DavidMailsTightPerm

I remember turning out as centre half for Rovers during a centre half shortage - for the match I saw him play there it was probably one of the best centre halves performances I have seen at Ewood. Of course that may have been short lived if he had reverted full time to centre half - but there was enough in those few matches to suggest he had more chance getting in the England team as a centre half than he did centre forward.

IMO possession stats for a whole match are very misleading. Virtually every team in the Championship when ahead sits back, let's the opposition have the ball and tries to hit them on the transition (or on the break in old money terms). This leads to some misleading possession stats.

Interesting reading opinions - which see saw as much as our performances and results. As many predicted - 2nd half we struggled against a more robust team. If the early chance had gone in, we probably would have won (which seems to be the way for most teams in the Championship). Though I am already sick of hearing about the "project" - we do have to give JDT time.

Who would be a manager - keep as is, and we put another tired performance and JDT will be asked why he didn't bring in fresh legs. Alternatively, he freshens up team, we lose and he gets asked why change a winning team 🙄 Despite our inconsistencies my glass is half full - irrespective of the team, optimistic we will get a draw or win (that's done it 🤣)

Spot on !

As good as Dolan was on Tuesday - I would also consider Hirst instead. Possibly consider Wharton in midfield (just for fresh legs).

I do wonder whether the Bristol City game would have been different if last nights team had been available. Luton will possibly give a better pointer.

Wow

Totally agree - he plays football with a smile on his face, and despite all the transfer rumours still put in 100% - which is great to see. He could make himself a legend by signing a contract extension (even with a release clause), and protecting the clubs investment (and support when he was c***) - but I can't see it.

You are partly right about tackling - but when going shoulder to shoulder, or challenging in the air, size does matter. Also, when putting a team under pressure - physical presence does play a part - a block tackle from Bradley Johnson is going to disrupt most players more than one from Buckley. I think the other aspect is experience - more experienced players put in challenges that they get away with, little elbows here and there, little shirt tugs etc.

The obvious answer - don't come when it is snowing.

Though I agree - he is an injury away from it falling down like a house of cards. Look at Dack, lots of rumours of big money moves - and then he gets injured. At least he had a good contract to protect him.

Transfer news and education - what more could you want from a forum 😁

Carter and Travis - neither ideal, but both better than JRC has been recently

I don't think the club have messed up - only £5m more than what we paid for Diaz is an insult to the club and the player. He has developed so much after a decidedly dodgy start at Rovers - if he stays injury free I could see potential for top 6.

I do wonder how much Wharton's performance last night has influenced thinking. It was obviously only one game - but if he replicates that form over the next few matches we have a real bonus for JDT

Playing hard ball, or do they all want to go home early ?

JDT obviously didn't rate him. Such a shame, earlier in his career he looked decent

I can't see him signing a new contract - and why should when a free transfer will likely translate to a huge wage at his new club. However his agent is playing a risky game - Dack shows that an injury can ruin any footballers plans.

A good performance, but to balance things a little 1. A better team than Blackpool would have taken advantage of our occasional sloppiness at the back 2. For a match we dominated for large parts we could have easily drawn the match at the end. 3. Diaz was easily our stand out attacker - wonder how we will cope if he leaves. On the positive - a big improvement on the previous three league matches - scoring the first goal was key.

Don't get me wrong - I would prefer him to sign a new contract - but in the real world it isn't going to happen.

His attitude has been absolutely first class - I really hope he gets the move he deserves and goes from strength to strength. Of course we also get £20m plus a big sell on clause - and the club have a decent replacement or two lined up 😁

I don't know why - but somehow I get the impression you don't like/rate Dolan. It almost comes across as personal.

I think most on here are missing that (bar the centre halves) - this is the team that did so well in the second half against Stoke. A big night for Carter - after a season in league 1 he should be used to playing against centre forwards who try to rough you up. Lets see if his excellent spell at Portsmouth can translate into Rovers colours.

I don't think Gallagher is useless - just not a £5m player.