8 hours ago, rigger said:

,Just back 75 minutes of heaven, 20 minutes of hell.Onwards and upwards. Isn't it fun being a Rovers fan again.  

It's certainly great to have belief that those on the pitch would 'kiss the badge' and it be genuine. 

I'm proud to be a Rover once again, we could yet 'rip this league up' and finish in the top 2!

COYB!!!

19 minutes ago, bluefred said:

I think we need to play both rothwell and reed .

Line up for me (is Sir Charlie fit to play?):

                                        Raya

Nyambe       Lenighan    Williams/Mulgrew    Bell

                                 Smallwood/Evans

                Bennett          Reed       Rothwell 

                                        Dack

           Armstrong/Brereton    Graham   

1 minute ago, chaddyrovers said:

Come on Rovers!!!

I agree, I'm really excited about our prospects today and about Rovers in general. We've an embarrassment of attacking options without having a natural wide man, which I find odd. I've also been worried about us at the back for seasons but was heartened by Williams and Lenighan performances at Derby when we were under the cosh for so long. I also think both Bell and Nyambe have been superb at full back all season so far.

I think we're coming away from The Potteries with 3 points today.

From North Carolina, thanks ifollow too, COYB!!!

8 hours ago, Mike E said:

The debate TM should be having in his mind (imo) is which one to play up front?

The pace of Armstrong may give us an outlet from a counter attacking POV, stretching the defence, leaving space for Dack.

Graham, however, has those street smarts in holding the ball up to be laid off for Dack in tight spots.

I'm honestly not sure which I'd pick.

I do, pick 'em both as you previously suggested.

9 hours ago, bob fleming said:

Probably his finest game!

For Rovers aye, about on a par with Shane Duffy for Brighton and Cardiff City!

1 hour ago, bob fleming said:

No mate. Ewood. Great night that.

Rio didn't enjoy it much! lol

7 hours ago, Mike E said:

I see them as playing in the middle and able to run wide for attacks. I'd like to see:

---------------------Raya

Nyambe  Lenihan  Mulgrew  Bell

-------Bennett  Reed  Rothwell

---------------------Dack

----------Graham  Armstrong

 

I know it's never been played, but those 3 in the middle are full of workrare and running, equally capable of defending if we're under the cosh, or filling in for the full backs as they bomb on, or (particularly Bennett and Rothwell) getting wide and forward in support of the attack.

It may be my backside talking, but I like that side.

I like it too.

On 12/08/2018 at 14:36, Claytons Left Boot said:

You need to understand something Barry. There are a lot of fans in the Blackburn End that are aged 40 and over. I am 60.

From being aged 12 or so, I stood at the back of the Blackburn End with all the other singers and generally had a good time. I always stayed well clear of Church Birdy mind, folk of a certain vintage will testify that he was a bit of a loose canon. In fact there were a few characters like that. We were all like minded lads who stood in the same spot each home game giving it our all. We all travelled to away games via coach or train and again gave it our all. If you got back to the railway station in one piece back then, you had done well.

I’m nothing special, there are loads like me. Been on since 1966 and a life long Rover. All over the country watching the lads and into Europe. Seen all the key games, Plymouth 1975, Derby FA Cup c.1976, West Brom FA Cup, Liverpool League Cup, Port Vale 1975, Bury 1980, Leicester at Wembley, Liverpool 1995, Preston for the promotion game, Spurs 2002 at Cardiff, Doncaster 2018, Ankara 2003, Celtic away and a million games I’ve forgotten.

Now, I like a sing song as much as the next man. I like the atmosphere at away matches, I usually stand up and sing at those but, when you’ve been singing/shouting/standing for 50 years or more, sometimes at a relatively mediocre game like Millwall at home, who bring a paltry 851 supporters with them, you like to just sit and watch the game and in silence if need be!

Absolutely me to a tee CLB but replace BBE with Riversider 'teddy' vintage! That said I was in the BBE in a few key dates to remember: Chelsea and the day of the Bolton 'long leather coats'. In the Darwen End for Villa early seventies, not to mention Plymouth in '75!

