Id go with this apart from JRC instead of Buckley in midfield. Although I think Eustace will keep Hedges over ACD, especially being away from home.

Rabbi Matondo agreed loan to European club with £2million option to buy apparently...

Controversial by the lokks of things but I've always liked Sanderson as a player. Whilst he's been around the Championship you get to see a lot of football and certain players just stick in your mind. I recall only a few months ago looking up where he was these days as I hadn't seen much of him. Is he going to take us to the play offs, no but as cover and backup even in midfield I think it's a good signing. Forshaw also brings bags of experience so as cover I'm not overly concerned. But and it's a big but...I agree with many other posts about funding so if the above allows a decent budget to bring in that striker that will get the goals we lack and the winger that will get us up the pitch and in behind, in other words both for the starting 11 then I think we'd have done some good business. Do I sit here convinced that will happen? No as we've seen it all before but I would say that I think Eustace would be at West Brom by now if he didn't think he'd be backed for the push.

And so you expect attendences of 13,000 ish people paying £30 a ticket to watch us play at the bottom of the football pyramid? 13,000 being generous considering there's next to no away fans?

And? Is that the Stockport in league 1 right? The number is good for them but are they charging £30 to watch? Depending how you split the ticket banding at best you can say it's an average of £20 they will be bringing in. Even in the National league they would have been charging lower but unfortunately the costs of electric, gas, water, catering, stewards, police, maintenance etc. cost the same so having a big old grand stadium with less people coming through the gate and lower priced tickets would run the club into the ground anyway. Great for Stockport to be on the way back up but did they go right to the bottom division and spend x number of years to return back to the football league? No they only dropped to the 6th tier, not right to the bottom as was suggested. Even the 6th tier for us would be a disaster. Player salaries would be so high the players would literally be released from their contracts to get them off the wage bill. The away fans will be next to nothing. Believe it or not, even the home attendances would drop with those not interested in non league football staying away more often than not. Then if the team struggles even some of those that stick will drift. Yes I'm sure the anti Venky brigade that stay away would come back with them gone to balance the numbers a bit but 6th tier must be £10 a ticket I would guess. A stadium like ours at that level would actually be a hinderence. For the record, even when the mighty Rovers came to town earlier in the season there were less than 6,000 there and around 20% of that figure was our fans. It's also worth noting, Stockport almost lost their stadium until the council stepped in. The council purchased the stadium and leased it back to the club, putting £2 million into the bank for ongoing operating costs, transfer fees, whatever but that burden was taken on by the council. Who knows if the council would do the same for Ewood but at 3 times the size of Edgeley bark and the cost of property now compared to 2015, I think that number would be closer to double figures and unrealistic for the council. The romantic in us all would love to see the club bounce back in its old surroundings but the likelihood is very very low. That's not me being pro Venky by the way and saying we owe them this or that, I am just firmly of the belief we need something else lined up before it's taken away. If celebrities and overseas investors can get excited about clubs like Tranmere and Wrexham, I see no reason why someone wouldn't be tempted. It's not perfect to inherit but take away Venkys, Waggott etc. and the club has a lot going in its favour.

Could you imagine trying to fund the running of Ewood park playing even in National League let alone the base and working the way back up

All this emotion pouring out but remember Rudy's wise words, we should be grateful...

I strongly suspect one deal is already done. I think Ryo Germain has already agreed to join on a free with his contract expiring in January. Stays to help Jubilo stay up and then joins Ohashi here. Scoring goals in a struggling team, can head and has a bit of pace but not the quickest. Already announced as a signing in August then went quiet....

Let's not forget all the posts about recruitment team deserve huge credit etc. As others have posted its a confidence game, even more so with strikers. He's off the boil but let's keep getting behind him as we need him to at least equal Gallys figures!

My choice would be and has been for a long time...Ancelotti No way he leaves that dream team at Madrid though

All we are missing is an Adam Wharton type creative player in the middle and a 30 goal a season forward player like Szmodics 👍🏻 oh....

I think JE will stick with Pears Saturday. Not my choice but on the back of 2 clean sheets before Tuesdays horror show, I still think Pears will be given a game to get back on track. Right back will be JRC or Brittain. Carter will go back to CB alongside Hyam or Batth. I suspect Hyam. Pickering at left back with little choice. I think Travis will continue but only because he's captain. I think Tronstad will drop out and Baker will come in to freshen it up after Tuesdays leggy performance. I think Cantwell will start from the bench with Dolan preferred in AM. Hedges will be back in with ACD on the wings. Big Mak up top as a focal point. That leaves some good options on the bench and recovery of some tired legs. I think JE will be heading their for a draw with the hope we can nick it but will look to get back to basics and solidify after a leaky away night to stop any chance of it developing into a free fall. I personally expect a similar performance to what we saw last season when JE came in. Very safe and pragmatic.

