So disappointing after defending well for so long with 10 men. Then taking the lead only to lose to 2 well worked goals when the defence and midfield had started thinking we could redeem Pickering's sending off. 

This is a decent Hull team but, like Rovers, lack that cutting edge. With 11 men I’m pretty sure we wouldn’t have lost. 

The players worked their socks off and deservedly got a round of applause at the end. With a couple of additions in the right positions we don’t have anything to worry about. 
 

Observations on some players.

Dolan - spent most of his time on the pitch adjusting his hair. He’s not worth a start.

Leonard - we can’t afford to start him every game

Hedges - best game for a while, works hard, just wish he could be a bit cleverer when crossing

Travis - kept the team going against the odds. A good captain’s performance

Szmodics - didn’t feel he should have been subbed. Please don’t ever throw a Rovers shirt to the floor again. 

Gallagher - worth a start. Changed the game

Ennis - doesn’t look fit but did everything that Leonard didn’t. Unlucky not to score

Pickering - what else can I say. Brittain looked like he’s nicked your left back spot

Had a few hours and a couple of drinks to digest the result.

No way we deserved a draw. Until they had a man sent off we were under the cosh. Outfought, outscored and out of it. Ollie Rathbone would walk into our team. Swap him for Travis any day. And I’m not just saying that cuz his dad once bought me a pint! 
 

Why on earth do we spend an age passing (and pissing) around at the back? Trying to make sure everyone gets a touch before we get into their half. Rotherham had us sussed. Get it in the air and most of our team will never see the ball!
 

With the odd exception we were too cautious. Wharton playing like he’d not touched a ball for 6 weeks and too easily dispossessed. Dolan never once got past his defender to get a cross in. Turning back every time, but then he doesn’t have the pace and relies on trickery followed by the easy ball back. 
 

Travis is so frustrating. Yes, he’s not the most technically gifted but he can do a job yet he spends half the match being wound up by the opposition and reacting in a way that stops him doing his job. It’s no coincidence that when he has been subbed we seem to be more effective.

Szmodic, by his own admission had a stinker but he was determined to make up for it. So pleased for him, particularly with his second goal and celebration. 
 

Overall, it’s clear that we need someone on the left, is Siggurdson that man? 
But most of all we need some big guys, who don’t get easily bullied. 
 

A really good listen to a CEO who seems to have a good handle on what it takes to be a successful football club.

As he says, Ipswich are in the enviable position of being a one county club and guaranteed a much bigger income than most in the Championship but as he also says “ it’s not how much money you have, it’s how wisely you spend it”. 

I fear the Championship is going to be extremely competitive this season and we could well end up regretting not really going for it last season. 

Kaminski is without doubt a good keeper but these days its about being a good footballer too. IMO, of the two, Pears is far more comfortable with the ball at his feet and more accurate with his passing and distance kicking. 
 

A good postition to be in to have two good keepers but clearly neither will want to be on the bench for any length of time. 
 

Just back from the game and have to echo everything Arbitro said.

What a fantastic spectacle with both teams and sets of fans fully playing their part. We know how you feel Millwall! 

Kudos to JDT for making the half time changes and for letting Dack and Ayala say their goodbyes to the fans. 

With the right recruitment and management we will be up their again next season. 

On 03/05/2023 at 12:44, Sweaty Gussets said:

Yeah, not a sight you want to see, a few thousand Millwall fans running across the pitch towards you! It's a good they were already champions. 

Anyone off here there that day?

Sure was and will be on Monday.

it’s my birthday the following day so looking for a nice present

We really don’t have any other option but to go full tilt for a win on Tuesday. 

If play offs isn’t enough motivation, the battering we got at the Turd should be.

Make no mistake, the Dingles will be up for it so we have to match them. 

Absolutely gutted after conceding the late equaliser but really impressed with the way that the team are battling. Don’t forget we lost 4-1 to the Nobbers before Xmas. They are a decent team.

We are still in the mix, which is as much as we could have hoped for at the beginning of the season and as someone said, if Adam Wharton had been playing more games, the play offs would be nailed on now. 
 

Tuesday is not a foregone conclusion as evidenced by them losing to QPR, but we need to play 90 minutes as we have in 45 today and recent games. 
 

Someone also needs to ensure that thug Ashley Barnes doesn’t push us around. Oh for Aaron Mokoena.

Regardless of whether we go up or not, we are playing better football albeit with mistakes at times. I’ve been a critic of JDT but with the right players signed in the summer, we are going in the right direction and we’ll be up there sooner than later. 

1 hour ago, bazza said:

Thanks, Broadsword. Heh! I'm 80 today. Hell, I don't feel it. I still feel like an energetic 72 year old.

