I missed the post(s) that are hidden, but in response to Carl’s quoted above: Josh has made really valid and accurate points regarding space on the board, but it goes even further than that. We are a democratic membership organisation. Anyone who feels WATR should be taking a different approach/implementing ideas raised on this message board - it costs £10 a year to join.

Got to agree, it looks amazing on. Definitely 95 vibes. That shade of blue is it!

Jury is still out. Difficult to judge accurately in all honesty but didn’t stand out either way.

Interesting how we lined up today. 4-4-2 and a 4-1-4-1. It would certainly support Eustace’s comments that he likes out and out wingers… let’s hope we sign some. First half we saw a lot of the ball in wide areas. JRC was drifting in and Dolan cutting in, both fullbacks were getting up and supporting. Brittain saw a lot more of the ball, but Pickering was the more useful of the two with it. Gallagher won a couple of flick ons to nobody in particular. Szmodic made some really good runs in behind but the ball was either missed or too late. Sammy going off injured is a major concern. Second half really demonstrated our frightening lack of depth. I can only think Saadi was thrown in at the last minute as the planned strike partner for Vale was unavailable. Gent was lively and Duru impressive. Buckley streets ahead of the vast majority of players in the pitch. Despite their involvement in the goal I thought Markanday’s decision making remained very poor and Vale looked miles off it. Ref robbed us of a bit of excitement in seeing Tyjon. Ridiculous considering he let their keeper (who made Wahlstedt look as composed as prime Friedel) stay on after a ridiculous challenge near the half way line!

Pretty certain. The ex players speaking out has all stemmed from the Mail article, but most of their complaints appear to be around the way they were treated rather than the amount they were paid. Which articles Carl? Would be good to have this info to discuss. The only one I can see is the Mail one and it doesn’t mention any reduction. Also I haven’t seen any club statement, so rather than being muddied I think it’s just a complete lack of any info.

Asked and answered on dozens of occasions. Its always been “they have no intention of selling” so far.

Plenty to work with there. I’ll keep you posted!

Specifically what questions do people want asking regarding the Women’s team? If anyone wants to post them on here I’ll get them asked and answered. To reiterate again the current budget for the women’s playing squad hasn’t been reduced, it’s been kept at the same level as last season. Obviously some of the comments regarding use of facilities etc are concerning and I’ll make sure those form part of the discussion.

Apologies, I’ve got this wrong. There were concerns that with the restructure last year the Women’s team would be viewed as its own entity and the accounting procedures around it changed. I seemed to have lumped this in with Covid costs being removed from the PSR calculation in my head and notes. As it stands they can still have an add back for any losses for the PSR calculation. @arbitro

I’m not willing to shout “Venky’s Out” into the void any more. They haven’t been moved by 2 really sustained periods of supporter pressure, and if and when they do go it’ll be because of circumstances beyond any of our control. The criticisms coming in from the ex players are a completely different story to the player exodus that happens at semi-pro level, including Rovers Women, every summer. I think I need to be accurate in my criticism of the club for them to pay any attention to it.

I was but I’m not any more… I’ll go back through my meeting notes from when we spoke about p&s

I’m trying to find out exactly when it was, but it was either this year or last, I think. Agree, it’s complete madness! Particularly when in the other hand they are calling for parity… no chance of it getting anywhere near catching up

As posted on another thread… Regarding the ongoing discussions around the Women’s team… I don’t think there has been any reduction to the women’s team budget. It’s exactly the same as it has been for the last 2 years. I do need to clarify this 100% though. **clarified, no reduction** There’s big pressure in the fan led review to improve the focus on the women’s teams, the phrasing mentions parity between Men’s and Women’s teams, hence they playing at Ewood far more regularly last season, and the pressure is on to get them moved over to a full time model. It’s obviously a money losing venture, and to go full time would cost probably £1-2 million per year so that’s a way off at present. The club also now have to include losses of the women’s team in FFP/P&S calculations, previously they were exempt. At present there is a complete reluctance to add another significant expense on to the balance sheet. I’m not sure how big a story the players leaving is. It’s similar to non-league in that there is an exodus of players every year, it’s just the reality of the situation. Saffron Jordan packed it in last year to concentrate on her full time career. Having said that some good ones have moved on, but some of the more profile ones have remained. Several of those who have left have apparently done so as they’ve got the opportunity to go full time.

