Talking of cliches –here’s a few tired and tiresome tropes. Why, oh why is reffing so poor in this country and why can’t we have consistency? And an absolute cert on any phone-in is moaning about ‘biased’ refs, ‘cheating’ refs, refs that cost us the game, the league, my marriage, the end of the world…… Perhaps not the right space to raise this but since the notion of bad luck with reffing decisions has arisen, I thought it might be worth it. The first thing that occurs to me is that only the weak blame refs. The next is that, since the quality is so poor according to many, then perhaps some on here should apply for the job. Maybe some ex pros should do it –I wonder why not? But really, why would anyone with any sanity volunteer for the job? At grassroots level, the lifeblood for future refs, psychological and physical intimidation is rife, ranging from aggressive parents threatening to stab refs or sort them out in the car park, kids threatening to destroy changing rooms and screaming coaches. Thousands of UK officials — from grassroots level to top-flight — admitted they regularly experience verbal abuse. In the 2014/15 season, 100 incidents of criminal assault against men in black in the UK were recorded. But many referees say the figures are much higher as the sickening violence goes unreported — out of fear or because officials have lost faith in the ability of county Football Associations to punish offenders quickly. There is plenty of footage out there of referees being kicked, punched and battered on the pitch for nothing more than giving a yellow card. And take any game that you watch live or see on Match of the Day etc. and you can clearly see a variety of abuses. A ball goes out for a throw, a full back doesn’t like the way it’s given –and you can clearly see (or hear if you are pitch side) – “never lino, you f*****g c***, you cheating t**t!.” and that’s just a throw-in and you can clearly see that the full back is clearly wrong, not even close! Ditto, plenty of things to the ref. But of course, it’s just ‘industrial’ language that men use. Bo***cks! :-) Doesn’t happen in rugby, cricket, basketball. Then of course there is the issue I mentioned elsewhere recently. The officials' ability to make decisions at the top tier is exceptional. I suspect they get 90% plus of decisions correct. It’s obvious they are going to get plenty wrong in a fast moving game with a split second to make a decision. But then armchair specialists and teams of ‘experts’ sitting in studios watching every decision in ultra 4K, super slo-mo and from lots of angles make their pronouncements and decide that the officials should be shamed. Cue radio phone-ins for sad individuals to take out their inadequacies on the ‘bas***d in green.’ And the amusing thing is, after all the endless replays, the experts disagree anyway. How many times have you screamed at the ref live or at the TV, only to be shown the replay to see that you were entirely wrong. Or here’s a classic –home fans screaming at an opposing player who is in their opinion feigning injury, only to see the poor sod carried off with something serious. So, refs. If you want infallibility forget it. If you want close to it, then give them the tools –VAR at least (that works and not the nonsense we have at the moment –but that is another issue). Pay them more. Train them more. Give them more respect at all levels. Sin bins. Zero tolerance of backchat. Let’s face it, refs provide a useful social function, a safety valve to vent all that anger, a focal point for all the resentment, bitterness and spleen of a community come Saturday. Hell, give them a medal.

LOL. A rant against the 'obvious' injustice and 'cheating' of a ref and 4 mins later a retraction. Focus on what you can control-better defending, fewer stupid mistakes, more clinical finishing, game management to kill teams off.

Not joking. The gif proves nothing really.

First pen, clear foul by Lenihan. Second pen, trip by Rodwell -no complaints from Rovers players. Evans had a good game, plugging gaps where needed and was missed. Nyambe has a hamstring. Need to start better, defend better and take chances. Would still have taken 13th at this stage of the season.

If you're stupid enough to pull a shirt in the box.....

Poor wall set up. On the free kick given away -if Danny gets his body in the way and is fouled in the same situation, would the Rovers fans be wave play on? More grit and savvy needed to close out a game.

My feeling too Mr E.

Thrown away when we have clearly been better side. Where did 5 mins injury time come from?

Game management -stupid tackle from Reed. Also, Brereton putting in no challenge on right just before.

Game management time. Nervy last 10. Sitting deep not our strength?

Great stuff by Reed and Mulgrew on right, nice flick on by Brereton and deft little touch by Dack. Just as well, Villa were beginning to believe in themselves. eg Lenihan slipping again and being made a fool of by Abraham.

Can’t agree with poor officiating –the usual bleating of home fans. The linesman can’t see Hutton from his side so it’s the only decision he can make. The penalty involved definite contact but the player was already falling –enough to give doubt –could have gone either way. At the speed these officials have to see it, they do pretty well without the hindsight of several TV replays afforded to armchair pundits (and even then you can get differing views on decisions).

