joey_big_nose

Really feels like weve made the wrong subs here. TGH at right back is not physically able to do that job, Tavares just adds mistakes and removes cover in the middle third, and ohashi while not threatening was linking up quite well so why bring him off?

I would have thought bringing on McCloughlin and playing Miller at RB would have made a lot more sense? Basically can see TGH not being able to get out at all?

Not a fan of Tavares and Alebiouso absolutely critical how we play out.... Not feeling good about this.

Looked okay until the goal went in then from that point really struggled. Definitely have to change something. Gudjonsen does look ideal as he will play up against the last man.

Gudjonsen on at half time for sure but id take TGH off, put Cantwell in midfield, and play both Ohashi and Gudjonsen up top.

Really simple goal, no way we should concede that. Guess it gives Ismael the chance to address our two biggest issues over the last five years - getting back into games, and winning at promoted sides.

Well he was playing as a LWB when we were defending for most of the game against Ipswich and he looked very defensively competent to me. I am sure we will do the same defensively today whether we are 4231 or 343 on the ball, so we can see how it works.

I prefer Pickering personally, hes good on the ball, joins up into midfield, got a better cross than Riberio. Off the ball both very similar for me, not that quick but positionally okay. Need cover if they are beaten by the winger. Also - we could be lining up 343 here... Mori and Alebiouso wing backs. Sort of played that way when we were off the ball last weekend, and all the time after the subs.

A further update (but nothing more there really), I listen to all his podcasts and I struggle to really pick out anything the club could object to. All seemed eminently reasonable. In a way its a good things as it shows how out of their depth they are. Need to get Winter to come in and do a deep dive piece for the nationals, linking it to the incoming football regulator and how to avoid these situations. Anyone reached out to Winter on that front? https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2025/september/27/club-statement--lancashire-telegraph-update/

I am a big fan of Jackson, he's puts together decent coverage and I think he is pretty fair to both the club and the fans. He - just like everyone else - over time has got more and more bemused by the absolutely mad decisions coming out of the club. As he's surfaced those observations the club have censored him. I am not sure where the club thinks this will go. Kind of links into the petty nature of Gestede that has been posted on here by others. They've created another negative story that will run and run. Wonder if they will ban Simon his podcast co-host too (of this parish I believe). Will be interesting to hear on the podcast what happened, I am sure they will talk it through.

Id be furious if we were playing at Ipswich 1-0 up with an extra man, and this situation occured, and it would have been incredibly unfair. But as its our own lack of drainage is fundamentally the issue i can't complain too much. Whats very weird about it is the root cause (Ewood parks lack of drainage) has no reference in the guidelines. If they are redrawing the guidelines i can easily see that in future instead of a replay the home side may forfeit all the points if they cant provide a fit playing surface. That would seem the logical thing to do. Every other game in Yorkshire and the Northwest managed to complete despite similar levels of rain.

Thought Miller was really good. No sign of being uncomfortable in a back four at all. Against Ipswich and Watford we looked really well drilled defensively with Mori tucking in when we were off the ball making a back five. Gave the opposition wingers absolutely nothing. Then when we were in possession Mori got forward and gave us options. Miller like Carter seemed to be able to drive out from the back too. Have to say Ismael has a good tactical awareness where all the players know where to be in any given situation.

Same team again I think after one and 8/9ths really solid performances. TGH coming in for Tavares against Ipswich which I guess was enforced by an injury seems to have further improved us.

I agree everything you say.. on cantwell I agree he should look to play deeper. Hes got real quality on the ball, seems much more motivated and stuck in this year, and an engine. But not the pace or strength to really worry a back line. Would like him to move back into midfield so Ohashi, Mori, Hedges and Gudjonsen can play as the four forwards. That said thought TGH was good, and Tronstad impeccable, so no rush to do it.

I agree but its not that linear... We thought we were going to be in the relegation conversation last year but finished seventh. I dont think anyone thought we were stronger 12 months ago after selling Szmodics and Wharton. If the question is are we stronger or weaker its within the range of possibility that we are as good, a real stretch that we are better but possible. We just have to wait and see. That said I still want Venkys out obviously, and to have an engaged owner come in, but separate from their lack of support the recruitment team and the manager could have worked miracles again.

Like everyone I expected the worst with the massive turnover but still to see any real discernable deterioration compared to last year. Obviously could change when injuries come in etc. But balanced against that we are yet to see much of Gudjonsen and Baradji. Toth alone is a massive upgrade on Pears, and TGH was very decent today. Really like Mori and Alebiouso, McCloughlin.

A big pump that pumps the water somewhere other than the river seems a good idea.

The latter unfortunately I think

The reff stopped the game when the ball completely stopped in a puddle of water. I can see why he did it. But then i have seen matches (including at Ewood in recent years) where they just keep going.

I guess a key factor will be if any other north west / Yorkshire clubs with 3pm kickoffs have their games called off... If its just us it looks really bad.

On the plus side we looked really good all game, and Id be very surprised if we are in the conversation for relegation.

Yes though I supoose Ipswich have an argument that our drainage should be better. That weve got previous on it wont help us.

Hes beaten his man 3 times, wom everything in the air, covered the back well defensively and put a couple of dangerous balls in. Yes he doesnt have the sensational first touch of Brittain but for me in the round I am as happy with him in the team as i was with Brittain.

Id say on balance we've been the better team, but not enough for a goal. Similar story right through Mowbray, JDT, Eustace and now Ismael - lots of good work in the middle third but we struggle with the final pass. Much prefer TGH to Tavares, Toth seems on Kaminskis sort of level + totally trustworthy, Alebiouso every bit as good as Brittain. Miller has done well. Just lack cutting edge. Feels like icelandic conditions for an icelandic player.

Not till Jan sadly. Playing well at Donny by all accounts