No matter how the game changes, nothing will ever change the fact that goalscoring is the number one priority of a striker though. I dont think its realistic to expect Championship to be good at everything. Ultimately I also felt that people overstated other areas of his game, but the proof was in the pudding in terms of the limits that put on his ability to score goals, ie very little. For example, Armstrong is lightning quick, but Rhodes was at least as effective in behind because the timing of his runs was far, far better, Armstrong often caught offside, and once he got in behind, he was clinical whereas Armstrong probably misses more than he scores and is more of a scorer of great goals rather than a great goalscorer. He was also of no use if we went direct but he wasnt useless with his head, he did score quite a few headers when he again used his intelligence to get a yard. I dont think theres been a better consistent Championship striker in the last decade than Rhodes as he was here, barring obvious exceptions like Mitrovic of players who maybe spent a year here post relegation. I also feel that he can be considered underrated just because his unrelenting goal record over 3 and a half season was remarkable and made him the best striker around at this level at that time.

One controversial shout for a player who was always popular but both at the time and after his departure slightly underappreciated has to be Jordan Rhodes. There was always an undercurrent of people trying to find holes in what he couldnt do and a blatant under-appreciation of quite how ridiculous his goal record was. 3 full seasons in teams that ranged from shambolic in the first year to more stable in the second and third (with obvious major flaws still existing) he got 27, 25 and 21 goals. Then a further 10 in a half season prior to his departure. It takes incredible anticipation, composure and intelligence to be so consistently prolific. We have been lucky to have since had Graham and Dack but even in League 1 neither could smash the 20 goal barrier Rhodes did every full season he was here. Goals always will be priority 1 from a striker, he was an absolute guarantee. His post Rovers career is pretty irrelevant to how good he was here, played a key role in Boro's promotion but went to 2 clubs who clearly had bought him without necessarily the managers final say and I think hes suffered a crisis of confidence but it doesnt take away his extraordinary consistency here.

Dack is nowhere near being fit, almost certainly hasnt cut months off such a serious injury. Even said in the LT recently that he wont be back until late in the year. Holtby planned on being back for any potential play offs but is in Germany so would need to self isolate for 2 weeks first. That being said, we might not have any football before late in the year anyway if common sense is used.

I think the more time goes on, the possibility of finishing the season becomes more and more unlikely, even behind closed doors, in terms of guaranteeing player safety and using up resources that could be better used elsewhere. I also accept that as much as I am desperate to watch any football, the notion of having anything like a similar interest and passion in behind closed doors results and matches is probably unlikely. If Rovers somehow got into the top 6 for example, I suspect I would resent the fact that I couldnt go and see the games. Next season should be the priority and salvaging as much it it as is reasonably possible. Any talk of a conspiracy towards making a decision in any way focused on getting Liverpool the title is absurd though. As much as I dont want them to lift the Premier League.

I think theres some good shouts here but also some questionable ones. The centre backs are 2 good shouts, and David Thompson was a cracking little player. I think its hard to pick out a keeper to be fair, never thought Bunn was much cop. On the flip side, I dont think that what happens post Rovers should have a bearing, otherwise Rhodes would be overrated, even though he constantly scored goal after goal. Kalinic was someone I was desperate to do well and could see flashes but ultimately he was given quite a few chances and he never convinced at all. He has played for some big clubs since without really excelling at any of them. Rochina and to a lesser extent Formica I think grabbed peoples attention, one was a Barcelona graduate and the other a highly rated Argentinian at a time when we had a fairly ageing and stagnant side but both flattered to deceive more often than not. I dont think either could be considered underrated, indeed I would probably say that Rochina is overrated. Conway it is easy to forget how effective he was for his first few years, maybe staying on too long tarnished his memory somewhat, and I think Nyambe has always been a fans favourite even when his performances were unconvincing. I think a couple of other shouts would be Garry Flitcroft for sure and also Grant Hanley and maybe Ben Marshall and Michael Gray? Underrated is such a difficult definition really, I do wonder even if the likes of Andy Cole, Robbie Savage and Benni McCarthy are somewhat underrated, even with their high profiles. And it might go under the radar quite how good David Bentley was.

