?

No worries - swans

Can I have a Leeds please

Goal he scored was all his own work and a cracking finish from what I saw.

Maybe put a hand on him, but lad just fell over. Brereton also went down like he was shot but still a pen as that was A clumsy lunge. Great reaction. Could’ve been 5-2 if it wasn’t for Raya.

Dodgy penalty for me. I’ll keep my Lenihan pitchfork in the cupboard for now.

I personally don’t get the ignorance towards how he played his entire youth career as a Centreback and many times since, but that’s just me!

Agree on that Chaddy, I’d expect us to start with the same team in if Mulgrew is back. Also impressed with Williams, definitely earned his stripes as a Centreback for me.

You mean like suggesting they had a “very poor” game? Id call anything past “uneventful” as hyperbole personally.

Let’s not forget, people are free to post their opinions. It’s my opinion that the remarks; “BB looks a strange signing” and unsuitable to a position are absurd. As I previously stated, and a conversation I had on Saturday with either @K-Hod or @S8 & Blue or both, (was beer impaired mind) it was mentioned about BB’s reported fee possibly being heavily performance based and overblown for the forest fans. I think people should be excited that we’ve added a potentially talented England youth and championship preened talent. Not; questioning the motives of the deal, offering hindsight opinions on better alternatives after less than a month or suggesting the lad can be written off in a position or style of play. Doesn’t mean I’m intent on shutting down those opinions, I’m just pointing out how they’re daft from my direction. Quite exciting that we’ve added 4 players, including the 2 u23 lads from Walsall and Ireland, all upfront. Ambition to build depth in all positions. Much more exciting than Varney, Chris Brown, Delfonoeso and Stokes...

See the last paragraph.

Less than a month after signing someone you’re “starting to question”.. because we chose the older more established one in a couple of games? Signing a young lad is “strange” because we don’t have the time to wait for them to develop? That doesn’t even make sense. You’re speaking as if we didn’t sign anyone else in that respect. We’ve accrued several young potential players to add to our academy group. Nothing strange about that to me, it’s called forward planning. Out of position? What part of the “27 minutes” (maybe a bit more, but sheesh) has told you he has a definite role and position in our tactics/squad? Why didn’t we sign someone else? Again, maybe give the lad at least 1 start before we seek to pay off his contract and sign someone else. I also don’t buy that the fee was what people think. I reckon much of it is in instalments and his wage would’ve been considerably cheaper than signing someone like Bamford, Baldock or Bodvarsson!

From what I saw, in spells we sort of ended a mix of (in the latter parts of the second half) tonight; Raya Nyambe Lenihan Williams Reed Evans Smallwood Bennett Bell Dack Graham And; Raya Nyambe Lenihan Williams Bell Reed Evans Smallwood Bennett Dack Graham I think we might see a change upfront with a lack of width performing. I liked the posters suggestion of a 4312 with a higher line, Dack behind DG and AA or BB with 3 of Rothwell, Smallwood, Evans, Bennett or Reed in the centre. I think we’re more likely to see a variation of the 5 at the back though. We’ve used it in games quite a lot under Mowbray, maybe not from the start but in many games. Certainly made us look tighter tonight imo.

I think Evans is probably is tidier, better technique and passer, but for me Richie is pretty much the most robust tackler in the team. It might be a matter of taste because I always liked the gritty stuff. There’s no avoiding that Richie has shown at times, a lack of distribution and poor touch in positions further up the pitch. Sometimes a bit wooden in possession in tight areas. I think part of that is the key to why he’s had some stick, but also it’s always been one of those things - if a player doesn’t get into those positions, they’re likely not criticised as much - The game will pass Evans by at times but Richie never shirks a challenge, always helps the defence out and never fails to press aggressively. Even with that said, I think Corry is in his best spell for the club since arriving - Feb till now. Looks fitter than ever - not far away from Bennett and Richie for work rate but not in the correct positions enough for me. I think Harrison Reed, or Rothwell are the midfielder we need next to the more combative Smallwood - to put a foot on it. Reed looks to have a real tidy touch, and we know Rothwell has promise too. Maybe the safety first approach with two more “battling” centre midfielders is in Tony’s thoughts for the more tricky games? Perhaps we may come to see a more adventurous approach if we continue to pick up points, putting us in a position of safety? Either way, I’m quite happy with 11 points after 8 games, obviously never simple; but extrapolate and we are comfortable.

