and after Mowbray and Waggott comments I wouldn't say Finances are tight at all. But we are looking to be sensible and not over paying for players

The finances isn't our problem. that's Mowbray, Waggott and Cheston job. 

Thanks for info on our football career. 

I don't agree that Fitness can be taught cos players need to have natural fit in modern football. 

cant imagine many children these days playing on the streets like they did about 20 years when I was young enough to play football. its all been banned streets due to busy roads and councils stopping kids playing. 

I agree after reading Mowbray comments on Rovers and LT sites and listening to Radio Lancs he seems to want young and athleticism players who will development here, not be on crazy money, fit into the squad dynamics and attitudes. 

I would imagine Conway would be a basic contract with adds on based performances

any more news on this whether its a loan or permanent move?

very true but coming off the bench to use experience and knowledge of this league

exactly what I been saying. He can use his experience and knowledge in the championship 

my stance has been clear even before Mowbray even commented on Conway and his future so why do you keep lying in your post. I outlined my reasons why I would give him a new 12 months deal. 

Please can you remind me of what games he played well in?

Should sign our promotion team from 2001 back, Flitcroft, Duff, Dunn etc, if thats the reasoning. You need something on top of experience. 

6 hours ago, Paul Mani said:

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/16248729.Steve_Waggott_provides_updates_on_Rovers_contract_talks/

 

Im REALLY interested to see how some will put a negative slant on this...?

This sort of rubbish is just as bad as Mercers constant purposeful winding up.

End of the day, the success of this summer will be judged by actions (signings and sales), not by words, so its irrelevant anyway.

That said, to echo others, IF Graham, Lenihan, Dack and Smallwood sign new deals, thatd be good news, Conway re signing would be bad as hes not good enough any more, not sure if agreeing with 4 out of 5 aspects of that article is positive or negative but there you go.

3 hours ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

Who would you rather have - Armstrong ( a wide forward ?  ) or a fully fit Chapman ( an out and out winger ) ?   I know who I'd chose out of those two.  There's a lot of rubbish talked about modern football , the game hasn't changed that much over the years.

To be honest, youd have to say Armstrong has proven himself to be more effective, in that Chapman has never shown more than flashes, obviously for reasons beyond his control. From wide, Armstrong proved himself to be incredibly effective, and he did often provide width as well.

That said, im a big fan of out and out wingers, I do appreciate why sometimes wide forwards are so effective and im not against having one like Armstrong, but I did feel that our weakest area last season was the lack of an out and out winger, when Armstrong had an off day, whether it was Conway or Antonsson on the other side, I never felt that we had a proper attacking threat on the other side. The way we play, 2 outside forwards can leave us too narrow. A natural winger has to be the first priority.

1 hour ago, K-Hod said:

Did you watch Conway much last season? He really struggled IMO and I don't think I'm alone in that. Just a question, but, if Mowbray had deemed Conway surplus to requirements, would you be upset or think that was wrong??

There is absolutely no room for sentiment in professional sport. Conway has been a great servant to the club, but if he struggled in league one and he's now a year older, the championship will be even tougher for him, that much stands to reason. 

If finances are tight, as they have been for the last few years, we need to have every single squad member earning a wage making a big contribution.

 

Totally agree. It would be totally sentimental, and if he wasnt offered one, im sure chaddy would say he agrees that its time for him to go. The expiry of his contract after a season in which he didnt set up a goal and added nothing going forward, with him potentially finishing on a high, everything about it suggests that its time to go.

1 hour ago, Bigdoggsteel said:

Practically every other ingoing and outgoing that takes place at the club this summer is more important than Conway signing a new deal. It's happening, those that disagree just have to deal with that. 

 

What a strange comment. Surely that means that theres no point in the messageboard at all if we "just have to deal with" whatever happens, whether people agree or disagree with the choice of Conway getting a new deal, they have the right to share that opinion on here.

33 minutes ago, HowieFive0 said:

Going off TMs comments about recruiting young up and coming talent into the squad ,keeping someone like Conway may not be a bad thing.He seems like a good professional,never seem to hear anything untoward regarding his life outside football and has Championship experience to pass down to the (hopefully) new young recruits that TM is aiming for .

TM made it clear to Payne that he will be a bit part player at the club and im sure Conway will have been told the same and any new contract will be influenced by that fact. Im sure it will be a "Sorry Craig ..you aint gonna get much playing time but your presence here  could be influential to the young squad so we re only offering you so much ..take it or leave it ". 

Really cant see Conway getting a more substantial deal if not probably a reduced deal ..the Club hold the cards not Conway.

Whilst I totally appreciate the importance of experience, know how etc, you have to be able to offer something aside from that. Theres plenty of experience aside from Conway in Mulgrew, Graham, Bennett, Williams, Whittingham, Evans, so its hardly as if he is our only potential leader. He didnt set up any goals at all last season, hes forever injured, and when his plays, its blatantly obvious that sadly his legs have gone to the extent that he cant get that half a yard that he needed when he was setting up goals on a regular basis. He was totally ineffective at League 1 level too, so hed actually have to cope with a big increase in quality and speed, and sadly hes proven that he cant do that at this stage of his career. For me, anyone who feels that he can is basing their view blindly on sentimentality, mirroring Mowbrays view, which to an extent I understand as hes been a good servant, but logically itd be a year too far.

