The "Ask Gregg" Podcast

[bluebruce]

On 16/01/2023 at 13:02, roversfan99 said:

Does the fact that we are allowing Brereton to run his deal, have loaned in 3 players including one who plays every single game, and are seemingly looking for more loanees not all fly in the face of this theory that is emerging that this year is purely for building foundations? Ayala is preferred to Phillips, Morton to Wharton, Brereton to Dolan, Dack at times to Szmodics, so many decisions made looking to win each individual game rather than with one eye on next season.

Either the onus being on next season is management spiel (that people are taking too literally) with the intention of buying patience, or the plan is genuine and just being executed poorly.

Tbf, whilst I agree with this post, you've always insisted that the best player should always be picked first, and that this (and loanees) doesn't block pathways for young players.

[roversfan99]

21 minutes ago, bluebruce said:

Tbf, whilst I agree with this post, you've always insisted that the best player should always be picked first, and that this (and loanees) doesn't block pathways for young players.

100%. I dont agree with sacrificing seasons, it is important to think long term hence why I am so angry about the Brereton situation but the primary focus should always be the next game and the current season. I am pro loans more than most as it can get you quality that you couldnt normally afford as long as they are used effectively and moderately.

[chaddyrovers]

On 20/01/2023 at 11:09, Sweaty Gussets said:

Agree about opinions, but yours was he wasn't good enough for Rovers. JDT and GB disagree with you, they offered him a contract and didn't withdraw it based on his ability. 

And we are a mid-table Championship team. We have been for the last 4 years. We're now only a few points above 15th. And I'd have RN at full-back before JRC and Carter. RN is a specialist full back. 

Yes I know that they offered him a new contract then withdrew it if I remember correctly. 

On 20/01/2023 at 13:12, roversfan99 said:

If that is the case, then why dismiss 27 year olds as if they would block a pathway anymore than Morton?

Gregg Broughton explained why they didn't sign a 27 years old so why even the ask the question to me. 

[roversfan99]

24 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Yes I know that they offered him a new contract then withdrew it if I remember correctly. 

Gregg Broughton explained why they didn't sign a 27 years old so why even the ask the question to me. 

He explained it, I was pointing out how flawed the statement was.

[chaddyrovers]

25 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

He explained it, I was pointing out how flawed the statement was.

well that your viewpoint but he was fully of detail and explanation on the first 25 minutes I've listened to so far

[roversfan99]

2 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

well that your viewpoint but he was fully of detail and explanation on the first 25 minutes I've listened to so far

We dont want 27 year old midfielders to block the pathways, but a young lad playing week in week out on loan from Liverpool will be fine. 

[chaddyrovers]

14 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

We dont want 27 year old midfielders to block the pathways, but a young lad playing week in week out on loan from Liverpool will be fine. 

What is your point? Gregg Broughton has explained the thinking over signing Morton on loan so I have no idea what points you are trying to make here again

[roversfan99]

3 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

What is your point? Gregg Broughton has explained the thinking over signing Morton on loan so I have no idea what points you are trying to make here again

Something that you cannot fathom is that just because someone within the club says something, it does not necessary make it logical to everyone else.

I don't see how a young loanee who plays every game offers any less of a block to pathways as a 27 year old experienced Championship midfielder.

[Mattyblue]

I suppose in theory it’s only one season ‘pathway block’ with a loanee, not a permanent 27 year old on a three year deal… but of course another loanee will come in next season anyway.

So in reality it’s loanee= cheap. Three year deal for an experienced player = not cheap.

[chaddyrovers]

2 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Something that you cannot fathom is that just because someone within the club says something, it does not necessary make it logical to everyone else.

I don't see how a young loanee who plays every game offers any less of a block to pathways as a 27 year old experienced Championship midfielder.

Well if you fathom it fair enough but its very simple to understand it. The GB podcast explained it very clearly and simple

If you listened to what GB says a 27 years old player would want 3 year contract on big wages where has Morton is only here 1 year and less wages, plus it allow Wharton and Garrett game time without being over reliant on them. Then next season they will know what the league is about and can play more of a part in the squad. 

