Colt Seavers

The sobering (in every respect of the word) thought here is that your local boozer will likely call last orders for the final time in the near future, along with many, many others.

I was thinking about that the other day. Sad to say it but you have to fear that we may not see the likes of Danny or Stewart Downing kick a ball for us again. It's going to be very hard for those older lads to regain any kind of conditioning or sharpness.

Andy Kennedy's left footer away at Villa takes some beating. Also, now that many of us have time on our hands, the entire home game in that cup tie circa 1990 is on YouTube. It's rare to see a full 90 minutes from that era and its really worth the watch. My 18 year old son was fascinated by the state of the pitch, the intensity of play, the noise from the crowd and the sheer physicality of the contest. Chris Sulley and little Scotty Sellars team up repeatedly to put reducer on the lightning fast Tony Daley and the absolutely route one football from Rovers is a reminder of a different age. The changes in the game in the last few years have crept up stealthily. Interestingly, only the highlights were broadcast by the BBC but this is the full broadcasted version. A highlight for me occurs during the warm up ( previously unbroadcasted) when John Motson has to describe Simon Garner to the cameraman to enable a close up. The camera then hones in on a frankly hungover looking Garner who looks like he's never kicked a ball before. He was never one to exert himself unnecessarily. See first video from the 4.25 -5 minute mark.

Yes it was the third round of the FA Cup, January 1983. The game was definitely televised. About ten or fifteen years ago a couple of moments were shown on TV from the match, including Garner's great strike and another incident involving Brotherston and Souness if I recall correctly. Unfortunately I can't remember which TV show it was, perhaps Fantasy Football. I've also tried to find it on YouTube but to no avail. A Rovers fan will have it on VHS in a cupboard somewhere. It really was a magnificent goal by Simon and probably led to the rumours Howard Gayle mentioned recently that Garner was considered as a potential transfer target around that time for Liverpool.

Very hard to argue with this.

Absolutely damning stats from Bennett's point of view. Having seen the way he performs In that role however, I can't say I'm surprised. I thought his performance against Derby was woeful; shambolic in fact. His body language on the pitch used to be one of confidence and enjoyment. He now looks subdued and anxious. He goes missing when we are defending which leaves a gaping hole in his position. He hides when not in possession, and when he has no choice but to receive the ball, he releases it as quickly and simply as he is able. When attacking, he gives no indication that he was once a winger. He is incapable of beating the full back and his crosses into the box are almost always an abject failure. I almost feel sorry for the man. He is a limping dog of a player and I would like to see him being put out of his misery. Lovely bloke and all that....

When I think of a 2nd tier side containing the likes of Gennoe, Price, Hendry, Barker, Ardiles, Sellars, Gayle, Archibald and Garner, and then I think of our current squad, it's hard not to feel a bit deflated. Those boys would have destroyed what was in truth a fairly poor Derby side yesterday.

Yes, I would be absolutely delighted.

It has, but please Curb Your Enthusiasm AllRoverAsia ☺️

I wonder which dropped first?

Good to you list Short on the short list. Has a nice kind of symmetry to it. It wouldn't be a credible short list if you didn't list Short.

He also sprinkled a bit of magic dust on us with the signings of Archibald and Ardiles. Absolutely revolutionary at the time and a big statement of intent which put much needed bums on seats.

Lovely little cameo today from Big Ben. The boy can play! I think he is at his best centrally with someone next to him. I don't think a wide role or a lone one suits him at present. He narked Swansea for some reason and drew so many fouls. He has tidy feet and some pace. He has always had a kind of swaggering confidence. It's just hard at present to fit him in centrally from the off and I hope Mowbray never plays him wide again. As things stand, I would place him ahead of Samuel and Graham but behind Armstrong and Gallagher in the pecking order as striker. A goal would do wonders for him.

I'd have fancied Barry Manilow for it to be honest.

They were busy bringing one or two points to the attention of Sam Vokes to be fair.

Why, does he wash the kits?

Great post and a great topic by Stuart. It occurred to me that some of these supporters may have been from Liverpool. Stranded at the Boulevard by the transport crisis and making their way down on foot. All mingling nicely and no aggro....

Hope so. I think he would have made a good replacement for Buckley later on in today's game. Having someone like Rothwell with his ability to travel with the ball and retain possession would probably have seen us over the line today. We missed having someone to run at them and drag them around a bit.

Judging by the look of Fulham tonight, I think we got it tactically wrong in showing them so much respect the other week. Hope we are a bit more proactive tomorrow.

The new series (or season as everyone likes to say now ?) is showing on Sky Comedy which is channel 113. Episode four of series ten was shown last night and repeated on successive Sundays.

Don't panic m1st. Otherwise we're all doomed ☺

At least Adarabioyo would be able to revert back to his favoured right hand side if Williams comes in. He plays much more comfortably there.

Yes he was decent. Typical Charlie really. Very unlucky with a free kick. Looked in good shape. I always wonder how older pro players will cope with quick, aggressive young lads but they tend to handle them quite easily. I enjoyed watching him. He played the full game.

You must be tougher than me Stuart. I'm still thawing out! Yes, decent performance tonight and an entertaining game. Midway through the first half I heard Mulgrew say to Louie Annesley "What's his name" about our right back Dan Pike, which made me laugh. He then proceeded to give Pike a piece of his mind. Think he called him a stupid boy....

I think Brereton is capable of becoming a decent player for us. I spent a bit of time with him the other week at a local event. He is a naturally confident boy with a lot about him. He has a bit of charisma and seems quite sure of himself. Reports of him in tears at a recent away game seem totally incongruous to me. Having watched him at extremely close range at Leyland during the odd Under 23 fixture, he is a talker on the pitch; cocky, and sure of himself. These attributes are massive in footballers. Last night he repeatedly demanded the ball and made himself available. He was determined to get involved and make an impression. I felt he was far more likely to score in his 20 minute cameo than Graham in his 70 minutes. In fact his introduction completely altered the dynamic in a positive way. There is a long way to go in his development but he is still a boy. I would start him in the next few games as a number 9. I believe he will go on to have a better career than, say Sam Gallagher.