Just now, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

Rhodes will be just what they need for next season's relegation battle.

He scored goals with regularity here not long ago, whether they kept us up from relegation in poor disjointed teams like in his first season, or when he scored 20 goals more than once in pursuits of the play offs, in seasons whereby the manager/rest of the teams failed to get close to his standards.

Understand why people are saying he wont or should come back, particularly financially, just dont get the disregard and disrespect considering his record here.

58 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Firstly Winnall was on loan at Derby last season so not sat at Wednesday bench like you say. 

I think its time that we moved on Rhodes. He left his choice by the way. Also his wages wouldnt fit our budget or Mowbray thoughts on bringing players on more money and upsetting the squad morale, squad togetherness and spirit. 

Winnall got 4 times what he moved to Wednesday from Barnsley. How much was he on at Barnsley but I dont think it huge amount. 

I believe Bolton are interest in Rhodes if the numbers are right. Ipswich and Sunderland were interest in him aswell last January

Personal opinion or from somewhere? If so, where?

27 minutes ago, Vinjay17 said:

Yeah I would have expected a lengthy statement too for such a momentous occasion. He did put out a statement when he left in 2015 which included touting himself as a "future manager". ?. Who does he think he is ? That tweet sums him up in his mind (look at me I'm local blah blah I am Mr Blackburn Rovers ?) he thinks we are all concerned other Championship clubs might be battering the door down for his services. Who's gonna appoint him for a first team manager anyway? Darwen? No offence to whoever manages them as they are likely way more competent than Dunn would be.

Probably is family reasons. People say he has other business interests sounds like another ex-footballer is on his way to the bankruptcy court. I'm sure whatever business interests he has are investments or arrangements where he puts in some capital and the partner does all the legwork. Likes of Dunn should just save their money and not invest in things they likely won't understand. Unless he buys a pub.

Why the disdain for a Rovers hero?

Just now, chaddyrovers said:

I am quite happy to sit back and trust Mowbray judgement on transfer and see who we signed. who would I sign? I don't know. Maybe Sam Winnall from Sheff Wednesday

Yes Rhodes was good here but I always felt his all round game wasn't good enough at times. My question why haven't Sheff Wed been playing him last season. 

I think Bolton might moved for Rhodes on loan. 

Mowbray and Dunn have told you the reasons why he has step down, so why keep looking for something not there unless you think Dunn has lie to Mowbray about his reasons

NO its not impossible to hold a conversation with me, its just you are looking for something that isn't there. I caused zero aggro. I talk football without getting personal. 

Great points made there

good signing

yes it was but in January Pete O'Rourke linked us with him

Pete O'Rourke

 What makes you say that Rothwell is a good signing? How often have you seen him play, and if its enough to judge, what will he add to our midfield?

Also, regarding Rhodes, dont think the deal could ever be done solely from a financial viewpoint. But lets not disregard by far our best player since we went down from the Premier League to this extent. Hes lost none of what he had when he was here bar confidence. But hes not affordable so its irrelevant.

Cant say i've seen enough of him, maybe slightly underwhelming but i'll wait and see, at least with him, Smallwood, Evans, Whittingham and Bennett we look fine in the middle.

Looking online at Oxford fans reactions, themes such as injury prone, inconsistent, unable to nail down a place, unsure on his best position and replacable are slightly worrying signs.

That said, he is apparently technically good, can travel with the ball and is obviously young so I will wait and see.

2 starting wingers and Armstrong please.

Few thoughts from what I've read:

- Chapman, as I've said before, the nature and instant recurrence of his injury makes this almost certainly a non-starter (ironically) in my book. Only if its permanent and cheap would it remotely appeal, loan should be a no go. One of the main reasons is because we are so short of wide players, with only Bennett (more of a utility player) and Conway (wont be a starter) therefore we have to look to sign players who will start in these positions, not ones who Mowbray has already stated he only sees as a sub.

- Certainly wouldnt be offering Mowbray a long term (3 year) contract, its not like a player where you need to protect the asset, if we start next season well then maybe give him an extra year but it certainly shouldnt be an urgent priority, especially as there is no indication that he will leave.

