We're now spending money (on wages at least) and appear to be adding experience where we seemed determined to shed it last year. There hasn't yet been an exodus from Ewood, and Shebby is at least talking to the fans.
However, I can't help think that the Ewood hierarchy are now sitting comfortably thinking they've appeased the fans, when in fact the following has happened:
We've cleared out yakubu's wages, and shortly Hoilett's.
There's a very good chance we'll lose some, if not all of: Robinson, Dann (don't care), Givet, Ollson, N'Zonzi, Formica. I've missed out some of the others that we haven't seen.
We've kept a failed manager, employed his buddy and taken on a global advisor from the football hotbed that is malasian punditry.
In their place we have two 35+ players, one total unknown and Leon best. who knows what we'll get with him.
The championship is incredibly tough and we'll be in for some rough stuff and be a target for 'smaller' teams.
I really hope that this isn't the end of the incoming transfers as the defence is still very weak. if it is, I can't see much advance on a 15000 opening crowd at ewood...
Hopes up...or not
posted on 6/7/12
Putting fans concerns and worries about Kean and the owners to one side (if that’s possible) and I think, all things considered, the moves coming out of Ewood have been quite positive overall.
Yes, Leon Best is not world class but unfortunately this is the level we’re shopping at and besides, what player would want to come to us anyway?
If we keep the players you mentioned, and one or more of the signings are a success (I can see Murphy and Best doing well…not too sure about the Gomes’s!) then who knows how the season will pan out.
The Championship is tough, very tough but look at the teams that did well last year. Apart from West Ham, none of them spent huge sums of money. Southampton, Birmingham, Blackpool…Reading had to rely on Jason Roberts ffs!
posted on 6/7/12
Difference with all those - managerial quality.
Ollie got Blackpool up on a small budget and is a good mgr, Chris Hughton is a good manager. Roberts was part of a side that got top ten finish - of course he's rubbish though. Atkins - So'ton. Us - Kean. Thats the balancing factor on our squad's quality.
posted on 6/7/12
When we play derby games they are all blood and thunder and players and form go out the window!
posted on 6/7/12
I think ignorance has bred severe underestimation from our support when judging the difficulty of this league. Looking on facebook groups many rovers fans seem to have been transformed into excited, expectant believers once again. Oh how I pity them. Not deterred by getting being burnt twice already, the masses are skipping towards the flames once again with a potent combo of amnesia and gullibility. Like last season it'll only take a month or 2 before we start to hear the screams.
posted on 8/7/12
I'm with blueandwhitehalves.
The Championship is going to be incredibly difficult and certainly isn't something to be underestimated. The very fact that none only one of three of last seasons' promoted teams were sent back down tells you of the standard of quality, give or take some lucky breaks.
It's fiercely competitive. I for one, and sh|tting a proverbial brick with that idiot in charge.
posted on 8/7/12
- am sh|tting a brick, not and.
posted on 8/7/12
Well i am with DD,,its no cake walk is this league,one we have still got many aged players,,Dunn,Pederson,Muphy,who will be expected to be the driving force of the team,it aint going to happen is it,,lol
posted on 8/7/12
This is a tough league lots of derbys and teams like Cardiff(who may walk this league).We are in a worse situation than last season as the player exodus is not over yet by a long way.Look at what we have got two 36 year olds and a young player who was in Newcastles reserves.I honestly believe under the Junta which rules Ewood that we are in for a rough season.