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...!!

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.

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.

11 hours ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

I agree. I think it was a harsh decision but that doesn’t seem to cut any ice these days. They’ll back the ref. I thought their guy made a meal of it but Wharton gave him the chance. Not a great decision by Wharton to be honest. He should have let the guy go, we’re 3-0 up, cruising, and there’s nothing say their guy would have scored anyway.

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.

17 hours ago, jim mk2 said:

Do you still think this Rovers team is strong after today's pathetic, ineffectual performance - and not for the first time this season? This is a poorish team with so many glaring weaknesses and today confirmed my belief we will end the season nearer the bottom of the table than the top.

 

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!!

2 hours ago, JohnD said:

Our 2021 home fixture v Swansea which we won 2-1.

Which team do you think is the best and which one would you rather watch? It's the current one on both counts for me.

Thomas Kaminski

Daniel Ayala

Darragh Lenihan

Harry Pickering

Ryan Nyambe

John Buckley

Daniel Butterworth

Joe Rothwell

Lewis Travis

Tyrhys Dolan

Hayden Carter

Ben Brereton Díaz

Sam Gallagher

Jacob Davenport

SUBSTITUTES

Jake Garrett

Connor McBride

Tyler Magliore

Jordan Eastham

The one listed above, with 14 players!!

22 hours ago, jim mk2 said:

 

That's such a weak team it's hard to understand why we're not struggling near the bottom.

Losing Hyam is a blow without a doubt when we're so short on quality and numbers. Scott Wharton had a good second half at Millwall but has been a liability for a long time. 

I wouldn't move Hill - he's been excellent at fullback since he arrived

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.

On 24/09/2023 at 19:55, Armchair supporter supremo said:

Tronstad was supposed to be that man, but he's not getting a look in for whatever bs reason. 

Tommason probably wants him to complete 5 more homework assignments, 3 class presentations and a theory test before he can play again. Ffs

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.

On 25/10/2023 at 09:03, KentExile said:

I feel dirty after where I had to delve to find this, and its not great news either

https://burnleyfootballclub.com/content/u21s-match-report-burnley-2-0-blackburn-rovers

Does look like the dingles had half a team of overage players though, their goalkeeper, Obafemi, Churlinov, Massengo once upon a time cost Bristol City a few Mil, Egan-Riley was bought from Man City

 

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.

1 hour ago, roversfan99 said:

The problem on platforms like that is that the very vocal and terrible minority can directly message him. I dont see any benefit to footballers being on twitter personally.

But his performances down to the very basic level over a lengthy period of time were terrible.

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.

3 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

You mention Dolan, but surely someone who at the time went 26 games without a goal and was generally performing poor is fair game?

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!)