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

[John]

Playing a half decent team and they are in form - it’s showing, huge gap. 

[Waggy76]

VENKYS OUT !

[norwichblue]

So predictable. Knew we’d lose this game as soon as the bloody fixtures came out.

Fuck Venky’s. Nothing but misery on what should be a day of celebration.

[OsloRover]

No PotM for you today Ryan A

[jim mk2]

Big club occasion, but team weakened by injuries doesn't turn up against the last team and manager you'd want to lose to

This was so predictable and inevitable. 

[Bbrovers2288]

Been bullied. Even our good players are having off days 

[Waggy76]

Just now, John said:

Playing a half decent team and they are in form - it’s showing, huge gap. 

With a more than half decent manager !

[norwichblue]

1 minute ago, roverandout said:

Eustace will get derby into the play offs whilst we're stuck with Ismael 

Honestly it’s as if a predetermined simulation is playing out. We all knew it was going to happen exactly like this. Venky’s and our ownership make my blood boil.

[neophox]

Piss poor defending and offer nothing upfront. Pears looks uninspired and a bollock. Can't see us turn this around against a quite poor Derby side...

[benhben]

We were never getting anything out of this. The squad isn't good enough to cope with the players missing today. The weird team selection hasn't helped. 

[rovers11]

Awful half. Miles off it.

VI got the starting 11 all wrong and the worrying thing is it was pretty obvious to most that wasn't the right line up.

[RTM08]

Just now, benhben said:

We were never getting anything out of this. The squad isn't good enough. 

Fixed it. We were never winning this regardless of availability.

Zero shots on target and keep playing long ball when we have lost literally every header in any part of the pitch.

We have a stronger squad than last season though, honest.

[neophox]

Derby signing Morris and Aqyermang both quality strikers for this season and we got unproven strikers. Big difference.

[RevidgeBlue]

Pathetic.

We've carried on today like we played in the second half against Bristol City.

Where's the team gone that played in the first half? What's happened to Alebiosu? Like he was substituted at half time at Bristol and replaced with his twin who can't play.

Looks like 5 wins in a row for Eustace. But he's a shit manager because he says "y'know" a lot or something.

Derby fans singing "John Eustace - he left 'cos you're shit"

They're not wrong.

Happy 150th anniversary everyone from Venky's.

[bigbrandjohn]

1 minute ago, neophox said:

Piss poor defending and offer nothing upfront. Pears looks uninspired and a bollock. Can't see us turn this around against a quite poor Derby side...

He isn’t owning the box. Toth owns the box. You are not going to save close range headers on your line. 

[Exiled in Toronto Mk2]

I don’t know what instructions Hedges has been given, but he isn’t playing to them.

And how I’ve missed Pears doing his blame others gesture while doing nothing to stop goals going in. The one Toth saved with his outstretched foot, Pears would’ve stayed on his feet then done the arms wide you guys fucked up thing.

[booth]

For context, the player that just scored was signed for £5.8 million. Morris who scored the first is a 20 goal a season striker, and that's why Eustace left as he knows goals win games.

We're scrabbling about with the likes of Hedges and Gueye.

[sharpysharps86]

Not a single player performing well so far.

They can barely string a few passes together, like total strangers to each other.

Also that long throw-in of Millers is awful.

[yellowsubmarine]

The injuries made us a weaker side than we already were.

Up front. Nothing. The boys on the left created nothing. Mori, De Neves and Ohashi. Gudjohnsen no service. Midfield seems hollow. Henriksson just waiting for his customary yellow. Defence missing Wharton's organisation. Could be embarrassing in the second half.

[moerpho]

Half time. Feel like we’re being undone by suspensions and injuries. Miller having his worst display in a Rovers shirt doesn’t help. Derby reminds me of Rovers a year ago for some reason and look very solid. Will take something special to score against this lot today. I think Ismael needs to change tactics and players if we are to salvage a a point. 

[Doaksie]

Pears organising a back 3 with Hedges in it, against an in-form Morris. As others have said, entirely predictable. And with Wharton and Toth seemingly long-term it looks like a bleak winter 

[Kjell]

1 minute ago, Exiled in Toronto Mk2 said:

I don’t know what instructions Hedges has been given, but he isn’t playing to them.

I wouldn't rule out the possibility that the instructions might be poor as well.

[RevidgeBlue]

Just now, Exiled in Toronto Mk2 said:

I don’t know what instructions Hedges has been given, but he isn’t playing to them.

And how I’ve missed Pears doing his blame others gesture while doing nothing to stop goals going in. The one Toth saved with his outstretched foot, Pears would’ve stayed on his feet then done the arms wide you guys fucked up thing.

Yeah let's blame Pears for everything - I heard he was responsible for the Great Fire of London and the release of the Covid virus as well.

For the avoidance of doubt Im  not his biggest fan but he hasnt done anything wrong today.

[B16Rover]

Just now, moerpho said:

Half time. Feel like we’re being undone by suspensions and injuries. Miller having his worst display in a Rovers shirt doesn’t help. Derby reminds me of Rovers a year ago for some reason and look very solid. Will take something special to score against this lot today. I think Ismael needs to change tactics and players if we are to salvage a a point. 

Unsure if it's an intentional joke and I've missed it, but the 'for some reason' has really tickled me 

[booth]

Just now, moerpho said:

Half time. Feel like we’re being undone by suspensions and injuries. Miller having his worst display in a Rovers shirt doesn’t help. Derby reminds me of Rovers a year ago for some reason and look very solid. Will take something special to score against this lot today. I think Ismael needs to change tactics and players if we are to salvage a a point. 

Suspensions, injuries and an awful lack of depth due to gross underinvestment.