We better hope he comes good as he’s no doubt already been brought in as Trav’s replacement.

From the players with tenuous links, 2 players stand out as really improving our first 11. Both from the Polish league, 27 and 26 so both well experienced. Steve Kapaudi Afimico Pululu. These are the type of players your ESC slots should be used for.

Agreed especially henriksson, I know his season is under way and has fitness under his belt but this is a different league should have came off the bench. Ohashi should have been the 10 with Gueye up top

Thought it was a bit naive of the manager to start so many new in experienced(in the championship) players tbh, ok fair enough he didn't have many options but still... Most managers would have introduced the newbies gradually in the 2nd half to get them a bit of game time

He took him off at half time because he was injured.

Yes, I think that was our game plan... hit and hope. But sadly there wasn't a single player in our team who made me feel that he was capable of hurting the opposition with the ball at his feet. Oh for a Garner, Shearer, Wegerle, Tugay, Bellamy, Roberts (haha!), Duff, Le Saux, Olssen, Hendry, Samba... you know what I'm saying - someone to take the game by the scruff of the neck, a game changer. As it stands it was all just a bit too kick and rush for me.. On the plus side, Toth looks like the real deal - good hands and positioning, dominant (punching) on crosses, some very sharp saves to keep the score down. I think Axel will adjust to the Championship and become a cult figure (it's a tallest dwarf contest at the moment) and stop his silly schoolboy kickabout nonsense once he understands the level. Someone needs to stand up and be a leader, or else we will be watching with our heads in our hands for a lot this season. Candidates??

I’m far from happy with how we are doing things and how things are being run behind the scenes but it’s pretty obvious with the turnaround those players are going to need time. i just find it laughable any football fan watching that game yesterday came to the conclusion that McLaughlin was rubbish what it does highlight for me is what a lot have been saying and asking for - experience he was miles better than the new signings and even most of the players we already had. It’s not a coincidence either experience is worth its weight in gold in this division unfortunately it’s not the model we are after even though it’s obvious

Remove Pasha first the Venkys second and then (if still felt necessary) have the inquest. For now, all attention must be focussed on getting these people out of our club.

The press was impressive in the early pre season games. Hopefully given a full week with Henriksson working with the rest of the advanced midfielders & forwards, that can come together a bit more. It certainly needs to

Probably why he didn't last long at those then. Nor is he implementing this relentless press that he was apparently known for. Probably down to lack of attacking players to bring on. Which is down to lack of attacking signings. Which is down to a lack of plan/money/organisation.

McLaughlin, I thought was excellent, great feet, composed, looks a bargain- the rest of the new lads were a bit non-descript to be honest. Did Tavares even touch the ball when he came on?

New season and despite expecting defeat and us to have no attacking threat whatsoever, losing still hurt. Football still makes or ruins a Saturday night. Something you'll never understand Venkys.

He was direct at Barnsley, sightly less so at West Brom & by the time he was at Watford he was very much playing out from the back

If you thought McLaughlin was rubbish then football isn’t for you. I get you don’t like how things are run and we are all frustrated and of course everybody is entitled to an opinion. However anyone coming away from that game and their take is McLaughlin looked rubbish is just simply wrong

I did watch the game. Thought all of Gestedes boys looked rubbish tbh. I think we are in a lot of trouble

This is why I don't understand what Ismael's plani is in games. I was expecting very direct and down the channels not playing out from the back.

Ah but we need to see if they deserve an extension based on results this season, who knows what division we will be in and the budget...

They’ve obviously given up trying to renew the ‘26 expiries but have they even started trying with the ‘27 ones?

Plenty of money around for the training ground ‘upgrades’ too.

He has a mate?

Believe me, after 48 years of supporting Rovers, it’s becoming more difficult to put the effort in.

Apparently the cut is so bad he is a doubt for next Saturday, never mind continuing at the Hawthorns. Big Question is what the WBA defender did to him in what should have been an innocuous challenge. Is Ismael counting Buckley and Pears when he is saying one more and replacements??? If Travis also goes that is four more signings to come and boy do we need better than the signings so far this window.

Is anyone actually surprised?

Bradford are a banana skin not dissimilar to Blackpool last year. We need a run to give fringe players a game.

Yeah I know. Just highlighting that both poor decisions probably get overturned.