Mercer

Stop feckin trying to defend the indefensible. He went on the cheap - Shearer is on the record as having said that isn't he? He knows far, far, far more than either you or Nixon. If he hadn't gone on the cheap then we might have got the pacey right winger and centre forward you keeping banging on about.

Each to their own but if you aren't bothered about prolonging what is, IMO, an absolute sh1t show then naively and meekly continue to put your hard earned money into the club's coffers - you'll certainly keep Waggott happy (latest accounts show he 'earned' £433k with a pension fund enhancement of £159k!!!).

Absolutely right. Two former colleagues of mine moved 'away' with their families to Ripon and Richmond. Both have long since stopped the commute to Ewood. Their 'returns' became less and less frequent as their disillusionment grew. However, they are still Rovers at heart and should the whole landscape at Ewood change then they would be prepared to start again - they have never thought of changing their allegiance.

Indulging in this thread is masochistic. Think we all know how it runs finally ending in huge disappointment for the supporters whilst another nail is hammered into the Rovers' coffin.

Have you not thought about buying a house close to the ground in the Ewood area? Think of all the erotic dreams it might provide you with!

Remarkable. No pricing? It won't be good news otherwise it would be central to their announcement. TBH, even if Waggott phoned me offering free season tickets he would be told where to stuff them. Will not be returning to Ewood until we have both owners and executive management with integrity, credibility, ambition and a love of our club.

So true. If we start with Ismael next season then I think we will be in the bottom 3 for the entire season unless sense prevails with our exec. management which is most unlikely. You can foresee the soundbites already - 'let's see here we are after August window', 'let's see where we are after 10 games', 'let's see where we are at Christmas', 'let's see where we are after the Jan. window' - it's all predictable nonsense with the happy clappers grasping at every available straw. Think Ismael is the modern day Jim Iley and, scarily, they both managed Barnsley!!!

A day etched in the memory bank for ever. Offered a place in a corporate box but wanted to really soak in the atmosphere. Fortunately, the company concerned got me a ticket in the Liverpool fans' side of the AR stand - some great craic with the scousers. After the presentations etc, went back up to the box for eats and a couple of glasses of bubbly. Sadly, missed the Ewood celebrations on the Monday night as I had a flight to catch. Seen Rovers lift 2 'major' trophies (PL at Anfield & League Cup at Cardiff) and very much doubt I will see Rovers lift another. Feel very lucky and privileged.

Are you on the Rovers' payroll? Your criticism seems solely reserved for those managers / players who leave the club - you praise them to the hilt when here then diss them when they leave! Pour yourself a very strong coffee laced with an even stronger dose of reality in order to bring some independence and objectivity to your thoughts.

Think Ismael's position is indefensible. Can any poster on here identify one positive thing Ismael has done since being appointed? In my eyes he doesn't have the players behind him - they are not busting a gut which is the minimum expectation. The players seem confused and there is now no semblance of a playing identity. Do we look more competitive: No Do we look tighter defensively: No Do we carry a bigger goal threat: No Already, the alarm bells are screaming and I think we are firmly in Jim Iley territory and for those too young to recall Jim, Jim was appointed a few weeks before a season end and was fired some 2 months into the following season. Similarities, players not putting it in for him, players looking confused, no playing identity and a win record of just 2 games in about 20 games!!! I think Ismael is a total dud, full of bullsh1t, and a mutual agreement for his immediate exit should be reached and then QUICKLY appoint a manager who might just give those players who seem inevitably heading for the exit door as their contracts run down some reason to stay.

In addition, Rovers made a pension contribution of £159k for Waggott - see the accounts. Therefore the cost of Waggott is remuneration £433k, employers' NI circa £60k, pension £159k makinjg a grand sum of circa £650k!!!

If true, would expect something to break either today or tomorrow. News of cash flow difficulties tends to start as a trickle of rumour and speculation and then suddenly the 'dam breaks'. Would not be a surprise.

Struggle next season - he's already feckin drowning!

Don't despair about your age lad, a few of us on here would give our right arm to be 50 again!

You are right. Sadly, getting rid is easier said than done. After 14 years, I think they are determined to put "their baby" to sleep for good! I honestly don't think, in the main, our fans have the nous to see what's happening or the stomach to do what's needed. Sad, sad times.

Totally agree. We are in Jim Iley category here - think Jim won ONLY 2 GAMES OUT OF 20 games or so. Ismael makes even Coyley, who won about 12 (33% win record), look like Pep. We are in mega trouble with this appointment - I think his position is already untenable. This could get very, very toxic in record time. The clowns and Ismael need to reach a mutual agreement for his immediate departure.

I would not doubt my friend - straight as a die. Didn't hear what was being said but all seemed animated.

A friend at the game has told me Gestede involved with a heated exchange with at least one fan. Anyone seen or heard this?

Ismael is worse than Iley and Coyley - at least they won a game or two!

Just where do we find all these injury prone duds? Will say it again, think there is something amiss with our sports' science / .medical department. Pay peanuts get monkeys.

Cardiff have lost their last 3 games by 2 goals to 1 - Luton (H), Sunderland (A) and Burnley (H). Prior to those games they had 2 draws and a win. Luton have the players but sadly something gone awry there and I think potentially much better than their league position indicates whilst defeats to Sunderland and Burnley can't be too much of a surprise. Interestingly, if you look at Cardiff's results, They have only failed to score once in their last 14 league games and that was away to Leeds. This suggests we are going to have to score at least 2 goals to win which recent performances indicate is going to be a big task. Posted yesterday that, sadly, I thought Cardiff would want it more and edge it and having looked at their results / stats this calendar year, I'm even more certain of that now. Cardiff to win at 3/1 is a cracking bet!

When Wharton moves to a 'fashionable' club eg City, Chelsea he will become an automatic slection. It's that simple.

Both observations valid and why it's a difficult one to call. Will be very interested in team selection as may well provide insight into who's really calling the shots. Feel, sadly, Cardiff will want it a bit more and will edge it.

Ismael is paid some £600k per annum to get results the buck stops with him. To me, this appointment is reminiscent of other disastrous appointments such as Jim Iley and Owen Coyle where things unraveled at an alarming speed just as they are doing now. Unless you were around in the 1960's / early 1970's I don't think you will understand the meaning of 'seriously toxic' - in those days, you had fans on the pitch, massed in front of the directors' box in the Nuttall Street enclosure and outside the main entrance after the match. Those protests were very vocal and very aggressive. If Waggott had been the subject of such protests he would have crapped himself and Caley would have been as useful as a penis at a feminist convention. You are right. Our players don't seem fit and are very injury prone with inordinately lengthy recoveries. As with all aspects of the club, I think our sports' science and medical departments have been seriously dumbed down and the consequences are self evident.

In reality, think our squad lacks any real quality and depth. Out of our starting 11 last night, IMO, Pears, Sanderson, Forshaw, Dolan and Cantwell are simply not fit to wear the shirt - that's half the team! Eustace did a terrific job in getting us into the top 6 with this motley bunch. He is an organiser, tactically astute and an excellent motivator/man manager as his last two wins with Derby have shown - he is turning the ship and will keep them up. IMO, Ismael and his side kick Whitehead haven't a feckin clue as evidenced by our performances and their lost at sea looks as they stand there dispassionately in the technical area. Folk like @chaddyroverscan keep picking their own starting 11's until the cows come home but if the head coach/manager is a dud then all is lost. Think we now look clueless and even worse, disinterested. Can only envisage a mass exodus of our better players at the season's end (who can blame them!?) and I think it's almost certain we will be relegated next season.