Think they have problems in midfield according to this report: But the numbers told the story - Stoke completed 381 passes to Derby's 125, controlling the game through an industrious midfield. Stoke midfielders Lewis Baker, Bae Junho and Ben Pearson dictated play with composure and bite, while Derby's central trio couldn't match their control. Kenzo Goudmijn was peripheral with just 20 touches in 68 minutes, Liam Thompson was busy but ineffective and captain Ebou Adams showed energy but lacked influence. Carlton Morris's fine finish came from Derby's only truly cohesive move. David Ozoh's introduction after 68 minutes injected some presence as he won key tackles, came away from duels with the ball, and showed why, if he stays fit, he could be a pivotal figure. This wasn't a poor performance, but it was a revealing one. In the Championship, matches are often decided in midfield, and Derby lack proven operators in that area when injuries hit.

1-1, lose on pens. That’s conditional on us playing the team Ismael seems to want to field.

Score predictions folks? 3-0 Rovers.

That’s the weird thing according to their fans they aren’t for a cm they are desperate need of wingers and a right back this one seems a Eustace push

Much better option than playing Hedges. Reported Brum have sold their allocation. Think we'll be lucky to avoid defeat especially if Travis has gone (Derby desperate for midfield reinforcements).

I'd like to see him start really and get a good portion of minutes ready for Saturday. Weirdly Saturday feels like a big game, early days but need to hit the first home game hard and progress from there. West brom game wasn't a true performance of what I think we are capable of. Just need to be more organised going forward and I think cantwell could step up this season (hopefully!)

Play miller RB and push Alebiosu up.

Elvis Costello - Spooky Girlfriend

Yep, we've another exciting game of watching Hedges bomb up and down the wing. I hope their full backs are ready.

Bit of ashame we didn't get Miyoshi in for Birmingham. Would've been destined to score.

Sounds like you will be right on mass changes from Ismaels comments. I cant understand the sense in that personally when we have huge turnover in the team and we need to establish a settled side.

I like the comparison table 🙂 It certainly makes good reading for O'Riordans development Olson also seems to be behind George Pratt in the first team picture seeing as Pratt was involved with the first team during pre season Although this may be because Pratt is a left footed opton, which Ismael seems to like to have available

Olson doesn't seem to get the same hype / attention as Atcheson (came off the bench in the League Cup a couple years ago + a few bench appearances) and Litherland (made the bench 13x last year) - who are 2 and 1 year younger, respectively - but he could be becoming a darkhorse CB prospect after a solid NL loan and now securing a L2 loan. Updating my ramshackle CB trajectory spreadsheet with a few more names: Puts Olson in line with Wharton/Lenihan/AOC/Edwards (and further emphasises O'Riordan's remarkably early start in L1! Although I just realised he first had a couple brief NPL loans that first year + a Scottish Championship loan that second year, so updated slightly. Good to see him starting well with Doncaster)

The Smiths - Girlfriend In A Coma

Looking forwards to seeing the new lads and the young ones tonight. Particularly Tavares and Montgomery in midfield. Miller, Alebiosu, Mullarky Matthews, Tyjon, Kargbo from the start? Should be good.

Travis not gone but seems very likely to get done this week Koji Miyoshi played the second half for Bochum meaning he lost points for ESC slot meaning mafoumbi needs sold or as some have found needs to make his debut for rovers in a league game to give him enough points so he doesn’t require a slot bar that nothing really new a tentative link to John yeboah but not a credible source

Smith - Baby It’s You

It's on Sky Sports+ 👍

What drugs are you on! a hat trick from Gueye.

You would think a National League team would look at that and have the game on the Wednesday instead so they could pick up an extra few quid from away fans. There are some National League Cup games tomorrow, so its obviously not out of the question

Really enjoying following your progress in this, good stuff! Good luck in the semis, maybe Morten can head this one in 😎

The names on the that list put in the public domain would probably bring an end to the Venky tenure !

Was the same last season where a couple clashed with first team games iirc.

My wildcard prediction for the season was that we would be knocked out of both cups by a team lower than us in the pyramid. After watching our 'strongest eleven' on Saturday, knowing it will be a weaker one tonight for the extra squad minutes, are you thinking what I'm thinking? JDT took this competition very seriously but in the last few years, his two seasons aside, we generally stink this competition out. I'm thinking of the home results against Blackpool and Morecambe and that scrape past Oldham. I think it will be one of those nights at Ewood. Nevermind, forget all that. Rovers 6-0 Bantams (Gueye hat-trick)

They were streamed free last year too (with replays to watch after the event in case of fixture clashes with the first team), cannot see that they are streamed at all this season though Looks like National League TV has been sold/merged with DAZN who haven't bothered with this competition