[roversfan99]

12 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Well if you fathom it fair enough but its very simple to understand it. The GB podcast explained it very clearly and simple

If you listened to what GB says a 27 years old player would want 3 year contract on big wages where has Morton is only here 1 year and less wages, plus it allow Wharton and Garrett game time without being over reliant on them. Then next season they will know what the league is about and can play more of a part in the squad. 

Broughton explained HIS reasoning. You can't fathom that I or anyone else may see flaws in what he is saying. I know what he has said, I think it is flawed logic.

THIS SEASON, Morton who will have an expectation (with or without clauses) from Liverpool to play every game, so solely THIS season, he offers no less of a block to those 2 youngsters than a more experienced player.

If the worry is that the two seasons after, a more experienced player would still be here blocking pathways, to me that is not the way to run a competitive football club that actively is seeking promotion. It is a HUGE assumption to expect Wharton AND Garrett to both be ready to play week in week out next season AND for Buckley to have mastered the positional change that so far he has failed to do. But even if that all happened, would 5 central midfielders competition for at least 2 spots be too much across a 46 game season in which we can use 5 subs per game, or would it be good competition for places that helps the football club?

Also, a more experienced player may help the younger ones to learn how to play the position and be aided by someone who has proven themselves a lot more.

Another question, how does it differ from the situation at centre back? Assuming Ayala goes, we will next season still have Hyam, Wharton, Carter and Phillips all as centre backs. We are interested in Porteous (granted he seems destined to go elsewhere) and you have not once criticised our interest in him. I know he is not 27 but he would likely come on a few year contract, and there is less scope for rotation at centre back. How does that not block the pathways for Carter and especially Phillips in the same way as a midfielder would to Wharton and Garrett?

Edited January 22, 2023 by roversfan99

[chaddyrovers]

20 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Broughton explained HIS reasoning. You can't fathom that I or anyone else may see flaws in what he is saying. I know what he has said, I think it is flawed logic.

Fine if you think its flawed logic but Broughton explained the club logic and reasoning in great detail and explained their(GB and JDT) thinking. 

30 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

THIS SEASON, Morton who will have an expectation (with or without clauses) from Liverpool to play every game, so solely THIS season, he offers no less of a block to those 2 youngsters than a more experienced player.

Morton has played mostly cos he has deserved to this season but we have seen Garrett and Wharton played ahead of Travis and Buckley based on performances this season so your logic is wrong here cos JDT picks the team based on performance in games and training. 

33 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

If the worry is that the two seasons after, a more experienced player would still be here blocking pathways, to me that is not the way to run a competitive football club that actively is seeking promotion. It is a HUGE assumption to expect Wharton AND Garrett to both be ready to play week in week out next season AND for Buckley to have mastered the positional change that so far he has failed to do. 

No cos no one is expecting them to start regularly apart from you, but to play more of part in next season with the aim of pushing to be start regular the season after. This is where Short term and medium term thinking come into to play. 

38 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

But even if that all happened, would 5 central midfielders competition for at least 2 spots be too much across a 46 game season in which we can use 5 subs per game, or would it be good competition for places that helps the football club?

Would that not me that 2 centre midfielders would miss out on being involved in the 18 match day squad. 

39 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Another question, how does it differ from the situation at centre back? Assuming Ayala goes, we will next season still have Hyam, Wharton, Carter and Phillips all as centre backs. We are interested in Porteous (granted he seems destined to go elsewhere) and you have not once criticised our interest in him. I know he is not 27 but he would likely come on a few year contract, and there is less scope for rotation at centre back. How does that not block the pathways for Carter and especially Phillips in the same way as a midfielder would to Wharton and Garrett?

Its a fair point to be honest you make and not one I really thought about. Maybe one of Carter or Wharton will leave in the summer or maybe we will play with a back 3 more next season tho. 