- Armstrong is the one from last season that we have to look to sign if possible, fits into our team like a glove.

- @chaddyrovers quoted that Mowbray said "I'd sacrifice quality for personality and character" now as much as I totally understand the need for players to have the right character, a good character is not enough, as I repeatedly said with Conway as to why I didnt want him to be given a new deal, you need both, 1 is useless without the other. Bad attitude, player wont fulfill potential, offers nothing on the pitch but a good character, see Jason Lowe.

That game was the second best watch as a neutral so far, after a couple of barren days really. 

Very committed and bad tempered, but littered with bits of technical excellence by Croatia, and also ineptness, like the misses first half and the mistake for the 1st.

Argentina hapless, a new formation, and although they are not world class, players like Fazio, Banega, Lo Celso, Di Maria and Dybala, all of whom would improve that starting 11 and make them better on the ball. 

Croatia one of my favourite teams to watch, the likes of Modric and Rakitic a joy to watch, so many good technical players aside from them, a threat going forward. Be amazed if they didnt get to at least the quarters.

Also, VAR has shown a few faults today, the Australia penalty was wrong, Rebic should have been sent off for Croatia.

Not a fan still, but thats due to its removal of the instantaneous passion for example when a goal is scored. Also I do think it would improve over time but it will never be implemented 100% perfectly.

Belgium are not a good team, they have individuals who are always going to score goals but overall im not convinced.

Martinez is a terrible manager, they play 3 at the back with Boyata in the middle (they will try and rush Kompany back before our game but thats a risk in itself) and with Carrasco (an attacking winger playing in China) as one of the wing backs.

1 hour ago, chaddyrovers said:

I wouldnt. 

The story is correct. Both local reporters had our interest in Bauer. Now both say price is 2 million. Which is far too much for a player with only 12 months left on contract. Move on to next centre back target. 

Also told me that we want Chapman, Armstrong price is too much for us at this stage. I can see Armstrong being sent out on loan towards end of the window. 

Not many linked out there. Hopefully we see a player signed this week but most likely after Austria trip.

Doesn't prove that the story is correct, the story being regurgitated around, im sure someone mentioned it on here days before he said anything.

Nixon doesnt know what hes talking about.

4 hours ago, Ewood Ace said:

Good to start with a win but I thought that other than Saudi Arabia Tunisia are as poor team as I have seen, they offered nothing going forward and were all over the place at the back. Rashford has to start ahead of Sterling in the next game Sterling is a fine player for Man City but for England he offers nothing. I don't rate Lingard and don't see what he brings to any team, I would start Loftus-Cheek ahead of him as he offered the team more in 10 minutes las night than Lingard did in 90. And how on earth does Jordan Henderson captain Liverpool and start for England he offers nothing for me he is a rich man's Jason Lowe every pass side ways or backwards and always slows attacks down, I would much rather see Dier play in his place.

Find your comments on Henderson totally baffling. Always seems to be an easy target but he was probably our best player, made quite a few penetrative passes forward, obviously within that role there will be some sideways passes, even from the best in that position, but in the main he looks forward and has a good range of passing.

Not only that, you choose Dier as the man to hopefully eradicate too much passing backwards and sideways! Dier really is crap. 

Overall, thought we were excellent in the first half. Full of energy, pressing, forward momentum, only problem is we need to be far more ruthless. Second half we ran out of ideas.

Sterling is not the same player in an England shirt as you mention, but id play him v Panama as youll never get a better chance to boost your confidence and get off the mark.

Trippier was superb down the right, Maguire was very good too. Lingard was as guilty as anyone in front of goal but he gives us so much energy, and he can score as hes shown for United. An important player, again Southgate needs to say, same again on Sunday, but have more to show from it.

Would bring in Rose for Young to give us some balance, if theres any risk with Alli then Loftus-Cheek can come in, otherwise id leave it as it was.

9 minutes ago, Pedro said:

I was just meaning that I too have been hysterical when Kean and Coyle have been in charge and I personally feel they are both self-serving aholes who never had our best interests at heart. Mowbray - although not perfect,  I respect greatly.

I do understand to an extent, but if either of those managers had been successful, their character defects wouldnt have been pointed out.

