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

[TruRover]

I was at Leicester and Bristol and thought we were excellent in both games. Left me feeling significantly more positive about the season to come and even began, optimistically, to look at that top 6 - esp with the league being so open this year. 
 

But this week reality has struck. Tronstad suspended. Toth out for 3 months. Alebeosiu potentially getting called up to AFCON in December. We simply don’t have the squad to compete. 
 

As much as I’ve been impressed I think this game is a step too far for our squad. Derby are on great form with key players hitting the mark and have a near fully fit squad. Meanwhile we will be missing Toth, Wharton Carter, Tronstad, Baradji, Cantwell. All of whom would probably start when fit with Toth, Carter, Tronstad and Cantwell probably being our 4 best players. 
 

If we could get through this game with a point I would be thrilled. Keep momentum going with key players returning after the international break. For once I feel like it has come at a good time.  
 

Optimistically I’m going 1-1 but realistically I see a 2nil Derby with Diaz grabbing at least one. Hope I’m wrong.

 

 

[Torgeir]

I think if Alebiosu gets called up to AFCON then we'll shift more of our attacking focus over to the left and play Miller at RWB. The problem right now is with Carter out, we will struggle to play three at the back unless we recall O'Riordan.

We shouldn't be dreaming of the play-offs, but with 3 points against Ipswich and our 'luck balance' on neutral, we would've been darn close at this point.

Hope the players step up to the occasion tomorrow, it's a big game and absolutely vital to send Eustace back with zero points.

[davulsukur]

Who do you give the armband to without Cantwell, Tronstad, Wharton or even Toth?

[Admiral Nelsen]

15 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

I definitely think rushing him back is a risk we cant afford to take.

But I dont think we can get away with those 3 considering the number of matches we have to come. Carter is so injury prone and either of the others could pick up an injury or a ban. Its a totally avoidable mess of a situation.

 

Yes, agree. What I meant was that those three are at an acceptable level, after which we basically have nothing beyond kids and players who are out of position. So we'll almost definitely have to get Pickering/Ribeiro to fill in, but we have to do our utmost to get those three playing for the most amount of games as possible. 

 

So if that means we take the hit by playing a weaker side vs Derby and giving Carter the international break, so be it.

[Admiral Nelsen]

2 minutes ago, davulsukur said:

Who do you give the armband to without Cantwell, Tronstad, Wharton or even Toth?

Even though he's a new signing, I think McLoughlin is the obvious choice unless Pickering plays. 

[Torgeir]

Captain Yuki or McLoughlin

[chaddyrovers]

2 hours ago, davulsukur said:

Who do you give the armband to without Cantwell, Tronstad, Wharton or even Toth?

McLoughlin is simple and straightforward choice 

[WacoRover]

Three on the bounce, but with all the 1st teamers out, the squad will be hard-pressed to get a point. 
I believe it happens, 1-1. 

[Elrovers]

Milutin osmajic BANNED for 9 games. Boost for us when we play them after the break. He’s a horrible guy with a disgusting personality. He got what he deserved.

Edited 2 hours ago by Elrovers

[Valconite]

Not been to a game in years and with this being 150th anniversary should be excited going but just can't be arsed. Neither are others that I know. Had a look at the seat map out of curiosity and there are so many seats left. Sad state of affairs that such a game can't even sell out. But who can blame the fans. Fucking Venkys. 

Obviously want a win but this just seems like one of those games where they will lose. Hopefully they actually turn up and put a performance in and win.

[Mattyblue]

We sold 9,000 season tickets, so it would be some doing to sell out a 31,000 ground for a second division TV game.

They’ve sold a decent amount of walk ons compared to the rest of the games this season . Yet, as always if you’ve a pitiful number of ST holders as your base it’s very hard to come close to filling the ground.

[smiller14]

24 minutes ago, Valconite said:

Not been to a game in years and with this being 150th anniversary should be excited going but just can't be arsed. Neither are others that I know. Had a look at the seat map out of curiosity and there are so many seats left. Sad state of affairs that such a game can't even sell out. But who can blame the fans. Fucking Venkys. 

Obviously want a win but this just seems like one of those games where they will lose. Hopefully they actually turn up and put a performance in and win.

I was surprised to see the attendance for our 125th anniversary was only 20,800. Not close to a sell out then and that's when we were competently run by people who care.

[Waggy76]

2 minutes ago, smiller14 said:

I was surprised to see the attendance for our 125th anniversary was only 20,800. Not close to a sell out then and that's when we were competently run by people who care.

If we were playing Swansea or Watford they would probably be less than  half that attendance, tomorrow! 

[Mattyblue]

From memory we had about 12k ST holders that year and I think Wolves brought about 2k. So c6,000 walk ons, it won’t be dissimilar tomorrow, so the turn out is perfectly fine all things considered.

[Wheelton Blue]

Big challenge ahead tomorrow. With the spine of our side out suspended/injured, we'll do well do get anything out of the game I think.

[...]

56 minutes ago, Elrovers said:

Milutin osmajic BANNED for 9 games. Boost for us when we play them after the break. He’s a horrible guy with a disgusting personality. He got what he deserved.

Good.

The man is a twat. 

(Apologies ❄️'s)

[Bronzed A Donis]

2-2 tomorrow . Derby are no great shakes, but I don't think our squad is good enough to make up the injuries.

We have had 3 free hits in terms of expectation and performed well as we've done the last few years when nothing expected and we're underdogs, suits us.

We tend to underperform when a hint of expectation is there. I hope everyone of a Blue and White persuasion has a great day regardless and I am wrong.