That's why Armstrong would be good signing because he can cover about 3 positions in attack because he has some pace and is quite direct. I'm a big believer in horses for courses and would prefer genuine wingers with pace but you can get away with Armstrong there, also a counter attacking set up with him spearheading is one that wasn't used enough imo. He'd be worth a bit of investment on that lot alone.

Sam Gallagher is available... to compete with Graham! Would fit our system as lone striker!

“Minor Niggle” is code word for in negotiations with another club.

The amount of people who have said I don't watch England there shite etc etc all through qualification usually armchair united and Liverpool fans have come out in force since the Colombia result. The same ones that where out in force for the champions league final and fa cup but didn't bother with the earlier rounds. I think there is more than one way to support a club and they get there enjoyment out football differently to us. They use it as a social thing to have a pint without investing into the club. Rovers to me is like a family member. Will always be there through good and bad and love it. Couldn't be with out it. They can't understand traveling to Ipswich on a Tuesday night and going straight work. They think I'm mental.they don't understand it and I don't understand how you can scream at the tv with such passion in a final and then not bother watching your team against Brighton the week after. Suppose it would be boring if we where all the same.

I’m currently planning podcasts for 2018/19 season & I have been inspired by another podcast that I listen to, namely Malcolm Gladwell’s “Revisionist History”. In it, Gladwell takes a conventional idea or thought & looks at it more closely, from a different angle, usually challenging received wisdom. I am therefore toying with the idea of a “Revisionist Rovers” item for future podcasts.... if anyone out there has an idea & would like to get involved - in other words is prepared to construct a case for what might be a left-field, unconventional or potentially even downright unpopular view & is prepared to come on the pod (in some format to be agreed) to present it, please get in touch. I am NOT looking for deliberately contrarian, shock-jock positions e.g. “Alan Shearer was grossly overrated” will probably not pass muster, unless you are REALLY good at advocacy...? The sort of thing I’m looking for would be, for instance (NB I don’t necessarily subscribe to any of these views for clarity...they are just to give you a flavour...?): Zinedine Zidane would not have improved Rovers midfield had he signed in the 90’s David Dunn should never have re-signed from Birmingham as he never fulfilled his potential Sam Allardyce’s football was so ugly, Venky’s were correct to sack him Signing Danny Murphy made sense at the time, knowing what we knew then ...hopefully you get the idea...! Is there something in Rovers’ history that has always bugged you because you see it differently from most of your mates ? Do you carry an unpopular opinion around & have always wanted to unburden ? This might be your chance ? The mechanics & logistics of how we will do it will be worked through once I know if we have enough contributors & good ideas to make it worthwhile. It could be an interview, it could be a first person piece, it could be a written article narrated by someone else if you don’t fancy sharing your dulcet tones....that can be worked through. If you have an idea, please contact me by PM’ing me on here, or on Twitter using the @brfcs.com handle please....let’s see if we can create audio gold ?

Think youre being very harsh here and are writing off this tournament too easily. Totally get the need to also look at further tournaments but expectations DO change dependant on the draw, in this instance, a very favourable one, no matter how you dress it up, and it is a chance to get far, albeit winning it will be unlikely. I expected quarter finals based on the draw, but things do change, I expected Brazil/Germany in the quarter finals, not Sweden. If we go out tomorrow to Sweden, people will be understandably very frustrated because we are rightfully the favourites tomorrow. Not ashamed like they have been in the past, but looking at the opposition and the chance it represents of realistically getting to a semi final, it would be a kick in the teeth. Swedens front 2 is Ola Toivonen, a far from prolific 32 year old playing in France, and Marcus Berg, a 31 year old playing in the UAE. Their star player is Emil Forsberg who is a big danger, but alongside him, other team mates include Seb Larsson who recently played for Hull. No matter how you downplay it, the calibre and ability in our team far exceeds theirs ON PAPER, I am well aware that it doesnt work like that, and it wont be easy, they are no mugs, but its not ignorance or arrogance to see tomorrows winnable, albeit far from easy match, as alot more than a chance to gain some experience. The paragraph in bold is not right either, if we won the World Cup theres not a chance it would be anything but wildly celebrated.

England will never have a better chance...do they want it enough?

Maguire does that all the time

I think this is why it feels so different this time. We're supporting a team again instead of a bunch of egos.

I can’t imagine supporting a club where unmitigated success is just the expectation, how can you truly appreciate it then?

I stand corrected....said the man in the orthopaedic shoes. 2-1...Game on!

Maybe they're saving up to sign Jordan Rhodes?

