Oh bugger, now you've done it...

I'd argue that Szmodics is as yet 'undecided' rather than an unsuccessful replacement for Rothwell. Plus we have the benefit of Hedges and Dack to mitigate.

I'll try something different : Kaminski Ayala Hyam Wharton Brittan Pickering Travis Wharton Dack Hirst Brereton Bench: Pears, Carter, Edun, Morton, Buckley, Szmodics, Hedges, Gallagher Not sure I have the numbers right on the bench, but I aimed for a strong team, with as versatile a bench as possible alloeing for direct subs as well as tactical changes.

Aaron Doran

I thought Carter was just politely asking for his shirt after the game. Definite penalty, but don't mind a bit of dark arts if Nadine's getting away with it.

Why does this commentator keep calling the game a tie? It's not a cup game or a knockout FFS.

Could the Whartons be the new Charltons?

HTF did that stamp on Trav not get a card?

I'm actually quite happy with the line -up (despite it obviously looking paper thin) only because it shows JDT is really paying attention to the squad and rewarding performance. It's mostly the side that faced Stoke in the 2ns half.

I've said elsewhere that when he comes back to Ewood I'd politely applaud him, like any ex-journeyman pro. He got us back into the Championship, but that was his only real achievement. A rollercoaster after that with good spells combined with two of the three worst runs or results seen in club history, as well as delivering the worst result ever seen at Ewood Park. Has a knack of being a sourpuss after a loss, often blaming perceived (false) fan expectations or the players rather than his own deficiencies. 'Shearer and Sutton aren't here anymore' was particularly galling. Up there with Steve Kean's drivel, and not even Kidd, Ince, or Coyle stooped that low. He'll excite you and he'll infuriate you in equal measure, but the end result will be inoffensive midtable finishes.

What does a targetman do if it's not running channels, getting in the box, and bringing others into play?

I think that'd be fair, and a bargain if he performs.

Boring football, midtable probably. However, compared to Neil it's a huge downgrade.

Yes, he'd be free but also no way to guarantee he comes here.

Might be wrong but I'm sure he conceded an og and penalty in his first game, then basically snapped his leg a few games later. Wasn't til the following season he looked the real deal.

Or it benefits is to pay next summer rather than this.

It'd be a purchase in all but name. Not sure why we'd do that instead of just buying, unless delaying the spend is better for accounting purposes?

I'd hope for better than one goal every twelve games, if his dad was one in three 😉

The wages involved for Barkley, it MUST be a Venkyspecial, surely?

I'd like to see us try: Kaminski Brittain Hyam Ayala Pickering Wharton Travis Buckley Hedges Dack Gallagher

The English Game was perfect for us to capitalise on as well, should've had a Marquee match Vs Darwen at Ewood in old school kits or something.

I feel like Jason Brown is easily forgotten from the Sparky era, even though he saved a penalty in one of his appearances.

I keep looking at it as 'we'd gone WLWLWL, how would I feel?' and I'd have been fine with it. Equally, I'd feel good if it were LLLWWW, but the recency effect hurts. As long as we curb it sharpish and hit a reasonable run of form for this season (WDLWDL etc) I'll be content. Just hope we kick on.

Hyam He left Coventry, came up to the Rovers (For two million) He saw us doing it the way we do it And then Came to bolster our defence and he'll chop you down. Don't tell us you know best He's not the same as all the rest! HYAMMMM the one and onlyyyy! Nowhere he'd rather be! HYAMMMM the one and onlyyyy! You can't take him away from me!

Put Dack in for Gallagher, and swap with Diaz