[Exiled in Toronto Mk2]

Good listen. In that role trying to get the whole club pulling in the same direction, you need to be a clear communicator, which I think he is. The key phrase in everything he says to me is sustainable premier league club. But sustainable doesn’t mean what it did when Jack said it. It’s not financially sustainable - they all are thanks to obscene TV money - it’s staying there when we get there and not being a Norwich/West Brom/Fulham.

So that doesn’t mean throwing $10 million in the next week at a squad that will undoubtedly get trounced every game should we squeak through the playoffs. 

As to the objection you can’t plan more than one season ahead, well Brentford did, plus the one thing you can say about Venky’s is they have never had a player sale forced on them.

To summarize:

Objective: stay there when we get there

Strategy: Leverage Academy via a manager who believes in it, long contracts plus PDPs and pathways for Academy starlets, head toward a playing style that can stay up, buy better to plug remaining gaps.

Tactics: Junk the donkeys over next two windows, sign up A. Wharton etc etc.

One interesting omission: in a long list of name checks, no mention of the inherited coaching staff, especially D Johnson.

[RevidgeBlue]

Whilst it shouldnt be the aim, please explain how we as a Club would not be better off if hypothetically we threw £10m at it this window and scraped up via the play offs but came straight back down as opposed to simply not going up?

We'd be in a similar position in 18 months time just with c£80mor £90m more in the Bank.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sparks Rover]

2 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Whilst it shouldnt be the aim, please explain how we as a Club would not be better off if hypothetically we threw £10m at it this window and scraped up via the play offs but came straight back down as opposed to simply not going up?

We'd be in a similar position in 18 months time just with c£80mor £90m more in the Bank.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yep, we are being sold a pup.

[Mercer]

28 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Whilst it shouldnt be the aim, please explain how we as a Club would not be better off if hypothetically we threw £10m at it this window and scraped up via the play offs but came straight back down as opposed to simply not going up?

We'd be in a similar position in 18 months time just with c£80mor £90m more in the Bank.

You are absolutely right.

Think most fans would take being a 'yo yo' club if over the course of say 5 years the whole club could be put on a more sound footing.  Ewood itself is tired and the pitch is totally knackered - putting Ewood and the pitch right (including replacing Riverside Stand) would set you back up to £50million.  Additionally, Brockhall needs substantial investment.

We've been out of the PL now for 11 years and folk who buy, IMO, Broughton's bullsh1t need to think again.

Broughton and JDT's objective on appointment should have been to reach PL THIS SEASON.  All this nonsense about objective being to stay there when we get there is total and utter nonsense.  Get there first, worry about it when you do - what the fans would give for at least one year back in the PL after, IMO, all the crap, shenanigans and hopelessness of the last 13 years or so. 

[RevidgeBlue]

Have to agree Merce, whilst bring a yo-yo Club isn't ideal it's probably infinitely preferable to being one that never even threatens to get there in the first place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Exiled in Toronto Mk2]

The only way to understand what happens at the club is to see things from the perspective of the people at the top. We are owned by Indian multi-billionaires who, despite Mercer’s endless predictions of financial meltdown, are still here 12 years and £250 million later.

Why are they still here - and probably richer now than they were then? It must only be pride. If you are driven by pride, and most likely wouldn’t even get out of bed for £80million, then a few years as a yo-yo club  with more relegations isn’t going to be their goal. Time and money are completely irrelevant to these people. 

[Sparks Rover]

23 minutes ago, Exiled in Toronto Mk2 said:

If you are driven by pride, and most likely wouldn’t even get out of bed for £80million, then a few years as a yo-yo club  with more relegations isn’t going to be their goal. Time and money are completely irrelevant to these people. 

Ye, can just imagine Madam Bollocks sat there pondering our current plight🙄 

I hear getting up is worth an extra £135m in turnover.  And even if they get relegated first time it's an extra £48m in parachute.  Not to mention the extra income from all the uplift in local businesses and feel good for the whole town.

