The Lower League Thread

Sooo... was I right about Berg, BR? Another defeat tonight I see.

Away to Coventry today, It's nice to have a proper West Midland's derby again for the first time in about ten years. We've been having to make do with scraps like Notts Co and Shrewsbury to add any flavor to our recent seasons.

Mon' Saddlers!

My best mate scored your goal

Transfer embargo again. That's how we roll.

I heard your loanee's may have to be returned as well?

6 without a win. Coincides with a mental run of very, very tough fixtures and a lack of personnel, but we were close to full strength today and Hull bossed us from start to finish. Of course, a lot of that's down to Hull being a very good team, even if their manager's a grade A tosser.

Mark McGhee sacked...I am a relieved man. I hope he never gets another management job, just abysmal this season.

Whoever comes in needs to do a job and do it fast. I really don't mind if it's a troubleshooter or a long-term appointment, we just have to avoid the Conference.

Why are Blackburn so bad?

John Ward is the rumour going 'round which explains why he has taken so long to be unveiled as our Director of Football which he has apparently accepted.

Some good times when he was in first time around, not least outplaying Huddersfield and falling just short of Division 1 football. The football wasn't the most riveting, but that's not what this is, this is pure and utter results.

Furious Blackburn manager Henning Berg stormed out of the club’s Christmas party after he was made to wear a stocking on his head and dance on stage.

The humiliating incident on Monday night is bound to cast more doubt over Berg’s future at Ewood Park just seven weeks after he returned as manager.

Blackburn have recorded only one win from nine games under Berg, leading to speculation he could be sacked by Indian owners Venky’s if results do not improve dramatically.

It was hoped the party for the players and more than 200 staff in a suite at Ewood would lift morale but it backfired spectacularly.

When the DJ decided to play some games, one of the club’s executives volunteered Berg to go up on stage. The 43-year-old Norwegian reluctantly wore the Christmas stocking but grew visibly angry and uncomfortable when he was made to dance as well.

The final straw came when someone attempted to put a Michael Jackson wig on his head. Berg ripped off the stocking and left the stage.

He then made his excuses to guests at his table before making an early exit. Berg, who won the Premier League and League Cup in two spells at Blackburn, is understood to have become increasingly disillusioned with the job he has taken on.

On the day he was appointed, it was revealed the ex-Manchester United defender would be sacked if he failed to win promotion back to the Premier League this season.

However, after picking up just six points from nine games, Blackburn have slumped to 15th and face a battle to even make the play-offs.

Last week Berg was told to find an entire new backroom team, although it has since emerged that his assistant, Eric Black, first-team coach Iain Brunskill and goalkeeping coach Bobby Mimms may be given a stay of execution due to problems bringing in replacements.

There were suggestions of outside interference when he dropped former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson at Blackpool on Saturday, when his side suffered a fourth defeat in five games.

Robinson is one of several players expected to leave in January, with Tottenham’s Brad Friedel lined up to replace him.

Venky’s invested heavily in the summer, making Blackburn the highest-paid team in the Champ-ionship, and sources say failure to return to the Premier League at the first attempt would be a financial catastrophe.

The question is how long they will give Berg to turn the club round, though he may quit first.

We came back three times only to lose on pens.

You'll probably find my body somewhere in the Manchester Ship Canal tomorrow.

Erm...

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1596489_body-of-man-found-hanging-from-city-centre-canal-bridge?rss=yes