SuperBrfc

Adkins is already well liked down at Ewood. He would have been our manager in 2017 had Mowbray not been suggested/chosen at the last minute. If he has shown an interest this time, I suspect they will be more than happy to interview him. If they want a cheap steady eddie, he's the man for them, I feel. Somebody on another forum last night said that Pardew has applied for the Rovers job. Could be something in that based on the above. Adkins or Pardew? Hmm. What a prospect.

If the LT is to be believed, that's both Farke and Carvalhal out of the running now. Did any of us honestly expect it to go any other way? I think many of us were hoping things might be different this time, whilst still being wary, but once again the pretenders have managed to disappoint. How many more golden opportunities do this lot want? A serious manager only needs one conversation with those at Ewood and in Pune to realise what's what. No ambition, no winning mentality. "Thanks, but no thanks". There's no way you are getting a proper manager on the cheap. The whole lot of them are only good for talking a good game and making it seem as though exciting changes are happening. When it comes to the crunch they literally fail to put their money where their mouth is. Again and again. Cheap, underwhelming appointment incoming, as was probably the idea all along. I've got visions of Adkins having them falling over themselves to put a contract before him with his ultra positive spiel. That guy can talk a massive game. If he gets an interview, he'll have them thinking they've got a Klopp in the building. I can't wait 😞.

Two Farke quotes from the LT article posted above by Polky: "I will only take on a project that I am 100 per cent convinced of and where I have the feeling that the club's ideas and mine are absolutely the same" "I like it when I can take a club to a higher level. For example, forming a team from a middle-class club that can play in Europe. Or a Europa League team into a Champions League team. Taking the next step, the next level and winning mentality in a team, in a club, that's what excites me." What are the chances that the 'club's' ideas and his ideas will be absolutely the same? The bit in bold, there's absolutely no winning mentality from those at the top here and Farke isn't daft. He will realise that pretty sharpish. Unless they are promising to back him and are going for promotion, it doesn't look likely that Farke will be coming here.

I also think it's Farke or bust. If Farke doesn't happen, it's likely to be an Adkins in my view. For anybody thinking I'm mentioning Adkins for comedic effect, it's not the case at all. It's a serious suggestion that you can't put past these owners from having a think about, who usually always cheap out on the manager front. Don't forget, he would have been our manager in 2017 had Mowbray not entered the fray at the last minute. Having said that, what gives me hope about Farke is Glen's info and the fact that he has been on their radar since March. They seem to be intent on Farke so I'm hoping they do what it takes to seal the deal. There is always a danger that they go the cheap route though, and the Carvalhal deal seemingly being off does raise doubts. It really does look like Farke or nothing, as the list of candidates after him looks woeful.

Glen, do you know who this tier of advisors consists of? The ones outside of Ewood. Not asking for names or anything like that. If the external advisor/s are suggesting Farke then that can only be a good thing. Particularly when compared with previous concerns that most of us have had.

Can't help but feel that there are many journalists and twitter experts keeping a keen eye on this thread, only to repeat what they see here to their 'followers'. Somebody mentioned Ferguson on here yesterday (Mercer, I think) and it all blows up online with Myers, Toffee TV Baz, O'Rourke all getting in on it. Time to get the Arsene Wenger train moving. He loved his debut at Ewood in 1996 so much, he's desperate to revisit! Honest, Nicko! 😁.

Unbelievable achievement. That won't be repeated in a hurry by any Championship side again, if ever. I wasn't around to see Brian Clough at his best, but I love listening to the stories about him from former players and colleagues who worked with him. Some of his quotes are brilliant. "I wouldn't say I was the best manager in the business. But I was in the top one". 😂. There are too many to choose from. I'm pleased to see Forest to go up, even though it wasn't in the best of ways with those decisions that went for them. That's one historic club back in the big league. One more to go!

