Question for the board

[godlike1]

So, what is it, then?

And for the thirtieth time today it's because DM is waiting for his plan A to come together. He could go to plan B right now and sign players to keep you happy Alan, but he ain't going to, sorry!

but we’ve missed out on targets? So surely we already are on plan B C etc...?

I stand by what I said last night we haven't missed out, until today that is.

But Moore has said himself that we’ve missed out on some players.

Yep he did. But it's all about interpretation.

this makes no sense. How can you interpret it any other way?

Well, firstly it depends if the target is confirmed or not. Are they definitely a target or just a name on a list? Have negotiations begun with the parent club, player or agent? Are they part of plan A or Plan B?

So, depending on who you ask, the answer to, 'have we lost any targets?' could be completely different. And that, unfortunately, is the reason for the mix up here.

I wish you'd just said that in the first place. Makes alot more sense than the cryptic messages

[Bentley Bullet]

In the days when we got all our information from the Evening post, there was no promise of second-tier football within 5 years and claims of top-six budgets.

But social media hadn't created that belief of entitlement to know everything then.

Social media provides a platform for super-fans to tell everyone else how to support their club properly. It puts the noses out of those people who have supported the club passionately for donkey's years to read that they've been doing it wrong. In its modern purity, it is becoming more a case worshipping your club than supporting it. To object to anything is blasphemous, and anyone who does object should f**k off and support the devil.

John Ryan was much maligned for the 'Destination Championship' slogan, yet the present board's claims of Championship football in 5 years provided by a top-six budget should be unquestioned.

[silent majority]

So, what is it, then?

And for the thirtieth time today it's because DM is waiting for his plan A to come together. He could go to plan B right now and sign players to keep you happy Alan, but he ain't going to, sorry!

but we’ve missed out on targets? So surely we already are on plan B C etc...?

I stand by what I said last night we haven't missed out, until today that is.

But Moore has said himself that we’ve missed out on some players.

Yep he did. But it's all about interpretation.

this makes no sense. How can you interpret it any other way?

Well, firstly it depends if the target is confirmed or not. Are they definitely a target or just a name on a list? Have negotiations begun with the parent club, player or agent? Are they part of plan A or Plan B?

So, depending on who you ask, the answer to, 'have we lost any targets?' could be completely different. And that, unfortunately, is the reason for the mix up here.

I wish you'd just said that in the first place. Makes alot more sense than the cryptic messages

I needed the time to double check that I was on the right path. And it was a very busy day yesterday, I do have a proper job you know!

[Herbert Anchovy]

In the days when we got all our information from the Evening post, there was no promise of second-tier football within 5 years and claims of top-six budgets.

That’s irrelevant BB (though we have had these 5 year plans in the past). The point is there’s clearly been, at the worst, a miscommunication or misunderstanding, and yet some folk seem to turn it into a conspiracy on par with JFK! This stems from the fairly modern idea that people have a right to be given information on their terms and when this doesn’t happen there has to be an ulterior motive at play. Some people in this forum need to take a look at themselves.

[Rovers Return]

So, what is it, then?

And for the thirtieth time today it's because DM is waiting for his plan A to come together. He could go to plan B right now and sign players to keep you happy Alan, but he ain't going to, sorry!

but we’ve missed out on targets? So surely we already are on plan B C etc...?

I stand by what I said last night we haven't missed out, until today that is.

But Moore has said himself that we’ve missed out on some players.

Yep he did. But it's all about interpretation.

this makes no sense. How can you interpret it any other way?

Well, firstly it depends if the target is confirmed or not. Are they definitely a target or just a name on a list? Have negotiations begun with the parent club, player or agent? Are they part of plan A or Plan B?

So, depending on who you ask, the answer to, 'have we lost any targets?' could be completely different. And that, unfortunately, is the reason for the mix up here.

I wish you'd just said that in the first place. Makes alot more sense than the cryptic messages

In fairness Godlike it’s difficult to explain circumstances when you have further knowledge of a situation that revealing too many details that would not be in the clubs interest to have in the public domain too early before things are in place. Especially on a platform like a forum that fails badly to convey messages without infliction.

In all fairness I’ve been in business for a lifetime and understand there is 9/10s of an iceberg beneath the surface and understand an awful lot of SM’s cryptic answers. Unfortunately some people like things spelling out like a Janet and John book. Why? But why? Why? But why?

[Donny Exile in York]

In the days when we got all our information from the Evening post, there was no promise of second-tier football within 5 years and claims of top-six budgets.

But social media hadn't created that belief of entitlement to know everything then.

Social media provides a platform for super-fans to tell everyone else how to support their club properly. It puts the noses out of those people who have supported the club passionately for donkey's years to read that they've been doing it wrong. In its modern purity, it is becoming more a case worshipping your club than supporting it. To object to anything is blasphemous, and anyone who does object should f**k off and support the devil.

John Ryan was much maligned for the 'Destination Championship' slogan, yet the present day's board claims of Championship football in 5 years provided by a top-six budget should be unquestioned.

Absolutely spot on BB.. though shall not blaspheme.. what utter nonsense or such evangelical utterings on here..  I think given the context of the play offs since, lost manager, squad decimated, lack of transfer activity in two windows despite a very good windfall in cups, play offs and transfer sales last season it's only right given the top 6 intention and Baldwins summer claims we want to be in the championship implying that's where trying to get to, that we look at the depth of the current squad and resources spent and issues getting deals over the line time and time again despite 'working hard' can be criticised.. we want the best for the club and as the biggest stewards and lovers of our club we can hold the management to account, especially on this forum.. it's what it's for ffs.. aswell as praise a performance, a player or when things all seem good in the direction of travel (and I recognise 8th in league one is bloody good historically for Rovers but the squad needs strengthening if we are to maintain it or push on further before a devout purist points that out)..

[RoversAlias]

Understood Hound, but there must be around 20 pages of ‘discussion’ on the same subject with crazy conspiracy theories, unfounded criticism and general wum’s thrown in the mix!

Has SM deliberately misled anyone? No
Has LH deliberately misled anyone? No
Had there been an honest misunderstanding? Possibly

Remember the days when you got all your Rovers info from the back of the Evening Post? Some people now believe that they’ve a right to be told whatever they want by the club, and if that doesn’t happen, on their terms, then there’s some ulterior motive at work!

The world gone mad...or maybe I have.

Good post this Herbert, and sentiment I fully agree with.

[Donnybax]

So, what is it, then?

And for the thirtieth time today it's because DM is waiting for his plan A to come together. He could go to plan B right now and sign players to keep you happy Alan, but he ain't going to, sorry!

but we’ve missed out on targets? So surely we already are on plan B C etc...?

I stand by what I said last night we haven't missed out, until today that is.

But Moore has said himself that we’ve missed out on some players.

Yep he did. But it's all about interpretation.

this makes no sense. How can you interpret it any other way?

Well, firstly it depends if the target is confirmed or not. Are they definitely a target or just a name on a list? Have negotiations begun with the parent club, player or agent? Are they part of plan A or Plan B?

So, depending on who you ask, the answer to, 'have we lost any targets?' could be completely different. And that, unfortunately, is the reason for the mix up here.

we’ll surely the manager himself saying we have “missed out on targets for whatever reason” and they saying that the players have gone elsewhere would say that they were real targets for us. I can’t see how it can be interpreted a different way. It’s the first time he’s said anything like this. Is it possible he’s starting to become a little frustrated himself with the lack of incomings? And a little frustrated by how weak the squad is? He had absolutely nothing today to bring on and try and change the game.

[keith79]

So, what is it, then?

And for the thirtieth time today it's because DM is waiting for his plan A to come together. He could go to plan B right now and sign players to keep you happy Alan, but he ain't going to, sorry!

but we’ve missed out on targets? So surely we already are on plan B C etc...?

I stand by what I said last night we haven't missed out, until today that is.

But Moore has said himself that we’ve missed out on some players.

Yep he did. But it's all about interpretation.

this makes no sense. How can you interpret it any other way?

Well, firstly it depends if the target is confirmed or not. Are they definitely a target or just a name on a list? Have negotiations begun with the parent club, player or agent? Are they part of plan A or Plan B?

So, depending on who you ask, the answer to, 'have we lost any targets?' could be completely different. And that, unfortunately, is the reason for the mix up here.

I wish you'd just said that in the first place. Makes alot more sense than the cryptic messages

I needed the time to double check that I was on the right path. And it was a very busy day yesterday, I do have a proper job you know!

SM dont you work for the club?

[BillyStubbsTears]

I have just had a look at the bbc sport website and numerous clubs are still signing players.
Does anyone think that those clubs are just going out and signing anyone or are they signing players that their managers have targeted.

You mean like...err...like Sunderland signing Will Grigg for £4m last January.

That turned out well.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

DM is a very good manager, coach, hardworking and a very honourable man with considerable experience. He knows the ups and downs of the game and I would be surprised if he allows himself to gets frustrated. He accepts the pitfalls of transfer dealings  and I'm sure he goes into it knowing he may lose out on certain targets. He and we just have to understand that players may prefer to go to other clubs even without taking finance into account.

I wouldn't worry for him, he is capable of looking after himself. Keep the faith!

[drfchound]

I have just had a look at the bbc sport website and numerous clubs are still signing players.
Does anyone think that those clubs are just going out and signing anyone or are they signing players that their managers have targeted.

You mean like...err...like Sunderland signing Will Grigg for £4m last January.

That turned out well.

Errrr, well I am sure that when Sunderland signed Grigg they thought he would do a good job for them.
As I have said elsewhere, not all incoming players work out well do they.

[dickos1]

I have just had a look at the bbc sport website and numerous clubs are still signing players.
Does anyone think that those clubs are just going out and signing anyone or are they signing players that their managers have targeted.

You mean like...err...like Sunderland signing Will Grigg for £4m last January.

That turned out well.

It was nowhere near 4 million by the way.
Only got to 4 million if they reached the prem. and it’s all in instalments similar to marquis.
Although Wigan managed to find their own deals with instalments to replace him

[Al4475]

Keith79

'SM don't you work for the club?'

No he doesn't. He's a fan like everyone else, but a fan who works tirelessly (like many others up and down the country) for the club he supports (or in SM's case) football supporters in general.

Rovers are very lucky - believe it or not - to have SM in their bank of supporters!

[BillyStubbsTears]

I have just had a look at the bbc sport website and numerous clubs are still signing players.
Does anyone think that those clubs are just going out and signing anyone or are they signing players that their managers have targeted.

You mean like...err...like Sunderland signing Will Grigg for £4m last January.

That turned out well.

Errrr, well I am sure that when Sunderland signed Grigg they thought he would do a good job for them.
As I have said elsewhere, not all incoming players work out well do they.

They were trying to sign Marquis right up to the final day of the window, then splashed out £4m on Grigg.

[dickos1]

Not correct actually
They never made any bids for marquis until the final day.
They were just trying to get anyone in they also bid for this Shrewsbury lad we are after

[Campsall rover]

Not correct actually
They never made any bids for marquis until the final day.
They were just trying to get anyone in they also bid for this Shrewsbury lad we are after

Love to know where you get all this knowledge from. You seem to know much more than anyone else. 

[leedshayter]

Keith79

'SM don't you work for the club?'

No he doesn't. He's a fan like everyone else, but a fan who works tirelessly (like many others up and down the country) for the club he supports (or in SM's case) football supporters in general.

Rovers are very lucky - believe it or not - to have SM in their bank of supporters!

Get a room mate!🤮

[dickos1]

Not correct actually
They never made any bids for marquis until the final day.
They were just trying to get anyone in they also bid for this Shrewsbury lad we are after

Love to know where you get all this knowledge from. You seem to know much more than anyone else. 

The club said the only bid came on the last day, it’s common knowledge Sunderland were desperately bidding for anyone on that last day and a tiny amount of effort researching that Shrewsbury lad leads to info regarding Sunderland’s 400k bid for him on deadline day

[Donnybax]

Not correct actually
They never made any bids for marquis until the final day.
They were just trying to get anyone in they also bid for this Shrewsbury lad we are after

Love to know where you get all this knowledge from. You seem to know much more than anyone else. 

it was well reported tbf

[Jonathan]

Back to the original topic - question to the board. It’s interesting to try to unpick some of the roles. It’s clear that we’re having difficulty in completing deals and the term ‘the board’ gets thrown around often as an explanation, but who do people mean when they say that? There’s been some comment about the role of Blunt recently and I find that particularly interesting when you consider:

Terry Bramall - has bankrolled the club for years and, from what I understand, continues to play an active role in the best interests of the club and the town.

Andy Watson - a fan of the club as well as a major shareholder. He’s continuing the great work of his late father, who deserves the utmost respect from all Rovers fans.

Gavin Baldwin - CEO. Engaging with fans and the public face of the board. Undoubtedly a positive influence within and outside the club.

David Blunt - Chairman of the Board. What does he add? I’m not aware he’s a financier, we rarely see or hear from him. What is his role? I find the recent comments from Dickov around his negative interference in transfer dealings to be particularly interesting in the current context. Quite damning too.

Something isn’t quite enabling the public statements of intent from the owners to be translated into action when it comes to building the squad. We’ve no reason not to trust Bramall, Watson and Baldwin, but I just don’t know what the influence of Blunt is and the recent comments do raise some serious questions to answer.