What we need is some tough but quality meat in midfield. Not easily chewed and spat out. 

15 hours ago, Ianrally said:

Days of my arse! Good job they never worked down’t pit. Footballers wouldn’t know what a hard days eoyy to k was if it hit them in the face.

I assume you are speaking from experience! 
 

Criticising footballers because they earn a good living from their profession is a tad unfair. They and their families invest lots of time and effort to get where they are and the money they get reflects the value clubs put on them. 

A lot of disappointment in December with just the 3 points gained and dumped out of the League Cup.

Dare we hope that a New Year starts with a change in fortunes. All winnable matches in January against teams in the bottom 6 starting tomorrow! 
 

6 hours ago, Theaxe15 said:

Certainly not defending JDT too much. We’ve mostly won games by accident it feels. Guess there’s two ways of looking at it, either that’s a really good thing for a team who SHOULD improve more and more with new additions and time with a new system in general or the style of play just isn’t very good and we’ve been extremely fortunate to accrue the points we have now. I’m still not sure which side of that I go along with 

That’s the funniest comment I’ve ever seen on this board.

Didn’t see the sending off incident at the match but now watched it. McGrew actually gives Buckley a sly nudge in the back and Buckley retaliates by tossing the ball at McGrew’s head. Hardly violent conduct as there was never any intention or possibility of McGrew being hurt.

I would also question the right of the 4th official to draw the matter to the referee’s attention. Is this what the 4th official is there for (as a sort of VAR)?

It would be criminal to let Buckley go. 
He may not be having a good season but the blame for that is the manager’s.

3rd or 23rd means nothing if we aren’t performing to standard. 

The performances and results recently have generally been dire with opposition managers working us out quite easily (Norwich’s ex-manager being the exception).

There is clearly something not working and the manager needs to put it right quickly or 3rd will soon be a distant memory
 

From the games I have seen we are never sure what kind of team is going to turn up and considering that we have lost so many games this inconsistency is not going to reassure the fans despite beating Norwich the other week.
 

Most teams in this league are beatable if we perform but there have been very few games where we have won convincingly. Boro will be one of those games where maybe we can nick a goal and hopefully not concede. 

11 hours ago, Mike E said:

I will if you can find someone to look after my two under two. Don't be so judgemental.

Just trying to drum up a bit of interest as its not on TV (although it is apparently on foreign channels). Not trying to be judgmental at all Mike. 

No. Get down to Ewood 

We’ve done pretty well in this competition and the team deserve to be given a chance to redeem themselves after some shocking performances in the league. A good result could get us back on track.

I suspect JDT is already planning to sell Brereton in January. Why would he take him off at 2-1? Dack too will be gone I guess. 

Improving the group by taking unnecessary risks? 

Other managers have latched onto this and are reaping the rewards while our players flounder with the new style. 

Can see JDT walking. Surely he can see that he doesn’t have the players or the resources to implement his “project”

Now would be a good time as he can say he left us in 3rd spot.

The crowd showed their displeasure at the performance, the manager and his tactics by leaving the ground at 4-1. 
 

This manager’s days are numbered unless he can pull a rabbit out of the hat.
 

Very very poor and not for the first time this season

2 hours ago, arbitro said:

I firmly expect the longer periods of added time we are seeing to percolate down to our domestic football soon. In truth though I always think when we are seeing inordinate additional time (when there haven't been any obvious long stoppages) it's usually a failing on the referees part who hasn't managed restarts correctly. In this World Cup there has been little of the restart delays we see here. I find it infuriating when players kick the ball away after a free kick concession or standing on the ball to prevent a quick free kick.

It’s only a matter of time before we have a system similar to rugby where the clock stops when the ball is not in play. Not scientific but I bet you wouldn't need to set it at more than 70 minutes to get a 90 minute match. 

All credit to Burnley (hate to say it). 

Looked fitter, faster, more up for it and have a manager who knew exactly how to beat us.

We lost the match before the start with strange selections by a manager who is expecting too much from average players.

1 hour ago, Sparks Rover said:

Sky Red Button if not in RTV

1 hour ago, lraC said:

It is on Rovers TV and the red button too.

*** LJs LiveOnSat Football / Soccer Schedules on TV

Thanks guys

Apologies if already discussed but is the game on Rovers TV? 

If there has been a bust up between Dack and JDT then both should be man enough to try to resolve their differences. 
 

We all know what Dack can do, maybe he can no longer play 90 minutes but hell he’s always going to be a threat on goal. 
 

Has a similar situation developed with Markanday? He doesn’t seem to be anywhere near the first team despite being a promising youngster.

Maybe its just a change of manager and has lost some confidence feeling that he is under pressure to perform. We know he has talent so JDT should be getting the best out of him. 

Buckley is a big concern. If JDT doesn't fancy him I can understand but we can’t afford to keep such a talented player in the U21’s

3 minutes ago, all you need is duff said:

I thought the 5-3-2 formation suited us well today. I would like to see it more often. The only issue I had was that JDT didn’t really pick the right bench to make changes and stick with that formation. I thought Buckley and Hirst would have been better subs than Dolan and Szmodics for more like for like changes. Quality result though! 

Dolan and Szmodics were superb subs today and really put shifts in to keep Boro at bay

You happy with tippy tapping football in our own area? Failure to find our own men with a pass? Lack of any apparent leadership on the pitch? 
 

I’m not