Realistic thoughts on the future

[JCRovers]

My realistic thoughts about the future is that we're heading towards League One by the end of next season if nothing changes. And unlike the last time we were relegated, I don't think the players in this squad will see it as their "duty" or obligation to stay and get the club back up nor do I think Ismael will be able to motivate them to do so.

Regarding contracts, here are my predictions as to what will happen:

Dolan - will leave this summer when contract expires with Derby a likely destination.

Cantwell - will want to move on as he was a "Eustace signing". Club probably "happy" to get rid of his wages.

Hedges/Hyam - one year option will be triggered for both, extending their contracts to summer 2026. Both are likely to leave at that point, especially Hyam as he's on quite decent wages.

Brittain/Travis/Tronstad - all three will probably have speculation/rumours around their future in the summer as they all head into their final year of the contract and being key players this season. Will not be surprised if one or two of these are sold for a small profit (which will not be reinvested anyway).

Beck/Dennis/ACD/Woodrow/Sanderson - will all go back to their parent clubs by the end of season. Club can't afford to sign any of them on a permanent deal, especially the three PL loanees.

Batth/Ribeiro - both might get a one-year extension taking their contracts to 2026.

Weimann/Forshaw - both likely to get released by the end of season.

Buckley - will want to leave due to lack of game time this season.

Markanday - believe he has a one-year option as well but wouldn't be surprised if club decides to sell if a League One side comes in with a bid this summer.

What is left?

Pears, Toth, Carter, JRC, Pickering, O'Riordan, Wharton, Garrett, Leonard, Kargbo, Gueye, Ohashi, Tyjon and a bunch of academy players.

Front line of Ohashi, Kargbo, Gueye, Tyjon and Leonard should at least be able to score plenty of goals in L1. Rest of the squad looks non-existent however so fans could be in for some rather entertaining scorelines come L1 season 26/27.

 

[BlackburnEnd75]

If Wharton leaves palace for big money then it'll be another 10-15 million propping up running costs. May even mean another half a mil in transfer budget!

If they decide to hold onto the players in their last year of contract based upon this, then it is conceivable we stay up next year. Which just prolongs the inevitable. 

 

[Bbrovers2288]

So the taps are aff, the venks know they have botched it and are now looking at exit strategies if reports are to be believed. Not to say that it’s going to be anytime soon but hope that they may one day in the near future be rid of them, in what capacity they leave the club is another worry. I don’t really know the ins and outs but do we want administration or not? Does that mean we will be sent down the leagues? 

[MarkBRFC]

20 minutes ago, Bbrovers2288 said:

So the taps are aff, the venks know they have botched it and are now looking at exit strategies if reports are to be believed. Not to say that it’s going to be anytime soon but hope that they may one day in the near future be rid of them, in what capacity they leave the club is another worry. I don’t really know the ins and outs but do we want administration or not? Does that mean we will be sent down the leagues? 

What reports are these?

As always said, they aren't going anywhere, and no chance they put the club in admin and handover the power to someone else.

They will still be here at the turn of the next decade, while the club rots away in either the 3rd or 4th division.

[Bbrovers2288]

1 hour ago, MarkBRFC said:

What reports are these?

As always said, they aren't going anywhere, and no chance they put the club in admin and handover the power to someone else.

They will still be here at the turn of the next decade, while the club rots away in either the 3rd or 4th division.

Twitter , New York rover, why I said if they are to be believed 

[MarkBRFC]

25 minutes ago, Bbrovers2288 said:

Twitter , New York rover, why I said if they are to be believed 

Ah right, yeah I wouldn't be believing that personally.

[Dan]

3 hours ago, MarkBRFC said:

What reports are these?

As always said, they aren't going anywhere, and no chance they put the club in admin and handover the power to someone else.

They will still be here at the turn of the next decade, while the club rots away in either the 3rd or 4th division.

Maybe once the empire is handed down to their children, they’ll get bored and sell us to the first bidder without a care. Kind of like those spoilt brat Walkers did. 

[Tugayslongwalkoff]

On 17/03/2025 at 09:56, JCRovers said:

My realistic thoughts about the future is that we're heading towards League One by the end of next season if nothing changes. And unlike the last time we were relegated, I don't think the players in this squad will see it as their "duty" or obligation to stay and get the club back up nor do I think Ismael will be able to motivate them to do so.

Regarding contracts, here are my predictions as to what will happen:

Dolan - will leave this summer when contract expires with Derby a likely destination.

Cantwell - will want to move on as he was a "Eustace signing". Club probably "happy" to get rid of his wages.

Hedges/Hyam - one year option will be triggered for both, extending their contracts to summer 2026. Both are likely to leave at that point, especially Hyam as he's on quite decent wages.

Brittain/Travis/Tronstad - all three will probably have speculation/rumours around their future in the summer as they all head into their final year of the contract and being key players this season. Will not be surprised if one or two of these are sold for a small profit (which will not be reinvested anyway).