Looking into his spells at Barnsley and Coventry and he didnt get many goals or assists at either club. That said, he was very young (as he still is) and he seems highly rated at Liverpool so I would be open minded. That said, if he was our only wide addition, we would be screwed, if he was one of 2 or 3 wide additions he might well improve us. All depends on the bigger picture. One thing he certainly isnt is a presence up front. His height may fool people but hes one of the weakest forwards ive seen in a Rovers shirt and his hold up is non existent. Towards the end of his last spell he was played wide. In the phrase "scored a few," few is the operative word, 17 in 89 in the Championship surely isnt the calibre we want at the club. Yes, he played for us before so I can understand the familiarity and the popularity of the suggestion to the extent, but there has to be better out there. Im sure Mowbray wont be signing based on sentimentality.

Gallagher isn't going to get a look in at Southampton I wouldn't have thought and I thought I'd heard he was approaching the final year of his contract. If so I'd expect he'd be available for purchase. Young, a presence up front, knows the club, knows the Championship, scored a few in a poor struggling side last time round. Could do a lot worse. Speculate to accumulate. At his age barring an injury disaster the likelihood is he will increase in value which should tick the Venky criteria.

Under a proper manager too.

I feel there is a difference between being priced out of the market at 2 million for any player, and not being willing to pay 2 million for a League One centre half with 12 months left on their deal.

Old kit for the first two friendlies... https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2018/july/club-statement-kit-release/ As an aside, remember the days when kits were kept for 2 seasons as standard?

Out of position ?

I thought it was a left winger playing on the right wing (or vice versa) so that they cut in on their strong foot to shoot instead of crossing from the byline.

'inverted winger' - football term for someone who is similar to others you have so you have to find a name for him to sound a bit more technical ?

There was a period in the mid-00's when I went off the national team. I found it difficult to support the likes of Terry, Ashley Cole, Rooney, etc. Supporting England is much easier now that those types of characters are gone.

Whilst I am definitely Rovers before I'm England, I still very much enjoy any success of the England National Football Team in the same way I enjoy Rovers!

Listening to some of the Man Yoo/Liverpool 'fans' in the office, going absolutely potty about England - much more than I've ever heard them when it comes to 'their' club, just shows how unattached to these megaclubs they really are. Made me feel quite smug that I really support a proper/local football club with its accompanying highs and lows, that feeling of being really part of something, they only get a taste of our lives for a few weeks every other summer...

Then imagine if we didn't........ Lol. Long way to go yet in my book. 2 young lads in who appear from TM's comments to give here to provide competition for places in the squad at this stage as opposed to being automatic starters, no new contract for Dack yet and none of the real priority positions addressed for me ........yet. May all happen of course but until it does still much to do and far too early to be talking about play offs etc.

I stand by that Chapman is far too big of a risk. I know hes a talent and hes popular but his injuries are seemingly going to be an ongoing concern. Hopefully Mowbray looks elsewhere.

Lots of talk about Sterling - Alli has been worse for me (he doesn't look fit). I'd leave Sterling in and put Loftus-Cheek in for Alli, who I think has been good when he's had the chance. Maybe Rashford if we really want to have a go at the Swedes. Oh, and how come no-one has mentioned Ashley Young? He's been very poor IMO - nothing good, either offensively or defensively has come down our left side - and the set-pieces he's taken have been very hit and miss (mainly miss). We've got two vastly superior options in Rose and Delph both fit and ready, one of them deserves a chance.

This young side has already out-performed realistic expectations. I just hope a fortunate side of the draw and several ‘big’ teams going out doesn’t raise expectations above where they should be. Given where we have got to (best 8 in the world) I hope that elimination tomorrow doesn’t take away from what Southgate and his charges have achieved. Tomorrow we should be under no pressure, looking to enjoy the occasion, and gain some valuable experience. But that’s not how Engerland fans whipped up by the English media works. “It’s only Sweden - how many PL players do they have?” If we win the tournament, it’ll be a miracle. One which will soon be ‘taken away’ from us after a few weeks when the British media decides we got lucky by not playing any of the top sides. Belgium are the strongest side left and it’ll take a bad decision by a player or official for them to win. Still think Russia in Russia are the dark horse.

Brazil have been battering Belgium last fifteen minutes and could have scored three, but are lacking composure on the final ball.

Nobody to fear in this tournament!

Will they??

Go on Belgium, make Neymar cry.

The 2 I would probably want to see leave are Hart and Caddis. They are too far behind the other players in their positions. Gladwin will probably go if there are any takers, but given our lack of attacking players at the moment, I wouldn’t be against giving him another chance. Whittingham has a lot of competition in his position so I’m not sure if there’s sense keeping him. His experience may be handy to have around the squad though.

I reckon we are working on that. I would also imagine our valuations are far apart. I can see it happening with a hefty sell on and/or buy back option. Could go right to the end of the window though. The good thing is that we are his preferred destination, that counts for a lot.

Agree and by no means am I criticising because they are at least still putting obvious sensible thinking to the ones they've got in so far even if they are lower price signings etc. I've every faith they've had some good targets and made some bids but I also think we'll be priced out of a lot of them maybe even by so called lesser clubs in the Champ. The money is getting silly at that level. TM has talked about target lists, A,B,C so you have to wonder how many B's we are now at and how many C's he might have to settle for in the end.

