Let's be clear here. None of us know the true scenario across all the goings on at Ewood, though there are clear financial difficulties that will obviously have a factor in all footballing and non-footballing operations. In that context, JDT is responsible for the footballing side of things, which has been decent overall IMO in his 18 months here but clearly struggled in the last month, predictably so given the lack of squad depth. He plays a style mostly unsuited to Travis' abilities, hence his lack of selection. I like Travis, but if JDT doesn't & Travis doesn't want to play backup to Tronstad (& Garrett, who I think is potentially better than Travis long term) & is playing up about it, then him leaving makes some sense. JDT stands or falls by that decision. The key is to replace him with someone JDT does like / will select / can play his system (clearly not Ayeri). Time will tell on that front; hopefully someone is lined up by GB who JDT thinks can properly compete with Tronstad, otherwise this could prove to be a pretty rash decision (I know, been there, done that). On Ayeri, let the guy show what he can do before criticising. His signing is clearly a separate process from Travis leaving, in a pure footballing context It's the 5th of Jan, 4 weeks of this rollercoaster won't be good for the heart!!

They'll be our new signings in January...!!

He's what I call a player's player, does the grafting & oft unnoticed stuff that only real fans of the game itself see & appreciate, as opposed to looking for glory & headlines. Keeps the game simple, he's at the heart of our team now, looks like a wonderful signing, esp on a free & coming into his prime. Ennis showed promise last night. Seemed to have good awareness, found space, linked up, looked to have a positive mindset. No real chances to speak of but certainly looks like he has a lot more to offer if he can get properly up n running. Sigurdsson was much better last night, but unfortunately Moran had a stinker. Szmodics huffed & puffed but all that came off really (and how) was his round the corner scoop to Sigurdsson, who did really well to adjust his feet to control & set up the shot in 1 movement. Defensively we did ok until we gave away their goal, again having to reshuffle, we were resolute but Leo really did a job for us last night in the last 20 mins, he kept us ahead as we lost all grip on the game. Didn't put a foot or hand wrong from what I recall, my MoM. As for their goal, it's a tactic that has brought good success in being the start of flowing moves that lead to chances, but the choice to employ it then, was poor, & it was even more poorly executed. Sadly it gave them real impetus for the rest of the game & we struggled to find outballs, but thankfully were able to hold on. The ref turned into their 12th man in that 2nd half, not sure why but it was like he suddenly decided he hated blue & white. All in all a good 3 points to put us in a decent position as we run into Christmas. We need some players back though, the squad as it is is way too stretched to cope with 7 games in the next month.

Nah, I don't think so. It was a bouncing ball that came across his body, had to be hit 1st time with his weaker foot with the keeper bearing down on him. When you factor in that it was so early in the game as well, imo if he puts that in he's done really well.

Sounds like a great textbook away win. A superb result from a tough fixture. When you consider our oldest 4 players are aged 27 or 28, and 3 of them are injured, and none of the others are over 24 it's quite testament to the players, JDT & his staff to be able to put in a mature performance like that, especially at quite a hostile ground against a team who were on a decent run. I cant pick out individuals as I didn't go, but it seems like everyone contributed to the cause & was 100% committed to each other, which is great to see along with the passion at the end. I've seen brief highlights; perhaps on another day none of those goals go in, they all had a sense of good fortune about them. I don't think the earlier chances Szmodics had were easy misses either, they weren't sitters by any stretch. Anyway great win, two decent looking fixtures coming up to really help push us on & make a push for top 6. C'mon Rovers, let's find some consistency & keep us dreaming.

A lot of short termism going on here. I'd have liked to have seen more of Ennis by now & his injury record is a bit concerning, but he was a low risk high potential signing at the time & we all knew it as such. Clearly the intention was to bring someone else in when we signed him at the end of May, but our esteemed owners' subsequent financial woes scuppered that and so we are where we are. Give Ennis time; we've gone through 1 twelfth of his contacted games. Plenty of time yet for him to come good and prove his worth.

