Is Gallagher the new Jason Roberts?

Butterworth looks a yard short on pace compared to earlier in the season.

Yes, definitely can't sit deep for that long. All XI in our half. Without Khadra I really worry about how we will get out.

Great finish to be fair.

Lol - Gallagher scores.

Not really many options tbh. Need the outball so hard to see Gallagher coming off. Maybe Daveport on for Johnson for the energy, but the balls been in the air a lot and Johnson's height is needed. Hmmm. I guess Khadra and Gallagher are not 100% so could come off, but then again I worry when they do we get overrun like we did against Hull. Not looking good. Needed to score when we were well on top.

We should be leaving Khadra up straight through the middle. Acres of room behind them.

Gallaghers been frustrating but you can see if he's taken off for Butterworth Boro would be much more comfortable. Gallaghers effectiveness is more about what the opposition worry about what he will do than what he actually does. They're always dropping off him and they just won't do that with Butterworth. If we get a goal it will be Buckley finding Khadra through or a set piece

Think he's been better than recent games for me. That said obvious weak point. Sure Edun will feature quite extensively in the Wilder team talk. If I was wilder I'd tell the team to sit back and just ping it wide right to Jones all half. Don't think it's his style though so hopefully theyll keep passing it around and letting us break.

This match is pretty much why I'm confident on us making playoffs, we haven't been fabulous but solid, yet the oppo generate so few chances and we make a lot. It's been the same every game since Fulham, even Hull last week (until the subs ruined the formation and everything went to sh*t). New just need to make something of the opportunities we create. Should have got at least one from this half.

This is just about the perfect first 30 mins, goal excepted. We've been defensively superb and created a lot of chances. It's so different from previous years.

Buckley showing why he can do the Rothwell role.

Boro seem to be playing right into our hands. Surely just time till Khadra is through?

Looks like Buckley is pushed up when we press but then drops in. Gallagher on the left where he looks better than right imo. Would still prefer him central.

Agree - hopefully we will be defensively solid but going forward it's going to be all about Buckley and Khadra. Will be interesting whether we play 343 or 352. Sky reckon 343.

Genuinely lol'd

Would have had Davenport in there way ahead of Johnson

6ft 1 winger - just the way Tony likes em! Anyone got a view on whether a good signing or not?

Not so much hold up play but if Gallaghers central in a two at least when it bounces off him there should be some of our players near to him to benefit from it. Also he can just run at them and batter his way through Jason Roberts style. On the right wing the ball bounces off him out of play as often as not, or if he does control it as soon as he tries to pass it he loses it. Most mysterious player continuing player selection in all my time watching Rovers. If we play Buckley false 9 and Gallagher wide right tonight I will be sorely tempted just to turn the TV back off.

Surely we would just pull players out of the 23s to populate the bench? Probable squad - Kaminski; Lenihan, Ayala, Wharton; Nyambe, Travis, Buckly, Rothwell, Edun; Gallagher, Khadra Subs : Pears, Van Hecke, JRC, Johnson, Butterworth. So (assuming Zeefuik and Brown are not ready) probs need 2 from the 23s to make the 7 - maybe Garrett and McBride? Or could pull in Chapman?

Khadra and Rothwell have looked like scoring recently. More worried about the wing backs. That's where the game will be won or lost imo.

I don't dispute your point, but Nyambe just seems a very one sided player. I think he would just end up being very easy to turn and get on the outside by the opposition winger. I'm sure we will probably persist with Edun, unless either of the new right backs can cover left back. I would really prioritise signing a left back, we are absolutely desperate. Or failing that maybe just promote a kid to have a go (Cirino?). Emergency promotions like that have turned out pretty well for us in the past - Travis, Wharton, Raya etc. I agree Edun is doing the best he can but he's not a left wing back. To easily beat in the air, drifts out of position and gets caught out for pace and agression in the tackle. We're not getting enough from him offensively or defensively.

Yes - but Nyambe is incredibly right sided. It's hard to visualise him at left full back.

I really really rated him. Big, strong, technically proficient, can lead the line centrally. Everything we don't have . Also very solid goal scoring record (25 in 60 games for Reading). As long as we didn't need to break our financial structure it would make sense to me. But there's the rub - how do we get him for acceptable money? He's now a proven Championship scorer so sure Reading would want £££s. Transfermarkt has him down at around £5m currently, and his contract through to 2023, and there's no real reason to doubt that assessment. And if Reading wanted to keep him they would be after a lot more than £5m to let go. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/lucas-joao/profil/spieler/234787

Reckon it will be the team, the only real decision is whether Buckley is a false 9 or in midfield. Ayala coming back in after Van Hecke was owned by Hulls number 9 is pretty nailed on. Though not sure how much Ayala's less accomplished passing and lack of pace will be.