I’ve got the same impression from what Mowbray has said in the past. It sounds like the team that won promotion will be given a chance next season and players will be brought in to challenge them for spots, rather than replace them. It seems like sensible squad management to me, especially when you have such a good team spirit throughout the squad. Thanks to iFollow I got to watch Rovers games for the first time since we got relegated from the Premier League, and I have to say I love this current team. I know that a lot of them may not be cut out for the Championship, but I hope that they do manage to up their game and do well next season. The area where we obviously need to sign players ready to come into the first 11 is up front and on the wings, where we are seriously lacking in players. The quality in midfield was a bit worrying as Evans was poor until the last few games last season and Gladwin and Whittingham were unimpressive, but I think the signings of Rothwell and Davenport addres that problem. The rest of the side I’m not worried about that much.

What Swedish arrogance? I saw Sven say dont underestimate Sweden but hardly arrogance. English fans have been singing its coming home all week planning our route to the final...

There's no point him being a journalist any more, given his recent success rate.....

I've put a fiver on Sterling tomorrow as anytime goalscorer. Think he is bringing a lot to the team that is going unnoticed and that others can't provide. Deserves a goal to stick it to The S*n. But I really think Alli needs to step up. When he's on it he is immeasurably better than Loftus-Cheek. Niggle or not, he seems to be playing within himself and with a fear that doesn't seem to affect Lingard, Kane et al. - reminiscent of the "Golden Generation" and freezing on the big stage. Don't trust Rose at the back, but he probably should play vs. Sweden, after that no changes for me. If the team all play well we should win. Play with the same heart, determination and "fight" as the last round then I'm pretty happy either way.

Qualifiers used to have a bit of peril in them, certainly not a given we'd get to the tournament. Think of Terry Butcher covered in blood, the draw in Rome that got us to France '98, Beckham versus Greece at Old Trafford etc. Now we are always top seeds and due to many more European countries post USSR and Yugoslavia, plus all the micro nations, we almost always get a group with a Slovakia/Slovenia, a Lithuania/Estonia, a San Marino/Andorra, so we functionally qualify with no excitement whatsoever.

Indeed he does. He reminds me so much of Alan Hansen in his prime when he does so as well.

Nailed it. And I'm happy with my choice!

Unfortunately to get a good player with our budget, it is probably a risk we have to take. Players with pace like Chapman will probably only be available 2/3 of the time but tend to impact games more than your Conways etc. Look at Josh King. He had injury issues here but seems to have shaken them off since joining Bournemouth so not always indicative of their future career prospects. Personally, from what I saw of Chapman, he is the nearest to Duff that I've seen -and that lad was a joy to watch.

Sweden are a very difficult opponent and our game with them has penalty shootout written all over it. We can win in normal time but Harry will need to score at least 2 to achieve that. I want France and Brazil to win through and fancy Russia to suprise Croatia with their 9 players back and giant CF. I'm not naming him as I tend to name a player who plays for someone else. Cavani will be a massive miss by Uruguay but the game could go to a penalty shootout too. Uruguay will do a Colombia during this game.

Probably just a first refusal clause in there in case he sets the world on fire

He just wants to be a lady boy now

Who Knows Where the Time Goes - Fairport Convention Might get this played at me funeral, either this or 'Into the Mystic; Van Morrison. Love Sandy Denny's vocals on this, not normally into the folky style but she absolutely nails this

Apparently goalkeepers are trained to do something called a power push which requires taking one step forward to then push off the leg. They stand behind the goal to use this technique so they aren't in front of the line before the ball is kicked but can still generate the power to cover the goal

Certain stands or certain areas of stands it should be relaxed in this day and age when a visit to some grounds is like a visit to the theatre or cinema with everyone sitting quietly munching snacks, sipping drinks and ogling their phones.

This also confirms he does not see Bennett as a CM, Tomlinson does not really feature in his plans and that Rothwell is going to be used in more advanced positions. Lenihan and Mulgrew being pushed forward can also be put to bed now.

Ali doesn't appear to have been fully fit since he got injured against Tunisia and was then needlessly kept on the pitch for practically the entire match. Our creativity issue is more to do with shape than personnel. It's hard to be creative when you're leaving the middle of the park empty, negating the ability to slot in through balls. Instead we're constantly trying to cross the ball into the area because everybody is high up the pitch. It's little wonder almost all of our goals have been from set pieces. We've been lucky so far in that we have played teams with limited ability - with the exception of Belgium, and that match was basically an exhibition. If Sterling loses the ball against Croatia (assuming they beat Russia and we beat Sweden) and we've left a huge gap in midfield we will get punished. If Rodriguez was playing last night we would have been punished. I can see our match against Sweden being a pretty torrid affair in all honestly. One team who are still struggling to adapt their system and another whose entire style is essentially built on being rigid and defensive. Another 1-0 win from a set-piece could be on the cards. Or a loss in reverse.