Brilliant result in the circumstances. Dare I say it a promotion-esque performance. Down to 10 men for.a significant amount of the game it was always going to be hard - even more so with the regularity of games - so to got a point despite a man disadvantage for so long is huge. Negatives: Lenihen sending off. Buckley right back. Poor tactically by TM imo. And most significantly (why both of the others matter even more) once again we are hugely thin in defence. Positives Rothwell is beginning to show consistency along with promise. A very good player. A point we in theory shouldn't have got. Hopefully the goal helps Davenport finally kick start his Rovers career. Strong defending when down to 10 men. Loads to be pleased about and if we were fortuitous in the last couple of games for wins, endeavour won us a point today and was highly deserved.

Going to be a long afternoon. We are very short I defence. Don't get Buckley at right back - crazy decision. Going to be a very long afternoon.

I was having a few thoughts about the Bournemouth team along these lines. Lots of 6 and 7 out of 10 players. Not amazing but consistently decent. Also depth of decent players makes a difference too. Evans, Bell, Bennett to name a few are poor, whereas the newly relegated clubs don't seem to have that many weak links. Even if the players aren't amazing they are all decent. We as a team however are very much boom or bust. That said if they were boom all the time they wouldn't be with us!

Yes. I think that's the problem for us in the past. When we fell off the horse, so to speak, we sat in the dirt, went off and had a cup of tea and read the paper before getting back on. Just thinking of last Christmas when we had 3 winnable games and only got 2 points. A loss or draw in one of them wasn't the end of the world, but the malaise stayed on for all three games. We can afford the odd bum result (look at Bourmouth v Preston) it's the response after that matters. Issue is we have 3 tough games and so we need to pick up points in some of them. Worth noting as well a win and two losses though not ideal is better than two draws and a loss.

No because they won't spend money on defenders for starters. Outside of the resources issue the owners also hugely hinder by their daft set up.

Just for perspective I think it's worth noting that is Bournemouth's first clean sheet for nearly a year (I think). Good team and perhaps show us the standard but infallible, no. Their defence isn't a all that. Add in the Preston loss and what we are right to be wary and think these teams may be better they are far from unbeatable. Also Barnsley looked very poor compared with against us - although that could be the opposition too I suppose causing that.

When you put it like that I am much more optimistic. When I think of our performances the last few games I'm less so!

Yes, he is more of a winger. I think I was more thinking along the running at people lines and him being more mobile than Gally.

Maybe it's Dolan's chance to shine? He seems a more like for like replacement, although think Gally would be more likely to start.

As well as Bereton playing well, which has been key he also prevents the Gally out wide experiment, which often doesn't work. Bereton will be a big loss both for his cotribution to the team, and who he keeps out of the team. Perhaps when Dack is back, he will be one of the three with Elliott and Armstrong. Gally I feel is much better suited as an impact sub and in the central role when he plays. .

Think this sums up my view too with the following caveats: 1) it is good to have a player like Armstrong who can dig us out of a hole when we are struggling and not playing well. I think all good teams need this, and it is sometimes what seperates teams in a very tight league. 2) I think we do have a good plan A, and the majority of the team picks itself. Where Dack fits in is anyone's guess but outside of that, I think about 7 or 8 of the players are likely to play. The problem for me, was the lack of an effective plan B, as the chuck on a ton of midfielders really didn't seem to work or help the team. We don't seem to have the formation changes to positively affect games if the 4-3-3 is struggling. Bereton being out is a big blow, which I never thought I would say. For me he more naturally fits the plan and style than Gally, albeit the latter does give a different dimension. I appreciate injuries are part and parcel of the game but it's a kicker when the lad finally finds some good form, that its interrupted like this. Hopefully he can resume where he left off when he gets back. Bit worried about Ayala being rusty, although understandable I suppose. And the game of volleyball at the end didn't reflect well on our defence at all. I'm in the I like Buckley camp. Sure, he really needs to bulk up, but if he does that he will be a hell of a player. I hope he's one whose size/stature doesn't limit his career, because he is very good on the ball.. I'm a bit stumped how an away kit can cause the very problem it is meant to solve. Another sign of money ruining the game. Not easy for anyone to follow and I shudder to think how my colour blind mate found it. Poor do that. .Finally it's always nice to beat that lot given their fans for the most part give Neanderthals a bad name.

Does make you worry for the European scouting network. Never mind there's still Middlesbrough. Also what does it mean for internationals from smaller countries - am I right in thinking they would qualify?

Agree with both of these posts. Our defence does look significantly weaker. Even if you debate the quality of our midfield and srrikers there are options and alternatives. Johnson's physicality or Trybull's mobility. Bereton's running at them or Gally a bit more physical, or could have a more winger like option in Dolan or Elliott. We have options and possibilities, whereas defence seems one set of injury prone choices. If we can get the first goal this is a nailed on win as they are draw specialists. The challenge will be getting it, as feel a physical resolute display like Cardiff is on the cards.

