Great to win so comfortably. Especially against an inform side like Stoke. It's a strange one as we have played much better than this and lost this season. Very sloppy in possesion and no real outlet meant that we ceded a lot of possesion, fortunately stoke weren't particularly good and we defended very well. I felt the front 3 of brittain, dolan and moran didn't offer enough going forward (maybe being harsh on moran who got a goal and an assist), but worked hard off the ball. Wasn't a day for the dolan false 9, felt we needed a big man to get us up the pitch. Hill and Carter were very solid. Wahlsted had one proper save to make and saved it well, doesn't convince on crosses but played well. Szmodics missed a couple of good chances first half but his movement was good and he got his reward late on. Hopefully the head injury to Wharton isn't too bad. Couple of winnable games coming up now. Onwards and upwards

I wouldve gone with a striker (leonard) but you can't complain too much. Interesting to see Duru on the bench ahead of Batty on the bench.

Like others have said it depends how you define a hard man. Someone who is combative, someone who is hard in the challenge when in one and someone who withstand a kicking and be unaffected. A player who comes to mind for is Garry Flitcroft who could hold his own in the challenge and liked a tackle. If you look at that team from 04/06 period under Hughes for a modern side there are a lot of players in there who could fall into those categories: Todd, Nelson, Flitcroft, Reid, Dickov, Bellamy, Mokeona, Neill.

According to the rovers social media pages. He's scored for the under 21s and gone off injured after 38 mins.

Wahlsted Brittain. Hill. Wharton. Pickering Tronstad. Wharton Dolan. Szmodics. Moran Ennis or Leonard or Telalovic Time to give one of the strikers a proper run in the side.

I need some elaboration here because I don't know what you're referring to.

I agree more with your read on Wharton. I see it as similar to Harry Maguire. In that they are both good passers when they're coming onto to the ball, facing forwards and fairly static. When Wharton has to take it off the keeper or someone else in a deep position, turn and open his body up that seems to get him into trouble and he isn't as confident doing it. I don't think he's (incoming trendy football phrase) press resistant.

We always play 2 midfield ?

It all comes down to whether batty if they think Batty is ready or not for some involvement. If they do then he has to play as that's the model we are going for (think Phillips last season). And also because it keeps more players in their more comfortable positions. My guess is he isn't ready (or Atcheson is either) and they'll use Travis at right back. I'd also assume that Whartons red won't get overturned. I also don't really think he can argue if he has another long spell without a start. Its a big headache for JDT, I'd take a draw now if pressed on it. As a poster above said we are really going to have to double down on the passing/attacking side of out game.

I don't think it's a coincidence that since he has come into the 11 we have won 4 from 5. Like you say he smells danger really well and keeps the ball ticking over nicely, short and simple. One thing I absolutely love about him is the intensity he closes people down on the edge of the box. It's something that posters on here have bemoaned for years about other players but he really throws himself at the ball, and I love it.

I thought tonight was a good representation of what we are and how our season has been: Some nice football in places A bit too open at some times (I feel Pickering could've done with a bit more help) A lack of physicality Missed chances A lack of cutting edge when we got into good areas. A bit of bad luck with decisions A goalkeeping error Ultimately we didn't embarress ourselves so that's something. Chelsea have some real quality in James, Enzo, Palmer and sterling and it showed. It was interesting to see who coped and who didn't. Pickering got murdered, one big error from the keeper and a poor choice for the second, Travis and garrett a lot of effort but little quality. Ennis doesn't move much. But the 3 cbs did well especially Hill, Adam Wharton fits in technically amongst the higher calibre of player. Thought brittian did well 1st half but let himself down for the 2nd goal. I like Leonard, he's clever, works hard, has a decent touch and links play well. I think he's getting better but he just needs to learn to take a breath and compose himself when he gets these chances. He's not the proven goalscorer we need now but he's got a future here.

Hernia I'm calling it now. 4 weeks out unless they try to get him to play through it for a bit.

