In an ideal world Miller and Axel are both good to start, but I suspect Miller will only make the bench. Axel has a better chance of starting probably. Axel to start with Cantwell missing? Or will Tyjon get the nod? Ohashi in the number 10 role with Gueye leading the line is another option, but then that leaves Rovers with very little in the way of a plan B off the bench in regards to attacking options. I'm going for Axel to start. Seems to be a very confident type and wouldn't be phased about being thrown in. I'd love to see Kargbo start, but I just feel with it being away from home and Rovers expecting to probably be under the cosh for extended periods, that Ismael will favour De Neve. Having said that. The counter attack would be something else with Kargbo's pace.

Looking forward to reading far too much into the starting 11 and whatever the BBC guesses is our formation at half two.

Well, 5 players.. can only have a max of 5 loan players in a matchday squad

No I haven't misunderstood anything thanks RF99. I thought examples weren't allowed after you starting kicking off when I used an possible example of us easing Leonard backinto the first team. No its doesn't create another problem given we have another right back but sometimes you might want to go 3 at the back for the last 10 minutes of games so moving Miller next to Hyam and Wharton whilst bringing on Alebiosu for the right winger makes perfect sense. Have you actually thought of that?

D

It is the only Sky game live on the normal Sky Sports channels. So any sports bar will have it on.

40 years ago now, blimey

A reflection of a Rovers season, 1984-85 I did a good few years ago. Rovers annual fight against promotion started here Lots of pics and news reports of a monumental year Flickr Album

Where abouts in Tenerife mate

On a related note, now that Wednesday's embargo has been lifted I actually think they could be a dark horse. They've lined up two United youngster on loan. I wouldn't be surprised if a whole load of PL Academies dump their players there for a year to get Championship experience. You know they're going to get a lot of football.

Yep, although Alebiosu (and players of his ilk... English "unknowns" playing abroad) might also come into the equation... especially if/when our ESC slots dry up

Kargbo better start

I'm sure Derby will be in for Travis if he's available.

Only in the same way that Carter can play RB. He's not first choice at it, but over the grind of the season it's nice to have that flexibility in your squad. If Alebiosu can't start a few games then he's not worth his wages.

Until the next wave of Academy graduates are blooded that's how it'll stay - English players are expensive and they don't seem to want to take punts on players like O'Riordan (who might yet still develop into an excellent Championship player) from the lower leagues.

Doesn’t make any sense to invest heavily in the academy and then just ignore it. It’s about striking the correct balance. on the part about the importance of local lads, short term lots of foreigners and players with little to no connection to the academy or Lancashire might work. long-term it’s a major mistake; seen this so many times in other clubs and experienced it firsthand

Your problem is again that you've again misunderstood what I have put. Versatility is obviously useful. My point is, if you need 2 players, signing one to cover both is not sufficient as he cant play them both at the same time. Take this example. Say if we need Miller at centre back, he is most likely to be our first choice right back, so one issue solved creates another.

All the words are right its the sign off at the end

They didn’t make it back for a game that season, as they hoped, or any season since. Why do they still want to own us?

Ismael in his preview to WBA said they were being Cautious over Cantwell injury and he will be back next week. I don't see Cantwell leaving this season and I think Ismael actually see him as key player for this team. On the Travis situation, Ismael made very clear that Travis has been offered a new contract here as he said post Stanley friendly game. Would it surprise if he left before end of the window, no it wouldn't It would zero surprise to see Pears and Buckley to leave. The writing has been on the wall for Buckley for the last 2 seasons. He needs regular first team football. If Pears isn't first choice then I always thought he would look to move on. We always have players who can play a couple of positions during a season like Henning Berg or Paul Warhurst or Lucas Neill. To be honest I actually think its makes perfect sense to have 1 or 2 players within your squad who can play a couple of positions. I don't see what your problem actually is.

Mate I've already thought about just taking a bowser from work down there and starting

Can I start on Monday ?

Could imagine "as its 150years since the beginning of the world's Greatest Town Team, I sentence you to 15 years community service, starting with jet washing the outside of Ewood park, painting the railing and paying for the gable ends to have a Shearer montage and a jack walker montage"

Try this https://www.nowtv.com/membership/watch-sky-sports

I've missed these 😆😀😀