Well that will teach me for feeling confident! I think its important to not over react. Was a terrible watch but the team has over achieved so far and one bad night if it is that will soon be forgotten with 3 points at Plymouth. Question is, will they bounce back? Not a single player comes out with any credit from that, that was awful. Batth in particular for me but just really poor all round. Difficult pitch but the opposition came through it with 3 goals and conditions are only going to get worse now. Only one team fancied it tonight.

I didn't say previous seasons? If we go back far enough you'll find a time we also reinvested. The comments they were making were about this summer, like us as we talked about all Summer

Not seen anything of Cov this season but a trip to their forums suggests things are a lot different to previous seasons. Robins has lost a lot of support and similar noises to us in that they sell the best players but fail to reinvest. Probably as confident as I've been in the last 3 years that we can go to Cov and get all 3 points but a draw would still be a good result. Interesting on Saturday that the main danger men were all benched. Whether that was Robins make a statement he needed more or to just be defensive against a stronger Leeds team I don't know. Reference Hedges, not my favourite player by any stretch but he's doing a balanced job. Has a goal in him and can play good football as we've seen in the past but not that typical winger that gets you off your seat and his goal contributions do need to improve if he wants to keep the new lads out as they reach their fitness levels/sharpness. I made the comment about height the other week, he's no Gueye but when it's JRC, Dolan or Ohashi to aim for, Hedges has a little but more chance of winning something, hence he seemed to be the target.

Hedges also gets in for height I think. A few times this season when playing long we've aimed out wide because when big Mak isn't on the pitch, Hedges is the tallest forward player

Jack Vale injured for an extended period reported by Motherwell

Great result, a little tense until the 3rd goal even though they were poor. Pears was good with his shot stopping and pleased he and the defence got a clean sheet but there were a few moments playing out that gave us problems. On another day could have been costly. I thought we missed the focal point of Mak in the 1st half. Shout to Dolan for his pressing today. Could see the difference instantly when he came off. The whole team got the press to a tee I thought. Cantwell clearly lacking that match sharpness. A month of 30 minute to 60 minute cameos I think. Beck was very impressive. His place to lose at left back. Of course the best till last. Yuki is hard not to like. His effort, enthusiasm and humbleness whilst giving so much to the team and of course his finishing is fantastic. Deserved man of the match, I can see him really growing as the season goes on.

For what it's worth regardless of what team I'd like to see, I think the team will be standard Eustace so far this season in the main. I don't necessarily agree with it all but just getting in the mind of the gaffer... Pears - not regarded as in poor form and as many have said, Toth I think will be integrated. Brittain - certainly the favoured option so far and as fit and available I see no change. Carter - as above Hyam - as above Pickering - tried, tested, experienced and I think favoured. If Big Mak was playing maybe JE would stick with Beck for delivery but back in training and assume will come back in but close call. Travis - captain and started the season well with Tronstad. Tronstad - started well, reliable and good partnership with Travis to date. Weimann - made an excellent start to life in Blue and White. Won't play past the hour when I expect JRC would come in. On the right BTW. Dolan - seems favoured and too soon for Cantwell but expect Cantwell to come off the bench around 60 or 70mins. His energy in the press should compliment the front man. Cozier Duberry - we've been crying out for pace and directness and so with Pickering behind, I think JE might just drop him in. I also think without Big Mak, there will be more of the ball on the ground and again should compliment the front man. From the left BTW. Ohashi - no real surprise with Big Mak out. Deserves a start and confident we'll see a big performance. Subs Toth, JRC, Beck, Batth, Baker, Buckley, Hedges, Cantwell, Sigurdsson

I'm heading up for this one. Will be my first visit to Ewood this season. Gutted Big Mak won't be part of it but excited to see the new lads and I've got a good feeling about it. Don't think Bristol City look as strong as previous seasons but they are an unpredictable and inconsistent team. I'm gonna stick my neck out with a Rovers 3-1 win.

Surprised by the lads ambition too. Premier League sub to League 1 when Championship clubs were enquiring. He's got more faith in Brum than anyone on the outside has.

How is it disrespectful? JE doesn't like what ye sees so has switched it. JDT was lamented for not making enough subs and soon enough, now it's too many too soon...

Worth noting Clement only wanted to keep Butland and Cantwell of the whole squad. It was Cantwell that asked to leave

Was a tough year for the lad if it is. Looks like he gained 5 or 6 years if it is

I saw this pic. a relation of Dolan?