If I couldn't put my prejudices to one side, I wouldn't say C. Ronaldo is the best player I've ever seen, as I think he's an absolute plank. The European Super Cup is the European equivalent of the Community Shield, it's not really a big deal, no. Cup Winner's Cup, sure, so one worthwhile trophy at Aberdeen (that no longer exists, I assume UEFA decided it wasn't that worthwhile) and did well for a smaller club relative to its league, in winning a few mickey mouse trophies against two competing clubs. But the point stands, he didn't travel around, stayed at a stupendously well-resourced job for an awfully long time, which let him beat most clubs to most players of his choosing most of the time, intimidated and bribed referees (well the club did, nobody can convince me otherwise so don't try), had a golden generation of youngsters coming through...and it shouldn't be forgotten that he nearly got the sack in his early days. I accept he was an extremely good manager and a winner, but overhyped for me, should never have been knighted due to his foul personality, and there are others out there that we, as Rovers fans especially, would be better using as examples.

Don't think there is any chance Venkys allow that after what we saw with the Rothwell situation, where more money was offered for a less valuable player and they said no. Maybe that stubborness would result in Villareal upping the offer to something they'll accept...but I doubt it. Not while we are sat in the playoffs. I would guess they'll want 8 million bare minimum even after a pre-contract is signed.

Whilst I lost faith in JDT's tactical acumen after the Boro game (it had already been fading for a while), I'm content to give at least the full season before making a firm judgement on this new regime. However, I reserve the right to make criticisms (and give praise) along the way. I don't expect to call for anyone's head before the season is pretty much done though, if then. Not saying it might not happen briefly in a fit of emotion of course lol, but the sensible time to make a full assessment will be season's end, IMO. Obviously any Mowbray-level death spiral may warrant an earlier call.

I expect Villareal will super low-ball us with such an offer once the pre-contract is signed. Probably offer us a couple of million, maybe 3.

He was also in charge of a very large, extremely well-resourced club yet never got accused of buying the title. Fuck him and his impressive but still overblown achievements, many of which came through chicanery anyway. If he had moved around clubs a bit and succeeded repeatedly (no I don't care about Aberdeen and the mickey mouse trophy), conducted himself with a modicum of honour, and not had referees on the payroll, I might be a bit more impressed.

Let's stop lauding Ferguson, the man's an absolute cunt and retired years ago, let's use another example please.

Butterworth put in several very lazy performances last season, so I can't agree that he runs around like a madman.

Yeh, but shit that doesn't stink as much.

Gallagher. You said yourself, Vale did nothing for the team. At least Gally puts a shift in, and has a much better goal record than Vale.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/23267526.tomassons-solid-verdict-blackburn-rovers-draw-bristol-city/ “At the end, I think the result is okay,” Tomasson said. “When you’re leading and controlling the game I think it was a very solid performance. “Coming away to Bristol City it’s a difficult place to come to when you look at the attacking quality they have and the last couple of weeks regarding their form. “With leading, you can be a bit disappointed with the way we conceded the goal, individual mistakes happen in football, but I’m happy to see the lads digging in, 10 against 11, with a great spirit, fighting together and I think we can be pleased and satisfied with a draw in that way. “On the other hand a bit disappointed if you see how we controlled the game in the way we wanted.” “It was a brilliant goal, overloading on right-hand side, played with few touches, a good run from Morton, a cut-back and Bradley chose a great position and a good finish. “Normally he does that.” On the goal Rovers conceded, Tomasson said: “That’s football, we all that Thomas has had excellent games as well and has been important the whole season. “On another day he keeps that ball.”

Sounds like he's playing in the wrong position then. But those who were watching on here have described his performance as lazy, so not sure what job he was doing for the team. Supervisor perhaps...

Unfortunately we broke the streak of winning when we go a goal up against Sunderland. This is now I believe our third time losing points from a winning position. Losing when we go behind remains intact, in fact we've only even scored in one game from behind (Bristol at Ewood).

The Bristol games have been abberations this season. The first match is still, I believe, the only game we have scored a goal after going behind (and did it twice in the game at that, both times when two goals behind), and now this one is our first draw of the season, deep into January.

Eh? We went a goal up, not a goal down.

Sadly, I think what's going to happen is games we were winning before are going to turn into draws. I'll get excited when we draw (or better yet win) from behind.

I should have known today was the draw day, after my (non-Rovers-fan) friend asked me what the odds would be on us not drawing for the rest of the season. Definitely put the jinx on it there.

I know many like to say he's just gone back to being Brereton and that it was all just a purple patch, but for me he is distracted. I don't think he's the type to down tools, but that doesn't mean the prospect of a big move and loads more money isn't going to get into your head. He will be thinking about how everything he does looks to suitors, and the last thing you need in front of goal is to be thinking about anything else. Interesting you say since the West Ham game...I didn't see that, but I'm guessing you mean he played well in that too? A game against a Prem side where he played well would help the distractions peak I think...

It does feel like this could be the elusive first draw of the season...

I'm not watching, but I'd imagine the sensible move here would be to bring on Garrett or Travis for Buckley or Morton. 10 men, momentum against us, tired legs...need to be able to break up their play and kill time.

He didn't, took him off for Carter after the red.

Ayala basically confirming that the collapse will happen. Also the ban means we'll be fielding Wharton and Carter presumably next match?

I didn't say it was anything to do with the manager.

Did you mean you wonder if?

Bit of a problem this, we used to control games easily once we were ahead. Since the first time we collapsed from a leading position (Sunderland I think?) we just haven't been the same when leading. I could live with never coming back from behind when we always won when ahead, but now we've lost that aura of invincibility when leading, and still haven't put the never recovering thing to bed, we could have an issue. Only kept the lead here for 14 minutes.

You're faster than livescore.com Chaddy.