I don't know what the language is like down in th JW lower but yes, possibly. Better view than in some of the seats down there as we sat in the front row but also your kids were out of the way so could go and let off steam by running on the concourse if they so desired without disturbing anyone. Mine never wanted to because as I said, they really just wanted to watch the match but I know some did

I agree some kids might but my kids were never really bothered, perhaps because at that time you'd see our players out and about round Clitheroe and Blackburn

My kids wanted to watch the match not scrabble around getting autographs. The view from the BBE upper was great for seeing the play develop. But it's not just that. Its choice being removed without consultation when consultation was promised. The issues of stand closures should have been dealt with openly, not decided and sent out in a snotty, high handed letter to those about to renew season tickets.

People round us used to scapegoat Lucas Neill and others Pedersen. Even when they got MOTM awards and barely put a foot wrong. Some people have very closed minds

John Williams was not a Rovers fan but he learnt to love and understand us

Cant wait. I've got more and more into rugby over the last few years. Just hope the All Blacks dont dominate as they have done over the last few years, although I'd take a final like the cricket world cup as long as we beat them in the end. Looking forward to seeing how Curry performs for England, and de Klerk for SA as I watch them regularly at Sale.

Yeah but he's lived in Germany more than in England, certainly recently. My grandkids are half German too and living there means they have their mum's English vocabulary and phrases but slightly odd sounding English speech at times

He's German. What did you expect? I loved his enthusiasm though and the fact that he can speak coherently

I did this for my local football club, Clitheroe. The £30 I paid for my season ticket will do a lot for them, and i dont feel i lose out if i dont go. We've also bought Sale Sharks season tickets because my husband has always loved rugby and their ST scheme means that if i cant go to a match i can get an extra free ticket for the next match i can attend for a friend or family member so we can go together. We used to pass our Rovers ST to friends but nobody we know who isnt a ST holder wants to go now. The Park at the Trafford Centre for free and get a free shuttle bus to the ground means transport isnt an issue. The club has injured players outside the ground for photos, working in the club shop and bars, not just on open days but every match day, and fans are highly valued. Compare it to Rovers where we've felt marginalised for years since John Williams left. Parking near the ground is more difficult than it used to be thanks to the new road layout and the travellers park and the club hasn't done anything to make that easier. It's a whole different experience going to Rovers now from when we had ST when Lambert was there. I went once last season and it just didn't feel good being there. It's not lack of premier league football that bothers me but it is the disregard that the club as a whole shows for its fans. Its true that none of the things like weeds outside the stand, or the price of pies matters in itself, but it's the cumulative effect of lack of empathy and understanding that the club has shown towards its fans that means it would take a lot to tempt me back on a regular basis. As for being told I should prioritise Rovers over other things I enjoy doing, that's more likely to make me stay away than have a crisis of conscience and return.

My 4 kids also attended as ST holders back in the day and, as you say, they no longer attend regularly as 2 live abroad, one lives in the north east and the other lives south of Manchester and works some weekends. However, that doesn't mean that getting them in as kids was a bad idea. If we dont engage kids interest there will soon be no fans in the grounds. Some will carry on attending. Some will attend as and when they can. Others will attend occasionally on visits home. But all our kids would still say they're fans and would no doubt attend regularly if distance, work commitments and family allowed. 50% success is a pretty good rate.

An ageing fan base means more former season ticket holders miss matches as they take holidays whenever they get a good deal. That makes a ST less viable. Nothing the club can do about that but you do have to factor it in. For example I've not been at home for more than a few days at a time since the start of June so that made a ST not worth it in the end despite the fact I'm now a senior and they're very cheap. That's why it's important to grow family uptake

Labuschagne

More you do, more potential there is for mistakes and the more people notice them because they're noticing you.

Humble pie?

Beating the weaker teams helps with confidence which boosts fitness ie players work harder in training and matches if they're buzzing, concentration levels - players are more likely to stay focused throughout the match if they think that doing so gets results - and so on. A win is not just a win but a stepping stone to the next one

You still have to get the ball into the net past the keeper. They don't just give you a goal because your team is awarded a penalty. Graham did that on Saturday therefore we were awarded a goal. Counts as scoring all day long in most people's books.

You're probably correct that we wouldn't see that much of a jump but then I'm not suggesting low prices across the board. The clubs main ticket income comes from selling STs and those who commit to them should be rewarded, but to get people to want a ST you have to hook them in the first place and to do that you don't put excuses in their way. BTW I don't have one. A Sale Sharks one proved better value as their season doesn't start properly till after the rugby world cup prelim rounds in mid October by which time we'll have stopped our gallivanting for this year. And I'll make sure I book any Rovers tickets in advance online. ?

Definitely wrong if you want fans back. You have to get people into the ground and you don't do that by penalising them for making late choices

Since I haven't a clue what you're both on about, I can't comment.

Perhaps you don't but then you're a fan. To get more fans we need to get people hooked on going to the match and get more casuals in. Suppose a mate rings you the day before and asks if you fancy going and tells you it's £25. You're not really a fan but you might fancy going for an afternoon out with a mate, have a few drinks and maybe make an evening of it after but you can't quite decide. He rings again next day to check if you're up for it but then tells you it's now £28. That's the cost of one of your drinks. However you dress it up its still a disgrace to charge more just because people want the freedom to make a choice late on. I've never been caught by it myself but I still think it's a ridiculous charge. And the 1875 thing only works if you go to more than a certain number of games. If you're just a casual attender you either wouldn't know or would think it might not be worth it

We bought nothing on the concourse for years before to be fair, since Venkys rocked up. It was one way of protesting without boycotting matches. Food at most sports venues is overpriced and poor quality.

Actually sometimes it is. People's opportunity to go to Rovers suddenly changes, other commitments get cancelled last minute, the mate you want to go with, who said he couldn't go says he can at the last minute. It's ridiculous to charge more for something like a football match just because people cant commit in advance. For example, I was coming back from holiday yesterday and might have been able to get there, but it would have been close so I wouldn't have bought tickets in advance, but if I'd got back in time why would I have wanted to pay extra to go. It's just daft.

If he's still here in a year it seems clear that Rovers will be in an even worse position. I can't comment on performance as I don't attend matches and won't comment based just on listening on the radio or watching on TV, but when even normally very supportive and football intelligent fans like PB are questioning his team choice and tactics it's hard to see him being in a job much longer. The prospect of who might follow him still terrifies me though

Because I used to be a languages teacher so I try to rein in my pedantic tendencies now I'm retired. Occasionally though, I have a relapse.

Sorry to be pedantic. It's cue: