anagain

Apparently it has already been said by a BBC newsreader that this all makes the cost of living crisis insignificant, which is ridiculous. Have respect but doesn't mean people struggling will need a foodback less tomorrow. No doubt some of our politicians will try to escape some judgment with this.

I'm being subdued, but I thought this was quite funny

I'm watching. They were very respectful during the silence. Not a peep.

My commiserations on losing your nan. I mentioned family tree stuff. If I could I'd have all my grandparents back now, including the ones I didn't meet.

My nan was a huge monarchist. She had photos and commemorative stuff everywhere. My Mum feels strongly too, as a mark of respect for her Mum. I'm not a monarchist but in doing my family tree I had gained a lot of respect for family. I am a joker but I'll be subdued as a mark of respect for family losing loved ones.

Looks like BT are showing no adverts. Is it the same across all channels? Just showed BT previews whilst waiting for kick off.

I got me football manager save, trying to get Blackburn to the PL...got a transfer window to do.

It has been done by 3 monarchs. Not like the popes though

Huw Edwards being slammed for wearing a black tie before she died...because that's the big thing here.

I don't think they should cancel sport. Have a mark of respect but it's not all Brits playing. If I were Liz i wouldn't want the country grinding to a halt.

Probably right. Makes a change from Piers feeding his own attention seeking self...even if he is.

Is the internet slow tonight or is it just this forum?

What rankles me is people like this act like they're better and higher than those they oppose. To write that shows different. Isn't the saying "be the better person"? Like I said, I'm a joker with opinions but I think I treat people right. Yeah, my opinions on some subjects have been criticised because I'm maybe careless. But you are right about attention and I am careful.

They should hand it to us as a mark of respect. Yeah, kidding.

Yeah, he's just a voice in this. Plenty have had more to say.

He most likely will, but if you have seen the tweet then you'll know why he felt compelled to call it out. They'll all have a go at Meghan soon. Probably why she apparently isn't there. I don't like Piers Morgan and I usually disagree with him. I'm glad he made this one viral and called out. Surprised I'm quite rankled. I'm not a royalist and often I've said we don't need them. This feels so big though. Tweet felt like someone having a pop at Britain...wouldn't be the first but this was different

Come on. I worded it a little badly, I suspect. Fixed I can udnerstand why you asked.

No. Changed my wording a little. I certainly don't condone racism and was not saying so.

For once I agree with Piers Morgan. Someone tweeted something truly vile. I have opinions. I can rankle people but I believe I'm a good person. Racism is often mentioned tehse days and is justified often. I meant the calling out of racism is very justifiable - I probably worded it wrong. Piers quoted a tweet by some women and criticised her. I won't link it here (people can find it on Pier's timeline and it's getting a lot of attention). I'm not a royalist, I joke a lot (often out of place) but that tweet was pathetic. No matter our feelings maybe this is time for some respect.

Been a while but had a little break and have been enjoying Farthest Frontier December 2025 - Met My Points Total Wish For The Month We haven't lost in eight games now, but things are far from perfect. The squad are not quite used to my management just yet and there's been dissent. I may have been a little overly critical in a team meeting but I feel my words were taken too harshly. We went out next game and scored three, so it did some good. We started December with a comfortable win over a struggling Birmingham side. Late goals from Rankin-Costello and Nyambe, after Jordan Thompson had been sent off for Brum, sealed the three points. Midweek we welcomed a rampant Southampton side and held them to a goalless draw. We also did the same to Peterborough when we should maybe have won. Both games were a defensive masterclass from Caldara, Carter and Lenihan over the two games. There was another draw as we drew 1-1 with Charlton in London and that was when I decided to have a chat with the squad. I thought the draws might be because I'd had a visit from a few players regarding Nicolas Jenssen not getting enough game time. I had an inkling that Lenihan, Travis and Nymabe were supportive of me not bowing to Jenssen's insistence of game time but they had come to me to argue I play him. I asked if they wanted to lose their places for him and Lenihan had the decency to look abashed. Ironically all three players are tagged as being against Jenssen - I guess they just wanted an argument. In the team chat I told the players we have the ability to do much better. They said I was being too critical. As I said though, it did some good. Home to Birmingham we were two-up inside half an hour with Granero scoring a beauty. Brum got one back just after the break but Caldara replied soon after. Jordan Thompson, the man sent off in our last meeting, got an hour mark goal to make it squeaky bum time but we held on for a good win. A few days later we welcomed promotion chasing West Brom in front of the cameras. Things couldn't have started any worse with Lewis Travis being sent off for a horrid tackle before the break. The game had been a bit of a tempestuous affair up to that point but West Brom came out renewed for the second half and took the lead six minutes later. We were a man down and not performing. I urged the lads on and we managed to keep a rampant West Brom side out with a determined effort. Going in to injury time I was thinking we might have to accept a 1-0 defeat when Ryan Norrington-Davies gave us hopes with a second yellow. It was attack on and substitute Bradley Dack was free on the break to tap home our equaliser. It deserves another image. It wasn't all good news, however, as Granero was injured for four weeks in a late tackle. Just as he's hit real form. After the game there was much chatter about how we're an aggressive team. Albion's Scott Parker stood up for us but I had Talk Sport on the phone the next day asking if we were too aggressive. Yes, I added the last bit...never realised there was a character limit though. But, yes, Just as I got a player to hit some form he gets injured. Granero has been so good the last two games. We're in a handsome 16th place in the Championship now. We're starting to put fears of relegation behind us. Elsewhere... English Premier League Arabian megabucks Newcastle are top of the Premier League at the end of 2025, although they have the same record as Arsenal but for four goals. Sixth placed Everton are only two points behind though. It is tight at the top of the Premier League. Manchester United had an undefeated December and are now 7th, all be it six points behind Everton. Tottenham are still languishing mid table. Bournemouth had good wins over Burnley and Leicester in December and are one point above the relegation spots. Game of the month will have to be Arsenal's 3-1 away demolition of former frontrunners Everton. European Club Competitions The knockout rounds have been drawn in Europe. Here are the draws; Champions League Europa League Europa Conference League European Leagues The end of 2025 sees Bayern firmly cementing their dominance in Germany but it's still tight for PSG in France. In Scotland, Aberdeen are now six points clear of Celtic at the top. This month we will have a look the Australian A-League, because why not. Brisbane are on top, having played just 11 games. Former Club Watch Wycombe Wanderers You've seen the table - look up - but it is fair to say Wycombe did not have a good December and the Chairboys have dropped to 10th. All my hard work gone for a burton. Wycombe do have a new manager though. It's my old mate, Mr Duckie. I mentioned Donovan Duckie when I saw he had been given the Luton job a few seasons back. I did actually mention it to SI and they replied to say there was an error with his reputation. I like Donovan though. He's a Reggae Boy. Donovan has been at Wycombe ten days now and overseen 1-0 defeats to Charlton and Norwich and a 2-1 defeat to West Brom. That was a toughish start though. Weymouth FC Weymouth have nosedived, gaining just one win in December, and that was in the Trophy. They beat Faversham and will face Notts County next. In the league they got just one point this month, home to Slough. Weymouth are now 17th. Poole Town are having a season to forget, though even they beat Hayes & Yeading in December. January... A mixed bag in January. Reading are doing well and may be our toughest test but Boro have a new manager and we know little of what to expect. January also sees us enter the cup home to struggling Wigan. More importantly, the window is open. I am expecting some activity. Players want to leave and I will accept bids. I need to impose my footprint on this team. I'd like a forward and a central midfielder. We only really have Bielnik and Travis. Dack can drop back at a need but he has signalled an interest to play elsewhere. Soro has not impressed me and he clearly does not want to be here, nor does he seem to like me. I would love to cash in on Lozano but he's not been here long and I suspect that would be a bad idea. He's just not firing though. A quiet word may be needed...again. Fortounis is the same though I do see a bit more chance of improvement from the Greek. Bielnik is wanted. Do we cash in, hopefully get a nice fee and save £21k in wages? That is a tough call and I am sure the fans wouldn't be happy. I would want £10m, at least. Nyambe is also wanted. I want £20m-£25m for him. One thing for sure is there will be a clear out in the youth ranks to free up wages. I will assess bids as they come in for first teamers. I have been at Blackburn for nine games now and we have lost once. That is something to be proud of. I have been very impressed with wingers Josh Bowler and Joe Rankin-Costello. I just wish Josh could finish, he has so many chances. Bielnik is a wonderful player that is so key, and there is another reason we should keep him. Kaminski is a great keeper but his back up is suspect. The lad I am most impressed with to date is defender Hayden Carter. Hayden has scored twice and really impressed me with steady performances. He is keeping Lenihan out of the side. I wonder what we will look like next I am here.

November 2025 - A Steady Start To My New Challenge To be fair, we started with a performance to worry me, but things did get better as the games passed by. In an international break friendly we demolished Bury 11-0 and looked very dangerous in attack. Of course, Bury are a different perspective but it gave me an idea of how well we can score. We were incredibly off the pace against a Barnsley team that are pushing for a play off spot. As I have already said, we were poor throughout. Our frontline of Rankin-Costello, Fortounis, Bowler and Granero were seemingly absent without leave and when the already booked Darragh Lenihan stupidly got himself sent off on the hour mark we soon fell to a Barnsley winner. To give the lads credit, after I had shouted at them from the touchline, we gave it a bit of a go late on. Lewis Morgan replaced Rankin-Costello and I saw some energy there. It was a first game to forget. We had a chance to prove ourselves just a few days later when we welcomed Huddersfield for my first game at Ewood Park. Huddersfield are firmly mid table and I believed we had a chance to turn them over. We were much, much better and Josh Bowler had a number of chances as he broke continually past the full back on the right. Sadly for Josh, Town keeper Nicholls was in great form and saved all three efforts, as well as effort from Lozano and Morgan late on. When we did score it came from possibly the least likely source. With just a quarter of the match remaining, Krystan Bielik swung a corner in to the near post that Hayden Carter, deputising for the suspended Lenihan, charged on to and beat four players to. His bullet header nestled in the back of the net for our first goal under my tenure. My first Blackburn win too. We were off and running. At the weekend we we welcomed Wigan to Ewood Park for a media hyped local derby. Wigan were in deep trouble in the bottom three places and their energy and desire to win would make for a feisty affair. If truth be told, the Latics were the better side in the first half and Yaser Asprilla was a constant danger down the left side. It was we who took the lead though. Although injured by the also aggressive Asprilla, Nyambe got to the byeline and sent a pinpoint cross in that Rankin-Costello got his head to. Asprilla went off at half time, mainly because of a second injury sustained in a reckless, if dangerous, performance. That made our second half job a little easier, though Wigan still challenged. When they did break our defence and keeper were sublime. Ten minutes in to the half we scored our second from the penalty spot courtesy of Kostas Fortounis. Bielik had been bundled over on the edge of the box and the referee had no hesitation. I will happily accept six points from my first three games. We look dangerous going forward and reasonably secure at the back. Hayden Carter has given me a selection headache after his game winning performance, and our captain's recklessness. Bowler is all pace down the right, even if his finishing has not yet proved successful. In the middle of the park, Bielik has been solid in a role that allows more creativity than the last manager seemingly gave him. Fortounis was better against Wigan but very poor in the previous two games and I'm not convinced by anyone up front yet. I'd like to see a bit more effort from Lozano. We find ourselves up to 19th though, and six points clear of the relegation spots. Elsewhere... English Premier League Everton still top the pile in England's top flight. Defeat to Stoke has made things tighter but the Toffees followed that up with wins over Bournemouth, Wolves and Palace. Arsenal and Manchester City are the teams challenging and have opened up a small gap. Bournemouth are back in the relegation zone after gaining just two points in November. It is not looking much better for Manchester United who find themselves languishing in 15th after losing the Manchester derby a few days before writing this. European Leagues The revenge of Bayern is well and truly on in the Bundesliga as the Munich club find themselves already eleven points clear of Dortmund. PSG are back on top too, by two points from Monaco. In Scotland, Dundee United are off the top, to be replaced by Aberdeen. Despite having played a game more, the Dons top Rangers and the re-emerging Celtic by four points. In honour of my new vice-captain we'll have a look at Poland's Ekstraklasa this month. Things are tight between Legia and Lech at the top and the battling sides have built up a small gap. Krystian played for both so he'll be happy, no doubt. European World Cup Qualifying I promised we'd take a look at the European qualifiers for the North American World Cup after the first stage finished this month. The biggest team to miss out qualifying direct would be Switzerland. France were the team I said had some work to do but they ended up qualifying comfortably. The four second placed teams to miss out are Wales, Czech Republic, Norway and Austria. World Cup 2026: Final Qualifiers The last two qualifiers were decided in the US on 18th November as Qatar beat Trinidad 2-0 and Ivory Coast beat Venezuela 3-1 in the finals of the Play-Offs. The hopes of two newcomers had been dashed in the semi-finals as Suriname and Solomon Islands had been dispatched by the eventual final losers. There will be three newcomers though: Syria, Thailand and Cape Verde. The tournament will be scheduled on 13th December 2025 and will kick off 11th June 2026. Former Club Watch Weymouth The Terras had a mixed November and still find themselves outside the play off places in 11th. There a good win for the club in the Second Round of the Trophy and they'll play Tonbridge Angels next. Wycombe Wanderers The Chairboys have accrued just one point since I left, courtesy of a 3-3 draw with Sunderland. They lost well to a good Southampton side but only suffered a narrow defeat to Fulham. Those were the two of the three games I had identified as the toughest challenges at the start of the season. Scrimy seems to have fallen out of favour with the caretaker boss as does Mandela Egbo. Both are touted as being on their way out of Adams Park. Wanderers have dropped to 8th. December December sees us face a tough home tie against Southampton. We also face Birmingham on Boxing Day, the second of two ties against the Brummies this month, and a TV tie against the current third placed West Brom side on 28th. In amongst that lot of very winnable ties against Peterborough and rock bottom Charlton. My aim is to have another ten to twelve points under our belts by 2026. See you in the New Year. EDIT: I meant to add that two new coaches have joined the club in a bid to up the stature of our back room. You might recognise them. One is a former Rovers star man and the other just a star.

Setting Transfer Value Guides To start with, I know I've been very vocal about some aspects of FM of late, but I care. I've put more hours into FM22 than I have any other FM since they went to Steam. I've really enjoyed the game this year but that does not mean I can't be critical. There are parts of FM22 that need real changes to be workable. The latest little thing I feel needs work is regarding setting transfer values for players. Let's take an example in my newly joined team. I've been going through the younger players to work out who has potential and who can be let go. I come across Mason Llewellyn and decide I want to keep him but put a decent value on him to warn away interested clubs. His guide value is: When I set his transfer value I keep an eye on the agent feedback indicator that says whether he would be happy or unhappy: I set a price that I think is reasonable and that the player's agent deems reasonable. Nevertheless, more often than not, I get a player wishing to talk to me the next day because I've set his asking price too high. Why is the player's agent telling me his player would accept a value that he then goes on to disagree with? I've seen much talk that the transfer values system is inadequate. I think it needs refining, especially when you see huge variation in values, but I can see why it's deemed necessary to do it this way. There is huge variation in the value of a player, dependent upon many factors. I do, however, think that if we're being given advice by either a coach or a player agent then that advice should not be so off that it cause friction between me and the player when I follow it. If an agent does suggest to me a player is worth £2.3m and the player then does not agree then why is the agent not stepping in to say he thinks this is fair? Come to the meeting, Mr Agent. Don't hide in the shadows and cause an argument between me and my player. I am sure the development cycle for FM23 is well underway. It's not too late to make sure things like this are retuned and perfected for FM23. If there is a very good reason for why there are discrepancies in these values, and the agent feedback, then I'd love to know what it is. If I know I might understand, and even agree.

Haha, that's great. I must confess, I haven't had a chance to play since I wrote that. I think I'm going to have to experiment a bit to find out who's best for positions. With his lack of pace I suspect he'll be best sat central and just allowed to spray balls about. Long bank holiday weekend coming up so hopefully I'll have more to tell soon.

Blackburn Rovers FC - Meeting The Squad I have a whole two weeks to meet the squad; arriving as I do on the first Sunday of an international break. I shall have to arrange some friendlies to have a look at the players. Taking my first training session on the Monday morning, I form my first impressions of the squad's key members. Goalkeepers Thomas Kaminski A former Belgian U21 international, Thomas is by far the best keeper in the squad. Arriving in Blackburn in 2020 from AA Gent, Thomas is a sweeper keeper that excels in his reflexes. Thomas' understudies are Aynsley Pears and Jordan Eastham. In my opinion, neither are good enough, though the coaching team have some hope for Pears. I shall introduce them if they play. Central Defenders Mattia Caldera With two Italian caps to his name, Mattia Caldara is an experienced center back who joined from Milan a couple of seasons ago. Two appearances away from a century for Rovers, Mattia is a well-rounded man to have in defence, reasonable in the air and with a good right foot. Darragh Lenihan Mattia's center back partner will likely be club captain and fifteen year Blackburn player, Darragh Lenihan. Darragh is mentally determined and a hard worker, traits that will make up for a little less skill in his position. What Darragh may not possess in ability he will make up for with effort. He is closing in on 350 appearances for Rovers and it would be criminal not to utilise this club legend. Nicolas Pignatel Jenssen Nicolas is a young Norwegian center back who joined the club from Legia Warsawa at the start of this season. Nicolas has some growing to do as a player but will slot in the the back four I'll likely run with when needed. Hayden Carter Hayden is another younger center back that joined Rovers in 2021 and is on the verge of 90 appearances. Hayden is a physical and hard working player in a similar mould to Lenihan. Full Backs Ryan Nyambe Ryan is a 36 cap Namibian international and the club's star man at right back. Arriving at the club in 2014, Ryan has made 314 Rovers appearances but is still only 27. With outstanding natural fitness and great pace, Ryan will be the man I look to to burst from defence and provide the impetus for our attacks. Cameron Pring Current first choice at left back is Cameron Pring. Cam is not quite as pacey as Ryan but is more skilled all round. Cam will have to fight for his position with Sam McCullum and Leon King. My first thought is this will be a position with much competition. Leon King Just 21, Leon arrived at Rovers on loan from Rangers in the summer. Leon is not as pacey as Cam but is equally as fit as Ryan Nyambe. Mentally is where Leon shines; determined and able to pick a pass to some ability. Sam McCullum Sam has been at the club for three seasons and is similar to Cam in that he is more rounded a full back. I believe the decision between Sam and Cam is closer than as dictated by the 3 appearances Sam has so far this season and the 13 Cam has. Defensive Midfielders Krystian Bielik Krystian is a 27 year old defensive midfielder/center back with three Polish caps to his name. A good passer who is strong in the tackle, naturally fit and with a great temperament I already see Krystian as a key member of the team. Lewis Travis Lewis is an outspoken defensively minded midfielder that is another long term Rovers player, havinga rrived at Ewood Park in 2014. Lewis is hard working, aggressive and brave with a tendency to pick up yellows. I like him. Ismaila Soro Soro is an Ivorian that is banned as I join the club, presumable having been sent off in the last game. He has a similar manner to Lewis but not quite as skilled. The two will battle for a position in midfield alongside the more cultured foot of Bielik. Attacking Midfielders Bradley Dack The club seems short of attacking midfielders, especially centrally, but there are more width inclined players that I feel can compete with Bradley for the position I am thinking of creating behind a main, and more passive, lead striker. Bradley is a goalscorer that doesn't seem to have been favoured this season. He is 31 so that may explain things. I think he is more than good enough to play as main goalscorer. We shall see. Guillermo Granero Guillermo is a Spanish U21 internation on loan from Manchester United. With plenty of flair and vision, Guillermo will compete to play behind the striker. Guillermo can also play wide left or right where I am thinking to employ wide men that will cut in to score. Guillermo has scored twice in 6 appearances for Rovers. Kostas Fortounis Kostas is an experienced Greek international that seems to be the last manager's first choice this season. Kostas has lost a lot of pace but he has a primarily right footed golden foot. Strange then that Kostas has no assists this season in 12 appearances. That may explain the form of Blackburn. I have a choice between the finishing of Dack and the playmaking ability of Fortounis, I think. Kostas only joined this summer from Fiorentina. It is my opinion he needs to work harder to earn his spot. Attacking Wide Men Joe Rankin-Costello Another man long at the club, Joe joined from Manchester United in 2014. Favoured down the left this season, Joe is well rounded but doesn't seem to excel anywhere. Joe is one of the most versatile players in the squad, handy down either flank or in the middle. For me that makes him a key squad player. Josh Bowler Josh is the man favoured wide right so far this season and a man to get the crowd going. Josh signed from Blackpool in the summer and was a fan favourite up the coast (I hope so, I don't know him...flavour text, okay). Josh has pace and an ability to dribble into the box. He's scored twice this season and been one of the better players for Rovers. Tyrhys Dolan Tyrhys is a 23 year old former England U20 player who joined blackburn from Preston in 2020. Dolan is one of the players I was immdiately informed to as wanting more first team football. Dolan is equally adept in a number of forward positions so will surely be an asset. Lewis Morgan Lewis has been at Ewood Park a season now, playing 44 times and scoring 6 goals. He's not been as favoured by the outgoing manager this year but I like Lewis; two-footed, a reasonable crosser and dribbler with some pace. Lewis can also finish so may be ideal for how I plan to get this team playing; incisive on the break, but able to keep the ball in midfield. Front Men Anthony Lozano Anthony is a new man at the club, having joined this summer from Lille. A Honduran international 74 times, Lozano has failed to score in his 14 appearances so far. He will need to do better than that, even playing as a link up man. Despite his age, Lozano does have plenty to offer. Chuba Akpom Chuba is a well travelled front man who joined Blackburn in 2023. Physically strong, the Nigerian has never had the best goal scoring record. I'm not sure if Chuba is good enough to take us up. He deserves a chance but I may look to sell Akpom. Strikers cost money though. Key Youth Prospects Dominic Clifton Dom is possibly the best of our attacking players in the U23s. He will need a lot of work but could make it. I am inclined to look for a loan for Dom in January as he could do with football. Bradley Bailey Bradley is at about the same level of development as Dom but has better pace and finishing. I hope the U18s squad has better prospects. Ashley Phillips 20 yea old Ashley has been at the club since 2021 and is the best prospect in the U23 squad. Ashley is an outstandingly physical and determined player that could fit in to the first team in an emergency. He has work to do on his technical skills though. I may look to send Ashley out on loan. Experience would serve him well. U18s There are a few prospects in the U18s. Kirk Gerrard is a pacey left footed wide man and Joe Feeney a similar player on the right. Peter Nicol is a young Scot with plenty of potential in central midfield. I am not convinced by too many others though. Coaching Team You may have noticed that three coaches have travelled with me from Wycombe. My Assistant Manager at both Wycombe and Weymouth was Louis Langdown. We have formed a partnership and Louis had to come up north with me. Also tagging along with me are Paul Jewell and Gareth Holmes. I suspect a number of coaches left with the sacked Shaun Derry and I will aim to fill our coaching roster out a bit. The Squad We are lower on numbers than I'd like. I'd like a striker and one more in January. I will have to sell to buy - as evidenced by the finances, which I'll come to - and we will see what can be done in January. I'd say I'd get McDonagh but he is at Swansea. He is also not really a deeper lying forward. The Finances A worrying problem will be the finances. There is plenty of money in the bank but the club is really spending on wages; being £20k over budget. Our biggest earner is Mattia Caldara but I am not sure he can be sacrificed. Perhaps if I find a quality defender to replace the Italian with lower wages. Next are Nyambe, Rankin-Costello and Dack. Dack was listed when I arrived and could be sacrificed. Rankin-Costello is top scorer (with 3!) so I'm not so sure about him. I hope the owner never leaves... Upcoming Fixtures And Recent Games The results need to improve. The club has not won since October 25th when they beat Millwall 3-0. Three defeats so far in November means I need to see better in two weeks when we travel to Barnsley. Well...back to training. This may be tougher than I envisioned but I am quietly confident. There are some good players here and they can win games. They just need to prove it. I just hope things are not looking awful when we face Wycombe on February 10th. Not sure if I'm excited or anxious...