Just watched the extended highlights on iFollow for the upteenth time. I obviously like pain. For the first goal the appalling defensive headers by Lenihan and Williams, in which they seem to specialise, take some understanding in which I've failed miserably. The failure to clear a bog standard punt and then the SU headers was schoolboy stuff, with my sincere apologies to all schoolboy footballers. Our flair players get pelters if they try to create and mess up yet the tossers above mentioned get picked almost continuously. One law for create, another for defend.

A different view: If we had semi competent defenders and DMFs it would give our flair players more scope and not make every mistake of theirs so dramatic. Successful teams are built from the back, every single time. L'pool being the latest example.

Agree, quite pathetic from Mowbray. Has he ever said he got tactics or subs wrong? Ok maybe a couple of times but he has become a competent blame shifter. For what it's worth I thought the Ref had a decent game and saw no sign of being overawed by Blades fans. Mowbray clutching at straws.

Ewood should have been redeveloped as a Stadium as per Plan A, we ended up with Plan B which would have been ok but for the Riverside eyesore. Anyway "we are where are" so a Riverside redevelopment, moving closer to the pitch, incorporating business and leisure money makers can only improve matters and give Ewood a better overall look. Closing it completely would destroy the ground atmosphere for ever and those sitting pitchside in the Riverside would not, in my opinion, thank anyone for a move anywhere in the BBE, least of all stuck upstairs behind the goal. I'm old enough to have sat upstairs in the old Riverside watching Billy Wilson, great view apart from those friggin pillars.

I tend to agree. It is difficult to jump at all with arms not moving somewhat but in this case there was arm movement towards the ball with the player looking too.

Well summed up, we are once more victims to Mowbray's inherent caution nay fear. It has permeated throughout the squad who know well by now how the manager tactics after 62 minutes pan out. Little wonder they become a confused disorganised rabble after looking quite composed and competent. I am not calling for Mowbrays head, just asking if he can check his balls for spunk levels.

The second yellow was for deliberate handball and on replay the SU player does move his arm towards the balls flight. Ref did well to spot it.

Smallwood was already on thin ice with the Ref having been spoken to for verbals with the Ref, I think CM was called over to log it. I certainly agree that in times before the challenge would have been a non event but now going to ground pre tackle seems to be a punishable event, deemed out of control. Also agree that we took a backward step as soon as the red for SU occured. I could not understand why and assumed it was tactical and came from the bench. Brereton off but no Graham made me wonder on the sanity of our manager. TM basically conceded the field to SU and we customarilly collapse as soon as Sharp scored his first. Our 'bottle' gone.

Tony's favourite Son is innocent! Referee to blame! Must be true, open and honest said so: https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2018/december/mowbray-we-threw-it-away/ I wonder if we will appeal the red card? No mention of how the subs he made impacted on the game.

We will lose to WBA and Millwall and in the Cup, then carry that form and results into our league campaign. If Dack's agent is any use Dack will be gone in January. I refuse to forcast any further, it could be just to grim.

Yes they were, some decent individual performances. Reed, Travis and Lenihan too. Rothwell let himself down with his pathetic dive. Charlie was below his best and no luck on his frekicks. Williams was just so bad I could smell him from here. Collectively doing ok, apart from not looking like scoring !, until the Mowbray meltdown. As @Stuart has said some of the subs were not required and weakened us. Smallcock was a dick.

I paid very late today for an iFollow matchday pass. The last feckin time.

It's good that you and @philipl are seeing the same game as me. Doing well, so far.

Very good preview. Thanks. I fear a thumping. SU will go for the throat. At home to Leeds we had low possession and a poor pass completion rate, I read somewhere it was 57% but that probably includes hoofballs to head, chest and arse. SU 4 Rovers 2 2 for us as we have Charlie, Dack or Graham are due one and their keeper is dodgy. I hope Williams avoids scoring such a perfect goal as he did v Leeds.

I have always believed they stayed as they were still well paid and promised new contracts at a future point for their "loyalty" Cynical maybe, realistic definately.

One of those mentioned positives was our "Cutting edge", it made me laugh, the alternative was to cry.

Due to be announced as "like a new signing" in the January window unless he goes all Gladwinesque on the injury front.

Please PM me next weeks winning Lottery numbers, Cheers.

Strange Rodwell is singled out. I would have done the same as him at Sunderland re wages, they had very rich iwners ffs. Coleman as manager at Rovers? Jesus wept.

We needed that animal at CB as soon as Hanley and Duffy left. It was stressed then and has been ever since but ignored by Coyle and Mowbray and owners who refuse to spend on decent defenders. Teams are built from the back, always has been that way always will be. The majority of our players are workmanlike, average at best and a few, AA and Williams as examples, L1 standard. We are miles away from any promition campaign.

You will, 3-2 I am amazed, and this time disappointed, that this game is not the day's pick on Leeds Sky TV, Football channel. (Red button not much use here but expect to find alternative means)

The minimum requirement for even a junior is a good first touch for instant control, which you either have or don't, it's difficult to learn. Physique can be worked on over time.

Reinstate today, it true spirit of Christmas. We need Chaddy back for the Leeds fallout. It's just not the same without him. Joy to the World, Peace and Forgiveness to All

Christmas Day football nostalgia, Rovers get a decent mention. Rovers featured in the last English League match played on a Christmas Day, v Blackpool away in 1965. A crowd of 21,000 turned up to see Blackpool win 4-2 https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/what-happened-football-christmas-day-lost-history-a-victorian-tradition

Fake news. Pure coincidence, as is Mowbray and Brereton being with the same Agency, alledgedly. Professional football has history of throwing up these odd happenings. I am back to my dot joining Christmas pressy to pass the time. Joy to the World