Next up for Rovers is a trip down the length of the M62 to what ever the KC is called now...perhaps it's Boothferry Park ? Who knows ? As long as Hull don't call it off at 2:55pm then we should be in for an interesting afternoon in the home of Mick Ronson, Maureen Lipman Tom Courtenay and Lucy Beaumont. A chance for some quality fish & chips and hopefully wrapped in three points. Over to you folks...

Well we managed to break the cycle in a positive way and get one over a former manager. Birmingham up next after a good result against the dingles. Optimistic prediction for this week is a 3-0 win for the majestic Rovers.

The return of Tony Mowbray!! What sort of reception will he get and what sort of reception will you give him? Adoration? Proposals of marriage? A mild applause? Boos? Whistles? Attempts on his life? Or just a mere shrug of the shoulders? I'm going to be optimistic and say we'll break our win-loss cycle with an emphatic 4-0 victory. And c'mon JDT, let's see Dack in the first 11. He's first rate and you know it.

Manager-less Middlesbrough look to appoint a new boss before our game to get the mandatory new manager bounce…will we break our WLWLWL streak ? Quite possibly….though not as we would have liked… *waves to Darragh* 👋🏻

Rotherham have a new manager but we’ve just lost so we're on to a win. Optimistically I will go for a Rovers win of 4-2

Midweek away at Cardiff is a bit of a shiiter if you're travelling down but I suppose that is what you get when you have a World Cup in the middle of the season. I'm optimistically going for a solid 3-0 win for the mighty Rovers. What say you BRFCS?

Well we got bummed again in the last match. That can only mean one thing. A huge win to follow! I'll be optimistic and say Rovers will win 6-1.

The Hatters on Saturday…comment away right here…

Beat Watford on Tuesday, and keep the three points from Wigan, in hand.

The second Lancashire derby game for us this season, this time away to the pie eaters. I'm confident that we can get the three points from this one. If I was being optimistic I would go for a 1-4 to Rovers. The person who can explain why wigginers are referred to as pie eaters will also win 10 points. (Hint, it's not the reason you'd think)

Brizzle…the Bradley Orr Derby 😳

Seaside reminiscences, predictions and hopes right here….

Would have loved to make this one but moving house, so will content myself with the online services while packing and unpacking the boxes. Stoke always a good measure of where we are... previous Prem club fallen on middling times, some quality in their squad. Always like to mix it up and be physical. Game you want to win at home but happy if you get a point away. Probably could say that about quite a few teams in the Championship, but Stoke always sticks out to me as a bit of a bell weather... They're right near the bottom at the moment, but it's hard to form much judgement at this early stage. After the first five league games, and two cup ties, you would have to say we should be pleased. I'm sure the Potters are looking on enviously. One point off top, played some decent football, a great set of academy players coming through, new manager who is only just getting to grips with things but has galvanised the team, through to the third round of League cup. Buuuut..... not to sound too pessimistic, there is a suspicion that Reading and Sheff Utd have figured us out (as always happens very quickly in the Championship...) - that physical sides who are direct and press us are going to be able to hurt our young and defensively ragged team. This could turn into a pattern. So... what to expect from Rovers? I would say after not just being beaten by Reading and Sheff Utd - we were soundly thrashed by both - we have to change things. It's clear from both those games expecting Travis and Buckley to hold the midfield on their own is not fair. Nor did trying to play three at the back without the right players work. So probably we need to help Trav and Bucko in the middle by sticking Morton in there, play four at the back, and I would say give Dack a start. My view is Dack - although nominally an "attacking midfielder" is actually far more of a striker. Finds space in the box, holds up the ball and links up excellently, maybe not the fastest but very strong and clever, can poach, head, score from distance. Time to make him the the true focal point of our attack. If he is unshackled to be in and around the box you will always get goals. Maybe it's a bit experimental, but probably no worse than Vale, Dolan or Sammie buzzing around but offering little goal threat. If it doesn't work that's why we have subs. Team for me (obviously if S Wharton is fit to start Phillips drops to the bench to accommodate him). Kaminski Britain Phillips Ayala Pickering Travis Morton Gallagher Buckley Brereton Dack Subs : Pears, S Wharton, A Wharton, Edun, Markanday, Hedges, Szmodics

Well it's been a disappointing week for us. Hopefully we can get one over on Sparky and continue our cup run to inject some positivity. My optimistic prediction is Bradford 0 - 5 Rovers.

