Clarkson was nowhere near up to it thats why, would have been suicidal to shoehorn him in. Its pretty obvious Van Den Berg is a different kettle of fish, he's been there done it.

Wheres this 30 game guarantee thing come from? A credible source or a dingle conjuring up excuses? Van Hecke made 31 appearances last season, won player of the season and IMO walked away a better player for it. You could argue Elliott was the same I guess but he was already a class act. No silly guarantees or clauses should be required when we already have good recent dealings with Liverpool and also previous for giving loan players plenty of game time.

It's surprising there's any of you left who Nixon hasn't blocked yet, absolute big baby unless you hang on his every word as being gospel

If Van Hecke is going to be a non-starter which seems increasingly likely, he wouldn't be a bad compromise at all VDB. Nobody spring immediately to mind but I'd still like an experienced centre half too.

Yes But who would pays his wages with the structure we have in place?

https://www.skysports.com/football/blackburn-rovers-vs-hartlepool-united/469483 Markanday really caught the eye, looking like he's getting up to speed thanks to JDT giving him the extra game time no doubt

What a great draw, not far to go, winnable and be good to lock horns with Sparkie

He was sulking on his way in pre match.....🥲

Exactly what this cup should be used for, I'd go as far as to say we'd have lost this under Mowbray. Good to know we've got some reliable players waiting in the wings. Fingers crossed for a decent draw....

This competition felt like a complete waste of time for Mowbray, almost as if he played fringe players just for the sake of it, they knew they'd be banished to the bench/u23 team straight after, hence the lacklustre performances. Feels a bit different this time, JDT is keen for his fringe players to stay match fit and also give them chances to impress him. Cheap tickets, lovely weather, kids off school and a more positive manager should see a few more fans than previous cup games you'd have thought. A comfortable 3-0 for me. Dack x 2 and Philips off a corner.

Ampadu will no doubt be on loan somewhere this season, I'd welcome him but personally I'd like to add a bit more experience which would likely be a permanent signing. Honestly you notice such a difference with Ayala at the back, but we know he's likely to miss a portion of games through injury.

Yeah I get that, it's just they've only got a matter of hours to get the pitch match ready after its hosted rugby on Friday night, I understand the game was moved for sky so it's not just football they piss about with.

It's the warm up for the dingles game in November so, ages off unfortunately

Hot on the heels of the pitch shambles at Coventry, I was reading that there's an egg chasing game on at Wigan the night before they entertain Burnley. Surely the pitch is gonna end up a bit battered?

Absolutely, and the mass prayers on the pitch

I see coventry have had to move home games to Burton which is an hour or so away. An utter shambles especially in August, after all the shite they've had the last few years too....

I do hope you backed Luton to win then?

That's that then, Van Hecke is officially off, cos rovers11 said so

Agreed I'm pouring a pint

Hell fire, we grumble about our pitch sometimes but that Coventry pitch is absolutely horrific especially in August! They're going to struggle to recover that now this season it looks like it needs a complete re-seed which would mean not using it for a while.

Exactly, was horrendous when Derby attempted it under Cocu and ultimately it'll end up costing this fella his job too because the fans ain't gonna buy into that crap every week either.

Weird. After a perfectly executed away win you say we're bang average. Tell me you're a miserable old goat without telling me you're a miserable old goat....

Anyway, back to transfers.... 2 incomings early next week ✍️ All eyes will be on OT tomorrow and the Brighton line-up/subs, imagine 20 years ago saying we're pinning our hopes on a Brighton reserve player signing 🥲

Don't think that's the case. Sounds like we'll see the fringe players featuring for the u21s to keep then up to speed quite often this season.

Markanday is starting for the reserves so won't be playing