SuperBrfc

Not had a Rovers gift for a while, Atko, but this thread reminds me of one of my favourite ones from years back. A relative had a mobile phone business and I casually mentioned to him how cool it would be if there was a Rovers case for the Nokia 3310 (thinking that no such product existed). He only went and found one. It was the spitting image of the one below. Cue me going around school thinking I had the coolest looking phone ever, ha. I would also like to know what other Rovers related items are out there. There has to be more than what we see in the club shop currently.

Fantastic result for Wolves tonight, but I have to say United look awful. It's going to take a major overhaul to turn them into title contenders anytime soon. A squad full of overrated players and mercenaries who aren't bothered if they win or lose. Mourinho wasn't joking when he said getting this lot (most of them anyway) to finish 2nd was among his best achievements. The centre of the park has been a problem for them for a while but every summer window goes by without them really addressing it. Solskjaer refused to budge from Fred and McTominay and now the new man looks to be doing the same (although Matic played tonight). Why is Donny Van de Beek not getting a look in? Swag, get on the blower and ask the question. That's our new Berkovic loan move. In all seriousness though, I'm loving what's happening and the United forums/YouTube channels make for great viewing right now 😂.

I expect us to look at that position with Poveda being ruled out. Amad Diallo on loan from United would be ideal for that role, imo. Young, flair player, needs games. Could be a Harvey Elliott type capture for 6 months.

I think he has been sent back so that we can bring another midfielder in. Mowbray loves stockpiling centre mids. I'm sure we'll see at least one come in this month.

The trolling 😂. I find that hilarious from a banter point of view. I've not read the comments so don't know how they are coming across. If they are genuinely behaving like arrogant pillocks about it, I take it back. I want Newcastle to do well though, as I've always liked them.

I'm always on the lookout for any old Rovers clips that appear on YouTube. Just watched the following. I love the breakaway goal starting at 4:50. Duffer's goal at around 9:00 is sheer class.

A game where I want both teams to lose tonight. Draw will do, as it helps neither of them really.

Absolutely. If they don't act now, they never will. I would send Clarkson back and try to get Billy Gilmour here. He's getting pelters from the Norwich fans who want to send him back to Chelsea. I think he would suit our game and fit into our midfield. Jack Wilshere is available, could he offer us something on a short term deal? Forss is the striker that I would like us to get. He is a good finisher and has a point to prove having not had much game time this season.

I agree. I think the team dynamic is much better with Armstrong gone. He did well for us and I appreciate what he did in a Rovers shirt. However, it felt like it was a case of 'get the ball to Armstrong' for the past couple of seasons. A bit like Ronaldo at United, if he didn't get it he could go into a sulk and his shoot on sight policy must have began to grate. Back to current matters, I bloody can't wait for the next game! COYB.

Get in!! That puts more pressure on those around us in League. There have been a few "we would have blown this game last season" fixtures that we have overcome during this run. Their equaliser would have hurt us in the past, but not tonight. Something special seems to be happening here. Diaz on 20 goals after looking so bad in his early days, it's unreal. The defence clicked into place. What a story this would be if we can see it through. Swag, £60 walk on price for City, Liverpool, Chelsea and United? Count me in 😁.

Do you remember when teams used to be beaten in the tunnel at Old Trafford and Highbury before a ball was kicked, back in the day? Tonight has that feel about it. Rovers 5-0 Barnsley.

I agree. From Arsenal down it is underwhelming. The bottom 6 or so are dire to watch at times. It's frightening the amount of money being blown with not a lot to show for it. It feels like the more money that is being spent, the worse some sides are getting. Everton being one example. United have spent a ridiculous amount post Fergie, their wage bill is staggering, yet they aren't any closer to winning the league. It's going to be interesting to see how it feels when we are back in there, because it's clearly much different now to what we remember it as.

I like that. I have been questioning where the ambition is for a long time, even though that's not all on the players as the way we have been ran is the main issue. It's great to see us with a young, hungry bunch of lads with a point to prove. They will all be itching to get to the Premier League as most haven't tasted it before. It's a world away from the older heads we let go of like Evans, Bennett, Downing, Holtby etc. They had a 'been there, done that' air about them meaning the hunger and urgency wasn't there. I wouldn't be against a Berkovic type signing though to help us out this season. It still might not happen for us this season, but the fight and determination brings renewed hope.

Yeah, Everton had a deal with Sports Interactive whereby they could use the FM database to scout players. Watford have had FM as a shirt sponsor in the past and the game is still heavily advertised around their ground, including on the seats in the dugouts. I think the man behind the game is a big Watford fan from what I remember.

I have a question for you, Joe. What role, if any, does Football Manager (the game) play in professional football? I mean, do coaches/scouts ever refer to it when wanting to know more about a player? It's something I've always wondered as a keen player of said game.

I think we'll be seeing Maja come in on loan. Questions over his fitness mean we should hold back from signing him permanently for now. Another option at right back is a must. If we are looking at a Poveda replacement I would try and get Elanga or Diallo on loan from United. We apparently failed to land the former in the summer. It could be different now if they want him to get game time elsewhere.

Cracking result for us tonight. Fulham beginning to feel the pressure? I have to stop myself from getting carried away, but it looks to be opening up for us right now. Hull away is as winnable as they come. The only thing stopping me from saying we are going to batter them is the amount of winnable games we have fluffed in recent years. Hopefully it is different on Sunday. COYB.

There are many examples of players leaving Rovers only to find the grass isn't greener on the other side. Armstrong looks like the next one to join that list. I can understand why he left, of course, with Premier League football and wages on offer. Unless an established Premier League side comes in for the three in question, they should stay put, until the summer at the very least. Moving to the likes of Sheff United, Boro or Bournemouth would not be a step up. It all boils down to what those in Pune want to do. After all the money they have blown over the years, it would be just like them to mess this opportunity up by trying to save on wages and getting in any measly transfer fees they can.

I don't know if it's just me, but why is VAR glossing over penalty decisions that are against Liverpool? They don't even bother checking some of them. Winks was fouled on the edge of the box, may have been inside even, nothing doing. Alli was clearly pushed in the back but nothing happens. There was an incident in the Newcastle game, a potential penalty for Newcastle brushed aside. Another at Old Trafford, if I remember rightly, not even looked at. Kane should have been sent off, so it doesn't always go for them, but it is noticeable in relation to penalty decisions. The game itself was entertaining to watch, end to end stuff.

Rovers all day, no question. Especially after how bad the last 11 years have been. I find England games instantly forgettable.

I just love how worried opposition teams/fans are getting about us right now. I've seen a few bitter comments recently such as "how are Blackburn beating us", "we're making Blackburn look like Barcelona" and "Blackburn aren't even that good". Now the Fulham fans are looking over their shoulders and wondering how we have closed in on them. Brilliant! It's about time. Opponents not looking forward to playing us, Rovers defending stoutly and being tough to beat. That's the Rovers of old, which hasn't been seen for 11 years. Half of the season to go yet, but I'm happy to see hope has been restored and games are being eagerly anticipated again. Credit to Mowbray for getting a response post Fulham and for sticking with the winning formula. Just don't mess this up in January with player sales, Venky's. If they, apparently, wanted a double promotion back in 2018, after coming up from L1, then surely they will back Mowbray next month?

4-0. What a feeling it is to see this after so many years of dross. Superb.

Brilliant. I thought we'd be in a relegation battle this season. This is unbelievable!

It's happening!! Get in. COYB.

Good lad Branthwaite! I've never liked Chelsea. Hoping Everton can find a winner.