I'm sure many fans will frame this in the context of a win for Venkys over the tyranny of the Indian govt. And to some extent it appears to be that, at least temporarily. However, in reality what it is is yet another damning indictment of the modern model of club ownership; the fact that a near-150 year old historic, cultural & community-oriented institution survives or disappears at the whim of an elected or non-elected official, or an appointed judge, thousands of miles away, in a non-transparent process that genuine stakeholders of the club have absolutely no influence in whatsoever. It really needs the UK authorities to look into the appropriateness of these ownership models for the good of sport on this country for future generations.

Top news re Wharton, 100% the right decision, though I can see why it was given. Fortunately it didn't cause any huge loss on the day. Watch Wharton go and "do a Duffy" on Friday now!! 😅

Sad news, I didn't know him personally but always walk past his house every match. It's always sad to lose a fellow fan, especially one as through & through as him, and at a relatively young age too. RIP

He's turned into exactly the type of player that we were told we had signed, not only by JDT & GB, but also by Darragh MacAnthony & the Peterborough fans. He's tenacious, committed, positive in his approach & leads by example, a proper fans favourite type. No small amount of ability either, a top player at this level at least. Him, Dolan & Moran have actually built quite a good understanding together, some of their interplay yesterday was top drawer, great to see.

Just seen the sending off, Wharton has to make that challenge. If he doesn't he, gets dogs abuse for not being committed. Good luck with the appeal Rovers, I hope common sense prevails.

Judging by what many people think of Leo's goalkeeping qualities, Wharton's challenge stopped a certain goal, so arguably it was a great take for the team! Overall I think I'd rather my defender make a genuine challenge for the ball in that scenario when outside of the penalty area, than allow a 1 on 1 to develop. Different if it's in the area as there's then a real risk of a red AND conceding a goal.

Not a bad set of results today all things being equal (besides Preston winning). IF (I know) we get the win tomorrow then we're well in contention for the top 6 mix going into the next international break.

I knew you'd do this, so very predictable!! I'm sure you & others will spit out your cornflakes at this next bit, but imo if Gallagher had played yesterday we win that game. Anyway I didn't say "strong", I said "quite decent" & definitely missing a goalscorer. I stand by that, as we ought to have had a couple of goals inside the first 15 mins and got at least one in the 2nd half. It wasn't a great performance overall I grant you. SS & Siggy (again) were off the pace, Carter seemed less confident without Hyam,and we struggled to cope with their no 10 throughout. But we had 4 clear chances yesterday, all easier to convert than their goal was (which tbf was quality, I was right behind the shot & it was perfectly placed after a good buildup.) I'm surprised JDT brought on Leonard not Ennis, would've interested to know the thinking behind that. Overall though, it was an off day. It happens. It's what most teams in this league do, lack consistency, not surprising given the lack or resources JDT has available. Look at Boro yesterday, losing 0-2 to Stoke after a good run of form, Cardiff winning comfortably after we've beaten them twice in a month. Hell, Leicester were reliant on a late 25 yarder from Winks to win at QPR, who we tubbed 0-4!! By the way, are you my dad?!? He said as we came off that he'd never seen anything as bad as that. I laughed at such a overreaction to a bad day at the office & had one word (of many it could've been) in reply - Trelleborgs!!

The one listed above, with 14 players!!

I actually think other fans would look at that team & feel it's quite decent, just missing a proven goalscorer as we know. Young highly rated international keeper, highly rated right back, one v good CB, solid LB, high quality holding midfielder with a young superstar, in-form midfielders in Brittain, Dolan & SS. Not our strongest 11 granted, but stronger than you would have us believe.

Who'd've thought it, maybe after all JDT knows a thing or two about football & how to integrate a player from abroad gradually, as opposed to throwing him in and risking his confidence... I agree re Whiteman by the way, well worth a punt for us with his contract expiring in summer.

If you read the report it doesn't sound like we acquitted ourselves too badly, particularly when you look at the team sheet.

