den

Every now and again when I meet a northender, I usually Show a few sympathies with them that they’re the only club around here that’s never made it into the Premier. I remind them that even Blackpool made it there.

He been perfect for us Matty and really should now just be a backup - but his performances don’t allow that. It might be a bit of an overstatement here, but the teams much improved performances coincided with his arrival at Ewood. I rate the guy very highly. He knows how the game should be played and I’m sure that rubs off on everyone else.

Like.

Sorry Mike, shifting any blame onto Mulgrew for the position of the wall doesn’t really stand up. Raya is responsible for the position of the wall because only he can line it up properly. The ref wouldn’t have allowed the free kick to be taken until Raya was ready. I’d bet my bottom dollar the keeper and defence will work on the positioning of the wall in training over the next few days. Yes, it was a great strike, but it was preventable that’s the point. Other than that, I can only say this current rovers side should be very capable of competing in this league against any club. I doubt any side will relish coming here.

Thought it was a free kick for their goal. Raya must take the blame for the goal though. If you’re going to cover one side of the goal with a wall, it has to be positioned wide enough to stop the free kick from going around the blind side - and it wasn’t. Decent game though. Both sides played quite well but rovers will be the most disappointed of the two. Seen nothing from Brereton so far. Not sure what he’s about to be honest.

Poor do Matty. Big questions need asking about the whole management/coaching/playing staff. Surely we can do better than this, or does it not matter in the big scheme of things? Regular fans deserve proper answers and to see a whole new approach from the club. It appears they don’t have the real drive or ambition.

Do you still go to cricket Al?

Yes Jim, if Ali’s going to bat three, we are in trouble. going back to Cook, I think I heard that from the four batsmen above him in the table of most ever test runs, none of them were openers - which I’d say is by far the hardest position to play. Makes his achievement unsurpassed in the history of cricket.

Take a long, long bow Alistair.. Fantastic.

That was pretty poor stuff. Once Spain levelled and fell into their passing game, we showed the deficiencies that have been there for a long, long time. We couldn’t react to it, we couldn’t offer anything other than the slow build up from the back followed by apparently hoping that what was failing might attacking wise, might miraculously click into place. It wasnt unseen how Spain would play, but you would think we didn’t know it. What’s the answer? Search me.

We might have em following on?

You see a problem with that Booth? Isn’t that the general idea?

It might have changed now, but not very long back sky were very willing to negotiate their prices. Lots of people have benefitted financially from that including me.

Yes and that’s why I’ve said he’ll get his chance in the PL. That stops short of saying he’ll do well in that league because he doesn’t have real pace..

Agreed Stuart. His real strength is his physical strength. He gives defenders a bit of their own and he surprises them by how difficult he is to get off the ball. Plenty of technically good footballers around, not too many with the technique and strength, particularly in the lower leagues.

Roy Keane?

Another failure by Jennings. I haven’t seen anything yet that suggests that he can be England’s regular opening batsman - however much I’d like to.

Old Trafford looks disjointed. Has it really been planned that way? Don’t like it at all TBH.

Apologies for posting a Burnley video.

Interesting thread Stuart.

Anyway, this rovers team do impress me. They are positive (from the games I’ve seen), they work tremendously hard, they have good balance and the team spirit seems to be excellent. Rovers just don’t give teams time on the ball. And there’s Dack who is going to get his chance in the PL pretty soon. If Mowbray can add two or three quality players we could exceed expectations IMO.

Just have. ?

The reason we are a better team now is because we haven’t got Rhodes or Gestede. We now have 11 players all running, chasing, putting the opposition under pressure then breaking quickly. Dack and Graham make this side tick. Rhodes and Gestede held us back. Dack and Graham, or Rhodes and Gestede? I know which works better for the team.

From BBC on Jimmy..... “He now has 553 Test wickets and is just 10 behind Australian Glenn McGrath's record for the most wickets taken by a seamer in Test cricket.” So Jimmy is just 11 wickets away from becoming the highest wicket taker in test cricket by a fast bowler, EVER. That will really be something for him to be proud of. You can do no more than that. Well done James.