Uddersfelt Blue

Having done the preview for the home game against Town I thought I may as well do the return one, which is effectively a home fixture for me and the small, but loyal group of Rovers fans living in the Kirklees council district. The home fixture produced a 2-2 draw with both teams having mixed fortunes since, Town just escaping the relegation zone and Rovers brushing off a poor October to begin an unbeaten run that sees us on the brink of the play-offs. Rovers are sure to have a good following and with Town having a significant number of season ticket holders, the game should be almost sold out. Town are still finding life tough in the Championship but the signs are that they have enough quality to consolidate in the division. There’s no doubt this game will be a tough one for Rovers particularly without Bradley Dack, who isn’t likely to feature again for Rovers until the end of next year. Whether Rovers jump into the transfer market to replace him remains to be seen, but in the meantime it gives other Rovers players an opportunity. With Town hanging on at the end to beat Forest in their last home game and apparently having chances to get a result at Boro on Boxing Day it will be interesting to see if Rovers can maintain their recent unbeaten run.

If the injury is as bad as we fear then no doubt that this is a serious blow to our chances of pushing for promotion. However it gives those who replace him the opportunity to shine. Ironically, before the injury Rothwell had been poor but afterwards he sprang to life as if suddenly realising that more would be expected of him.

First memory - sitting on a bench over the Riverside wall watching us lose 2-0 to West Brom (1963/64). I was hooked from then on. Favourite memory - Coming back from 2-0 down to beat Plymouth at home (15th Feb 1975)

Rothwell didn’t have a great game at Stoke but doesn’t deserve dropping on the basis of that if fit.

Looks like the Barnsley game was the watershed. The manager and players have reacted positively and with determination. The defensive side has definitely improved in the last two games but that’s because the team is set up correctly

Not quite sure why Mowbray feels he is under massive pressure from the fans as I’ve not heard much criticism (admittedly the Riverside mob are generally quite a tolerant bunch, when they’re awake) If Mowbray feels the heat it is because he isn’t delivering results consistently and the team lacks resilience. That is his and his team’s responsibility. Surely as a football fan himself he must understand our frustration. Whether he walks or is sacked really doesn’t matter but I do fear that Venkys won’t replace him with someone much better. Personally I feel that Saturdays match was a watershed and it will go one way or the other. If we can improve on the defensive side and carry on scoring then who knows? The next few games will be telling.

As my friend suggested yesterday, maybe it’s time to put Lenihan back into midfield. When Williams is fit again of course.

When Cunningham gets back? It will be too late as he's likely to be out for the season! If Mowbray is going nowhere then at least he should concede that whatever is happening on (or off) the pitch is not working and take steps to remedy them. We are where we are at least until the transfer window so have to make the best of what we have.

Worked well so far then!

Well seeing as no one has started a topic about our next home game I thought I may as well give it a go (although after watching our capitulation last Saturday at QPR I can’t say I’m too enthusiastic). Living a few miles away from the John Smith’s stadium means I keep a close eye on what’s going on there and up to the last couple of weeks have been pretty pleased with their results. A bit of karma after fielding a weakened team at Birmingham in our relegation season? Well maybe not! Just a bit of a coincidence here, back in the 70’s I broke my leg playing at Brockhall, a good few years before Rovers began training there. Last month, my son broke his leg playing at Leeds Rd, just yards from where Huddersfield now train. A good following from Huddersfield expected but I note we’ve only given them 2000 seats in the upper tier. I suspect they will fill that, and more, judging by the interest around here. I still can’t understand why we stick the away fans in the upper tier? It hardly adds to the atmosphere. Town seem to have staved off an immediate drop straight through into League 1 by ditching Jan Siewert and appointing the Cowley brothers from Lincoln. A couple of decent results have kickstarted their season and they will be looking to capitalise on those at Ewood. I can’t say I know much about their current squad but they have retained a few from their time in the Premier League, although Aaron Mooy left on loan to Brighton just after signing a 3 year deal on the basis he wanted Premier League football but isn’t even a regular in the Brighton team (very strange). It will be a tough game against a resurgent Town who shouldn’t be taken lightly.

I’m on the 9-15 from Brighouse!