Shearer hasn't gone and backed his mate, Big Dunc, has he @Mercer? That would be a heavyweight backing, in my view. Those at Ewood and beyond aren't even featherweights, in reality. I've read another informed poster elsewhere claim that Barry and his advisor are in the UK right now. That would suggest that something is happening and that we could have some news soon. Personally, I would love to know who this advisor is and what their background looks like.

If the talk of Lowe, Benson etc being kept on is anything to go by, they are thinking of saving a few quid again. For supposed billionaires who don't bat an eyelid at throwing £20m down a black hole every year, it's more than strange that they go for the cheap approach when it comes to managers. Why is the idea of spending a bit more where it matters, to stand a chance of receiving £120m in return, seemingly of no appeal? Anyone would think the idea of going up terrifies them, for some strange reason.

Genuinely, Ulrich? Or are you joking? Because I noticed a cryptic clue dropped by an agent a few weeks back, which only made my hunch on Adkins get stronger. I didn't post it at the time as I thought it might look mad. I've put Adkins forward from day one of this search and that was before the agent clue. If what you're saying is true, we might as well call the manager search off now, in my opinion.

One chip t-cake coming right up, booth.

I know what I would be telling Jagielka to do. As if Blackburn Rovers is some sort of testing ground for these wannabe, newbie managers. Go and do one, is the printable version. It's Carvalhal or bust for me. I don't want to use Cheston's phrase, but he is the "outstanding candidate".

In my school days it was known as "top lining" and also sometimes called "tart lining". I have no idea why either term was used or where they originated from. "Stop top-lining!" was a common complaint amongst my school friends.

Agree with all of that. I hope I am wrong, of course, but in my mind, I have written off the chances of a Farke, Carvahal or a similar bracket of manager turning up here. The idea of Nuno coming to Rovers is dream world stuff and unrealistic, I feel. In my opinion, the talk of the 'big names' (for this level) is being used as PR to build up excitement and to make it look like we could be about to make a serious appointment. We've seen this before with the "we've had 40 applications" only to end up with the most dreary or outrageous of appointments (Coyle). On the playing side we had "defenders are coming", "we'll look to make a few additions" and players in the building who we failed to sign. Only later did we hear about who we could have had. I'm expecting similar with the manager, but will happily hold my hands up if they go and shock us with their pick. When looking at the list of uninspiring names banded about, I am of the belief that Adkins is the best of the rest and the most realistic appointment based on what these owners have shown us to date. I want a top appointment like most people, but would not be too dismayed if Adkins turned up. Grayson or anybody similar however...

Exactly. That applies on a broader scale too. Want better for the club, call out Mowbray, call out Venky's, the way the club is run and you are 'negative' in the eyes of many (outside of this forum, definitely). Meekly accept mediocrity, the excuses coming out of the club and parrot club propaganda about exciting changes, the young squad and the PR exercise about Sporting Directors and you are 'positive' and a 'real fan'. Waggott had some of the fans on strings, ready and willing to sell off our superb training ground. How? By simply using the words "state of the art" in reference to a potential new facility. That's how easy it is for some of the fans to be swayed by these slippery gits. Do not be taken in by the words of such people. That's not aimed at anybody specifically, just a general point. In terms of the lack of season ticket packs, how likely is it that this is another cost cutting exercise? No need to do all that printing and get them sent out, just direct the fans to do it online. "What about the older supporters who may not have access to the internet or know how to renew online?" "It'll be fine. It's 2022, the modern world, everybody has a smartphone these days. If not, they could get a relative to help them. Or they could ring up the ticket office or come down in person to renew". "Great. That's sorted then". It's another example of the standards being lowered further at this club and another show of a lack of care towards the fans. That touch of class and appreciation the club had when John Williams was here is all but gone. I don't buy the nonsense about it being easier online and that "people should know". There will be a saving being made here somewhere along the line on costs. Social media advertising doesn't reach everybody particularly older supporters. This is an inconvenience to supporters without there being any need for it. Make things more difficult for the fans and then charge an extra £30 after a certain date. Brilliant strategy. "What about the manager situation though?" "Tell the local press we are interested in Farke and Carvahal, that will get people interested and excited". "Great". Farke and Carvalhal is PR bullshit (in my view). For anybody claiming we are just looking for anything to complain about, just remind yourselves of the standards this club used to have. Standards that we were used to and lived through as fans. Why is what we see and hear today, okay now and justifiable? Why should we not call for things to be better? Staying quiet and accepting whatever we are told isn't being 'positive' in my opinion.

