v Derby County (h) - 8/11/25 12:30pm ko

[davulsukur]

6 minutes ago, Tugay-is-God said:

Not a lot on the bench there at all. 

x4 Defenders

x3 Central Midfielders

x1 Striker

Not a single attacking, game changing option.

[AspRover]

Ohashi at 10 behind Andri, at a guess, revert to the formation we played and did well with last season.

I'm not too worried about that in principal - we looked terrible in the first few games of this season but that might just be down to getting a lot of players up to speed very quickly and chopping and changing a lot accordingly - now we've settled down it's probably OK.

A huge amount of pressure on Henriksson to play in central midfield though, Tavares must be awful in training. I've often wondered about Pickering playing as a defensive midfielder, I think he has the attributes to do well there and it wouldn't expose his lack of pace which for me is his main issue as a full back.

Not feeling particularly optimistic, but it's a game where losing isn't the end of the world (coming off an unexpected three on the bounce and going into an international break to regroup) and winning with a threadbare squad would feel significant.

 

Edit - BBC have us sticking with the same formation with De Neve on the left of the back three, but I can't imagine that's right, you'd play Pickering or Ribeiro surely?

Edited 11 hours ago by AspRover

[StHelensRover]

Derby were 3/1 on Paddy Power before the line-ups and now they're 5/2. I still think that's a very long price and I would have thought it would be too close to call.

Ed - for context we're 21/20

Edited 11 hours ago by StHelensRover

[Norbert Rassragr]

The BBC has us in a 3-4-1-2 formation with De Neve as left central defender and Hedges as wing back. That sounds terrifying.

[TruRover]

Just now, Norbert Rassragr said:

The BBC has us in a 3-4-1-2 formation with De Neve as left central defender and Hedges as wing back. That sounds terrifying.

I think it’s most likely to be Alebisou in the back 3 with Miller central. Then Hedges and DeNeve as the wing backs. 

[davulsukur]

Jackson reckons Hedges might be playing LCB 🤨

"Fortunately, Hayden Carter has returned from injury ahead of schedule and is on the bench against the Rams. Harry Pickering and Yuri Ribeiro could also fill in at left-sided centre-back, though Ismael has opted to either change formation or play Ryan Hedges in that role against Derby" 

[chaddyrovers]

1 hour ago, Tom said:

Screw it I’m going, first time since my dad passed over 2 years ago but decided last minute to take the youngest for his first game 

Have a brilliant day Tom. Hope your youngest enjoy it

[chaddyrovers]

Surprised by the team news and what formation it is

[toogs]

Back 4 hedges rb miller hull lad alibou

[joey_big_nose]

2 minutes ago, TruRover said:

I think it’s most likely to be Alebisou in the back 3 with Miller central. Then Hedges and DeNeve as the wing backs. 

That would be mad? Why shackle our best attacking player in a back three? 

[OsloRover]

6 minutes ago, Norbert Rassragr said:

The BBC has us in a 3-4-1-2 formation with De Neve as left central defender and Hedges as wing back. That sounds terrifying.

The BBC normally doesn't have a clue what formation we are playing

[jim mk2]

Brereton and Morris will enjoy playing against that ramshackle defence. 

And with Pears behind that motley crew what possibly could go wrong? 

[DutchRover]

Seems a bizarre line-up with Pickering and Ribeiro both able to play LCB. Can't believe we would switch to a 4 man defence after doing so well with the 5, so Hedges/De Neve will presumably be a LCB, no sense in moving Alebiousu back, he's best attacking outlet at wing back.

[Wendal]

Ribeiro and Pickering have appearance related incentives in their contract - that’s why they can’t get a start. 
 

Pickering has played on the left side of a 3 for us on a couple of occasions.

[davulsukur]

13 minutes ago, Norbert Rassragr said:

The BBC has us in a 3-4-1-2 formation with De Neve as left central defender and Hedges as wing back. That sounds terrifying.

Sky has it as the same.

[moerpho]

Dreading this one, but it is the Championship where literally anything could happen. Second draw of the season? COYB!!

[KentExile]

20 minutes ago, Norbert Rassragr said:

The BBC has us in a 3-4-1-2 formation with De Neve as left central defender and Hedges as wing back. That sounds terrifying.

 

7 minutes ago, davulsukur said:

Sky has it as the same.

Both BBC and Sky just use the same formation as the last game and fill in the gaps

I wouldn't worry that De Neve will be playing centre back

[moerpho]

Oh…I just remembered Toth is injured…doh…

[doctorryan]

Well, whatya know: semi-proper kits.

[Tom]

I didn’t miss the organisation at Ewood, took the lad in the shop to buy a kit but not enough people on the tills and huge queues. Went inside instead to get a pie and no pies left 20 before kick off!

[davulsukur]

8 minutes ago, KentExile said:

 

Both BBC and Sky just use the same formation as the last game and fill in the gaps

I wouldn't worry that De Neve will be playing centre back

Rovers admin puts the teamsheet out in order by position. 

Looks like 4-2-3-1. Yuki in behind,  Andri upfront.

OR Hedges is playing as the LCB!

Edited 10 hours ago by davulsukur

[danger19_80]

Hedges at LCB wtf

[Tugay-is-God]

Hedges as part of the back three. Let's see how that plays out. 

[wilsdenrover]

Do you think they’re regretting selling Hyam yet?

[AspRover]

He's got the workrate at least, I guess