Beck/Dennis/ACD/Woodrow/Sanderson - will all go back to their parent clubs by the end of season. Club can't afford to sign any of them on a permanent deal, especially the three PL loanees.

Batth/Ribeiro - both might get a one-year extension taking their contracts to 2026.

Weimann/Forshaw - both likely to get released by the end of season.

Buckley - will want to leave due to lack of game time this season.

Markanday - believe he has a one-year option as well but wouldn't be surprised if club decides to sell if a League One side comes in with a bid this summer.

What is left?

Pears, Toth, Carter, JRC, Pickering, O'Riordan, Wharton, Garrett, Leonard, Kargbo, Gueye, Ohashi, Tyjon and a bunch of academy players.

Front line of Ohashi, Kargbo, Gueye, Tyjon and Leonard should at least be able to score plenty of goals in L1. Rest of the squad looks non-existent however so fans could be in for some rather entertaining scorelines come L1 season 26/27.

 

We are fucked. Totally.

I’ve been listening to a supposed “fan” on Blackburn Roverseas defending the Venkys.

honestly I could have cried listening to it, just pathetic. Stadium is rotting, players all out of contract. Hardly anyone in the ground, totally disillusioned fans, absent owners who do nothing but cut costs. 
 

I’m giving up like the thousands of others. Ewood Park on a Saturday is a perfect visual representation of the decline of this club. 
 

That guy Jonty has to be a club plant, he has to be. 
 

I’m out. 

[Kamy100]

We are in a unique situation whereby we have owners who are putting in £20 million a year, with no realistic prospect of them getting any of that money back and yet they do not want to sell, there have been people who have approached them in the last 12 months and they have been blanked.  At this point you have to wonder why they will not sell? There is no realistic chance of the club going up in the near future, the club has become a black hole for any money that they put in, so you wonder why they keep the club?

Mass protests, boycotts etc will have zero impact on Venky's, the only way to put pressure on them is directly in India but that will not happen as there is little or no interest in Indian Media in this story.

The best way forward is for a perspective buyer to build a relationship with the family, it is hard but it is possible, will take time and convince them to sell the club.  

If Venky's remain owners and the current structure remains at Ewood then sadly the only direction that we are going is League 1, it seems inevitable and unlike last time we won't come straight back up. 

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

1 hour ago, Kamy100 said:

Mass protests, boycotts etc will have zero impact on Venky's.

Totally disagree.

It may not directly impact those gobshytes in Pune but Protests and Boycotts brings our plight to the attention of the Media and the general public.

Would you prefer to sit in silence and just except this bollox..why would ANY Rovers fan who gives a damn except that?

[Kamy100]

19 minutes ago, SIMON GARNERS 194 said:

Totally disagree.

It may not directly impact those gobshytes in Pune but Protests and Boycotts brings our plight to the attention of the Media and the general public.

Would you prefer to sit in silence and just except this bollox..why would ANY Rovers fan who gives a damn except that?

I am not saying don’t protest, we should but if the aim is to have an effect on Venky’s then it won’t work. They do not care as they so far removed that it does not affect them. The Indian media will not pick it up or even care, but agree it does make headlines in our local and national media. 

[Crimpshrine]

1 hour ago, Kamy100 said:

We are in a unique situation whereby we have owners who are putting in £20 million a year, with no realistic prospect of them getting any of that money back and yet they do not want to sell, there have been people who have approached them in the last 12 months and they have been blanked.  At this point you have to wonder why they will not sell? There is no realistic chance of the club going up in the near future, the club has become a black hole for any money that they put in, so you wonder why they keep the club?

Mass protests, boycotts etc will have zero impact on Venky's, the only way to put pressure on them is directly in India but that will not happen as there is little or no interest in Indian Media in this story.

The best way forward is for a perspective buyer to build a relationship with the family, it is hard but it is possible, will take time and convince them to sell the club.  

If Venky's remain owners and the current structure remains at Ewood then sadly the only direction that we are going is League 1, it seems inevitable and unlike last time we won't come straight back up. 

They have not put £20 million into the club this year - in fact they have contributed £0 since November 2023.

The club is only a black hole because of the way they run it. Investment of, maybe £10 million on players in January may have turned into into a gold mine ( if promoted ). 

You are right about protests - they won't care but I think they will turn up the heat on Suhail. 

What they do care about cashflow. They were furious with Waggott and Fraser Reid about the income from season tickets this season - hence, Suhail and Safir are now responsible for revenue from STs.

Hit them in the pocket - don't but season tickets or shirts over the summer and they will definitely care about that. Our actions can have an affect.

 

[MarkBRFC]

14 hours ago, Crimpshrine said:

 You are right about protests - they won't care but I think they will turn up the heat on Suhail. 

I still wonder how many of the match going fanbase realise who this bloke is.