I suggested Serbia before as an underdog, they have a really nice balance to their side. Matic and Milojevic brilliant in the engine room, Mitrovic needs to be more clinical but his link-up with the star of the team, Milinkovic-Savic was absolutely terrific, and the 2 wide men were a threat too, Tadic far more influential for his country. Experienced in defence too, only problem is Stojkovic in the net.

Really enjoyed watching them.

27 minutes ago, Pedro said:

That is such an overused cliche these days. 

I've been on here long enough to see how things work and will unfold.  There's  way too much demand for titbits of information and generally not enough patience in the world - I suppose that kind of supporter has always existed (I remember the premium rate numbers on Clubcall/Teletext).  

Of course in an ideal world Mowbray would tie up everyone he wants asap but that so rarely happens.  I've no doubt Mowbray has identified who he wants. Some he'll get, some he won't and unfortunately, those who we won't will become a stick to beat the club with as the season progresses but that's the way it goes. There just seems this ridiculous demand for quickfire signings which goes back weeks now and I also read people fretting about Dack' s new contract - why?? 

I just hoped that the positivity of promotion would last a while longer as I personally think we are heading in the right direction at long last but I accept that it may be a long journey back to the top table.  As long as there is an honourable man in charge, I'll be relaxed.  There are more than three worse teams than Rovers and I don't expect too much drama.

I feel like that the implied hysteria and panic is massively exaggerated. I've not seen it, but I do feel that there are Rovers fans who are desperate to make others seem hysterical and unreasonable, and im not sure its entirely fair and accurate. This isnt specifically aimed at you by the way.

Ive only quoted you regarding the bolded point. I dont get such a statement. I judge managers solely on their results, not on what they say and not on their personality. The reason I am happy with Mowbray is results based, but if that was the case and the manager was a bell end, I wouldnt mind either way. 

I can say from a personal view, im not remotely panicked by the lack of transfers as of yet, all I can judge is what has been done ie Graham which im very happy with, and Conway which im not. Obviously il look in here to see if anything has been done but im not one to get hung up on rumours and im just happy to enjoy the World Cup.

Links with Baeur are probably shite considering their source.

Wouldn't be unhappy with the player himself, but slightly confused at spending a decent sum on a centre back. Hope to god its not with a view to playing 3 at the back, and that hed just be here to push Mulgrew and Lenihan, who for the time being deserve their shirts.

9 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

Yes, because the top teams in England don’t win 10 home games a season 4/5/6/7 nil.

Europe shows that Barca and Real are top teams and Messi/Ronaldo are two of the greatest of all time, however I don’t see how folk can argue that their scoring records are not skewed by the bottom half clubs that roll up to the Nou Camp and get slaughtered year in year out.

To be fair, City won 5-0, 6-0, 5-0, 7-2, 4-0, 4-0, 5-1 and 5-0 last season.

At least you are putting them together. I dont understand the argument being aimed only at Messi. Ronaldo scored 4, 5, 9, 17, 31 and 18 in his time at United. In the 9 seasons hes had in La Liga, hes never scored less than 25, yet people seem to use the fact that he played in England to suggest that he was/would be equally effective here, something that hasnt been stastically proven.

2 hours ago, scotchrover said:

It’s not irrelevant though. To be world truely world class, you need to be able to perform in any situation, at any given time. Messi hasn’t done this for his country, without his Barcelona team around him. Therefore, that leads me to conclude he couldn’t do it over here. 

Additionally, you talk about him not being the player he had been and use the excuse about Maradona managing. Again, world class players are able to perform under any circumstance. Compare this, Ronaldo, who probably hasn’t had anything like the team Messi has had around him internationally, but still won the last international tournement, mostly by himself. Also, saying that Argentina’s side isn’t full of quality right now is laughable.

The debate about both leagues is summed up the TV money in the Premier League and La Liga. Spain gets nowhere near the kind of money we do over here, for top flight football. Can you really imagine him scoring goals against Neil Warnock’s Cardiff or Mark Hughes’ Southampton? He’d be flatten within the first 5 minutes. The physical nature’s of England is well reknowned. I highly doubt he’d be walking goals in. 