After a disappointing result there is only one solution. And that solution is to be mind blowingly optimistic. Sheff Utd 1 - 5 Rovers

Breakout performance today from the young man. Bossed Karlan Grant all game who many on here would have been happy to come here. The lad didn't put a foot wrong. What next? For me he needs to be put on a par with our top earner and given a 5 year contract. Make sure he knows he is first taxi off the rank and phase him into the first team over the next 12/18 months. Spurs won't offer him that so he'd be a mug to leave at this stage. ⚽️💫

Now then, another game on Wednesday and a potential banana skin for Rovers - we have a poor record on their ground in recent seasons with just one win in 6 and five defeats IIRC Reading have taken 3 points from 3 games, a good win over Cardiff and a narrow loss away to Blackpool but their last game on Saturday was a 4-0 drubbing at Rotherham Rovers are top of the league and full of confidence after the hard-fought win over West Brom but the match took its toll on our already depleted squad with more players picking up injuries. Hopefully we'll have a few signings to bolster the squad before then. They're badly needed Fans will be banking on another win but it won't be easy and a word of warning: I'm going to the game and I've never seen us get a point there. Perhaps I should stay at home but let's be optimistic and hope the great start continues Reading 1 Rovers 2

Although I'm a Rovers fan through and through I've always had a soft spot for West Bromwich Albion. My first ever football kit at age 4 was an Albion strip, bought by mum and dad in 1968.why?, I will never know coming from Rossendale. Thoughts on Sundays game and team selections chaps. COYB.

They once hung a monkey believing it to be a French spy…allegedly…then elected it mayor…sort of… https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-tees-22375328 Anyhow…Wednesday at Ewood…

Looking forward to visiting the Vetch Field…what ? Oh…

Start of a new season is almost upon us after a couple of months break thanks to Quatar. We've sold around 8k ST's so I'm wondering just how many folk will buy matchday tickets for our home games to boost the attendances this season? I'm saying 2-3k Obviously more for Burnley etc...

first one of the season a diaz inspired 2-1 come from behind victory😄,puts another few million on his value and more in jdt transfer pot tbh i didn`t rate qpr last season,think they will be mid table this year,a team we should be beating at home

I am interested to see who jdt starts… we know Adam Wharton has impressed him, Barnes & Garett also mentioned, et. al., COYB!

