Neal

Can't really grumble that JDT would leave to go to Feyenoord, Dutch champions and champions league football. Here's your chance to all laugh at me... There's only one person I'd want... Steven Gerard.

Hello everyone, it's been a while. What an unreal week this has been. Certainly one of the best in recent memory in the championship. To be completely honest, I'd decided to be less vocal with my opinions after the Burnley and Preston performances. Those results really turned me off at the whole 'project' but the manager and certain players have really made me eat my words. I never thought JRC could step up to this level, I'd written off Travis, Szmodics and was giving up on Buckley... All of them have completely mugged me off and I'm chuffed to bits. Aynsley Pears is like a brand new signing, looks absolutely top class and there's no way TK gets back in this team again. This possession football seems to have a point to it now but I think a lot of upturn in performances and results come down to a few simple things. More pressing intensity higher up the pitch. Everything not always going through Diaz. Another being not having Tyler Morton in the side, I've not been a fan since very early on in the season, Buckley is simply the player he wants to be but isn't. Hopefully the manager doesn't tinker with this too much, there's a nice balance to the team. Hyam and Carter are the best centre halves we have (love watching them both), leave them be. The full backs are well balanced. Thomas and Dolan give us outlets on both sides of the pitch. If anything I would use Diaz as a centre forward when need be. This season has been a puzzler but I've been proud to watch them recently and it's been a long time since I've felt like that. All that said, trying to keep my feet on the ground, the league is tight but you must enjoy the highs when you get them. On another note. It's nice to see Tony doing his post January Mowbray meltdown on someone else's time. I'm sure sourpuss will have his excuses instead of getting the best out of what he has. Take each game as it comes, let's beat Stoke. COYB

I was told yesterday at 7.30pm that it was done... From a solid source.

That's usually no problem for apes.

Some of you need to learn.... You don't question THE BOSS.

I'm amazed at some of the comments tbh, I think some need a reality check. It wasn't a terrible performance, it should have been won within 65 mins but didn't take chances. I know folk don't like us giving up possession, neither do I but for a large portion of the game we were the better side and ground out a win. Are people forgetting how Dyche got that lot promoted? Tight wins and many games that didn't deserve to be won but won. Fergie often hung on to countless points with lacklustre performances. This league is an absolute grind and we should be encouraged that the lads can grind out results. Every fan believes their players are capable of more and better performances but I've had enough of managers talking about philosophy and then not delivering performances or consistent results. Of course, if we lose its only natural that we pick apart what is wrong. All that said... Performance?... We're 2nd in the league. Who gives a f*ck?

A point I'd forgot to mention that I was impressed with... I'm sure I saw Remy Reynierse as the boys were walking in at half time talking to Wharton and Morton on the pitch before they went in... Talking passionately about positioning and angles, like a very in depth discussion. Stuff like this is so good to see. The proactiveness and enthusiasm for the game. We give JDT the plaudits but it's also apparently this guy who's masterful at tactics and shape.

It's a very international style of play he's implemented, the sort of football you don't often see in league football, played at a different pace which teams really can't seem to work out. Done with calmness and a pass always available, the only thing that invites pressure in games is when someone recieving the pass doesn't look after it. We must be such a frustrating team to play against. The centre halves are better than most in this league and the movement of Wharton and Morton makes their jobs even easier. I'm excited, confused, nervous, intrigued and sometimes frustrated all at the same time under JDT. As opposed to pure frustration under the Mowbray. At least there's a method, style of play... A plan ffs. They really came through signing Hyam for 1.5 million. It's seemingly Adam Armstrong levels of a bargain and makes Lenihan look like he was wearing clown shoes. Fair play for Greg Broughton for not pursuing him and replacing him with a clear level quality higher. Love watching the guy play, a proper centre half. God bless JDT.

We're a very wierd side to watch. So many teams come to Ewood and wonder how they're all of a sudden 1 or 2 down. I've been trying to work out how we are top of the league. We seem to lure teams into a false sense of security, thinking we're there for the taking and then pick them apart with random moments of high quality football. Hedges stepping into midfield when we build in possession must really difficult to deal with, it's quite mad seeing him almost score at the complete opposite side of the pitch when his position is RWB. We rode our look today and have TK to thank. We can't sustain this amount of pressure and still pick up points like we currently are.... Although Indo remember saying something similar about B*rnley when they were promoted.