As poor as we were, we created enough chances today to score at least 1 goal. I like Leonard, he looked sharp when he came on and his movement is very good. Should've buried one of them but he's worth sticking with imo. Thought Szmodics should've come off in this off for ennis. He looks to be carrying an injury to ne that's possibly a hernia.

Walhsted Hill. Carter. Hyam/Wharton. Pickering JRC. Tronstad Brittain. Szmodics. Dolan Ennis Only 1 change giving us a more fixed presence up top. Dolan moves out to the left, thought he worked exceptionally hard last night and is starting to show signs of improvement. My worry is with a heavy fixture list and last night being very draining physically that we need to freshen things up a bit more. I'd start with the one change but look to the bench early to freshen things up, Adam Wharton being the main one and possibly Leonard for Ennis. I think this will be another tight one, I predict 2-1 rovers.

Yes it was equally as bad.

Do you recall Wigan away?

We've played much better this season and lost. We weren't at our most fluid today, a lot of that was down to how cardiff set up which was very much to frustrate having been mauled by us in the cup game. But also felt we added this to by being sloppy in possession, it led to a scrappy game without a lot of clear cut chances. We had 3 chances all for JRC which shows something. Positives are that we are looking more secure. Having a keeper that doesn't chuck one in every game helps, Hill makes a big difference at right back giving the side more physicality and tronstad is a proper dm who does a lot of grunt work very efficiently which Wharton hasn't mastered yet. Get a proper championship striker into this side and we should be okay, let's hope that's ennis. 2 more winnable games on the way... onwards and upwards

Training ground is being valued this week I believe. I've no idea the actual purpose of this.

Don't it's not working. They'll happily take your money though. As they have now done to me for the 3rd time this season.

I'd go Walhsted Hill. Carter. Hyam. Brittain Tronstad. JRC Dolan. Szmodics. Siggy Ennis Wharton on after an hour Leonard for ennis at the same time.

Had the look of a man who knew his time was up. He looked on the verge of crying at the end of the game.

Think brittain on the right wing has been a good change, has helped keep chair quiet second half and is giving us some good energy.

I disagree with the get him out and get an 'organiser in' for the following reasons: 1) He showed last season he can organise a team defensively. I didn't think we were organised defensively tonight. 2) the money used to sack in would go further being spent on a player in January. 3) what's a warnock type going to do with this side, it's the antithesis of his teams.

Brittains been our best player this season. Has to start at either left or right back. It looks as if JDT has gone slightly more cautious although I wasn't expecting that lineup. Is it Hill in cm or JRC?

I think this is closer to where I'm at with things. I think some of the posts have been a bit over the top. I don't think we are that bad albeit we are at the moment a team that plays great football but we have some very obvious flaws that is costing us points and is ultimately what makes us a sub par team at this stage. We've got two winnable games coming up it could easily turn around and in the same breath If we lose both we are in a bit of trouble. That's the championship for you. I think JDT is half wrong and half right in blaming individual errors. Yes players are making them and there is a lack of alternatives but in the case of say Carter, he's being exposed a lot, it's a tough ask to be a cb in our system. Similarly if someone loses the ball in the opponents half needlessly it shouldn't expose us as much as its doing. If you look at today for example we conceded a poor goal from a set piece but that corner came from us being over stretched after loosing possesion. Ultimately we have a 'development squad', too little experience, too many projects, not enough height and physicality, not enough proven quality and that's not on the manager. I don't think a Neil warnock type would get anything out of this squad. Im a fan of JDT, he's been dealt a bad hand by the venkys but he certainly cannot be absolved of responsibility for our current form, he does have some cards he can play he's just not played them yet and seems to have doubled down. A slight rethink is needed for Wednesday. We've just got to stick Travis or tronstad next to Wharton (who needs help) and not kick brittain on so much. Keep it tighter because this gung ho football isn't working in part because we havent got enough quality to outscore most teams.