PLAYER WATCH v Birmingham City (A) Each incident in the match was rated on the following scale: +5 GOAL +4 Excellent play +3 Very good play +2 Pleasing/good play +1 Decent play 0 Routine stuff -1 Sloppy play -2 Disappointing/poor play -3 Very poor play -4 Terrible play -5 Own goal The ratings for each player were then combined to produce a measure of the players overall contribution to the match. Ratings Key incidents per player = coloured stars Overall contribution = numbers Kaminski ******* ** 9 Brown *************** *********** 4 Ayala **************** ***** 14 Wharton ******************** ***** 21 Pickering ******************* ****** 15 Travis *************** ************** 3 Buckley ******************* ******* 23 Edun (45) **** ****** -6 Hedges **************** ******** 10 Gallagher (76) *************** ********* 10 Diaz (65) ***** **** 7 Dack (45) * * 0 Markanday (65) *** *** 0 Vale (76) ***** * 5 Highlights and Lowlights (A justification for the main ratings given above) Tony’s farewell? He’s decided not to pick players who have not committed to the club next year. Players “out of contract” or on loan will not feature…….unless we run out of numbers. James Brown makes his debut. Markanday and Vale (fresh from his 4 goals for the U23s) are on the bench. Kaminski Brown Ayala Wharton Pickering Travis Edun Hedges Buckley Gallagher Diaz 01 A first touch for Brown as he competes with the winger for a loose ball but the winger outmuscles him and gets in a cross …… it’s a bit too long. 04 The first of those infuriating offside situations where Pickering fires a nice long ball down the channels but Diaz has misjudged it. 05 Good challenge from Brown as he takes the ball off the attacker. Now he makes a clearance against the City man and it’s out for a goal-kick. 06 Some nice approach play from Rovers and Pickering lobs the ball to Gallagher, on the penalty spot but it’s a little bit behind him and he doesn’t connect perfectly with his attempted left-footed volley……. it goes straight into the keeper’s arms. 09 Travis jockeys James well and directs him to the wing but when James lays it off, Travis doesn’t stay with him and James runs to the byline and puts in a dangerous cross. Fortunately there’s no one there and Hedges nudges it to safety, out for a throw. 12 Brown wins another challenge on the wing and comes away with the ball. From our half Buckley fires a lovely long ball to Hedges on the right wing. He brings it down nicely on his thigh, cuts inside his marker and from 18 yards out crosses to Diaz on the penalty spot but Ben’s glancing header is a poor contact and the chance is gone. He did get into a great position though, moving in front of his marker neatly! 13 I’ve had a bit of a bee in my bonnet through all the recent defensive failures…..bring back Ayala - who was a rock in the first half of the season, helping to organise the defence and, as here, putting in commanding aerial challenges which send the ball half the length of the pitch! 14 the wily Hernandez tries to kick and rush past Brown but The Rovers man is good enough and comes away with the ball. 15 Pickering is challenged to a foot race by Chong but again the Rover wins the ball. 21 A nice crossfield pass from Diaz to Hedges on the right wing. He takes it forward and fires in a powerful shot from 20 yards but the keeper beats it away at the near post. 25 Another good clearing header from a City corner by Ayala. Edun miscontrols a bouncing ball and it ricochets ro a City forward but his shot hits Wharton and goes out of play. 26 A poor pass from Edun kills the momentum as we looked to counter-attack. 27 Ayala brings the ball to halfway but his touch is heavy and he loses it. There’s a big hole and City have a great chance to attack. Wharton comes across the box to clear up and it’s out for a throw. From the long throw Ayala is back to what he does best, heading well clear. 28 A lovely turn away from his man and then a good crossfield ball from Buckley to Diaz. He lays off to Hedges who lays it gently back to Buckley, 30 yards out on the right, and he smashes it first time into the top left corner of the net!!! Sensational goal, …..could be goal of the season! The other players are stunned, Hedges is holding his head in disbelief! 33 Hernandez has a head start on Brown as they chase a ball down the wing but Brown gets back to get a foot in and hold him up and the City momentum is lost. Then there’s a poor pass by Pickering followed by another from Edun. 35 This time it’s Hedges who plays the poor pass. Now it’s Wharton and it’s a City corner. 38 Gallagher is first to a loose ball in the corner of the City box. He flicks the ball beautifully through to Hedges, in the clear 12 yards out, but his shot hits the top of the bar. He should have scored. Hedges holds his head again! I think he panicked! 40 This time Hernandez is far too good for Brown and runs rings around him. He passes to Bacuna but his shot is weak and off-target. 