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.

Looks like a loan for Dembele is most likely, with an option no doubt. From Bournemouth Echo.

Bursting at the seems with pride. For the first time in a long time, I think Jack would look on proud. Seeing lads from his town performing that way for his club. Well done Adam.

This.

I know, that's why you risk little money and take advantage of the economical benefits or signing players in the last year of their contract... As someone said, I don't know what's difficult to understand.

It's easy to understand but seemingly what you're failing to understand is that everyone's view of what a good deal looks like is subjective. We're agreeing in principle to spend 5 million on a lad who was about to be out of contract, deals for players in that situation are usually done for pittance and you get the high upside if he smashes it. That's smart business. On top of that, there was seemingly not much of a queue of championship clubs queuing up either so we should of seemingly been in the driving seat with regards to the negotiations. People are discussing this like there's no risk, the risk is he has a decent season for us, we risk 5 million then flops for us the following season and he's Gallagher MK2.

5 mill (apparently) deal for a player who's had one good season at Portsmouth is a poor deal for us IMO. Considering he was in last year of his contract, looks like we've been bullied. Should be talking a few mill, tops.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/20849953.blackburn-rovers-close-signing-leicester-citys-george-hirst/ Hirst close to signing.

https://www.footballinsider247.com/leicester-city-star-hirst-undergoes-blackburn-rovers-medical-sources/ Hirst had a medical today? This been discussed?

https://the72.co.uk/2022/08/30/blackburn-rovers-plotting-ambitious-swoop-for-qpr-man-report-claims/ One of the worst players I've seen at Ewood for some time. Praying it's b*llocks.

This is absolutely disgraceful and Tomasson has to take a lot of blame for trying to do this absolute nonsense build from the back nothing possession football without any variation in the play. The players aren't good enough to play this way, it's arrogant and it leaves us chasing the game every match. Their goal we had 10 men on the edge of our own box with Brereton the only man in their half because we couldn't get out. I don't even know where Dack is supposed to be playing. It's not working and it's too easy for other teams. Buckley has been absolutely woeful. If he carries on with this total b*llocks then he'll not last long. Big changes needed at half time.

Done.

Forgot to drop this in here as its somewhat relative to today's game and didn't know to post it here or as it's own thread.

A genius footballer capable of playing much much higher than what he did. Although he maintains I was better, I'm not so sure 😂. Very different types of player to be honest. For some perspective, I've watched him play in centre midfield for Rovers veterans alongside Garner, Metcalfe, Keeley, Hendry and he was best player on the pitch. He and Stuart Metcalfe were good friends, hence why he played and indication of how high he should of played.

Last year my dad was diagnosed with Leukemia, he's as big a Rovers fan as you can meet. Long season ticket holder, been everywhere across the country, across Europe, was at Wembley for our promotion, at Anfield when we won the title, at Deepdale for promotion, at Cardiff for the league cup, at Doncaster aswell. Of course he's missed going to Ewood, especially with my 5 year old son who's started going regularly. Today he'll come back as the club have kindly put us in a box to watch today's game together at no added expense. This obviously keeps the risk down as we will be isolated from the crowds. I could have put this in the match thread but I wanted the club and those involved to get the credit it/they deserve for going out of their way to accommodate my dad and get him back to Ewood where he belongs. The main person to organise this was a lady called Christine, so special thanks to her. This is what football clubs are about, this what being a supporter is about. Hopefully they can pull out a good performance and result as the icing on the cake. Been a tough year but unimaginably tougher for him, things are looking promising and days like today are ones to savour and enjoy to the utmost. So... THANK YOU Rovers.