Thanks for this, seems they are intent on lighting the blue torch paper!!!! "Gonna need a bigger boat"

From LT:- Aynsley Pears and John Buckley’s time at Blackburn Rovers could be coming to an end after the pair were left out of the squad to face NEC Nijmegen. Pears has not featured in pre-season yet due to a hip injury but did play 90 minutes for the Under-21s in midweek. He kept a clean sheet as they beat Barnsley in a behind-closed-doors match. “It was a decision that we made,” Ismael told The Lancashire Telegraph on their absence. “I don’t know what the situation is for them and the future. We took a decision for the squad today and that’s who we picked, that’s it.” It’s understood that both Pears and Buckley asked to play in the midweek match for gametime but that has done little to change the pecking order. Rovers will surely entertain any offers forthcoming with neither play likely to be content with sitting out.

What like Eustace?

I wasn't there (I was at Accrington) but a friend who was there said it was harsh. He said it was a foul by Dunn but he was sent off for DOGSO when the Ashton player was a long way from goal and Batty would have got round as cover. The Ashton manager even remonstrated with the referee as they wanted an 11v 11 game.

I'd be amazed if Pears is behind Michalski in the pecking order. It will just be because of his hair transplant gone wrong. It's kept him out of games and behind in his fitness and preparation. I'm sure once he's up to speed he will be back on the bench. Not sure if Buckley will leave yet, but I agree with the rest. It's a friendly. People have been getting too excited by the 100% start before it, and too worried by this game too. Although that sort of thing always happens after a win or defeat.

Mercer said it was a winger I think. I could be wrong

Few takeaways from the game: - Montgomery is not ready to start matches in the Championship - Tyjon is pretty much in the same bracket as Montgomery, find it unfair to be relying on him as second choice behind Cantwell - A lot of the players looked knackered, probably due to poor preparations (apparently they were travelling on the same day) - Kargbo was lively when introduced in second half, the only winger we have with enough pace to cause trouble for defenders - Both De Neve and Alebiosu had poor deliveries into the box - NEC Nijmegen were far better than us technically and we'll struggle with our pressing out of possession if we come up against similar opponents in the league - Ohashi looked lost at some moments in the game due to his lack of athleticism. - Gueye needs to work on his finishing - Hedges was garbage today We need a striker to compete with Ohashi/Gueye and a proper right winger if Kargbo stays on the left. I would even go as far as pushing Ohashi back to an attacking midfield role as he can't lead the line; he needs others to create space for him so that he can excel with his finishing qualities.

Anybody else concerned that not that many players have played 90 mins in pre-season. Really poor first half today but the 20 mins after half time were encouraging. Kargbo looked a handful in that spell scoring and putting one on a plate for gueye. I get how they want to use him as an impact substitute but we have so little out wide in terms of threat from de neive and hedges that he's going to have to start. Tyjon isnt ready yet. Montgomery is physically ready and needs a loan but imo he isn't ready to start here. The new right back looks athletic but sloppy on the ball. There's a lot riding on miller as brittain is sort of our main creative outlet at right back. I suspect we will get miller and another in before the club move on to trying to shift another high earner (hyam or Travis perhaps). The race to the bottom continues.

No bloody wonder we got the performance we did! PATHETC ROVERS It was announced two weeks ago. There is a 5* at E250 per night and a load of 4* at E80 to E135 per night in Nijmegen on Booking.com right now. For the sake of less than E5k Pasha has completely FUCKED THE FEELGOOD WINNING FACTOR. This is not just rank bad management, this is disgusting ignorant stupidity.

Loans are a necessity for pretty much every championship club, it's just a very mixed bag what you get from premier league youngsters. I'm sure we'll end up bringing in a couple as we did with Beck and ACD last summer.

Some serious box ticking going on there.

If that's the case then the result makes better reading Hopefully he learns from it

Not another hair transplant I hope?🤷‍♂️

I believe Isaac Dunn was sent off early in the match.

Fans Forum minutes not published after 3 weeks. However they have been busy writing their new Fan Engagement Plan, to tick the EFL box. Absolute drivel but confirms WATR are not involved and the FF will be the only communication. https://share.google/Lqy0OYVicpXSka7Tm

Cantwell had minor injury so didn't travel. I know people are against loans, but you don't get much quality when your buys are £500k-£1m. We 100% need a couple of premium loans to give this squad a bit of quality and depth. Kroupi at Bournemouth would be top of my list if he's not in their first team plans this season.

Also bare in mind nobody wants an injury preseason, although Travis lunge at this nearside said otherwise lol

"slight knock" so didn't travel.

Over analyse something factual?

Where was Cantwell?

Looks to me like they just took advantage of a good level friendly at the last minute. No need to over analyse it.

They met at 6 am today at Brockhall and will probably be in mid-air on the way back as I write this. No overnight stay in Hill on Friday. Had there been any travel delays the game might not have gone ahead. I know it was a friendly but this is so amateurish.

Sadly, Chaddy, too many in our squad, as you see our squad, are simply not good enough and shouldn't be in the 25. Not one of our new signings has impressed. We looked disillusioned today and the season hasn't even started! Defensively we were shocking - no cohesion and too slow. Midfield no spark or creativity. - rarely seen Travis and Tronstad so disinterested. Up front - punchless. Only bright sparks for me were Toth (who looks a good goalie) and Kargbo for 20 minutes (though not sure he's 90 minutes in his locker). Montgomery and Mullarkey-Matthews aren't ready. Tyjon has undoubted talent but needs to be managed carefully (based on today, doubtful he's ready to start a game). It's not just one defeat it's the warning signs that need heeding. I think we need a minimum of 4 quality additions that go straight into the starting 11 - without those, I think it's going to be a long, long season with Rovers in the bottom 6.

Kargbo and Gueye will make a good plan B. Hopefully we can hone the plan A.

Buckley will get a club, prob league one, but no one will buy him for any noticeable modest fee. A good move for him now would be somewhere like Wigan.