41 A bad foul by Edun near the flag and it’s a yellow card. 44 Pickering picks up a loose ball 30 yards out. You have to see this……he offloads casually to Diaz. He’s level with the left edge of the box 25 yards out with a man in front of him. He unfurls the most outrageous inswinging, dipping shot over the startled keeper and into the top right corner of the net. Absolutely no one was expecting that! Fabulous goal and put that down as another contender for goal of the season! This time both Pickering and Hedges have their hands to their faces in wonder! Beam me up Scotty! 45 Edun off, Dack on. 47 It’s a City corner and Pickering loses Taylor who heads the ball towards the top left corner from about 3 yards but somehow Kaminski gets a hand to it! Great save. 48 Bacuna beats Travis comprehensively on the edge of the box, then Buckley has a go…then Travis again and finally the City man is over-crowded and gives up the goal-kick. 58 Pickering receives the ball 30 yards out and runs forward before back-heeling to Diaz who shoots from 20 yards. It’s all along the floor and the keeper flings himself horizontal to parry away. Gallagher chases the rebound but he was offside. 59 Another of those fancy flicks from Hedges but Gallagher isn’t good enough to return the ball. 60 Henandez is too good for Brown this time but Ayala is there to block him out on the byline. Goal-kick. 61 Some fancy footwork from Hernandez beats Travis but Brown slides in effectively to concede the throw. 64 Gallagher, near the centre-circle, wins a long ball flick-on. There’s some sloppy play from City and Gallagher picks up the loose ball and tries to slip it into the box for Hedges. A defender gets a foot in but it still runs for Hedges and near the right corner of the 6 yard box, he tries to lob the out-rushing keeper but it’s saved. Brown loses out to Hernandez but Buckley puts in one of those deceptively effective challenges to dispossess him. John’s been very quiet this half. 65 Diaz off, Markanday on. 74 A good chase back by Brown as he gets in an important challenge on Hernandez. Oh! I thought that was a good robust challenge by Ayala but it’s ruled a foul….just outside the D! Taylor puts it over the bar. 76 Gallagher off, Vale on. Vale blocks out for a throw-in. 77 Pedersen receives the ball just inside our half, on the City left. Markanday is too lethargic as he strolls by. Travis loses James who receives Pedersen’s short pass; he plays a 1-2 back to Pedersen and Buckley’s challenge is powerpuff. He then pokes the ball beyond Ayala into the box. Wharton looks favourite but the City man is more determined, he gets there first and puts the ball into the far right corner. A quality goal in all honesty. 79 Brown misjudges a ball down the wing, ends up on his backside and Hernandez collects near the flag. To be fair, Brown gets back and blocks the City man’s cross out for a corner. 81 Unusual! We get an indirect free kick just inside their box for the goalie picking up a backpass! Buckley taps to Dack but his shot hits the wall. 84 A nice flick from Dack down the wing and Vale puts his cross square across the 6 yard box but there’s no Rover around. 86 Buckley, near halfway, lobs an inch perfect pass to Markanday on the left of the D. After a bit of fancy footwork he squares 10 yards out but there’s no one there. 87 Vale wins a challenge midway in the City half, Hedges slips a neat ball to Markanday and he’s clear one on one. The goalie rushes out and spreads himself to save Markanday’s shot. He should have done better there! Brown’s attempted forward ball hits a City man and rebounds dangerously. Bellingham takes it forward. Brown rushes back and Bellingham’s quick turn puts Brown on his backside just outside the D. His shot rolls wide of the right post. 91 Brown miscontrols a long hoof downfield and concedes the corner. Kaminski punches clear. 94 The final, final whistle goes. Ultimately it was a disappointing end of season which, at one time, seemed so promising. Nevertheless, we are Rovers fans and we learn to endure it. Players come and players go and today we got a glimpse of a future Rovers side. It wasn’t too bad was it? Anyway what keeps us coming back is always the tantalising dream that next season will be the one…..definitely! O.k. that’s all from me. For the folks that have stuck with me over the season, thanks for reading and thanks for the encouraging comments…… I’ve enjoyed your company. Maybe I’ll see you next time?

Today is the 10th anniversary of our relegation from the Premier League on that awful night against Wigan. The last decade has been, in my view pretty awful with very few highs and a multitude of lows. The lost fans, financial mismanagement, awful administrators, poor managers and players along with lots of other facets which none of us ever thought we would ever see. Step forward Venkys. Thanks for nothing.