We were state of the art in Sam's days and Sparky before him but the tantric one and Keane destroyed everything pronto. So we were late adopting the technology and employing the personnel but now I believe we are very much state-of-the-art

I think we can be certain Aliseema isn't happening before a week tomorrow at the earliest. At least he should be arriving with match practise with the three competitive Norway games Thursday, Sunday, Wednesday.

Can’t believe how hard some posters are working to find negativity.... We’ve had a good start, signed some good players, are playing our young lads, winning and entertaining. Yet you have some hammering this thread with tedious chat about Chris Houghton being better than Mowbray, every good player signed either fell into our lap or wasn’t actually signed by the manager but every signing with a question mark is hung around the managers neck. Fuck me lads. I don’t think we’ve had an opportunity to be positive like this since those lot took over and sacked big Sam. Can we not just enjoy it for while? ???? I will fully take on board what arbitro has said about refereeing games (I was always under the impression refs could not officiate at their local clubs) but I would say that for the more sensitive/insecure footballers, not having crowds in could well be helping them..

More than that

It will be immediate. This is going to be a huge challenge to measure where we are now. Another 0-0 coming up..

I think his crossing ability will seal Gallagher starting in place of Dolan v Forest

Scanning the LT, my take is that we have secured the Greek youngster provided the medical and paperwork haven't thrown up problems. Yes Mols has gone to the third level in Spain but CF Intercity are a two year old club with money behind them who are flying through the leagues with annual promotions Aleesami sounds highly probable. Mulgrew to Fleetwood is still a big ? No current sign of bids coming in for any other Rovers players

Spotted 4 names there who have come through spectacularly.

And to think England's World Cup winning team played there...

I am getting rather worried about our Boy Wonder. I know I am ahead of you timewise but I was hoping for an announcement early this morning..

Thinking about it, FFP could be what lies behind the otherwise difficult to justify season ticket offer.

I am 100% serious. We are desperately close to the edge- in fact probably over it now- on FFP. It is a day to day hand to mouth issue. And it might force the sale of Williams if an offer comes in.

On the basis nobody is going into the ground, I'd save the pennies for a thorough spring clean just before fans are admitted again... whenever it is. Essential maintenance only for the time being. I wish I had confidence that this is what will happen....

Everton were supposed to be looking at Tosin and then went £20m + £5m on the ex-Shrewsbury lad from Norwich. I guess Ancelotti is as good a judge of a player as there is amongst current managers.

Totally agree with your observation about the lack of sales by Rovers. Indeed if you accept (and there is no evidence to contradict this) Mowbray and the Raos (pre-Covid) were/are building long term then Kaminski and 2017's boy wonder (assuming we get him) are together a dramatic advance in the goal keeping department over the Raya/Leuitweiler combination. However, Watkins is a level of fabulous beyond Arma with the best will in the world. There is a reason why Benarama is still at Brentford (found out in my view) and Watkins is tearing apart the Liverpool defence. Arma is not remotely in the Watkins class- hope he proves me wrong but...

It is very obvious you have never managed a business under severe cash flow problems. That £70k a week in saving will have been banked, probably triple banked! Even Friday this week feels like an aeon away. Most non Premier League clubs are in precisely this position. Waggott at least has the luxury of trying to manage down the size of the next Capital injection he asks for from Pune. But he is utterly hamstrung while the FFP rules remain in place unaltered. So the choice for Rovers right now could well be between letting the highest earners walk for free and a nine point deduction this season.

Next summer is an aeon away when you are living hand to mouth with next to zero income coming in. Which is where all football outside the Premier League is effectively until the next TV cheque arrives. Can players walk out and get a much better deal? Realistically, only at Premier League clubs and 50% of those are having to be very careful with the £££. Pre-Covid thinking about player contract mostly does not apply any longer. So nail down players who might interest Premier League clubs and be very polite, loving and cuddly towards the rest for the time being. But lose your Mont Blanc..

Can we just confirm that the Norwegian LB is now a free agent and so not subject to last night's deadline?

For everybody fretting about players going out of contract, I will ask one question. Are they undoubtedly Premier League class? If yes, we need to get a move on and sign the extension. If maybe or no, not the top priority. Other Championship clubs have covid financial problems as well. And if we do.go up, we don't want to be over burdened with contracted Championship level players.

FFP

Cash is king and that is how businesses are operating right now. Herbie is right. Blame the virus. On another thread I have argued Rovers are actually better placed than most other clubs in dealing with Covid consequences. However, during this window, we have gone from a realistic assumption fans will be back in to a realistic assumption there will be zero fan income in 20/21. Mowbray hasn't hidden what that changed business budget assumption has done to the transfer budget. It wiped it out.

Don't you have WhatsApp in Blackburn yet?

I had better keep my phone on then...

Well we have done our bit and made it to 600 pages. Time for Rovers to pony up that new left back... Actually they are probably ringing round the Prem and internationally to see what offcasts and loans in any position are now likely/ possible last minute steals

luv 'n kisses, Jack