1 hour ago, Butty said:

Yeah obviously we'll have enough to get past Tunisia and Panama (you'd think)  , is it likely Poland or Columbia we'd face in the next round? Either of those could easily beat us. Spain have an aging side, Argentina's defence is woeful, there only really Germany Brazil and France who stand out for me so surely on paper despite the limitations of our own side we could have a good run. I have my doubts though as all us English do.

Wouldnt be surprised to see Senegal qualify, Poland are seemingly well fancied along with Colombia but Senegal have Mane and Keita Balde in attack, Koulibaly and Salif Sane in defence, and well known Prem players like Idrissa Gueye and Kouyate in midfield.

Spain are right up there, they have plenty of crucial experience but in Asensio, Vazquez, Isco, Saul, Thiago, Nacho, Rodrigo and Koke there is plenty in the way of youth alongside it.

1 hour ago, Norbert Rassragr said:

Sam allardyce is statistically England's finest manager if you look at a certain way. Sterling is not a good striker. Is that so hard for you people to understand? That was the premise of JAL's message when he said Kane should be a super sub and suggested Sterling should start up front ahead of him. 

I don't buy the Sterling hype, or Delli Alli. On their day they are great, but they can also flatter to decive. Especially when they play for England.

In the Premier League, Raheem Sterling got 18 goals and 15 assists last season (23 and 17 in all competitions), and Dele Alli 9 goals and 11 assists (14 and 17 in all competitions).

As much as you disregard statistics and admittedly they can be manipulated, for 2 young players, neither of whom are strikers, they both show a level of consistency far surpassing what you are implying.

1 minute ago, Mike E said:

Am I right in thinking Pardew has only just finished being paid off by Newcastle because of his weird 5yr contract?

I think it was an 8 year contract!

1 hour ago, chaddyrovers said:

Well as others have said it better than the same old managers like Pardew, etc. 

Someone who done well and is young. 

The problem with Pardew is not that he is not young, its that hes proven to be shit.

2 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

From nicko

Blackburn. Mowbray wants a couple of cheap ones or frees inside budget before a couple of loans. Try to keep inside annual payroll projection of 12m.

Blackburn wish list. Cover keeper. Cover centre half. Alternative right back. Midfield legs. Width. Striker. All bar a new left back. 

From Rich Sharpe. Ask him whether Nicko tweet is correct. His response was 

"there should be something from the man himself shortly."

Tonight Rich Sharpe will release an article from his chat with Mowbray today  

The guy doesnt know what hes talking about, hence his need to cover every position to cover all bases, best to ignore him.

That article is a waste of time really on the official website, half of it is cryptic nothingness that can be taken as good or bad dependent on your frame of mind, and the rest is blowing smoke up the owners arse.

That said, its filling the website for 3 months, and I wouldnt want him to say the budget. It wouldnt surprise me if he had nothing to spend, but I dont care for words, I always judge on actions.

1 hour ago, chaddyrovers said:

why don't we wait and see what Mowbray says first publicly. 

we all know about your predictions don't why? it never happens

also prediction that Rhodes would be sold about 4 times. including to teams like Bolton and Wigan. also Venkys would sell up. that was about 4 years ago. 

look at his comments about Dack recently. tell you everything you need to know about Mercer

Its irrelevant what he says, its what he does that matters.

For me, Belgium lead up the second group of teams at the World Cup, the quartet of Spain, Germany, Brazil and France look difficult to seperate and I think the winner is amongst them teams; they all have very little in the way of weaknesses and ridiculous depth. The squads theyve announced are all superb.

Belgium, Argentina, Portugal, ourselves and maybe Uruguay, all to varying degrees can be fairly optimistic but all have weaknesses and also lack depth.

Just now, chaddyrovers said:

Isnt he 34 years old? Doesnt strike me as Mowbray type player tbh

Mulgrew doesnt have the fitness for the holding midfielder role. Dont know ppl keep mention it for. 

Mowbray cant afford to only look at players within a specific age range, he needs to be more open minded than that.

That said, I dont think he will be so narrow minded, his first signing was Peter Whittingham, he also signed Paul Caddis and he is desperate to offer Danny Graham and Craig Conway (wrongly) new contracts.

James Collins isnt a realistic signing anyway, and agreed on Mulgrew being a centre back, not a midfielder.

2 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

I wonder if Mowbray will look at Hoilett from Cardiff. Out of contract this summer I believe. 

Surely not realistic, having played a big part in a promoted Cardiff, surely he will sign a new deal.

38 minutes ago, AdamRochina said:

Jack Baldwin a sensible target?

Hasnt he been transfer listed by Peterborough after a poor season? Need much better than that.

33 minutes ago, Stuart said:

Nyambe was injured for a couple of months and he played Bennett there instead of the club’s other two right backs. I’d call that a trust issue.

To be fair, it was relying on experience at a crucial time, it was vindicated both in results and by the form of Bennett overlapping at right back and Evans who was probably our best player in the last month of the season.

Just now, chaddyrovers said:

No need to throw your toys out of your Pram lad. 

I watched the Villa under 23's game where Travis played centre midfield. FACT!

Not sure hes once said otherwise, "lad."

"Seems daft not to just go and buy a right back - or simply play Travis is the position where he played very successfully season - barring a game at Ewood (which we lost!)."