TimmyJimmy

I think its simply about being honest and straightforward, applies to anyone that is developing nicely and looks to have a proper career ahead of them. Hyam would need a different approach. Lads that we are developing need to understand that it's not about being the best kept secret playing keepy uppy in the back alley by the bins, you need a club that believes in you and wants to make you into someone of note. Skill exercised in the wrong environment leads to nowt. That's not free. We deserve to benefit as well as them. The key as we all know is to have that conversation early whilst we still have leverage. I'd be very serious, don't sign and we're done, go somewhere else. Good luck (seriously) but we're parting company, call your agent. I'm guessing you agree with me, honesty and fairness (yes he must be paid well and played in enough games) but be up front and tell people where they stand and your expectations of them. Worked for me. Venkys on the other hand, clueless.

Dolan had an early period when he showed promise. He hadn't yet turned in his later performances that now make him attractive to other teams. My conversation with him would have happened in his season #2 along the lines of: "You obviously have great potential, one day you'll be well sought after. Right now though I need to think about the club. You'll grow from being here, you'll play a lot so I need to protect your value to us before putting in the work to grow you and raise your profile. Sign this." If no: "Then I'll have to ask you to start looking for another club as you won't be developing at our expense any more. You're in the U21 until you leave or reconsider". "We like you a lot TD but that's how it is. Let me know what you decide by next week." Something like that.

I re-read it and got very depressed. Thought, just what is the point. I don't think I care any more. It's like being locked up for life and not being able to find the escape tunnel. I thought to spare you all from my torment and hit delete.

Deleted.

I think the target is always 12th Philip. Natural variance happens of course +/- but I believe that is always their target. Grim and inexplicable isn't it.

Is he the new left sided centre back signing we've been after?

《Flame On》: I think someone needs to explain to them the difference between a "benefactor model" and an "OWNERSHIP model". Rather like the difference between caring and responsible parenting and having children and claiming you've done your bit and now the rest is on the kids ... food, shelter protection ... you know, those irritating bits of responsibility that go with your earlier decisions. They wanted a Prem club (created by the efforts of others), pledged undying love, had their wicked way, shagged the club and now say that we have to go scavenging in bins to feed ourselves. I don't think their heart is in it, do you? (rhetorical and sarcasm in case if doubt) Benefactor model my arse, if they're benefactors then I'm a Burnley supporter (again, sarcasm in case if doubt, Hell would freeze first). 《/Flame Off》

Brittain and Beck were head and shoulders the two best full backs in the Championship last season. We should be celebrating re-signing Beck again on loan by now but instead we are forced to worry about losing Brittain instead! Is there nothing to look forward to with this ownership? Every day something awful happens or is about to happen, is there no respite. It grinds you down, it really does. If the board has it's hands tied over funds why can't they at least better manage supporter expectations and just tell us what is or isn't going on. That doesn't cost anything! WTF. Now where did I put that season ticket money?!

Just read this: "As of early July 2025, the latest injury and suspension report for Blackburn Rovers does not list Sidnei Tavares among its unavailable players, confirming he is fully fit for selection." I'm confused. How do we know he's injured as mentioned on here several times?

Hey I totally agree with the observations about the danger of a L1 destination, I just feel that's not the likeliest intent. Inevitable, yes if they keep deciding to twist instead of sticking so totally agree its a very real danger given the punts they are taking. Whelan spoke wise words. We know there was something rotten in that sale deal, the behavioural evidence since then supports that, it's an inescapable conclusion. My point is that the data all supports the theory that there is something special to them about the Championship. My take is that they may stumble and we end up in L1 or even fluke a promotion but that's not the intent. They play a risky game at our expense. They get free spins we get Purgatory.

Then why did we go balls out for promotion when we got there?

They want us in the Championship for ever, not above or below. No idea why but it's as clear as can be. All sales, failed registrations, contract wind-downs and 'purchases' all evidence this along with their exquisitely judged timings. All the wood is behind the arrowhead IMO. It's as clear as can be to those with eyes and a willingness to look. We're in this league and going nowhere. EVER.

Rothwell-esq?

Elliott Bennett gives a good insight into contract negotiations under Venkys in todays Telegraph. Good bloke. Loves the club.

Do we know who it was who threw the snowball? Did it ever get claimed? Whatever your view on the 'incident' anyone who understands Indian pride and dignity will know that it had an effect. It was shit here pre-snowball and treble shit post-snowball.