Defensively solid performance going off those defensive stats. Sheer workrate going off blocks, tackles and interceptions. Strangely we probably had the best chance of the game, 3 v 2 on target is poor but especially poor for them with so much of the ball. I think tonight showed how much quality Mulgrew gives us from the back, finding the player as opposed to giving it away. Hopefully he is back for Saturday.

Particularly Palmer Evans and Armstrong...

Great result, proper reaction and spirit second half after we really struggled to contain Derby’s attacks first half - they really are a proper midfield unit, we hardly had a second hence the early change and Dack being quiet. I could’ve picked 2 or 3, Nyambe was impressive at times, Graham did what he does, Lenihan made lots of little errors but has dominant spells, but Smallwood will be my Motm again, he did make a fair few mistakes, lax passes etc but so did the lot, particularly Williams, Evans, Armstrong and Raya scared me a few times. Richie’s effort, energy and will to get that second ball has a bigger impact on the team than many seem willing to give credit for. No surprise that Derby are topping possession tactics, they made us chase all night. Don’t think they’ll do much though because some of their final third stuff was woeful. Perhaps they’re missing Tom Lawrence! I think Reed also did well in a RWB or right midfield role (was hard to tell we seemed to be shifting between 532 and 442 in the end) so I’d want to see Evans rested next game. Rothwell, Brererton also potential options - it’s probably time to give Armstrong a rest.

I personally think Williams is more suited to a centreback role than a full back, especially in a three. I know this is obviously not the perfect replacement but it makes some sense, especially when I’m quite sure TM likes his left footed/right footed two in a 4, thus it makes sense since we never signed Baeur and Rodwell isn’t ready yet. It’s hardly what I’d call baffling. Maybe a bit frustrating because we’ve not the same level replacement as (arguably) our best player and captain waiting in the wings... (sarcasm by the way!) Equally - Conway might be getting on but the judgement he “shouldn’t be starting games at this level” seems extremely harsh since his performances should decide that, don’t recall him starting a game this season and stinking it out. I also don’t get the assumption it’s for defensive reasons, wouldn’t Bennett be exactly the same thing? He gets a chance whilst Bennett/Mulgrew is out - you may dismiss his set piece ability but ask Rudy Gestede what he thinks of CC’s delivery. If he’s crap, he’s pulled at half time or on 60 for another option. You might see it as pointless but there’s also an argument for an older/wiser head since the aforementioned two “captains” ain’t starting. If you go by Jim’s idea, that we’ve a poor team (you say it yourself a couple of ours aren’t good enough at this level) then how on earth do you get too is being about “on par” despite picking up a decent point haul and performing well overall so far? Not just my opinion, look at the stats/ratings/opinions in the media. I’m quite happy to accept you’ve every right to an opinion, but that doesn’t mean I can’t think you’re being extremely over critical of seemingly anything you can get your teeth into! Obviously, the result matters more than either of our opinions on the implied “strangeness” of the lineup so COYB! 1-2

In one breath an “out of position” Williams is an issue, but putting a winger on the wing as opposed to Rothwell is a strange choice? I find that confusing. Surely you can see subjective reasons for choosing either? I would sooner see Bennett and Mulgrew in, but I think Conway deserves a start now and then - plus he takes decent set pieces - something we will miss with Charlie out. Couldve picked 3/4 different starting line ups which shows the growth in depth this season, as for up front- when we have less of the ball it probably makes sense to put Armstrong upfront for opportunities to counter in behind. For me, the notion that some of our players are “third division” is wearing a bit thin, especially when it’s obvious that most of these players have been performing above expectations thus far this season.

He’s one of the best I’ve seen in recent memory at the “lean” imo.

But the opposition aren’t putting 4/5 behind the ball with nothing to lose, so when they’ve a set piece or a break, you naturally defend deeper in bigger numbers. Im not trying to say there is no way round it, but I am saying a few seem ignorant of another team’s ability and/or impact late on.

There are two teams Al. How do you expect Rovers to react if we are 1-0 down with minutes to go? It’s quite simple to accept the opposition will always go kitchen sink in those scenarios, as opposed to a few here who seem to think it’s non-reactive, utterly predictable tactics.

Nonsense. We changed to 352 before we scored but they pushed on for the last 10- which is normal for teams who are chasing the game.

Smallwood for me. Perhaps some reaction to his criticism but i felt his impact on our team for an hour yesterday was a “never say die” mentality. Certainly not technically as proficient as others but his work rate is infectious.