They revelled in our misery. They gave it all the "long live Venky's" shite, all the "we love Venky's" bullshit. Now it's time to know what it feels like, and boy will they, with pillocks like Pacey at the helm. It's not looking good for them and I like that. ALK Capital. Alan Pace. Keep up the good work, guys 😂.

It's a start, Matt. Pacey will see them through to another one, I hope.

Well done to Leeds. Well played Newcastle. A brilliant final day. The dingles are back where they belong.

Superb from Man City. Liverpool fans can get stuffed!! You aren't getting away from the Rovers on one Premier League that easily 😁. Get down, Dingles. Your cycle is over. Oh and F.O Venky's. Bastards.

I can believe that, as the mard arse himself came out and said he chose not to sign a striker. He sulks petulantly when things don't go his way, Derby at home being one example of many, and his ego is to blame for our fall down the table.

I've never been a fan of pitch invasions. I used to see the odd one when there was a cup giant killing and understood it to a point. Aside from that scenario, I find them embarrassing. Particularly in the context we have seen them occur in recently. Rovers beating Oxford in L1 resulted in one, but we saw nothing like that during our truly good times. I get that the Oxford game was a day of celebration, but I was embarrassed by the pitch invasion because I saw it as a signal of how far everything about the club had fallen. Winning play off semi finals and charging on to the pitch makes no sense to me. Same with Everton last night. Imagine if after beating Sheff Wednesday in the League Cup semi in 2002, everybody piled on to the pitch to celebrate Rovers reaching the final. It would have looked silly and there would have likely been all sorts said about the fans. "You haven't won anything yet", "Calm down, Tottenham are favourites in the final". Twenty years on they are "fantastic scenes" apparently, that is until we hear about incidents such as the Billy Sharp one, Vieira and a couple of others and then they are rightfully talked about as being dangerous. The biggest issue today is these coked up and whatever else they are on, yobs, who have no respect for anybody. The authorities need to firmly clamp down on this now before tragedy strikes. I'm also of the view that social media and smart phones are a big factor behind this current trend. You only have to look at how many have their phones out recording parts of the game, penalties, corners, goal celebrations etc. It's not enough for some to live in the moment and enjoy the game as it happens right before them, but each to their own, I suppose. In my opinion, we're seeing a mixture of "I'm a proper fan me, mate" and "I'll do whatever I want" in action. People running on taking selfies, videos, goading players/managers, all so that they can appear 'cool' on their online accounts and get those 'likes'. Not saying that applies to all pitch invaders, but it is definitely a thing for a large element. The berk who Vieira kicked will look a right plonker today. Good! That "proper fan me, mate" culture is also the reason why some fans defend the indefensible on twitter etc such as Mowbray's runs and these buffoons we have as owners. Not all fans, but it is the case with some and it's not limited to Rovers fans either. I've seen Mowbray apologists, Arteta apologists and Ole apologists trying to come across as super fans just for social media popularity. Never mind that your club is being held back, being treated like a joke, with standards being lowered every year. As long as you can look like a "proper fan" on social media by being positive, it's all good. I miss the days of Ceefax when there was no social media around.

Looking forward to the full version of the Atkins one. Brown is the quieter one on there, the other two carry it. I have heard Brown acknowledge how poor he was at Rovers on that channel before. I'm sure they were once having a laugh about the stick he would often get on twitter for not being able to score when at Rovers. The ones I've enjoyed the most are those involving 'The Entertainers' from that Newcastle era. The John Beresford and Steve Howey podcasts were funny and interesting, I thought.

