Nope I'm in the same boat

Everything crossed that this goes ahead 🤞 Looks like it'll all come down to the Hull camp. Is the actual protocol to register a negative test on the actual day of the game for players? Assume so given some of the last minute postponements last weekend. Until then I'm a bit on edge I must admit, I remember when life was simpler than this 😑

Speaking of Maja, he came off the bench (and scored) the other day, albeit against a team of clogged, Bordeaux win 10-0

So Fulham lose..... Meaning we could go joint top on boxing day 😳

Lost interest in England years ago to be honest, obviously I still want them to win but they don't even come close to Rovers in terms of priorities! I grew up watching blood stained heroes like Butcher, its difficult to get behind a load of fairies who are more interested in hairstyles and dabbing nowadays.

Really hope we are still able to attend, not gonna bother getting a ticket just yet though as we'll be entitled to a big allocation anyway. Cheap tickets, close to travel to, perfect January cup tie, not to mention it being very winnable! I wonder how seriously we'll take the cup though this time? The league is number 1 priority more than ever, but it would be good to see how we get on against a prem team the way we're playing.

I think the masterplan was to have Nyambe and JRC battling it out for the right back/wing back spot, which in theory would be absolutely fine. We've reached the point now though where its obvious JRC would get injured just wiping his backside. Its unfortunate because I really want him to do well for us but time to bring in plan B in January.

I grew up initially in the Blackburn End enclosure, then switched over to the Riverside with my dad. He still sits in the same seat now but with my lad instead many years on. Its definitely not just a price thing as he splashes cash like its going out of fashion. Of course it's not fancy and yes it does look a bit out of place but it most certainly serves a purpose as there's probably many more like my dad. I migrated to the Blackburn End when I got a bit older purely to sit with mates but wouldn't have an issue sitting in there again at some point.

I think we need to hope this damn pandemic doesn't make prem clubs think they need to pad their squads out a bit to compensate for first teamers being unavailable due to positive tests etc. As invaluable as our top players are to us, I think that's all they'd be to them - squad players. Apart from teams struggling at the foot of the table, and would they rather be involved in a promotion push or a relegation scrap? I know which I'd pick. They only need to look at Adam Armstrong to realise life after Rovers ain't always all that, in fact it very rarely does lead to better things historically. We need to gamble any potential quick buck in Jan for the millions of the prem. This isn't a mercerman banker, this is an actual gamble with a chance of winning!

Well that was a bit good, if that exquisite chip had gone in from Diaz it would have been the best goal on Ewood in years! For a few weeks now we've been thinking we'll do a 'rovers' and brick ourselves when we get near the top 6, we'll we've gone past that stage now surely. Even the goal difference is back looking decent now after the Fulham debacle. Get lucky on the injury front and keep the team together and they can go very far, it's been a long while since I've been enjoying games week in, week out this much!

It's just our bloody luck really ain't it. Playing well, the football is enjoyable, dreams of promotion, and a real chance to increase the gates etc then BOOM who the hell knows how the season will pan out now. I know people says there more important things in life than football but I'll happily admit the Christmas period wouldn't be the same without it.

Yeah good luck with the world Cup going ahead when next winter we're enduring the 23rd wave of covid 🤣

Half of league 1 is off too. Expect an announcement tomorrow folks I'm afraid. This feels all too familiar, didn't Liverpool play basically the last game before the shitstorm started last time round and their game with Atletico was blamed for a spike in infections? Very grim outlook for festive football 😕

Brighton wouldn't be calling all the shots though. He returns from his (second) loan spell and gets told they want to keep him but he's not going to be in the starting XI he may decide to opt for a team in which he's a key member of the first team. As I said though its far too early days anyway.

Bit early to say but if Van Hecke continues to perform then there's no reason he can't sign for a newly promoted team in the prem much like what happened with Tosin.

But the worry now is (again) that Nyambe has "felt his hamstring" and the only alternative usually is playing someone out of position to cover for him. Right back simply MUST be strengthened in January, its going to need to be anyway by the looks of the contract situation. Right sided Harry Pickering, make yourself known!

Isn't Sam Gallagher already our highest paid player? If he wasn't he surely will be now....

Been cautiously enjoying the recent run, I think today has confirmed though that we're officially looking at a potential play offs spot. Bournemouth will probably point to a few injuries like Stoke did, but we have them too including our keeper and obviously Dacky. Hats off to Pears, solid performance, he seems to have really improved. A few worrying injuries, the way things are going that's still the biggest threat to this season. Sounds like Whartons was just a stomach upset but Nyambe feeling his hamstring is a big worry when there's a lack of cover there. Van Hecke hopefully isn't too bad. Dropping the possession based nonsense has done no end of good, just 32% for us today and another comfortable win.

More of an issue when we had Paul Robinson in the sticks, he used to absolutely shit himself for some reason if someone shot from outside the box, although was decent from point blank range 🤷‍♂️

That's really accurate whoever came up with it 🤣 I mean consistent starting 11 as well?

Not sure why people are writing this off against a team without a win in their last 4 games? My only worry is again in the goalkeeper department, I expect Pears will be busier than in the previous 2 games. If he can rise to the challenge we'll bag another 1 nil win.

You can, and download it to a wallet etc on your phone. Bear in mind a LOT of people won't have even used the app before though so will probably just get a pass at the turnstiles. I don't envy stewards trying to enforce it one bit! The app itself is terrible for crashing, I've no issue at all with complying as it's a minor inconvenience and much better than the alternative of not attending at all.

Yes you get your pass on the app and it presents you with a qr code Chaddy. BUT what happens when thousands are trying to access it on a Saturday afternoon across the country and you get this:

I get that, do you not think the statements to the media get less ridiculous though when we're doing well?

In fairness beating Bournemouth would be as good as a promo as any to drive people to Ewood, suspect a chunk of walk ons from yesterday went away looking up the fixture list....