Spotify threw out this song this morning, some appropriate lyrics "If that's your best, your best won't do" Being serious, what a sorry evening it was on Friday. Anger and frustration visible, yet it was the apathy of the majority which told its own story, this Rovers team (from top to bottom) has become easy to dislike. There seems to be some momentum towards change at some level, I just fear it won't be as sweeping and clinical as it should/needs to be.

Past the point of no return? If not now….it’s getting awfully close.

This is in no way an incendiary comment, just out of curiosity Do the groups have a response if they are all at Fratton Park tomorrow? What then?

Any comment on this from the trust? Personally I've not fared too badly as my ticket in the Riverside will actually come down £50 in price! But the decision to increase the prices when the fan base is so low is just suicidal in my opinion.

Cracking pod 👏🏻 a fascinating listen

Love these stories. Far more interesting 30 years on than hearing about “a night at the Bistro French” and the well trodden tales. Those players have come and gone whilst most fans remain. Gives us a chance to remember those Roverites no longer with us. Together we celebrated that glorious day. For the record I too was at my grandparents (they had Sky) and frantically asked my dad what he meant when he said “yeah but it doesn’t matter” as Redknapp scored the winner. Cue the celebrations at school, in the town and the Monday night at Ewood, where I stood on my seat as the players paraded the trophy around the ground. Where my dad leant into me and said “take this in Roger, this will never happen again”.

I agree that Ismael has hardly endeared himself to the fans with his first three games, the tactics and lack of clear plan has been alarming, he has to improve quickly and start building for next season, where survival will be our main priority once again. However, I do think that the players have to take a huge chunk of responsibility for this recent run of games. Swansea, Norwich, Derby and Stoke. Three dismal performances (one which pre-dates Ismael) in that stretch and lets not forget QPR and Oxford away before that. The performances since Christmas have been particularly concerning. Would anyone want to commit another 3 years with Hyam? The loanees bar Beck are replaceable. And last night for me was the peak of frustration with Tyrhys Dolan. I like the kid, his personality and as a role model. But I do really believe the best for him and us is for him to move on. Exhibit A - Cantwell feeds Dolan running through the centre in the 6th minute (0-0) Loses out to the defender Below is another at 0-0 Rovers on the counter attack with 4 on three, what happens next? You may feel this it nit picking but we know how crucial the first goal is at this level. This is twice before Stoke City scored! Gave the ball away on several occasions before and after that. One leading to a Manhoef shot which was blocked. I do give Dolan credit for the cut back for the Cantwell shot, but we need more and more often!

Just a quick lunchtime scan at some football protests from 2024/25. There are a lot of disgruntled fans out there! Arsenal - Ticket prices Manchester United - Ticket prices/ownership Tottenham - Daniel Levy/ticket prices/ownership West Ham United - ticket prices Chelsea - ownership Leicester City - board level Sheffield Wednesday - ownership Reading - ownership Morecambe - ownership Watford - ownership Bradford - ownership Ipswich Town - ticket prices Fulham - ticket prices MK Dons - ownership West Brom - ownership

Is anyone actually surprised? Consistently underwhelm and underperform in meaningful games, particularly away from home. First major blow in any playoff push, it’s going to take real character to get back into serious contention, character I just don’t think these players and the club has at the moment.

Let me be the first to say it....... He looks better in that training kit than Eustace did! The inverted chevron was doing nothing for JE's body shape. And......the badge and the Macron logo look decently aligned. Write this down as an early win in my book! 🤣

Footballing opinions are so changeable. Look at what West Bromwich fans would say about the Chairmanship of John Williams. Under his tenure West Brom sacked Tony Pulis and ultimately were relegated from the Premier League. I'm convinced no Rovers fan would have a bad word said about John Williams and his stewardship of the Rovers. Each club is different and will always be. I've been encouraged by what I heard, hard work, effort, passion. This is what we ALL want to see as a bare minimum. Souness and Allardyce weren't afraid to upset folk and they had success at the club.

Hoping Ismael becomes the most successful Rovers manager that has a last name beginning with I Jim Iley and Paul Ince - lamentable company for sure

Frederiksen has just finished a live press conference for Lech Poznan (available on their YouTube page) so I doubt its going to be him.

I'll always support the team regardless of the manager, but here's why I think Karanka is the wrong choice. Hasn't managed in England in just shy of four years. He left Birmingham perched above the drop zone when he did. At 51 years old he'll be the oldest manager we've had since Tony Mowbray, not that this is old by any means, but in a footballing landscape that's getting younger and younger (McKenna/O'Neil/Hurzler/JDT/Eustace) I'd much prefer a younger boss. His connection to Rudy Gestede is concerning, this smacks as "jobs for the boys". I hope Gestede knows he's putting his own burgeoning reputation on the line with this appointment, the success or failure of the two will be linked. It also feels like the cheap option. I agree you should be looking for value, but with supporter numbers and season tickets on the wane, taking the cheap option will hardly inspire supporters heading into the final 12 games and more importantly next season, our 150th Anniversary year. Lack of investment in the squad and coaching staff ultimately leads to lack of investment in the stands. The way he left Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest. Both times Karanka left because of issues with the board, having lost our last two managers to effectively the same issue, it feels like a ticking time bomb already. His only Championship success came at Middlesbrough in 2015/16, next season that's 10 years ago. For context when he had his best moment in English football, promotion to the Premier League, Steve Bruce was also promoted. If your argument is "he's done it before" then the same applies to Coyle, Bruce, Hughton, Wagner, Jokanovic all promoted with clubs around the same period. The snap poll from yesterday gave a worthy indicator of the overall thoughts of the fans. https://live.tiermaker.com/34616583 as of this moment 83% of the fanbase voted negatively to Karanka becoming the new boss. Combine this with many Rovers' fans feelings (based on recent experience) that the playoff push will fall short, any negativity now will no doubt be amplified come the summer. For any good will towards AK he'll have to hit the ground running. This could be argued for any Rovers boss, but at least some good favour would buy 'him' more time.

3pm update. 169 voters, 1000 votes https://live.tiermaker.com/34616583

I know its only a small sample size but for Karanka 27% Underwhelmed 61% Worried or Fuming An appointment that given whats being said would 'deflate' the fan base at best and 'anger' at worst.

Mr Wicky, decent looking chap to be fair to him

🤣 Completely unintentional. I would like a manager/head coach who has at least been boss somewhere else before coming into the club. Boateng and Boa Morte may make fine managers in the future, I hope they do, but as of 20/2/25 they shouldn't be in consideration.

Something for you morning coffee break or lunch break https://live.tiermaker.com/34616583

Will you ask him to get off the fence and tell us what he really thinks? 🤣

Either thats a guess/assumption or someone has leaked/divulged sensitive information from a formal interview process? If its the latter I can't imagine what benefit (he or she who leaked the information) would gain for themselves or the club. If that is true then Rovers are run even more amateurishly than we all fear.

4pm Update - Nearly 100 votes - As clear as mud! 🤣

Gerrard in to 3/1 fav on SkyBet! Not that I think you should read too much into it as O'Neil, Carsley and now Gerrard have all been favourite at some stage over the past few days.

2:20pm update Didn't include Wicky or Cooper as they were down the list on SkyBet (where I took the names from) Interesting to see 0 votes for 4 of the top 8 on SkyBet (Karanka, R.Lowe, D. Lowe, Wellens)

11am Update - Fair to say opinion is split