Interesting quote from Nigel Adkins, made a couple of years ago. “I’ve been at a few clubs now where I’ve experienced the hardship in terms of what I was told when I first joined quickly changed and promises became empty promises, when the goalposts get moved, but I can ask better questions now. Ultimately, I want to be back in the Premier League. How are you going to do that? You need to take a team up from the Championship, so you want to go to a club that is going to give you the opportunity to do that.” The last line sounds eerily similar to what Mowbray said upon leaving. Adkins ended up leaving Hull because he and the owner couldn't agree on the future direction of the club. I believe he is genuine when he says he wants to be back in the Premier League as that has seemingly been his aim at every club he has managed. I was previously of the view that Adkins would jump at the chance to manage Rovers. Now, I'm not so sure that would be the case. People within the game know what our owners are like. The above quote is very much what Lambert faced at Rovers. Even though Mowbray had five years here, he left by telling us, indirectly, how the club is still being ran in a dysfunctional way. We believe that the Rovers job would be an attractive proposition to some, which it is, but many will also be put off by these owners, sadly. Another quote below from Adkins on his time at Reading which I found interesting. Their owner at the time, Zigarevich, pulled the plug on funding and wanted to sell up. Adkins was told he'd have to make use of their academy and younger players as some of the experienced names were going to be sold. This was his response: “Listen, not a problem,” I said. “We’ve got a good youth team. Eamonn Dolan has been brilliant developing the Academy. I’ll play the youngsters and guarantee we won’t get relegated. There’s no way we’ll get promoted, but in 12 months’ time those kids will have played plenty of football. They’ll be far better for the experience.” The bit in bold is important for me, as old school managers like Adkins, McCarthy, Mowbray (He is, even though he tries to be an innovator), all follow the Alan Hansen school of thought. That is, "you can't win anything with kids". We saw that from Mowbray this season. Based on what I have read, I don't see Adkins coming here to work under these owners, with a small budget to work with, a young-ish side and having to try and win promotion that way. The questions to ask are; Is he desperate to get back into management? Would he be happy to just "nurture" the younger players at Rovers, bring a few loanees in and see what happens? If the answer to both is yes, then it could still happen. Putting him to one side for a moment, I don't think there's any chance of us making a top appointment (Farke level) with the way things currently are. It would only be possible, in my opinion, if the owners promise to back the new man with funds and keep to that promise. I'm not optimistic about that happening, therefore the worry is a Grayson or somebody in that bracket is more than likely to turn up.

Personally, I think the talk about Farke and Carvalhal is pie in the sky stuff. Not saying it's made up, there might well be tentative interest, but there's not much chance of this lot making it happen, in my opinion. Being linked with both, the LT mentioning them etc, does give us a bit of hope, does cause a bit of excitement, but deep down we have a fair idea how this is likely to go. We've been hoping for so long that "maybe this time, maybe now they'll get it right" but it has never come. The owners have shown zero ambition in 12 years. It was only four months ago that they displayed their lack of ambition once again and that leaves me with no optimism regarding the new manager. If fans are excited about who we may get, the process etc, that's fair enough. I'm struggling to get excited about it myself, as much as I want to. I don't believe that it has now suddenly hit the owners that we need to appoint a proper manager. I also have zero faith in the people doing the recruiting being able to pull off these top appointments. It will be cheap and cheerful again, somebody who will toe the line. A desperado who will jump at the opportunity. It doesn't even have to be somebody connected to a particular agency, just somebody who won't cause them too much bother by demanding funds. We've had many examples of potential winning opportunities thrown away due to there being no ambition coming from the top. Is it going to change now 12 years in and especially after the January just gone? I will be gobsmacked if it does and will be happy for this post to look silly as a consequence. Much like how many of us look back on the January window just gone in anger and disbelief, I feel there are going to be a lot of "why the heck did we let Farke and Carvalhal go to such and such a club" posts coming at some point. It's the way it is under Venky's and always has been. The suits at Ewood try to talk a good game, leak bits out to the LT to get fans' hopes up, make it sound like exciting changes are happening, then disappoint when it comes to the crunch.