Regarding the ongoing discussions around the Women’s team… I don’t think there has been any reduction to the women’s team budget. It’s exactly the same as it has been for the last 2 years. I do need to clarify this 100% though. There’s big pressure in the fan led review to improve the focus on the women’s teams, the phrasing mentions parity between Men’s and Women’s teams, hence they playing at Ewood far more regularly last season, and the pressure is on to get them moved over to a full time model. It’s obviously a money losing venture, and to go full time would cost probably £1-2 million per year so that’s a way off at present. The club also now have to include losses of the women’s team in FFP/P&S calculations, previously they were exempt. At present there is a complete reluctance to add another significant expense on to the balance sheet. I’m not sure how big a story the players leaving is. It’s similar to non-league in that there is an exodus of players every year, it’s just the reality of the situation. Saffron Jordan packed it in last year to concentrate on her full time career. Having said that some good ones have moved on, but some of the more profile ones have remained. Several of those who have left have apparently done so as they’ve got the opportunity to go full time.

I hope you are right, but I don’t think it will play out like that. The players and probably the manager seem to think the result has somehow vindicated the approach to every game we’ve played so far. Can’t see a lot changing in terms of performance level or tactical approach, and luck will run out at some point.

There’s something quite unlikeable about this set up, even aside from the wretched performances. There seems to be a real arrogance amongst the players and manager - their reactions to the recent justified criticism has demonstrated it. It seems to be the modern way that managers like to stick stubbornly to their “philosophy” and changing anything is a sign of weakness, but it barely seems as if there is any real plan here in the first place. Some real cockiness in the celebrations too - it should’ve been complete and utter relief. Pretty sure Kane claimed in his post match that Bellinghams goal was “the greatest in our country’s history” which is almost as arrogant as it is delusional. Big changes are obviously needed next time out after fluking it through that tie. Obviously won’t happen though.

That includes half season tickets and final 5. The comparative numbers above on Josh’s pictures are: STs sold so far this summer (+208 hospitality) Last season before start of the season Last seasons early bird In addition, renewal rate as Josh states is *thought to be* 76% - some questions over the data so a slight chance it’s slightly different 69% of ST holders in BB postcodes Riverside accounts for 19% of all sales and is up 1% (checked this to gauge entry level offer)

There’s very little difference between Connor Gallagher and Lewis Travis. That sub sums up Southgate. One of his 3 desperation subs was a good one though. Watkins MOTM for England.

Another thing I’ve noticed about Alexander-Arnold, he goes hiding in there. Only interested when he’s in acres of space. Not interested in getting the ball in remotely tight areas.

Really strange how the humidity and a pitch that is cutting up only impacts one side, if these pundits are all to be believed

Denmark by far the better team that half. Not many who could complain at being subbed off, but Arnold and Foden top of the list again. Midfield needs Wharton, simple as that. Forward line needs someone pressing out of possession and playing off the last man’s shoulder when we have possession.

It’s astonishing really that we are talking about 3 players being played out of position. It’s the first match of an international tournament, not a League one game in the middle of a December fixture like up! 2 of those 3 were dire. Trent and Foden shouldn’t be accommodated.

Trent is not in Adam’s league. Nowhere near.

The idea is to alter the format a bit of the fans takeover games rather than just doing the same thing again. It was reiterated we would still have the opportunity to have some cheap ticket offerings. Burnley was one mentioned. That seems like a good game to try and pack out with home fans and create a bit of atmosphere around.

They do. The cheapest tickets are one small block of seats on one side. A few hundred at most. It’s block Y on the below map. A season ticket in block X is £585 for an adult.