6 hours ago, Fraserkirky said:

All logged into Espn+, and ready to go. Free trial is nice.

dito

Just now, Stuart said:

Mowbray is his own worst enemy.

He brought on all these attacking players, pushed Bell and Nyambe forward in search of a winner. Then as soon as he got it, and I mean as soon as - literally speaking to Reed and Dack before the restart to tell them to drop deeper. With 15 minutes still to play, asking the lads he brought on to play a defensive shape was a huge gamble.

We have the players to hurt Villa and we let the off the hook.

So disappointing but the responsibility has to lie with the manager. I don’t care about any ‘on paper’ results, we should have won that today.

But if they'd won the penalty and Tammy Abraham's radar was better tuned? Disappointing to concede 2 points in injury time yet again I agree but I think a draw was a fair result overall.

3 minutes ago, Waggy76 said:

Rather good free kick if you ask me!!!

Me too Waggy. Can't believe some of the shite some folk come out with. I watched it on ESPN in the States and it was a wonder free kick, bent from 2 yards outside of the post to nestle in the bottom corner. Best I've seen since Roberto Carlos.

3 hours ago, Bigdoggsteel said:

Is the Villa game on Ifollow?

NO!

1 hour ago, nathan_rovers1 said:

I feel you.... currently in Hong Kong waiting for the biggest Typhoon to hit ever.... going to be a cracker of a weekend. 

equivalent to a t-5 Hurricane.... 

Crikey nathan, aye, a belter all round! Hopefully 3 points against Villa should make it a happy birthday for me on Sunday! Lenoir, mountain blues in preparation!

8 hours ago, Mattyblue said:

According to this you can stream through ESPN+

https://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2018/04/soccer-fans-rejoice-hundreds-of-matches-and-exclusive-content-to-be-available-on-espn/

 

Thanks Matt

22 minutes ago, Stuart said:

Stay safe Nick!

Thanks Stuart: we've done all we can (sandbagged etc) we're on a mountain side in western North Carolina which is 230 miles inland so we're not so worried about the wind, just the rain which could be in biblical proportions if the forecasts are to be believed. We're still looking forward to watching the game on Saturday somehow, assuming we've still got power!

I'm currently in USA and bracing myself to face up to Hurricane Florence and was looking forward to watching Saturday's game against Villa on ifollow. I've just found out that there are no game passes available for this due to it being shown live on Sky. Does anyone have any idea where (or if) it will be screened in United States or whether I can access my UK Sky Sports account somehow whilst in US? Thanks if anyone can help.

1 hour ago, Ricky said:

I’m torn on this as I’m delighted that it appears we have money to improve the team. I’m a little concerned that we are looking like spending a huge amount for us on a 19 year old who’s been a good championship player but has hardly set the world alight.

disagree with Paul Mani and Chaddy (Shock), if he’s coming for £8m he’s going to expect a wage in line with what other £8m players are earning. He’s not going to come on £12k as he’s a young player as suggested by Paul, he’s going to be coming on a high wage.

Looking at the market I’m sure the £8m could be better spent on a more ‘finished’ article in the championship. A little nervy but I’d love to be proved wrong by the lad coming in and smashing 20 goals this season.

 

I respectfully disagree with all that you say but understand why you said it.

Shearer had done next to nothing at Southampton before we signed him for a then record British transfer fee. The fee was for the potential and as we know, how that was realised!

The transfer fee and wages don't necessarily have to be linked: The fee goes to the club (and numerous hangers on no doubt), the player earns the salary. I'm certain TM wouldn't risk the potential of any squad disharmony by paying a kid with potential more than the likes of Bradley and King Charles for example.

The £8 million would be spent on a kid with absolute bags of potential and all that brings in terms of the potential for a sizeable profit as the asset increases in value. There's lots of Ross MCormacks etc who Championship clubs have paid a fortune for yet fail to come close to delivering on expectations.

Get Brereton signed, he'll be a good 'un!

8 hours ago, Waggy76 said:

A modern day Colin Hendry  and Mike Newell  if such players exist day , would ideal ...

Absobloodylutely! We can only dream but they must be out there somewhere. Come on Stuart Harvey do your stuff lad!