Whilst I would love to see him back in the team I can't see Chapman starting tomorrow or even on the bench. His performance for the U23's yesterday was poor and marred by a number of cynical fouls by the Derby defence which left him bruised and battered (not sure what he had done or said to deserve that kind of treatment, one tackle in particular was an obvious foul that went unpunished). Not sure where Chapman's career at Rovers is going! Having said that I thought Nyambe had a really good game for the U23's and deserves to be back in the first team.

Gallagher needs to have the ball played in front of him from behind the defence. The constant crossing by Bennett and Downing from the front edge of the area gave the defenders an advantage as the ball was in front of them and usually over Gallagher's head. We do need players who can cause defenders problems on the ground with their trickery and interplay. I believe Holtby is one but we need Dack to show more in the area, not picking up the ball in our half. Maybe Chapman is worth trying too.

What a load of rubbish from Mowbray! He sends out a team that contains no one who can get around the back of the defence or plays players who have to turn back in to get the ball across. Chapman must be given a chance but I’m pretty sure he won’t. Armstrong will continue to be ineffective on the left, scoring the odd worldly goal but contributing little else. Bennett seems to be playing full back and winger. FFS he isn’t Trent Alexander Arnold. Until we play a settled side with players in their correct positions we will only be an average team.

Nuttall? Don't you mean Rothwell?

My Spurs supporting mate just sent me this text: "I thought he was great when he played for us". Also said they had a song about him to the tune of "Just can't get enough" https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=lewis+holtby+song&&view=detail&mid=DF812A246EAA0D2AEC5FDF812A246EAA0D2AEC5F&rvsmid=73C284CADE046295EF2273C284CADE046295EF22&FORM=VDQVAP

Thought we competed better and had more possession when Buckley came on. Early days for him but there is a player there

Taught me maths at SMC. Remember him blowing bubbles in class.

Interesting debate. Clearly drinks and food in or around the ground are going to be more expensive. They always have been and not much different to most football grounds. What I object to is the club increasing prices under the guise of improvements to service, digitalisation or whatever. Changing suppliers also doesn’t always mean better, probably just lower costs and more profit. My son and I occasionally buy a pie but have stopped doing so after an increase of almost 20% in price. I’m pretty sure they were £3 last season and £3-60 this. Still overpriced when you can get the same in Leavers for under £2. Whether £4+ is good value for a pint of Fosters is a matter of opinion!!! If fans want to overpay as part of their match experience then that’s fine and the club benefits, but it’s still individual choice.

Mulgrew may not have been our best defender but I don’t believe any fan should question his commitment to the Club. if he has gone then it’s clear that it is on the basis that he doesn’t want to be just a squad player. Nothing wrong with that. If Wigan are paying a chunk of his wage then it frees up money for his replacement. Only time will tell if we are better without Mulgrew or not but I for one will miss his superb free kicks.

Agree. Let’s wait and see what the starting line-up is come August. It would be great to sign a Premiership quality defender and a striker but we probably all know that’s pretty unlikely.

Really? We’ve lost a few matches so the witch-hunt starts. Unbelievable!

Of course Mowbray’s under pressure, he has been all season. Doesn’t that come with the job? Whatever we, as fans, feel about Mowbray it shouldn’t detract from the fact that he is solely responsible for the players he selects, the tactics, formations and ultimately results. Up to the end of January most of us were reasonably happy with the way things were going (barring the Preston, Wigan and Leeds away fiascos). However our position then was just masking some of the issues that we knew needed to be addressed in the summer and winter transfer windows. This has now comeback to severely bite us in the bum and whatever Mowbray tries, to sort this out, is not working. We don’t know what constraints Mowbray is working under but if he chose not to strengthen the defence then he must accept responsibility. Same for strikers, if we buy someone who is not up to the task yet then it’s the managers fault. Lets hope we can get back to winning ways or his popularity will quickly dwindle amongst those who are still supportive.

I’ll be there. Fairly short trip for me so no problem. As for the game, we need to make sure we don’t get dragged into a relegation scrap so no relaxing or experimenting with young players at this stage. Rotherham always tough to beat at home but if we are up for it then we should get at least a draw. If not then I can only see a home win.

No one can take away our memories of winning the Premier League, League Cup, UEFA Cup participation etc. Regardless of how, why, where and when it was achieved. But you’re right, we cant dwell too long on the past and we must look forward to future seasons which hopefully will see us competing for promotion from the Championship and potentially in the the Premier League. Not got a problem with PNE doing well, very pleased for you, but a few games in one season does not make you the best team in the League regardless of how you extrapolate the points.