I saw them both at Stockport & they looked capable enough then of being ready to play against a team like Walsall. In fact that whole team is not too dissimilar to the one at Stockport, with Hilton, Hedges & Ennis being the main changes. That was a bit of a rusty performance but hopefully it'll have enough to get past Walsall, esp with some first teamers on the bench to help push us through if needed. I doubt the new keeper will play, too soon.

We need to try to avoid starting any of yesterday's 11 imo, whilst the squad's so thin. Next league game is huge to keep up early season momentum, especially after last season's no-show there. I'd go: Hilton Brittain, Barnes, S Wharton, Batty Garrett, A Wharton (no more than 60 mins) Hedges, Buckley, Gilsenan Ennis Subs: Everyone else!!!

Cheers Ian, done now.

Loved it yesterday, there were quite a few grumblings that I overheard from fans on the way down about not looking forward to it, especially one the teams were announced, but I was anything but as proper football was back & I knew that despite some bad weeks recently, our current first 11 looked at least competitive as it wasn't that dissimilar from last season. I really enjoyed it, it was a proper football match with two committed teams in dodgy conditions which demanded a lot on day 1 of a new season. Rovers' height disadvantage was obvious and a concern, but boy they coped well and adapted; for example I don't think one corner was played straight into the box as that type of ball would probably have been meat & drink to them, so we used our heads & better fitness levels to pull them out of position more via short corners. It was a slow start from us, w/o there being any real danger, then bam! 2 great goals in 2 minutes, both coming from good harrying, then good decision making, then calm finishing. That understandably knocked the wind out of them, they appeared shell shocked and we could've had another 1 before HT, seeing the half out easily. 2nd half saw them press us more intensely & we struggled to cope a little, played some dodgy passes around the back & ultimately conceded from a poor pass out from Pears to Carter a panicked pass from him to Markanday who, having initially done really well, then dwelled on it too long & was robbed. But to be fair I think that was the last real threat from them. Good & well-timed subs from JDT shored us up and put us back on the front foot, and we really ought to have scored another couple. Great afternoon all round, good & involved crowd, v pleased with our first outing. Will put player ratings on when I find the link!!am a big fan of the added time being properly added as it should ease time wasting & let's face it, we pay good money to be entertained, though I'm sure it will bite us at some point!

I can't find a link to post player ratings, pls can one of the mods put one up? 👍

I was really enjoying that, but why did they end after their goal?!

Well, sod transfers, sod Venkys, sod the Indian Govt, sod goalkeeper comparisons, sod biscuits, sod John Bulls and tea cakes, and sod the rain.... IT'S MATCHDAY!!!!!!!!!! 3-1 Rovers. C'mon, I'm allowed to dream right?!

For those who have been sticking the boot into Dolan recently, I've just seen the highlights from yesterday. Whilst I accept they are just that, he was responsible for winning the ball high up the pitch - with a right foot tackle - for our chance that was saved before Girona's 2nd goal, and then took in a ball from JRC perfectly in a backwards half turn - again with his right foot - and then straight away played a lovely weighted left footed pass through for Szmodics to run onto & cross to Leonard to score bravely. He can be frustrating, but to say he has no right foot, no vision & no end product are just plain wrong. To let him leave for nothing, or for peanuts, is a decision we'd almost certainly regret in time. Let's not be like the Nobbers eh?!

Yes, that came as a surprise to everyone, clearly an edict from above re on-play ti.e, good to see. The other main difference was the multi ball system, that'll take some getting used to, players will need to look sharp (and ball boys/girls, which might be a bigger problem!!).

I was just the other side of the home dugout, and randomly sat next to another undercover Rover (as I realised 20 mins in!), so the 878 Rovers fans officially there can definitely be increased! I don't get to see our academy lads much due to travel/ family commitments, so I enjoyed seeing some of those, though the numbers only on the shirts made it harder to know who was who, I didn't have a teamsheet! Buckley was most disappointing, doesn't seem to be developing. There was so.e decent arching runs up front to try to beat the defence but, as someone else said, the ball either never came, came too late or was overhit. There were, Alastair season, too many attempts to pass it into goal rather than shoot on sight, need to mix it up more. Tomasson knows that like the rest of us, given his most recent comments in the LT..

I was there, watched it from behind the dugouts with some home fans. JDT seemed very engaged with what was going on, which I take as the main positive from the evening. Overall it was an underwhelming performance. A Wharton set the tempo of the first half and everything attacking went through him, but we clearly had no one with a strikers instinct so every move broke down on the edge of their box, although there was some good one touch football in the build ups. Best chance we had 1st half was a Batty run and shot down the left, which was well made & well saved. Meanwhile at the back we were a bit 6s & 7s, S Wharton & Buckley (who didn't stand out at all) especially guilty of giving the ball away in dangerous places, with Pears to thanks for a couple of smart saves, though he did flap at a corner that caused a bit if chaos. Second half was all stockport for first 20 mins or so. But for Pears & a miss-of-the-preseason for their top goalscorer we could've been a couple down. We then got the pen (which seemed right, although my view was obscured by a pillar), which gilsenan put away comfortably, after which we never really looked like conceding an equaliser, though there were a couple of moments of dilly dallying in our backline that might've been problematic on another day. Upshots being, toothless up front decent movement in midfield, lack of confidence at the back. Best players were A Wharton, Gilsenan, Batty (who's not afraid to get stuck in) and Pears. Brittain did ok, but I think would look better in a stronger team. Stockport had 2 trialists playing & they play Preston tomorrow, so they at least had a few first teamers out. I would guess only AW (who JDT had a good chat with & an arm around his shoulder when brought off) is likely to start v W Brom next weekend, this was very much a 2nd 11 selection.

Neil Diamond- Sweet Caroline

Talking Heads - Living in a Box

Just ordered my ticket for stockport, going in the main stand with a county supporting mate. Being in Cheshire it's much more convenient for me. Presumably we will put a young side out given that the Girona game is later in the weekend, but looking forward to seeing some of these hotshot kids that seem to be making a name for themselves.

Coldplay - Yellow

Transvision Vamp - Baby You're the One

What makes it even worse, is that you liked his post but not mine!! 🤣

Pet Shop Boys - In the Night

Hmm, I used this the page before, I'd cry foul if it wouldn't ruin the thread!!

REM - It's the End of the World As We Know It An apt one for tonight it seems...

Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight

Julian Cope - World Shut Your Mouth

Just rolling back the years!

Transvision Vamp - I want Your Love 😁

That shirt!!! Profertl? Spermbooster?? Boxenstopp??? Better or worse than Totally Wicked?!