Firstly I feel that you are ignoring what he has done for his country, and perhaps overestimating what Ronaldo has done at the same time for his country. Granted Ronaldo did win the last Euros, he got 3 goals, they didnt win a game after 90 minutes until I think the Semi Finals, and he went off really early into the final. He hardly dragged his team kicking and screaming. At the last World Cup, Messi got to the final in a poor team, getting player of the tournament, Ronaldo and Portugal went home in the Group Stage. Ronaldo is his countrys record goalscorer, so is Messi, Messi has got to multiple Copa America finals I believe too.

I think youre also overestimating the rest of the Argentina side over the last 10 years, its not very good aside from Messi and its strikers.

I think your point about Cardiff and Southampton is a bit ridiculous, I presume you cant have seen that much of him, hes far tougherto bully than youd expect, as pointed out he plays v top centre backs like Godin and Ramos who dont stop from toughing him up. If you think he can play so well v teams like Atletico and Real Madrid, but would struggle against Sol Bamba and Maya Yoshida then I think you are mistaken.

My argument isnt that Messi is better, its that both are almost inseperable and both are undoubtedly 2 of the best of all time. Just look at the numbers from both, year on year.

5 minutes ago, scotchrover said:

Messi has played in La Liga all his life. The only time he’s done anything is when he’s played at Barcelona, against teams in La Liga. With all due respect, the majority of teams in La Liga practically roll over when they play against Real Madrid and Barcelona. When he’s played for his country, he’s done very little to note, in comparison  

In my eyes, Ronaldo was pretty much the finished product when he went over there. The fact he’s gone over there and scored more than a goal game tells you that. Could he do that over here? I highly doubt it. 

The reason for the obsession of considering whether Messi could play in England is the fact that the standard of the league is more intense and physical, than over there. I highly doubt he would be able to. 

But whether Messi could replicate his La Liga form over here is irrelevant because Ronaldo hasnt proven that he could consistently score the ridicilious amount of goals that he does in La Liga in the Premier League either, as I said he only scored over 20 once. I personally think they both could score over 30 consistently over here but its a moot point because it implies that Ronaldo has already done so, he hasnt.

You mention that he hasnt done anything internationally in comparison, but in the 2 world cups, in 2010 he wasnt the player he haa been in the last 8 years and was managed by Maradona, at the last world cup he got player of the tournament and to the final, hes got to Copa America finals and is their record goalscorer. But Argentina and Portugal arent elite International teams so they are going to be somewhat hindered, and the tournaments are irregular.

You say that hes only proved it in La Liga but thats not blatantly not true. Youve forgotten that both players have triple figures in the Champions League, have multiple medals, and the 3rd top scorer has 71. They both prove in the best club competition season on season that they are a level above the other world class players. They are 2 of the best ever.

The Premier League debate will always be hypothetical but I refuse to believe that he wouldnt score regularly against Huddersfield, Southampton, Cardiff, West Ham, Bournemouth, Watford and Leicester. But hes hardly a flat track bully as hes proven in the Champions League. Thats where hes shown hes a class apart along with Ronaldo. Who also hasnt proved he could score the numbers he gets in La Liga consistently over here, which is ignored.

5 hours ago, Stuart said:

Messi has just done the exact opposite of his La Liga antagonist from last night. Missed a pen and then fluffed a free kick at the death.

I do think that Ronaldo is a true pro who works exceptionally hard and feels he has earned the plaudits, relishing the pressure that success brings, and believing he will succeed, whereas Messi is a supremely naturally gifted footballer who looks uncomfortable when the pressure and spotlight is on him. Could he carry Argentina in the way Ronaldo carries Portugal? I doubt it. Totally different psyche.

5 hours ago, scotchrover said:

I think it ultimately shows that Ronaldo is a far better player than Messi.

I also think it highlights how poor La Liga is. Yes Ronaldo is playing there currently, but he’s performed it in the Premier League too.  

Find these 2 comments incredible, not sure if they are reactions to their respective performances in the last 2 days, but they are crazy. Far better player? Theres no way that anyone could argue that either is "a far better player." And doubts that Messi is able to handle the pressure?!  The awards hes won, the trophies hes won, the important goals hes scored, how can you question that?