I think the interview isnt even directly with the club, more lifted from a podcast he did with a friend.

I think theres an element of rewriting history in terms of King. At that time, there was no way that we can justify dropping one of the front 2 who at that time were scoring 20+ goals a season each. He often underwhelmed when he did play and that Stoke hat trick was very much an exception. I also certainly dont think Rochina could be described as magnificent here!

Raya Nyambe Lenihan Hanley Marcus Olsson Marshall Travis Cairney Conway Gestede Rhodes Dack and Graham both just miss out to Gestede. Raya very lucky to get in, no credible contenders here, Travis lucky to get in after such a short timespan purely down again to lack of credible alternatives. Marcus Olsson, Nyambe and maybe Marshall also fairly lucky and Duffy or Lenihan is a tough one. No point making silly imbalanced teams with Dack in central midfield etc.

You can blame him for changing his mind if you think Jansen was unfortunate not to go to the World Cup. To attach any extended blame for what happened in Rome would be incredibly unfair.

I think its a little harsh to suggest that Eriksson shafted us on that occasion. You cant blame him for what happened.

Id say he was the worst of the lot in central midfield. Stealing a living and certainly did nothing to protect the defence.

Brereton is very lucky to avoid a mention.

Berg and Lucas Neill (if you dropped the loyal and overall fairly average Emerton) are alternative choices at right back. Givet could go at left back or alternatively Bjornebye. Samba an alternative at centre back and of course McCarthy and Santa Cruz amongst the alternatives up front. Midfield is more tricky. Gillespie could be a shout for the right wing. Nzonzi has been mentioned but whilst his first season was decent under Allardyce, overall I found him underwhelming and in his last season, in an admittedly difficult time, some of his "performances" were bordering on unforgivable, I particularly remember one at Swansea away where youd struggle to find a better example of a player that couldnt be arsed. Obviously has talent hence his CV but certainly not a favourite of mine.

Id rather just finish this season almost certainly behind closed doors if at all possible or failing that, write off this season as null and void and have the full quota of games next season if at all possible. I would consider amalgamating seasons and having reduced fixtures in future seasons as the very last resort. Saying that, I appreciate that in 10th place, my team hasnt got the same riding on it as teams going for titles, promotions or potentially being relegated.

What have people done in regards to tickets they had purchased for games scheduled for the rest of the season? I personally dont think the club has been particularly transparent in regards to encouraging refunds although you can understand that. I bought tickets for the Barnsley game and have got them refunded today. No point them keeping my money for a game that almost certainly wont be played, certainly to the general public, and if it is I can buy them much closer to the time.

6 months early? No chance. I know, if the club is serious about progressing then it will not take up that option. Very true. Still of the opinion that it was an overreaction to cancel this weekends fixtures?

Have to shift the likes of Bennett and Bell and not be weak and let them stick around as neither are good enough to play any part.

People wont be just travelling from Lancashire though. No chance that the rest of the season will be accesible for fans.

The situation is very much day by day and ultimately no one knows for sure the best way to prepare for such a situation. It goes without saying that large gatherings with people in close proximity is a massive risk with an infectious disease spreading like wildfire. I suspect the crowd will be considerably down on Saturday and you have to say that those chosing to stay away are making a very understandable choice.

Very surprised to see the game go ahead, potentially a very risky decision. Will against my better judgement most likely attend but expect a crowd that is halved in size and expect this to be maybe the last game we can attend this season.

Why would you choose to put Sam Gallagher on the wing? I dont get after seeing him there on numerous occasions and be totally ineffective every time without fail how youd come to that conclusion?

And could probably offer more goal threat!

Im guessing the absence of hot water isnt just in the Blackburn End either?

It does seem more and more inevitable that the season will not finish with fans being allowed into the ground. I have tickets for Barnsley and am half expecting the game to be behind closed doors.