Regarding the Trav/Tron situation, could this be the Venky/Gestede logic (I type that word whilst smiling). They have 12 months of contract left: - We have a history of letting contracts run down - Gestede promised an exciting transfer window - Val seems to have self convinced that a promotion push is on this year Decision: - keep Trav/Tron - add speedy options (DDN) to the wings and extra strength to the midfield (Sid) [hopefully Vicious] - HOPE for promotion - decide to say to Trav/Tron at that time "here's a cheap contract, you either want to play in the Prem or you don't. Sign it." - in the Prem they'd likely be squad players anyway as presumably (yes I know it's the Venkys) we'll buy higher quality in. If that's their logic then they'll need a striker signing and another (or resigned) CB. I'm leaving Brittan out of the above as I think he'll stay because of Val, plus he likes it here. If we don't get promoted then Trav/Tron will be deemed the problem and they can go. We keep the 2 new lads and buy afresh and go again. We're in Venky World so who the heck knows but there is at least SOME logic in it. If renewed contracts aren't offered and we buy/loan a strong player for the other slots then plan completed. That's what I think will happen, no sale, no new improved contracts. Personally I think that's as sensible and likely as the Underpants Gnomes strategy presented on the chalkboard as: 1. Collect underpants 2. ??? 3. Profit I can see Gestede's office wall now.

The pattern is obvious, we're following the declared business model. It's not about football and winning games/promotions. The two new signings are young and presumably their data shows that they have a shot at developing and therefore becoming more valuable. On the other hand they may not. It's a roulette game, take a spin. Sign another one and you've a reasonable chance that 1 in 3 will work out then we sell and bank the money somewhere offshore. Who cares if we win matches, what's important is that we pick well as will be evidenced by the fees we receive further down the line. You get promoted by ADDING proven, respected players to your squad. Our signings are business (likely replacement) deals/gambles only. Venky's don't want promotion or relegation, they want Championship status so we can generate self sustaining income by getting lucky on picking up prospects who develop. To paraphrase Tina Turner "What's football got to do with it? What this about winning a promotion".

Forshaw signing is OK for me if he's an "as well as ..." but not if he's an "instead of ...". So if we sign others (of quality) and keep hold of Trav/Tron then his dressing room presence/experience will be useful. The reality is of course that we don't sign quality and we lose Trav so if that was to be the case then this is another low water mark moment. As an aside I like Garrett, he has attitude. Hope he has an impressive pre season and breaks through (oh and he's free so in the current climate what the heck).

My opinion is that we're in the Championship by design. For some reason the Prem is forbidden ground, ditto League 1. When in League 1 we kept the squad and bounced straight back When in the Prem they sack Sam and appoint a clearly incompetent dick who failed at his first objective by blowing his brief at Wolves but then managed to follow instructions at the second time of asking. Also a nice touch to sabotage our League Cup chances at the same time. Since then we've had many opportunities to win promotion only to be shot in the foot by deliberate acts of sabotage by the owners and board (IMO), no money, admin "failures", good players sold or contracts allowed to expire. I have absolutely no idea as to the rationale but the Venkys really need us to be in the Championship and will move heaven and earth to keep us there. Consequently we won't have a sniff at promotion or relegation this season or any other season by design (IMO). Oh and Chaddy is a bot by the way (IMHO) - that's a joke Chaddy ... mmm but wait a minute ...

mmm fair question, if nothing else he earned a ton of respect and now he's earned the disrespect (mine at least). But then I feel the same about Shearer and he was a legend (or is that a leg end mmm).

Ah, I see. A scenario: man woos a woman, the woman falls for the man, they marry and make their legal covenants to each other. The wife then gets tempted by another bloke with more cash and pisses off. A question: do you reflect on the warm memories of the good times or do feel aggrieved at the treatment you received? Personally I'm enraged by the actions not placated by the memories.

Why on earth would he say any of this stuff!? It's ridiculously naïve. Why didn't his agent stop him. He has to come back to Ewood this season, why get everybody's back up with stupid unnecessary comments like that. He was a legend at our club and held in great regard by the fans now it turns out he gave us two fingers and told the club to do one. Don't know about you but I love rejection. What kind of reaction does he anticipate? If he aspires to get into coaching after his playing career is ended he's pissing on his chips with any return to us. I defo would have given him real good round of applause when he came back to play against us but after treating us with such disrespect he'll get an earful. Self centred and entitled like all the rest of the overpaid footballing pre Madonnas, absolutely no respect for those who make them as rich as they are. Do one Sammy.

Beck will be the toughest of acts to follow. This guys on a hiding to nothing if he signs on as a LB. He has no reputation as a defensive back and if it's left sided pace Gestedes after then what's the point when you have Kargbo in front of him. If it's a signing for cover then maybe given Picks injury record but then that's what Hedges is for isn't it, I can't say I'm anything like excited by this [rumoured, potential, possible, definite maybe] signing (assuming we get the registration papers submitted in time of course).

Spot on. 100% of nothing = nothing. Job done. Exceeded our only promise (10% earlier). Good window.

It's like picking up a new book and reading the last page first, we know who dunnit. Watching others getting excited at the thrills and spills of actually reading the thing is comical to us - we know the outcome. Been here many times before with Rovers and the transfer windows, it's pointless even going through the motions. The only new things are the interesting plot twists that explain WHY someone wasn't signed or WHY someone left but it's always Colonel Mustard in the Library who's behind things. 6 candidates for the crime, 3 in Pune and 3 in the boardroom, though I guess that doesn’t quite work now as Professor Plum has left the building. In case you can't wait to get to the last page it ends in tears and frustration and the perpetrator gets off scot free.