But you think they can't  be arsed?

I think you'll find its Greggy Boy and JDT who don't want the additional pressure so early, they want an easy ride

Edited January 23, 2023 by Sparks Rover

[RevidgeBlue]

Just forced myself to sit through that. 43 minutes of my life I'll never get back listening to the interviewer blow smoke up GB's backside.

I'll give the bloke credit for something. If there were prizes handed out for corporate waffle and bullshit  GB would be a world cup winner.

Couple of things struck me about the interview as it was going along. Firstly when he was talking about Scott Wharton's injury and Ash Phillip's possible inclusion, it sounded like he had some input into first team selection. I would have  hoped he had nothing whatsoever to do with that area and that that was the sole remit of JDT and his assistant.

Secondly, having a first team squad of 22 with 6 Academy players waiting in the wings doesn't REALLY sound like a Club fully invested in youth. It sounds more like a Club that would like to rely on its youngsters but one that doesn't really trust them.

Finally, at the end of the interview, the mask slipped and the charade was unveiled. The thing he had learnt from his career was: "Never be in too much of a hurry to get to where you want to go". He might as well have added "and don't forget to milk it for every penny you can, every step of the way".

Having listened to that pile of nonsense I'm more convinced than ever that sustitute GB's "project" for Mowbray's "journey" and all we have in reality is another confidence trickster trying to take the Club for a ride and that as with Mowbray we'll wake up to the fact four years down the line to find that we're absolutely no better off than when we started except, financially, the Club will be in debt to the owners to the tune of another £100m quid or so.

Edited January 26, 2023 by RevidgeBlue

[chaddyrovers]

7 hours ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Just forced myself to sit through that. 43 minutes of my life I'll never get back listening to the interviewer blow smoke up GB's backside.

I'll give the bloke credit for something. If there were prizes handed out for corporate waffle and bullshit  GB would be a world cup winner.

Couple of things struck me about the interview as it was going along. Firstly when he was talking about Scott Wharton's injury and Ash Phillip's possible inclusion, it sounded like he had some input into first team selection. I would have  hoped he had nothing whatsoever to do with that area and that that was the sole remit of JDT and his assistant.

Secondly, having a first team squad of 22 with 6 Academy players waiting in the wings doesn't REALLY sound like a Club fully invested in youth. It sounds more like a Club that would like to rely on its youngsters but one that doesn't really trust them.

Finally, at the end of the interview, the mask slipped and the charade was unveiled. The thing he had learnt from his career was: "Never be in too much of a hurry to get to where you want to go". He might as well have added "and don't forget to milk it for every penny you can, every step of the way".

Having listened to that pile of nonsense I'm more convinced than ever that sustitute GB's "project" for Mowbray's "journey" and all we have in reality is another confidence trickster trying to take the Club for a ride and that as with Mowbray we'll wake up to the fact four years down the line to find that we're absolutely no better off than when we started except, financially, the Club will be in debt to the owners to the tune of another £100m quid or so.

I thought the interview was really good and very insight to how he works for Rovers. 

He doesn't have an input into the first team games

[Mattyblue]

‘Siri, sum up brfcs.com in two consecutive posts’ 😁

[K-Hod]

On 20/01/2023 at 10:42, chaddyrovers said:

football is all about opinions. never a fan of Nyambe and yes I know we offered him a new contract but GB and JDT withdrew the contract aswell. Nothing more than mid table championship right back

That's fine if that your viewpoint on my judgement if you want. Whilst we talking about my judgement, why not mention Brittain and Hyam who I said would be good signing and both have been so far

Well that’s just not true, is it?

[RevidgeBlue]

On 26/01/2023 at 09:16, Mattyblue said:

‘Siri, sum up brfcs.com in two consecutive posts’ 😁

I presume you think I was being too harsh on GB given your post above.

Care to reassess that view in light of the January window?

[Mattyblue]

Not at all, was just a mere light hearted aside re a certain poster’s puppies and rainbows approach to life…