IMO - this was part of the problem last night - we pressed high with the front four, but when they were bypassed they had acres into which to pass. Throughout the whole match we played far too deep - which in turn disconnected the midfield from the forward players. By contrast, Cardiff pressed as a team - which contributed to our poor performance. You are right about the tempo - IMO both midfield players contributed to that by hanging onto the ball for too long - though to be honest, given we had four forwards, they seemed to have limited options to pass forward. If we are to continue passing from the back - we seriously need to work on giving the receiving player options. Ayala held onto the ball for far too long, but I think this was due to lack of options. There is also nothing wrong with mixing it up - not certain if Cardiff got nervous - but we looked far better in the last 10 mins when playing a little more direct. Overall Dolan had a poor match - but it was nice to see him releasing the ball far quicker (most of the time) - so obviously JDT is getting through to him. You can see glimpses of what he is trying to do - but I think JDT has to mix it up a little.

Must admit I didn't think he meant the Cardiff fans 😉

I do wonder if we are playing Dolan up front so he can fit in Kipre's back pocket.

We are sitting far too deep

But it would be amazing if he showed a bit of loyalty to the club that paid his wages when he would have struggled to get in the San Marino side - let alone Chile. Not holding my breath though - even if we offered a big wage increase and reduced minimum fee.

Interesting to see which Rovers will turn up - and which formation. I would be tempted to rest Ayala and possibly Gallagher - there is also arguments to rest some of the midfleld. Normally don't like swapping and changing - but with so many matches in the run up to the World Cup - it would be sensible to rest players periodically.

Carter makes sense - as they would go long in the remainder of the game - the rest meh

Looks like Pickford will be No1. Pope distribution has been shocking in both matches - and now that mistake

Lol - hindsight

Can't believe we are 2 down - both Maguire mistakes. Sorry 2-1 down

I said good pace - not that he was Bellamy quick. You obviously thought he wasn't that good when you watched him play centre half for Rovers. The game is all about opinions - I thought he had potential to be an excellent centre half.

TBH - what IMO made Sutton a potentially very very good centre half wasn't just his heading ability. He also had good pace, excellent distribution and good positioning.

I did start by saying I agree that Philips current position is centre half. I was just pointing out that players sometimes start in one position - but end up in another. It would be interesting to know whether he has ever been deployed as a striker in his short career.

I agree - but history is littered with players switching - Hendry played up front initially in his career, Sutton as a centre half and Warhurst centre half, before centre forward and then Dalglish converted him to centre midfield (where, but for injury, I think he was probably potentially the best box to box midfield player in the country)

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.