5 hours ago, bob fleming said:

Loved it today. Proper team. Fans were brilliant. Proud.

Me too bob! We're on our way.................................

7 hours ago, Neal said:

Similar thoughts to mine but I was surprised to see so many giving Evans so much praise. He wasn't awful or anything I just didn't think he was particularly brilliant either. Perhaps I'm being too critical but I watched him off the ball, I just don't find him that commanding or vocal and always seems to be 10 yards away from his man. A few of us sat near each other were saying the same. 

 

Funny how people see the game differently. 

I thought Evans was superb yesterday but he and Smallwood as a pairing doesn't cut it for me: Smallwood looks more than a yard off the pace and I think the step up to The Championship is too much for him. I agree with the earlier comments regarding Benno too, he's no longer suited to playing wide and perhaps his high energy and Evans' more cautious approach could be a good pairing in centre mid. Throw Trav, Palmer (who will improve), Rothwell into the mix too, sign a winger, a commanding centre half and forward to complement Dack and Armstrong, and we could actually rip this league up!

I haven't felt as positive as I do now for yonks, COYB!!

Antony Pilkington is available on loan from Cardiff. He's fit and would probably relish the opportunity of returning to his roots.

21 hours ago, Oldgregg86 said:

My two penniths worth.

Alot of positives to take from the game. What can I say about dack that hasn't already been said he's just a joy to watch and seems to get better by the day. After the second goal went in he was screaming at his team and geeing them up to go again. Fantastic attitude and was simply brilliant all night. The suggestion to play him deeper imo is ludicrous. Rothwell however looked comfortable playing that position and could be the answer. He worked hard , put tackles in and the drove forward or played accurate long balls to our front men always looking for the attacking option which was a breath of fresh air. Bell was a menace down the left turning their right back inside out and deserves a run in the team. Raya made a couple of wonderful saves but still has that ability of shattering my confidence in him with moments of madness. Nyambe Charlie and darragh also played very well. Armstrong proved he his a striker through the middle and was superb. 

Negatives

Samuel is awful. His didn't control a thing all night. Nuttall just doesn't get in the right positions and isn't creative enough to make intelligent runs. Sadly Conway is past it at championship level but put a good shift in last night and finally (Tin hat on) . I do not rate Kasey Palmer one bit. Goal aside without the ball he is beyond niave and his positional awareness is appalling. He looks every bit the u23 player ,albeit with potential. His decision making is poor and whilst he's quick he's a yard slower than everyone on the pitch in his head. I would not be starting him against hull. For the odd moment of skill or the odd goal he pops up with he will cost us two. Maybe harsh after three games but tony has alot of work to do with him to get him up to speed.

Overall though a wonderful night I thouroughly enjoyed. Their goal was sublime and was applauded by the traveling faithful and dacks second was recipricated by there fans. The highlight was outside the ground before kick off when an elderly couple in their early seventies wandered over to a statue of a Carlisle player. The lady bent down to read the plaque and smashed her head on the players iron boot. Slumped and in pain her husband , with his hand behind his back never flinched, paused, and looked at me to say that's a free kick. I couldn't help but laugh. She was ok and started what turned out to be a wonderful night of football.

 

I totally agree with every word. It was a great night's entertainment and well worthwhile making the effort to go. The only thing I'd add is that defensively we were woeful at times and it was 'only Carlisle'. Defend like that in the league and we'll get punished.

8 minutes ago, AdamRochina said:

Was he sat down hunched over slightly? We all get a little  belly overhang if we do that haha

Sadly no, Adam

4 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

Graham isnt over weight at all. 

I've previously given you the benefit of the doubt before chaddy but you really are just a d1ck. I apologise for the 'personal comment' and prepare myself for the usual nonsense....

I've seen him in the treatment room at Brockhall with his belly over the top of his shorts, have you? 

2 hours ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

I'm with Roversfan 99 on the Gallagher issue. He's just a taller version of Armstrong. Do we really need two players who can only play effectively alongside Graham ? 

No and moreover its' a ticking time bomb before Graham is sidelined through injury: he's over weight and nursing dodgy knees. I was amazed he lasted yesterday. Then what?.........Rudi Gestede on loan anybody?