DavidMailsTightPerm

Personally I have never seen Pike play, as far as I am aware he has never played at any level beyond U23. In the numerous times you have watched him actually play, what makes you think he is ready to start ahead of an experienced player ? JRC is injured.

Wow - I thought there was 11 players on the pitch. Didnt realise that one player could be responsible for so many goals - especially considering Nyambe played 31 and 29 matches in those two seasons - so I would presume Bennett wasn't playing right back all season.

Football is about opinions - I think he is a good option to have on the bench - and he does get undue stick from the fans. Is he 1st team material ? not any more - but as cover we could do a lot worse. Not ignoring your question - I can remember numerous good crosses, excellent covering tackles and good distribution - I can also remember some stupid passes to his invisible friend, and poor crossing from good positions - which is why he would only be a squad player for me. If it makes you feel any better - I think first cover for right back would now be Harwood-Bellis - who has played there on the odd occasion for City.

So you would prefer Buckley at right back ? Bennett gets undue stick from the fans - who still has some quality about him, and always gives 100% - an excellent bench player who can fill more than one position. Not as first choice - but a good option IMO.

All depends on what is happening at youth level - a good example may be Wharton - where he has been allowed to develop while we bring in short term deals to give us time.

The game plan against Luton worked - we got three points. May have been a poor match - we may have got lucky with their equaliser (not seen the replay to few whether off side or not) - but we got three points.

Thought we had a year option on Rothwell ?

Three of those players I had in my team. Dack is still coming back to fitness. Having Gallagher in is more a reflection of the pitch and how I think we need to change our playing style. Having the best 11 players on the pitch doesn't necessarily make the best team.

Would have slight adjustment - with Gallagher up front. Armstrong just behind him centrally - and Dack on the bench to create havoc later on against a tiring defence. I think we have to tweak our play a little- and play a little longer - the three behind Gallagher have the pace to run into space behind Luton defence- or if they pack their defence pick up the scraps when they clear (as long as Gallagher can exert the necessary pressure)

Interesting how people view the game differently isn't it. I agree about Nyambe. IMO it was defensively one of Douglas's better games - but for me only average. But I think this will always be the issue - his strength historically has been his passing/delivery - which we haven't really seen too much in his time at Rovers.

Has he fully recovered since his injury ? A good defender - but was never the quickest.

Was that the match Brotherston scored. I can remember watching the snow come over the hills - straight at the away fans in the uncovered away end. If I remember right - they allowed Rovers fans to move to covered seating area (we were lucky to be in the stand)

And I thought their pitch looked like a bowling green compared to Ewood

Be careful - sounds like you are defending the club regarding the latest stick to beat them with 🤣

I must admit - though he occasionally looks susceptible on the floor - he is the type of dominant centre half in the air that we have been missing.

To be fair - I think most Rovers fans wanted us to sign Chapman. I think most thought it was a gamble (from injury perspective) - but worth taking based on his time with us in L1

What is interesting - just prior to the boro player got injured, there was a blatant foul on Travis where the Boro player tried to cheat a penalty by holding Travis and then chucking himself to the ground. No free kick was given - and just after this their player got injured. Could it be that the Ref thought the player was feigning injury to get a penalty - only later to find the actual extent of the injury ? Let's hope the Boro player makes a full recovery - it is never nice to see a player getting injured. From a Rovers perspective, it was good to see that it didn't affect Branthwaites game too much. He is obviously far from the finished article - but defensively we have looked better with him.

And yet a brilliant pass that led to the goal. Hopefully he will learn to mix it up a little rather than shooting all the time.

https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/preston-north-end/preston-north-end-boss-says-pitches-are-suffering-because-years-reduced-summer-break-3080623 Also - from what TM said Swansea recently relaid theirs.

https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/preston-north-end/preston-north-end-boss-says-pitches-are-suffering-because-years-reduced-summer-break-3080623

How on earth do you know that TM isn't bothered - you can blame him for lots of things but things like the pitch rests with Waggot IMO

Another old story - but lack of preparation time during summer could be one of the reasons https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2018/may/pitch-up-look-sharp/

Whats changed ? https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2018/may/ewood-pitch-named-one-of-the-best-in-the-efl/

That pitch is awful - I would be curious as to what has gone wrong. However, it has looked ropey for a while surely TM should be adjusting our home playing style rather than waiting until the last 15 minutes.

Think you are being harsh with Davenport mark - thought he added some much needed energy. Nyambe was awful defensively- at fault for their goal and nearly gave away others. You should mark to pitch - 1 (only gets one for looking green) For me both Dack and Travis shouldn't have started.