Typical Rovers at mo. Dominate first 30, almost predictable that they might get some daft soft goal out of nothing-cue Lenihan slipping/messing about and pen should have been given. Player was falling but Smallwood definitely caught him. Ref evened up after Dack’s ruled out? - (very close offside but Hutton looked to be playing him on.)

Footballers are also human beings who live in a community.

‘Happy’ to survive this season? Yes. That is, I would take it now. ‘Happy ‘–well not exactly – I would be ‘happy’ to get rid of the Venkys, have new sheikh owners who are billionaires and love football/Rovers/Blackburn community and put in millions in players/infrastructure and help us get promoted. Obviously, you aim as high as you can but realistically? Survival followed by consolidation .

1st half slow, bereft of ideas, 2nd best, lucky not to be at least 2 down. We must start better. Millwall reminded me of Wolves last time around –nothing special but strong, organised, quick and competitive. Good enough for us first half. Having said that, we manage to get probably our first decent cross in just before half-time and hit the woodwork. Palmer quality – instant control, 2 feet, turn of pace. Really started to get things moving second half when he came inside and started playing with Dack. Agree that Palmer needs to be careful where he does his stuff and how often –got away with a few in positions that could have been costly. Rothwell, Armstrong look sharp and made effective, energetic (something lacking before) subs. Essentially, we began to knock it around well and dominated for the first half hour of the second half; sadly we didn’t score when we were hot in that period. Game then petered out somewhat. The 2 chances for Graham. First one should definitely have been squared for a simple pass to intelligent run from Dack who would have tapped into empty net. Second one, keeper smothered him really well. And while we are on their keeper, he collected several of our corners well and made a great save from excellent long range Rothwell shot. Game could easily have been 2-2. As it ended, one felt we dropped 2 points. Presumably, clichés will be rolled out, not necessarily unfairly, that 2 draws in a new higher league is ok as we find our feet. Long hard season ahead looking at the line-up in the first half but somewhat encouraged by the second half.

Warnock having a little pop. Can't blame him really. Who was responsible for that great decision? http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/neil-warnocks-cheeky-taunt-relegated-12999097

Predictions? Think I'll outdo Jim. Points. Bristol 3, Wolves 0, Villa 1, Brentford 0. Great turn out and atmosphere on Monday.

Just been listening to 5 live phone-in. Rovers fan on. Oh dear. Passion maybe but didn’t even know where the Venky’s hailed from (he thought it was China) –just the routine clichés. Thank God Ian Wright actually stepped in and knew a little about us –talking about due diligence, all our ills coming from Venky’s etc. Not bad for a pundit –a bit better than the usual stuff (presumably Kells has been talking to him). Ultimately, of course, the media aren’t interested and presumably the FA wish we would disappear.

Everything’s relative but in footballing terms quite an encouraging end to the season. Can’t remember the last home game where we could string passes together intelligently; Gomez and Goodwillie coming short; even back 5 playing triangles. Altogether a much better shape and smarter modus operandi. Kane struggled with touch at times but is ever willing, King was really our only player capable of going past people but tires quickly and pleasing to see that he is trying to get his head up and play it simple but on a couple of occasions maddened the crowd by overdoing it. Morris was weak first half but going forward got better. Their goal was a shame really as we had looked bright and slick at times; a simple knock down and Hanley(Dann?) fell for the dummy and their lad slotted it nicely. Rhodes equaliser class-totally aware of where the oncoming keeper was and lofted it into the net. Game bypassed Gomez and subbed with Pederson who kept it neat and tidy. Goodwillie detractors might need to take a second look –at least at this level. Really did a job given that not in his natural position. Williamson and Jones sat nicely in the shape breaking things up just fine. Each side should have had a pen? As I say, perhaps expectations are low but to see the side work hard to press and get the ball back and then keep the ball for more than 2 passes –no hoofball –was a refreshing change.

It's the only way :-) Oh, alright, take out goodwillie then.

Team picked Sandomierski Kane Dann Hanley Morris Dunn, Jones,Williamson, Markus Olsson Kazim-Richards Rhodes Team should have picked - yes Murphy can do a job there :-) Pity Lowe is injured Sandomierski Kane Dann Hanley Markus Olsson Williamson Murphy Goodwillie Kazim Dunn Jones Rhodes