Happy 70th to you, Sir  🍺 🍻

Happy birthday Barry. And you don’t look 80 if that’s any consolation😁😁😁

Absolutely RTD.

We will of course get behind the team. That’s what Rovers fans do.

Will be hoping for a win against Norwich which is achievable and just down the road from me at the John Smiths stadium. 

Disappointing result but not surprising. The four games played against the Blues this season have generally been quite tight. We are crying out for some muscle and creativity in midfield and someone who can put the ball in the net with his eyes closed.

Watched the Luton/Watford game and really impressed with Luton. They absolutely battered Watford! I wish we had some of their players, particularly up front and in midfield. Even Amari Bell is flourishing. 

Easter is critical, as losses to Norwich and Huddersfield will surely end our play off challenge. On the other hand, a couple of wins will boost it. 

Just back home in Yaarkshite and absolutely thrilled to have witnessed that fantastic performance today. 

i take back everything I have said about JDT not being the right manager for Rovers after some of our poorer performances. The guy obviously knows a lot more about building a successful football team than we realise. 

it’s very hard to single out any player today as they all contributed to a hard fought win but we seem a lot stronger with JRC, Carter, Pears, Dolan and Thomas playing on a regular basis. Long may it continue. 
 

1 hour ago, bazza said:

Anyone except Burnley.

I'll go for Southampton or Fulham.  I think it will be Spurs away.

Or even Grimsby Barry, currently winning at Southampton! 

I heard on the radio that Maddison and Tielemans are carrying injuries so will probably not be risked by Brendan Rogers.

Having said that, with a Premier League squad they will still be quite formidable opposition at home, even if we play our strongest team. Hopefully they will rest a few more players.

Either way JDT should be sensible and use all the squad players available if they are fit. 

Brereton is not going to stay at Rovers. 
 

He knows that he can play at a higher level and alongside better players he will score goals.

Fact is, if he was going to stay he would have signed a new contract sooner. 

4 hours ago, rigger said:

My main priority is that there are no trains/buses that get me home from night matches.

That’s fair enough Rigger. 

if I was relying on public transport outside of immediate Blackburn area, night matches would be a definite no no.

As it is, I’m lucky to be able to drive or get a lift from Huddersfield (45 minutes) so will definitely be there to witness maybe more frustrating football but hopefully not. Two second halves from Saturday will be good. 
 

The big difference in the second half was that we actually showed some desire and aggression which unsettled the Swansea lads who continued to press forward but Rovers equal to them and pressed forward themselves.

Not the best performance but hey, a wins a win. 

Took his goals well and clearly knows where the net is.

Hard to judge in a game like this but can’t be any worse than the other strikers we have currently 

6 minutes ago, Sparks Rover said:

Come on mate...

Do you have anything positive to add mate? I can only comment on what I saw tonight and last night. 

Yes it was definitely a much inferior Huddersfield team but a useful match to give some of our senior players an opportunity to show their quality during 90 minutes of football

Was at the game (literally 10 minutes down the road)

What a difference from the sluggish performance against Wigan. OK against a much inferior team but hey we played really well, slick passing and confident play. 

Dolan was superb and surely a shoe in for Watford. Full of running, trickery, skill and enthusiasm. Interesting to see him wide left and wonder if he will replace Brereton.

Szmodics was particularly bright and even Gallagher showed that he can create and score. A great pass out wide and got on the end of the ball in.

Good to see the management team out in force. 

Morton has to be back for Buckley. He is quality

Quite enjoyed the game and some decent individual performances.

The big difference was that Birmingham seemed to have a much stronger bench, bringing on Hogan, Hannibal, Chang and James who made all the difference in the last 15 minutes. On the other hand, we took off Buckley who was having a decent game, brought on Vale for Gallagher and Szmodics for Dack. 

Another point to note was that their manager and coaching staff were far more vociferous and directive towards their players than ours, with JDT just stood there on the edge of his technical area.Their manager even had a walkie talkie presumably communicating with someone in the stand. Good to see a different approach from a manager instead of just watching the game

I attend regularly despite owners. Yes, I wish we had owners who the fans had some affinity for but unless we get back to the Premier League we are stuck with them. I believe only then will Venkys sell up. 

In the meantime we have a new management team that, like them or not, have done miracles with half a team they inherited. No, I don’t like watching us play around at the back but I have to trust that the manager knows what he is doing.

As for the project, the manager and DOF need to be more transparent about what they are trying to achieve. 
 

Give me Travis any day

We need someone who can kick Rathbone and co off the park but no, we tip tap around like we have all day