Neither of them have naturally replicated their club form amongst national teams that otherwise are far inferior to other teams. Ronaldo won the Euros, Messi has got to quite a few finals including the last World Cup in which he got player of the tournament.

Its a flip of a coin decision whose better, personal preference, I prefer Messi but certainly would never argue that theres anything but a minimal difference.

4 hours ago, frosty said:

Let's not pretend Messi wouldn't tear the Premier League a new one. He's scored loads of goals v United, Arsenal, Chelsea etc in the Champions League (a goal a game on average v English teams I think, and them being the top PL teams), won games on his own v other top foreign teams like Bayern, PSG. Does he need to score against the poor teams from 7th down in the Premier League to prove himself? 

No idea what Argentina are playing at though. Dybala and Higuain stuck on the bench, Icardi at home. Crazy.

Quite right. People also seem ignorant to the fact that Ronaldo was a work in progress in England, moving from winger to goalscorer, only got 20 goals or over once I think, and stepped up a couple of levels to one of the all time greats once he moved to La Liga. So I dont understand the obsession about Messi being able to do it in England, when Ronaldos career in this country has been greatly surpassed since he moved to La Liga.

I dont personally think that the 22 points in 15 argument is a totally fair point in that I do feel that its impossible to extrapolate that over an entire season. Many of the teams we played in that last 15 games had nothing to play for, take the last 2 games v a Villa side on the beach with a Darwen End full of their fans cheering us on, and Brentford.

I dont actually think that weve actually added loads of new players capable of excelling at Championship level either. There's Dack whose obviously our star man. Smallwood I think can step up but some understandably have question marks. Bell and Downing have it all to prove but I think they can be squad players. Then theres Samuel, Gladwin and Hart who for me all are sub standard.

The biggest boost arguably, bar Mowbray and also the momentum of a promotion, is whose left since. Lowe, Akpan, Guthrie, Mahoney, Gallagher, Hoban, Hendrie, Emnes, Brown, Greer, Henley and since, Ward and Feeney, have all gone. None of them players are nearly good enough at Championship level. Players like that had a catastrophic impact on our relegation.

Just now, chaddyrovers said:

A massive gamble on a very temperamental guy. 

Not sure how exciting it is it? Lets see how he copes with championship football and British players. 

look at your comments. 

a big name who managed big clubs? really? not in Europe pal. 

Who would I have appointed? I would have gone for Dean Smith from Brentford. But I did say I would have kept Heckingbottom on and give him at least half a season and a summer of building his own squad. 

Leeds United have been gambleing  for years and achieve nothing but waste after waste of money. 

Hes managed Athletic Bilbao and Marseille, you are deriding them and championing managers that have come from Brentford and Barnsley.

I dont think you are reading what I am putting properly. I keep insisting that it is a gamble, that it is a risk, but I just feel like its an exciting one, read up on him, he adopts pretty unique tactics, different formations, aggressive presses, hes obsessed with football and watching players and improving players, hes well reknown so I have no doubt that he will have contacts and an attraction to players that Smith and Heckingbottom can only dream of.

How have they gambled for years? Theyve appointed a mixture of managers from the merry go round, Garry Monk, Steve Evans, Neil Redfearn, Uwe Rosler, Brian McDermott, none of whom where ever going to provide anything but a bit of stability, and a few foreign no marks with random CVs who no one had heard of.

5 hours ago, K-Hod said:

I think people need to accept that it's okay to disagree with decisions Mowbray has made without:

1) Being negative

2) Calling for his head

Literally every manager of any football club on the planet will have his decisions questioned from time to time. 

Absolutely correct, otherwise you are losing the point of an internet messageboard. There was almost unanimous praise for Graham signing a new deal the day before, its not as if people are just solely being negative.

4 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-everton-leeds-wolves-move-in-as-villa-pull-back-on-midfield-signing

we offer him 1st team football where teams like Celtic, Villa, Boro and Wolves wouldn't. 

