I agree with you bazza but collectively we were second best, particularly in an attacking sense.

F*ck off with your ballet references ARA, as you say I'd be at Covent Garden in preference to Ewood if that were the case, out of order. I've stated my opinion regarding the past and also regarding the future. I'm far from Mowbray's biggest fan but am prepared to give him and his team the benefit of the doubt for now that they can get a proper tune out of the squad he has assembled between now and the rest of the season. He really has no excuses now. Edit: apologies if my opening comment was a touch strong but I'm angered by the reference and todays performance.

Let's not kid ourselves and I've no wish to drag this up again but Sam's teams may have been effective over a season but the football was generally shit to watch.

I may have been spoiled previously Matty but yes, after watching hoofball for 90 mins to scab a 1-0 win, sometimes I went home pissed off and bored to death. I was happy with the 3 points but unhappy with what I'd watched. I regret that now in hindsight but that's what I thought at the time. That said, I pay my money to be entertained on a Saturday afternoon and if we win, that's an added bonus. I don't want to watch an absolute load of shite scab a win, nor do I want to pay a fortune to go to City, United, Chelsea or Arsenal away and be embarrassed by an absolute thumping, as Allardyce thought acceptable. Little did I, or anybody else that thought similarly, know what was to come. Anyway let's leave all that shite behind us, I was just annoyed by jimmk2's reference to entertainment. For me, that's what it's all about!

No he's not. I hated Allardyce football too. I often came off thinking we'd lost when we'd won. So what are you saying jim mk2, football as a spectical is generally shit and we have no right to expect to be entertained? Before you say anything further, yes highlight's a wonderful thing! I'd say your opinions are totally outdated, football's an entertainment business. When was the last time you attended Ewood or are you quite at home now sat in your armchair, similar to the rest of us.

Exactly. It's Mowbray that's assembled them, so it's absolutely down to him to get a tune out of them. I think there are the constituent parts to be top 2 if the selections and tactics get the best of the sum of the parts!

You're right but we created nothing: not even for a sniffer.

I think that's an excellent, well thought out post and very much mirrors my own opinions. I predicted the starting line up and worried about the outcome of the game if it was correct, which it was. We were dire as an attacking force but generally defended well. I thought we'd be happy with a point and in truth, can have no complaints really that we finished with nothing.

There is no doubt that the squad of players we now have assembled should be capable of challenging for a top 2 spot. Whether or not Tony and his crew have the ability to mould them into a cohesive unit to achieve that or not, only time will tell. If we're not close to the top 2 this season, then there is only one person to blame. Generally, Venkys are doing their bit (forget the past), it's all now on Tony's and Waggott's head! COYB! and never forget, WE ARE The Rovers!

I guess that's why we've signed Douglas, no?

You're partially right but using your argument, did we have any shot on target, never mind one that worked their goalkeeper. In truth we really got what we deserved today, NOWT!

I think Dolan's inclusion in the starting eleven and effectiveness is very much dependant on the overall team selection. He's flourished when JRC was right back and combining with him down the right flank but struggled in the past 2 games when Rhino has deputised for JRC. With the options available from here on in, from what we've seen of Dolan to date, he's an exciting member of our squad and Nobenders can continue to slag him off as not good enough for their squad. They may reconsider however when he slips the ball past their goalie at the Town End to guarantee 3 points for The Rovers!

If teams sit back, still employ the high press which creates mistakes in the final third. I don't accept all these possession statistics as being too meaningful. I'd much prefer to rely upon what I see with my own eyes! Statistics can be dressed up and interpreted according to ones argument: ie today we had 60% possession and as such should have won. We know that's bollocks because we'd have been fortunate to get a point.

Bugger. Given the team selection, I'm not surprised either by the performance or the result. I think we deserved a point because I thought we generally defended well. An Evans/Johnson central midfield combination can never inspire confidence in anything other than looking for a point at best. Hughton's Forest defended a point as least of their intentions but always posed a threat of getting all 3 and never of leaving Ewood pointless. We were bloody toothless for 90 minutes, Mowbray needs to look at that and ask why. It just confirms the need for the signings we've made and I'm certain we've still a great season to look forward to.

It was always going to be like this with Evans and Johnson playing together in midfield. One of them needs to come off asap (I'd chose Evans) to be sacrificed with someone who looks forward and not just back and sideways. To be fair, I don't know who's on the bench so I could be talking out of my arse! We need to be able to create much more otherwise Grabban, Lolly and Ameobi will make us pay in the second half. The writing is already on the wall. COYB!!

Sadly, yep!

Not often I'm proved correct. Suspect patience today will be a virtue, hopefully our high press will continue. Tough game in prospect, COYB!

Bloody hell, I should have had a mercer on that selection!

50 Cent - God Save My Style

Guys n' Dolls - There's a Whole Lot of Loving

Dolan was in my suggested starting eleven too.

Who else that's available is capable of picking a defence splitting, forward pass?

Absolutely irresponsible if that's the case.

I concur windy. I also go back to similar nightmares when John Barton was deputy to 'Sir Roger' and Adam Blacklaw before him. I was only a kid then but remember thinking on one such occasion stood on the Darwen End, when Barton threw his flat cap into the back of the goal as the players lined up and tucked his shirt into his shorts over his belly, "he looks like he's just come out of the pub"! We're certainly better equipped these days!

I find that infuriating. You would have thought that everyone involved with the first team squad would be told to effectively self isolate permanently for the time being when not at Brockhall or Ewood. That way the chances of contracting Covid are virtually nil. I appreciate that would be difficult but they are paid a kings ransom comparatively and have a duty to do their utmost to protect themselves. I appreciate that this is over and above the normal restrictions applicable to us all but their remuneration isn't similar either. The additional concern is has it been passed to other members of the squad or support team. Further, what if they then suffer from the effects of 'long Covid' as some people that I know are? It's not just the 2 weeks convalescence, it's also what effects this has long term too. They're elite athletes, so long term breathing difficulties won't do much good for the bleep test! I wish Rothwell and any others a speedy recovery and sincerely hope he doesn't have any long term symptoms.