FWIW, given everything that happened in summer & the context in which he was signed, I trust the judgment of GB and JDT to have identified a player who, if not ready now, will provide value going forwards. I know that's not what we needed, but that's hardly their fault, or Telalovic's. He seems to have been a late bloomer, but to be even considered as a squad member for Bor Mon he must have something about him. In fact we've seen a little already; his control & pass to SS for that missed chance were excellent. Hopefully he just needs time, and atm we're managing ok without him (and Ennis, Gallagher & Leonard) - quite remarkable really when you think about it!!

NB - I posted below in the Millwall thread in response to a few posture Dolan, it's probably more appropriate here. He does (look like he's getting his mojo back), and it's great to see him starting to flourish again because I think he is quite a unique player and, when on song, an absolute nightmare for defenders. As is often the case with players of his type, confidence is a massive part of his makeup as a player because his game is instinctive (as it is with strikers & goalkeepers also), so it's important he does what works for him to rebuild & maintain that confidence. It's easy for a defender, for example, just to hoof it when low on confidence, not so for a tricky, diminutive figure like him. Coming off social media & keeping a close circle of confidants (I.e. family, club staff & close friends, inc teammates) is massive and he's at a good age to have reached that decision himself to have ample time to reap the benefits. I for one hope he stays, more is yet to come from him I think.

He does, and it's great to see him starting to flourish again because I think he is quite a unique player and, when on song, an absolute nightmare for defenders. As is often the case with players of his type, confidence is a massive part of his makeup as a player because his game is instinctive (as it is with strikers & goalkeepers also), so it's important he does what works for him to rebuild & maintain that confidence. It's easy for a defender, for example, just to hoof it when low on confidence, not so for a tricky, diminutive figure like him. Mods - I realise I've taken this off topic, so will put this post in the Dolan thread also. Hope that's ok.

Can't disagree with you on the first bit., certainly. On the second bit yes, they were below what even he would have considered acceptable, but it's about having some perspective &, ultimately, compassion & consideration for the individual.

Yes if criticised constructively, but clearly it was unbalanced & went too far, to the point where it affected his confidence and it became an uncontrollable downward spiral for him. I'm not saying it was any comments on here that got to Dolan as he himself has, to my knowledge, only referred to twitter / X as being the source of his concern, where personal criticism is probably even more vitriolic (I'm not on it, or famous, so don't know). But even on here during his poor run folk were stating that he can't pass /shoot /dribble /cross /tackle /track back. They questioned his very basic abilities as a professional footballer. Clearly he can do those things, he has done ever since we signed him, but he can't do them consistently or when low on form/confidence, because he's human & still only 21. So yes he was "fair game" for constructive criticism, but not for the unbalanced deluge of abuse he got, imo. Maybe some will call him (or me!) a snowflake for this opinion, but it cant be easy for a young lad like him, who's only ever known football & has been through some significant tragedy in his short life (which in itself was connected to his friend's own sense of self worth), to read what's been said about him & be able just to shrug it off.

I can't believe how folk seem to expect perfection from players at this level. Leo made a mistake, clearly; point out to me a keeper this season who hasn't. His oppo last night, one of the most experienced 'keepers at this level who I think 8 out of 10 of us would've been happy to sign in summer, also had a shocker. Leo made a top class save on Saturday to win us 2 points. Why the need to be so critical now & say we need a 3rd goalkeeper when he's been here 5 minutes? All good keepers make howlers; at least Leo seemed to shrug it off last night & do a good job thereafter. And don't anyone say it's just someone expressing an opinion on the internet so it doesn't matter; it does, just ask Dolan. Criticism is fine if it's constructive & objective. Great win last night, two lovely goals from our perspective, good recovery from a poor start, great resilience to aerial bombardment, and made all the sweeter for me with it being part of a 30/1 acca that made me £300, despite Manure doing their best to put the skids on it in the 94th minute! Onana, top keeper!!! (Feels like this post has come full circle now!)

Saw the first half of their weekend match at PNE, they had a nightmarish start & made some shocking defensive mistakes, but after the first 10 mins or so they found their feet & looked quite dangerous. Like the OP said, happy days to grind out a 0-1 (though I'll take 3-4 again!)