bluebruce

3 million definitely doesn't pay for the Academy for the next 3 years, if you meant the JRC, Buckley and Leonard sales. If you're adding Travis too, it's (possibly, up to) 6 million, which also doesn't pay for it for 3 years. Last I recall, the Academy cost 3.5 million a year to run, but we get a grant of 1 million by being Category 1, so it costs 7.5 million to run it for 3 years. The number is probably higher now as those figures are a good few years old. It absolutely pays for itself, especially with the Wharton and Raya money, and the savings from no fees and cheap wages for squad players over the years, but I just wanted to correct that point. That's before considering that Travis especially is a seasoned first teamer who absolutely needs to be replaced, at cost.

I had the same thought (although it's 'sen' at the end not 'son', so Eidursen), but Eidur's sons are all Gudjohnsen and so was Eidur's father.

But this season in the Eredivisie is only 3 games in? 2 for some teams.

You should glue your coat to yourself so this doesn't happen again.

Ok but that's vague, I'm asking you what aspect of his game makes you think that?

I think we can say with confidence that the 3000 or whatever minutes aim for Academy graduates is out the window this season. Travis, Buckley, JRC and Leonard all gone. Numerous players brought in from first teamers to squad fillers. It was going to be a stretch to reach it as it was before the summer trading. Tbc I'm not sad about it, it was always a stupid thing to have as a material target.

I think Leonard has potential, but I'm curious, what aspect of his game makes you think he has a 'VERY' high ceiling?

Wasn't the question though.

Does Cantwell really strike you as more of a leader than Travis?

Fair, had me wondering if he was Jordan Henderson's kid or something

Who are his parents?

Especially in defence, with attackers trying to twist you this way and that. Your balance and ability to shift direction quickly if you've been sent the wrong way are key. Hard to do that at such a gargantuan height. Still, if he somehow has a bit of that going on too then might be a promising one to watch. Otherwise he'll just be an exposable lummox.

Just spotted this post on FB shared in a Rovers supporters group (original post 19 hours ago): Kent Non League FootballBlackburn Rovers have signed promising 16 year old centre back Archie Henderson after impressing at Herne Bay. The Championship side moved for Henderson after he had agreed terms for Herne Bay in the summer after featuring for the 1st team last season!

When have you ever seen him be soft? He might not be Tyson Fury but these claims he is soft seem massively exaggerated to me. Never seen him show fear or get leathered. Just plays his wind up part and temper well enough to not throw a silly punch and cost us a game.

Crazy amounts of spending, both last season and this. Also it's possible both sides are better than they looked because we made the general play hard for them? It's also very early in the season, teams are rarely fully at the races for the first 2-3 games.

Eh? Birmingham were one of the favourites to win the league, let alone get promoted, at 2-1 at one point. They're currently second favourites to win the league and second favourites to get promoted. Not sure where you got the notion they were 7-1 for promotion. West Brom currently 6th favourites for promotion (oddschecker).

Agreed, I was done with him. Probably a nice lad, had talent as a footballer, but hadn't applied himself properly for years, and had never done so consistently for more than about 3 months. He had been in more last chance saloons than I can count. I wish him well, but it was long past time for him to go. I don't think he has the personality to be a success at this level.

Keith Andrews was a fairly shit Premiership midfielder. Then we loaned him to the Championship with Ipswich and he immediately scored 9 goals in 20 Championship matches. Different levels altogether these two tiers. JB and LT were never as dominant as that in the Championship at any point in their careers. OP was right, JB and LT would never have been regulars when we were a good Prem side. At best they'd have made a smattering of substitute/cup appearances, been loaned out, and never seen at Ewood again.

Think they'd be better telling them it's 5pm.

I thought the player liaison lady was fired?

As part of 3 own goals within about 50 minutes of football across 2 games, then a red card 75 minutes later (in the same game he scored 2 own goals). Persona non grata in Blackburn, for life.

Sounds like it could just be a cracking result then!

7 nil now I see. Vare with a hat trick, Joseph with 2. I wonder if Fulham fielded a weaker side with it being the cup.

That's highly unexpected. We fielded a strong team with some u21 regulars or something?

He played a game for Yverdon, yes, then if I understand rightly he missed the rest before he left. Possibly a case of putting him in a game to prove he could play, then when that didn't get a sale over the line they either gave him the operation or rested him in case he worsened the injury before the sale. It's still all a bit of a mystery though and we do know for a fact there was an issue with his medical the first time. The club needs to explain things since they've gone on to sign him anyway.