I saw him pre season against Accy Stanley and again in an under 23 game. He is nice and tidy and I wouldn't place too much emphasis on either game, but I'm not sure if he is going to be the world beater that some are hoping for. I absolutely stand to be corrected and feverishly hope I'm wrong but I would liken him more to Cory Evans than Bobby Charlton.

I was at that game. It was the most bizarre thing to see and I talk about it to this day with the people I went with. Tugay was up against much younger lads who I would estimate were all decent Sunday league types. I was curious as to how the younger lads would fare against the Rovers veterans. What happened was that the old boys (Ripley, Tugay, Atkins, Hendry etc) moved the ball briskly using only one or two touches which caused the younger lads to tire around the 25 minute mark. The veterans won by something like 6-1. Tugay literally walked around a number of tackles and caused his opponents to fall on their backsides in a way you simply don't see in any level of football. I always enjoy Tyrone and others describe Bryan Douglas do this very same thing. Almost like an 18 year old playing in an under 10's game. Extraordinary to watch!

Haven't seen anyone suggest a pairing of Mulgrew and Rodwell. Nice left and right pairing. I would like to see that for one game at least.

Butterworth has looked a cut above the rest tonight. Also very impressed with Buckley in midfield. Looks a real player.

I think we are really showing signs of progressing as a team and the stalwarts of last season such as Bennett, Smallwood and maybe one or two others may become marginalised in a short time. Loyalty is admirable in many respects but the emergence of the likes of Nyambe, Travis, Rothwell and Reed is beginning to tighten the noose on some of our regulars. It is entirely right this happens as we can't afford to stand still. The likes of Rothwell and Armstrong gave a glimpse of a bright future today. Rodwell and Bell played well and the old order must be under threat like never before.

Largely agree but would put Nyambe in for Bennett and and put Rothwell left and Armstrong right. Armstrong's second half today after swithing to the right was arguably his best performance for us. He had the confidence to get on the outside and whip it in with his strong foot rather than getting boxed in and slowing it down. That's how the second goal came about. Thought the much maligned Bell had an excellent second half and Rothwell can play the Chapman tricky winger without the dodgy hamstring worry.

Oh yes, they compliment each other all the time. Darragh just loves Charlie's flowing, boyish locks and Charlie tells Darragh he has biceps to die for. Hardly a day goes by without the pair of them exchanging lovely,supportive words to each other. Whether they play well as a pair and complement each other is another question entirely ☺

Travis' bravura performance today will soften the blow if we are unable to keep hold of Reed. The pair of them in tandem in the middle would do wonders in protecting our shaky defence if we do somehow sign him.

Funnily enough this jogged my memory that when my son told him he is called James, Bobby remarked "ah, one of Jesus' disciples". I wasn't converted though, (unlike my penalties !) ?

I went for a kickabout this afternoon in Pleasington Fields with my son. He fancies himself as a keeper and I still hanker after a Rovers call up at the age of forty seven. Whilst slotting a few penalties past him in the admittedly huge nets on the pitch over the (once) blue bridge, I noticed a sprightly dog walker of pensionable age taking a keen interest as my lad repeatedly made the thirty yard dash to retrieve the ball that I had smashed past him in fatherly fashion. After a few minutes, the old boy ambled over and said hello. He asked if it would be ok to pass a tip onto my son to help him when facing penalties. He then spent a minute or so doing a bit of coaching with him which my son clearly found interesting. I formed the strong impression that he was an ex pro and when he came back over I asked him. "Bobby Svarc" came the reply. I didn't start watching Rovers until well into the 1977/'78 season so I missed him by a few months but the name was familiar to me. I shook his hand and had a lovely chat to him for 15 minutes or so. He is 72 years old now but clearly in good nick. He told me that Rovers was his last team, he retired at 31 with knee problems. We talked a bit about players of his era and, me being me I mentioned my all time hero Garns who he said he rated highly. He started at Leicester as a boy and played with the likes of Gordon Banks. He said he had played with or against all of the '66 World Cup team other than Jack Charlton and Stiles. He told me that Jimmy Greaves was simply the greatest striker he ever saw. All in all a really good day for me and I was chuffed to talk with him. My son won't reveal the penalty tip though.....

Agreed. I also enjoyed the aftermath of the Grant Hanley song when a Norwich sub ran to Grant to ask what the Rovers fans had just sung to him and laughed after Hanley explained it. Later on Ben Marshall ran out to warm up and looked expectantly towards the Blackburn End but received not even a murmur. He cut a desolate figure and I felt sorry for him. I'd have him back on loan actually; right back or wing.

Yes. Always tricky with these sources but I believe it to be done, or as good as...

Chapman in for a small fee and immediately loaned out, and Sam Gallagher on loan is what I heard earlier this week.

I remember Bobby hauling Garner off with about 20 minutes to go in a home fixture. We were losing and the crowd went absolutely mental. Me and my brother were in our early teens at the time and were almost in tears at the indignity heaped on our hero. Shouts of Saxton out began and Bobby's days were numbered. Garner milked the fans reaction dry, glowering at Sacko and stalking off down the tunnel. For all Garner's prowess in Saxton's early days, I think he went a bit stale prior to Saxton going. Don Mackay really got him going again and Garner became a truly great player in Mackay's years in charge.

Baz

Wonder if this is a back three including Williams centrally, with Nyambe and Conway as wingbacks? Just a thought.

I'd like to think that Tawny will send out a team with the wit to woo.

I remember him destroying England full back Viv Anderson during the big midweek evening cup game against the great Forest team back in the late 70s (?) Anderson resorted to stamping on him as I recall. He couldn't handle Noel at all. I seem to remember a testimonial for him circa 1990 against Kendall's Man City team. A genius on his day and a grafter too.

Sorry Matty, hadn't seen your last sentence. Yes, you are quite right.

I like Graham and would normally agree with you but he hasn't really acted as a focal point for a few games now. The ball isn't sticking to him, in fact he is hardly touching it at all. He is also missing some decent one on one chances. I'm afraid he is looking a bit weak, and dare I say old. For all he is currently contributing you might as well have a Jordan Rhodes type. At least he is scoring.

They started noticeably wasting time today with a mere seven minutes on the clock. We aren't exactly tearing this division up, and personally I would be embarrassed as a player if my manager had instructed me to do this (which he clearly had). I would also be ashamed as a supporter if my team deployed this cowardly tactic so early in a game.

Got Q block two thirds of the way up at 3 o clock today

Interesting that hardly anyone is picking Smallwood. In truth he will be the first name on Tony's teamsheet.

No complaints about the red button from me for this one!

Definitely right about the second bit mate ?