den

Better second half showing by quite a bit. I guess a point is decent enough, but the game was there to be won. Desperately short up front.

Jeez. WBA are short of confidence and so poor but rovers seem so intent on doing our bit for them.

😂yeah probably.

On a very similar but happier theme, when my daughter was getting married and her and future husband were looking for a song for the first wedding dance, my wife chimed in with “I’ve always liked with or without you”. Bloomin’ with or without you on your wedding day. 😂

The effort and sheer work rate of the players in the second half tonight was absolutely tremendous. We have to say that. The weakness though - and it’s a huge weakness, is that there’s a big gaping hole where a centre forward should be. So while we run at them and get players out wide, their centre halves just aren’t tested. They really aren’t put under pressure. All our play is in areas that don’t hurt the opposition. Mowbray somehow has to address that otherwise the season is going to end under a depression.

Forest will be buzzing and no doubt fly at us from the off. Its absolutely imperative that we’re ready for this and don’t allow them to dictate from the off. As ever with Rovers, first goal matters.

Interesting article Gav. A new start, a new era, a different way of thinking. It’s the kind of approach needed for sure. Like the article says this tour has a nothingness about it. It’s neither a backwards move in selection, nor a forward move. It does feel like English cricket is in limbo, waiting for the saviour to arrive. however, to get success you must have some of the best players in the world. They’re not there, are they?

Brereton might have won us that game, if he’d started Arbitro. Start of game the Swans we’re all over the place defensively and he could have taken advantage of the room they afforded us. Once they got in front and went down to ten, the game didn’t suit Breo at all.

I think Dack will be looking at next season to be up to full speed alcd.

Frustrating as hell. Real lack of quality. Lack of any kind of idea as to how to break a defence down. Lack of a true striker who would surely have got the run on the defence to Giles’ near post early crosses. To be honest, not too many positives today. Our Achilles heel is what it’s been for a while now, - once we go behind we struggle and our deficiencies come to the forefront. At the top of the league, defeats kill you. Watched cricket, rugby and rovers today. They all lost. Sport sucks.

Travis this morning 🙈

Players are in full control nowadays 47er, you know that. im with you with the frustration of thinking how could anyone think of Bournemouth being a step up though. That’s a bummer.

Tyrone mentioned Pickering and I pointed out the difference was at that time that he couldn’t walk away in 6 months time. I doubt Mowbray has persuaded the owners of anything other than he doesn’t want Rothwell around the squad. I’m guessing that’s probably all there is to it. If he can find somebody probably on loan at this stage, then fair enough. Im not in favour of Selling him Rev, but hey ho, that’s modern football. Player power rules.

If you’re looking for someone to blame for this, I have somebody. Jean Marc Bosman. Before he got involved we could have put Rothwell into the reserves, made him train with the kids for the rest of his career, or until he straightened his head out.🙂

You’re right Jim, but it’s obvious Mowbray believed his mind was elsewhere. I honestly believe that in this situation he had no other option. You do as well, don’t you. If Rothwells mind was still here he’d have been at Luton yesterday

Not really Tyrone. Pickering wasn’t in a position to walk away on a free transfer in 6 months time.

Don’t be silly Rev, it’s just a discussion. Simple question for you. If you were TM and you weren’t convinced that Rothwells heart was 100% at Ewood - what would you do?

I think the fact that he was left at home and this has been put in front of the fans suggests the idea that he’s fine about staying until the end of the season is wrong. It also suggests that the club chasing him haven’t said they’re prepared to wait either. Not that they would in all likelihood. but no, I’m guessing like the rest of us. The pointers I see tell me he’ll leave. They tell me we should let him go as long as there’s good money involved but as 1864 says, I doubt it is as much as some have suggested. As always, it’s loaded in the players favour.

There’s only one person in control of this situation Rev. The player. There’s nothing in it for rovers.

Why?

but you don’t know how he’ll react Glen. It’s obvious to me that Rothwell is adamant he wants to go and that’s already causing problems for Mowbray.

I think my point is that Mowbray has to work out what he’ll get from Rothwell on the pitch if he blocks his move. Only Mowbray is in a position to know that. He’s been talking to Rothwell for a while. Mowbray has to work out if Rothwell’s heart is in it. Yesterday He left him at home. If the two of them had discussed this and Rothwell had indicated that he was happy to wait until the end of the season we wouldn’t know about this.

Mowbray has to work out what Rothwells reaction would be if they denied him his move. Who knows what it would be?

Question for everybody. You are Tony Mowbray. TM - the owners tell me they don’t want to sell you at this point Joe. If we keep you for now, will you put 100% into games. JR - I can’t guarantee that boss. What are you going to do?

Anyone who’s ever read anything about football from me knows I’ve always argued that rovers should do everything they could to keep their best players. There’s only one direction you’re heading if you do that and history has shown how it works out. In this case though, I’d take the money and let him go. He’s a decent player, at times a game winner, but certainly not one of the best ever to leave rovers. Joe is replaceable. Maybe not between now and the end of the season probably but I would still let him go. We can cope without. To refuse good money now would be silly IMO.