Can't say I rate Sammie based on the majority of appearances I've seen so far and often fails to retain possession in key areas of the pitch. He had a decent game against Sunderland, some good things and didn't look out of place. Hopefully he can keep those standards up. I want him to do well as he seems like a good honest character, just hope he can back it up with ability which is in question for me at the moment.

Not been on here for a while so I'm not sure what the feeling is over Dack but for me, based on what I saw against Bristol City... He's miles off the first 11, it was genuinely like playing with 10 men. As unfortunate as it is for him and us that he's had those injuries let's not be too sentimental, if you're good enough and fit enough... You play. The manager without any sentiment (unlike Mowbray) obviously doesn't feel that he is. Tricky game this one but they were one of the worst sides I'd seen at Ewood last season. I'd like to see us control this one a little better than Boro and Sunderland but 3 points is my only concern. Rovers 2-1.

Travis and Morton have been absolute sh*te

Absolute garbage 2nd half from us. Nothing in centre midfield.

Getting bullied off us this lot and they're not liking it either. Lot of cross field long balls trying to target Carter but hasn't worked. Solid so far, should be 1 up, they've created nothing. Would still take a point but there is 3 points for us here if they try and press us too much. They're desperate for for home win, we can hurt them on the counter. Nothing much else to say, except we need to get Dolan in the game, been a quiet half from him.

What a night, thoroughly enjoyed it. Everyone could have been MoM, Carter, Ayala, Hyam, Wharton, Trav, Dolan and Hedges were all excellent. If we would have had that team out against Bristol we would have won. Dolan was night and day from what Dack gave us and I really fear for how he gets back in this team, we need people to run and chase down. It really annoys me how people give Dolan so much grief and overlook how he's only 20. Yes he needs to work on his end product but 2 games, 2 assists, 1 goal. Was unlucky in the first half with a good effort aswell. Really pleased for Ryan Hedges, it was a goal he deserved after so much hard work. My biggest concern is that he never looks a goal threat but a decent effort and a goal tonight is exactly what I want from him. This formation really suits us and it was good to see JDT constantly giving information to the players and passing notes onto the pitch. It's clear Daniel Ayala is his voice on the pitch, orchestrating exactly what the manager wants, without him we're much worse off. He's an outstanding defender.

Played for JDT at Malmo, scored quite a few including 2 against Rangers to beat them at Ibrox to qualify for Champs league... That's where he is now, banging them in. It was inevitable we'd be interested but we offered loan view to buy, they offered the straight cash and Rangers just finished runners up in Europa League so it was an easy sell for them. Shame for us.

As much as I'd have like Dembele here, there is no guarantee he would have definitely improved our first 11. So although I'm dissappinted we won't get to see what he could've done in a Rovers shirt I'm not gutted. On top of that, he ended up being dropped at Bournemouth for innafective and anonymous performances. His career could likely end up petering out in Turkey or Greece without a whimper. The ones we made moves for but missed out on that would have 100% improved us happened earlier in the window... Ahmedhodzic and Colak. If we're going to be dissappinted about what we didn't bring in then those are the ones in my opinion, clearly way above championship level and no doubt JDT's first choices. What's made me laugh a little bit is when we signed Hirst, Greg has openly stated that he was our first attacking forward option but from what I heard we bid for Colak way before him. It's a fairly decent window considering what we lost but no one can say if it's been a success until we see how they perform. My biggest concern is Szmodics, he just doesn't look the standard of player that can improve us in any way from what I've seen so far. Perhaps my opinion has been based on difficult circumstances of losing key players, hopefully he proves me wrong. Looking at it positively... Hyam looks encouraging and I could foresee Mola taking the left back spot from Pickering considering his apparent height and pace. Hopefully Hirst gives us a new cutting edge in the final third and some new ideas.

Wouldn't worry. Way to late.

Decent goal here, if he's half as good as Lamptey I'll be over the moon.

I think our idea of experience is different in the eyes of our new set up. Even if you're only 21,22,23 with plenty of games behind you then you're considered experienced enough, much like it is in the Eredivisie and Bundesliga.

Usually I would be but JDT said 2 confidently last night so I'm taking him at his word

Did Carter play DM at Portsmouth at any point? I know he played centre half and right back. Feel he could offer some real grit there if needed.

He just said he wasn't aware.

You need to elaborate else comments like that will just p*ss folk off.

Personally feel like everyone needs to be chipping in. As much as Hedges has improved, I'd like to see more goal threat from him. Same for Dolan and Markanday when they get opportunities.