Now don't get me wrong, Waggott needs to go and deserves some stick but i do find myself frustrated when i hear the chants of "steve waggott get out of our club".

These chants should 100% be aimed at Suhail.

[booth]

17 hours ago, Kamy100 said:

If Venky's remain owners and the current structure remains at Ewood then sadly the only direction that we are going is League 1, it seems inevitable and unlike last time we won't come straight back up. 

If they carry on running the club in the manner they are then L1 is definitely inevitable.

They've stripped almost every asset over the last two years and alienated two good managers who had the potential to get us promoted.

[Salgados Hair]

18 hours ago, Tugayslongwalkoff said:

That guy Jonty has to be a club plant, he has to be. 
 

I’m out. 

Not sure about him being a plant, but he does hold some very strange views.

One time he claimed that JDT's first season was entirely down to coming off the back of a good Mowbray season, and the real JDT was what we saw in his second season. He also wanted JDT below Kean in the same manager tier-rating broadcast..🤪

Edited Wednesday at 10:50 by Salgados Hair
spelling

[booth]

6 hours ago, Salgados Hair said:

Not sure about him being a plant, but he does hold some very strange views.

One time he claimed that JDT's first season was entirely down to coming off the back of a good Mowbray season, and the real JDT was what we saw in his second season. He also wanted JDT below Kean in the same manager tier-rating broadcast..🤪

Seems a bit out of touch to me.

"Venkys out. Where was that under Tony Mowbray, where was that under JDT, where was that under Eustace?"

As far as I can see, it never went away did it?

He also said he'd rather outscore the opposition and concede 3 goals but score 5. Eustace knew this squad couldn't outscore the opposition due to the lack of firepower so made sure we were tight at the back. We just don't have the forward players to annihilate teams so how would that work?

The other lad was completely correct, them pumping £20m in is the bare minimum considering what they did to the club. They just came in and immediately tore anything good about the club apart and the fans have had to deal with their mistakes ever since.

Edited Wednesday at 17:03 by booth

[Tugayslongwalkoff]

4 hours ago, booth said:

Seems a bit out of touch to me.

"Venkys out. Where was that under Tony Mowbray, where was that under JDT, where was that under Eustace?"

As far as I can see, it never went away did it?

He also said he'd rather outscore the opposition and concede 3 goals but score 5. Eustace knew this squad couldn't outscore the opposition due to the lack of firepower so made sure we were tight at the back. We just don't have the forward players to annihilate teams so how would that work?

The other lad was completely correct, them pumping £20m in is the bare minimum considering what they did to the club. They just came in and immediately tore anything good about the club apart and the fans have had to deal with their mistakes ever since.

Exactly right.

HOW could anyone put JDT below Kean 🤦‍♂️ It’s these comments that lead me to think he has to be on the Venky Payroll in some description because the comments are just outright bizarre. 
 

It’s either that or he’s just a traitor to his own club. 

[booth]

12 hours ago, Tugayslongwalkoff said:

Exactly right.

HOW could anyone put JDT below Kean 🤦‍♂️ It’s these comments that lead me to think he has to be on the Venky Payroll in some description because the comments are just outright bizarre. 
 

It’s either that or he’s just a traitor to his own club. 

And why would anyone chant Venkys/Waggott out when we're doing well.

We have to enjoy it while it lasts, it's not often!

[joey_big_nose]

On 18/03/2025 at 16:43, Kamy100 said:

We are in a unique situation whereby we have owners who are putting in £20 million a year, with no realistic prospect of them getting any of that money back and yet they do not want to sell, there have been people who have approached them in the last 12 months and they have been blanked.  At this point you have to wonder why they will not sell? There is no realistic chance of the club going up in the near future, the club has become a black hole for any money that they put in, so you wonder why they keep the club?

Mass protests, boycotts etc will have zero impact on Venky's, the only way to put pressure on them is directly in India but that will not happen as there is little or no interest in Indian Media in this story.

The best way forward is for a perspective buyer to build a relationship with the family, it is hard but it is possible, will take time and convince them to sell the club.  

If Venky's remain owners and the current structure remains at Ewood then sadly the only direction that we are going is League 1, it seems inevitable and unlike last time we won't come straight back up. 

This has changed recently as Venkys have massively reduced input, I think down effectively to zero in the last 12 months as we have lived off the Wharton money.

I would say it's  not guaranteed they will turn the taps back on if we run out of player sales. That they are not renewing contracts suggests an extreme desire to not commit to future expenditure. So we may well be in quite a different situation to a couple of years ago.

[47er]

5 minutes ago, joey_big_nose said:

That they are not renewing contracts suggests an extreme desire to not commit to future expenditure. 

Which makes the 3.5 years for the new manager really odd.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

A hard Rain is gonna fall over Ewood,just feels there is nothing to look forward to.

Even our greatest ever Striker in modern times looks pissed off about matters!

 

Edited Friday at 06:48 by SIMON GARNERS 194