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