That's what I see has his role in some games starting to keep it solid defensively and positional 

mostly will be used as a sub in most games

there is far too negativity on here at times about lack of signings or FFP laws. 

on Conway offers anything on the pitch? didn't he scored 2 goals and 3 assists last season, so you comment isn't true. 

Not seen Clare play much and has only played 5 times at Championship level. You say he could get 1st team football here, hat sort of player is he, do you rate him higher than Evans/Smallwood, and have you seen lots of him.

25 minutes ago, Scotland1 said:

Samuel lost his place after a few ropey games. Graham hit form and became undroppable. Samuel is technically good with his touch, and brilliant in the air jump wise like Gestede but if you remember Rudy when he first came and Duffy they couldn’t head on target so it’s an area he needs to work on.

A decent turn of pace and he’s clearly a fit boy with his training over the summer so you can’t knock him. He seems to be stroppy on the pitch and this affects his compusure however he reminds me of a Jason Roberts. He’s still young but needs to step up.

I think you are being incredibly generous by saying he is brilliant in the air or has a good first touch. And as been touched upon, to add to this, his goalscoring record is incredibly poor.

32 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

massive risk considering Bielsa last 2 jobs where he hasn't lasted a season or even 6 months. his success was 5 years ago at best

it is that exciting really? big name really? 

never won a trophy in 3 European leagues he managed in. 

its McClaren not McLaren. won 2 trophies during his management career. one at FC Twente and one league cup at Boro. 

Yes I will admitted that McClaren hasn't done nothing since his first spell at Derby but you building Bielsa up like he Pep or Mourinho

How am I building him up like Pep or Mourinho?!

I said it is a big gamble that could end in tears. But its a big name whose managed big clubs, whose made a big impression on some of the best managers in England at the moment, whose tactical approach was at a time revolutionary, who would you have appointed may I ask? Probably boring choices, or Heckingbotham, who might have kept them pottering along, but theyve stagnated for too long, maybe they want a gamble.

Cant believe you are correcting people on spelling either.

11 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

will Bielsa last the season there? or sacked during the season like his time at Lille and Lazio where he lasted 2 days. 

lets see what both Bielsa and McClaren do at their clubs. I think McClaren will surprise a few people this season

I would agree JH very big question marks about him. 

from media reports Leeds are paying him over 2 millions pounds per season. plus a number of other things like Training ground rebuilding, etc. 

I wouldn't want him here I know that. Very happy with Mowbray. 

I acknowledged theres a risk but Leeds have stagnated and maybe need to think outside the box. Could be a masterstroke, could end in tears. But its exciting. Hes a big name with in the main an impressive CV.

What has McLaren done to suggest hes anything other than a poor manager amidst the typical merry go round?

14 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-everton-leeds-wolves-move-in-as-villa-pull-back-on-midfield-signing

we offer him 1st team football where teams like Celtic, Villa, Boro and Wolves wouldn't. 

That's what I see has his role in some games starting to keep it solid defensively and positional 

mostly will be used as a sub in most games

there is far too negativity on here at times about lack of signings or FFP laws. 

on Conway offers anything on the pitch? didn't he scored 2 goals and 3 assists last season, so you comment isn't true. 

Chaddy, not everything is positive. Never mentioned either of those things. Im on about solely Conways contract and "stop being negative" doesnt in anyway support the decision made by Mowbray. Just as I was delighted that Graham is staying, as he offers plenty on the pitch as well seemingly as off it.

Thats nowhere near enough to be considered an attacking threat. 2 goals when already winning games so his goals got us 0 points. His assist v Southend was good but overall. Nowhere near enough. His legs have gone.

2 hours ago, Bigdoggsteel said:

Most managers would disagree with you. Plus, Mowbray and Conway himself both think he can do a job. I thought he look good pre and early season last year, before getting injured. I wouldn't write him off just yet. 

Anyway, far too much focus and negativity on this. Particularly as people have no idea how much the deal cost and due to the fact we haven't signed anyone else yet. Conway could be 3rd or 4th choice come the start of the season. 

I hate when people say too much negativity. People can give views contrary to what has happened, and ones that go against what Mowbray has done.

Just like I was delighted about Graham, and said why, I feel that I am entitled to say why I dont feel Conway offers anything ON the pitch.