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.

19 hours ago, glen9mullan said:

Had the pleasure of playing against him for 70 minutes in Legends match, he walked through the game,  barely broke a sweat. 

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.

Just now, S8 & Blue said:

Rothwell better as an impact sub?

Bennett RW, Nyambe RB if they are dangerous down that side especially

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. 

11 minutes ago, Mike E said:

After today’s performance, should we play this team next?

                         Raya.

Bennett. Rodwell. Lenihan. Bell.

Rothwell. Reed. Travis. Armstrong.

                          Dack.

                       Graham. 

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.

4 hours ago, Bigdoggsteel said:

Need to take 3 points here. 

It is interesting in the games since Mulgrew was out, Lenihan has taken on the leadership role and looks a far better players. I just wonder do him and Mulgrew compliment each other that well? 

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. 

1 hour ago, DeeCee said:

Was it not on here recently that he was a Jehovah's Witness and had called at someone on here's house?

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 !) ?

3 minutes ago, Stuart said:

There wasn’t a lot else to clap all afternoon. I though it was also a touch of class from Rovers fans to sing Rhodes song and he visibly appreciated it. (I think he was expecting the Danny Graham version).

It was a nice way to show respect for a lad who came here and did the business and was professional until the end. Not many Rovers fans wanted to see him leave and that was evident today.

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.

1 hour ago, BlackburnEnd75 said:

Good source?

 

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. 

1 hour ago, meadows said:

Fred Pickering, Gordon Taylor, Andy Kennedy

Baz

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

Just a thought.

23 hours ago, blueboy3333 said:

There will be Owls of derision if we don't win this one. It will be a hoot if we do. 

 

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.

4 hours ago, Mattyblue said:

Exactly colt, so the hook may be coming...

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

8 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

Our whole style of play is very dependent on that Graham focal point, which is what probably keeps him in the side even when his form drops.

Nobody is undropable though and I imagine the manager is giving it serious thought...

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.

2 hours ago, Cherry Blue said:

Just been down to shop got block N halfway up. Shop confirms 3,500 sold as at this morning.

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.

2 hours ago, rigger said:

First game I am going to miss this season as I cannot get time off work. What a ridiculous mid-week fixture.

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

7 hours ago, old darwen blue said:

Yet again I am astounded by your managerial insite J. You really are in the wrong job. 

Definitely right about the second bit mate ?