They didnt have a competent left back, they were short there. I think he is a good signing like I said, but obviously if we are witholding opinion on some (which i dont think we should, as long as there is a caveat that it is very early) that havent started well then surely it becomes a widespread rule. I mean theres a lot of mental gymnastics there. Discounting cup games, putting games lost into a "should have won category" etc. I am unconvinced but equally I certainly havent written him off and there have been glimpses, there have been mitigating circumstances and there are new signings to consider. But results across his tenure overall, especially this season, are poor.

I get both sides of this argument with the off season we have had and the negative noise surrounding the club and how it’s being run etc for me the Bradford game after losing the opening game was a chance to relieve some of the pressure I wasn’t expecting so many changes and it told in the end (see Stoke last night) but yes we pretty much changed our whole team and the early stages of efl cup matches plenty of championship teams bow out so it’s not a real fair reflection

Without wanting to turn it into another Stokegate, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have included the Bradford game if we'd won. Changed how many, 8? Including a complete back 5 with an 18 year old keeper . Come on, keep it real.

Think the replacement was chosen by Suhail and apparently players were angry by it? Suhail strikes me as someone who gets under people’s skin

Due to his loans out, I have not seen him in about a year, but I am pretty sure he was 6ft at most at that when I saw him last He may well have had a mini grow spurt over the last year. Maybe that's part of the reason why Rovers gave him an extension during the summer?

I might be wide of the mark here, but based on what I have heard and how certain players have fallen out of favour, I think a some of the players have had a real go, over the situation with the players liaison officer, Lesley Fielding being forced out. I understand that she was very popular with some of the players, especially those that have been there for a while and in particular, Travis, Buckley and Harry Leonard. It is a coincidence that all 3 have now been side lined and as we say with the Buckley Video yesterday, he appeared to be quite emotional about leaving Rovers. It appears that Lesley left under the guise of taking voluntary redundancy, which on it's own looks a bit suspect, as there may well have been a replacement appointed, looking at yesterdays videos.

Alfie jones and Charlie Hughes in front of him two pretty good centre halves Id actually say it’s a compliment that hull continued to play McLaughlin at left back they obviously knew his worth to the team

The striker was in the original plan though - when Gestede outlined the areas that needed improving at the back rnd of last season. It only disappeared from the narrative once we started signing loads of midfielders.

Herbie is right: reduce running costs, stay in the league and maintain income streams. Sustainable (until you get caught out) / unambitious.

Footballers are fickle beasts - some are anyway. Think of some of the hotshots that have left Ewood to do bugger all and some of the people we've picked up and been great.

I might have missed it but, "good enough" for what? Avoiding relegation, pootling around middle table, or pushing for playoffs/promotion? The lists of players considered good enough, or not, would, I assume, change based on the aspirations.

If that is the logic, doesnt that make Dolan the best of all of the players that have left? I think McLoughlin will be a good signing, but he struggled to nail down a starting place as a centre back at Hull.

Anf Faz

Especially in defence, with attackers trying to twist you this way and that. Your balance and ability to shift direction quickly if you've been sent the wrong way are key. Hard to do that at such a gargantuan height. Still, if he somehow has a bit of that going on too then might be a promising one to watch. Otherwise he'll just be an exposable lummox.

In terms of what has been said, I look at the scenario objectively and with a level of understanding about how clubs and dressing rooms are run. I genuinely don’t know what’s gone on, but for VI to go that hard, there’s either a really valid reason, or he’s DEAD. Because the lads will stop playing for him if he’s lying. Based on what I’ve seen and heard, VI seems like a reasonable chap, and the lads obviously played (very well) for him on Sat (post said incident)…so I’m just saying if he very surprised if he’s made it up. Whatever Trav has done has REALLY pissed them off 🤷🏽‍♂️

I'm not a stats guy but if memory serves he won 4 of the last 6 last season, didn't he draw the other 2 (?). This season he's had chaos to contend with behind the scenes. We played WBA and got cheated by the ref on a penalty. The cup match was a resy team turnout with many starters rested - doesn't count in my book, Birmingham was tough to take, we lost but that was down to the naivety of the new guys not him so I'm putting that in the should have won column. Hull, yes a nice win. I'm not making things out to be perfect but it's a pretty solid start. New players in the house - we live in interesting times.

Also Sir Roger.

Exactly. The T2000's are a lot cheaper to run than the T1000's to use Paul's analogy.

Simon Garner says “Hi..!” 😉

His ego far exceeds his achievements.

Hmmm......... "You can't judge without knowing exactly what's gone on" (Fair) But....... "There's no smoke without fire!" (Unfair) Obviously he's a (very) good player for the level we're at, not a great one and the Club will survive without him. We lost Shearer and the Club's still here (just about).

I think cutting the wage bill is his prime objective. Reinvesting a % of sale proceeds makes sense to an accountant if it reduces your ongoing running costs. I very much doubt he views the football club as anything other than a project upon which to impose his “lean” philosophy. Everything he does is predicated on cost cutting. He views new players in the way a finance director will spend on a new printer if it uses less ink than the old one. Don’t be fooled.

I haven’t judged Trav once….either way. He’s a good player. Not a great one. The end.

The problem is in football it's speed over the first 3 to 8 yards that is usually decisive.

I’ve got to go with Rovers. Two more signings through the door (not that they will provide immediate help) who should eventually boost the club. Defending looking good, Rovers, 2; Sarge 🇺🇸 , 1.