I could be reading it wrong but I think they've got some injuries and he's not happy about the negativity. Con man - who in fairness conned me. He's not that great at his job, and doesn't seem to like any criticism. It's also worth pointing out their neighbors down the road have a shed load of injuries and are doing alright. Plus, I'm not convinced injuries are an excuse this season since all teams seem to be struggling with them. On a separate note, for a guy who allegedly can cope with pressure he doesn't half seem rattled.

As others have said 1) the Barnsley result shows how good it was to get 3 points Vs them. 2) Preston winning shows how crazy this league is. Kicker for Preston to lose Bauer. It really is a squad game this season. Wonder if that's why the 3 relegated teams are doing fairly well - not perhaps amazing teams (although I do think Watford have a very good first 11) but stronger squads. Having some quality beyond the first 11 seems much more important this season then ever before. Cardiff have also got into gear the last couple of games, which may also be worth keeping an eye on. Derby continue to not be very good.

Some good thoughts simongarner... and joey. My worry is with both is the players don't quite fit the system. Who plays wide (well!) in the midfield bank of 4? And Bereton has struggled as part of the 3 behind the main striker. Plus I'm not sure Rothwell excels in the hole. I'm not trying to nit pick as I don't have any answers to this. I can see why trying 4-3-3, a system with some success and suits our players, is worth the gamble. But where it hasn't worked is against the stronger teams. It's a dilemma. The point is made that the formation struggles when key men are out of the side but with Covid and injuries can we really rely on our best players to stay fit in order for it to work against the better teams? That said the chances of working will only increase with our better players fit. Personally suspect a different system may be the answer but am not sure as yet what it is. Edit - thinking about Gally and Armstrong up front that could be the new King Gestede type combo. Still a few midfield issues but it would allow us to defend from the front and give us a few outlets. Maybe worth a shot?

Hate being Scrooge but we need plan B for playing the better teams as the 4-3-3 doesn't, or hasn't yet worked against them. That said I am pleased there actually is a plan A which works and suits the majority of our squad. Bereton and Rothwell and Holtby all look much better in this system and long term (assuming we can keep the bulk of the squad together) it seems a good plan to have. We do however have to find a system that causes the better teams problems. Not sure what that is. Perhaps a return to 4-2-3-1?

Last time I recall so many injuries was 99. And a lot of key players then too. I think in some way our injuries are less problematic this year because everyone is picking up injuries and isolations due to the pandemic, but it certainly does make it harder. I kept saying I wanted another defender in, and it's not surprising that there we are looking really short. Compare that to midfield, where without Travis and Evans (not that I rate him) we still put out a strong midfield with plenty of options. It also doesn't help that Williams, Ayala and Evans aren't exactly known for the excellent fitness record.

Preston always strike me as a team who've punched above their weight. It always comes to an end sooner or later. That Neil did as well as he did was a credit to him as a manager. As a Rovers fan I won't be losing any sleep about their downward spiral. As for Derby - managers matter so, so much, why risk it on Rooney. Blimey he's hardly had a cracking influence as part of the caretaker set up anyway. Felt like today was a relegation 6 pointer for them. Cardiff got an emphatic win easing the pressure on Harris. Surprised to see them struggling so much.

Think this sums up my thoughts on him too. IF the crowd thing affects him that much it would be a real worry as there will be times when he/the team are playing poorly in the future (don't need to be Nostradamus for that prediction) and if having a restless crowd affects him that much, he really will struggle. For me, the formation change is key. It suits his strengths and hides his limitations. He's also not done it against any other clubs, and is a bit of a flat track bully. Both the not performing in other formations and not doing it against bigger clubs both mean he won't be top of anyone's shopping list anytime soon. But blimey, just having a player who causes weaker teams problems is streets ahead of where he was. I guess it's similar with Gally too. Right formation and position, he looks ok. Or as an impact sub vs tiring legs his physicality gives him an edge. Neither are particularly great but when we use them appropriately they can certainly contribute.

Totally agree it's nice and a welcome change. Also think yes often is a sign of a promotion contending team to win on their off days, but equally we've seen poor teams get fluke results - beating Manure under K**n for example. Now I don't think we are a poor team, or TM is like K**n but equally I am not convinced that this win shows we are a promotion winning team who can grind results on our off days. IF we do it on a few more occasions, than yes, but so far it seems a lucky aberration. It should go without saying however that I hope it is the start of us grinding out the results to a promotion, but off this one game I am not so sure. If nothing else - 23 shots to concede is a lot. Even a 1 in 6 strike rate would give them a number of goals. Yep, been suckered before by that and this in part perhaps is a reaction against it. Think our playoff hopes more rest on my lack of faith in the team to mount a sustained push rather than it being a mathematical challenge. Goodness knows how many chances we had last season to ge tinto playoffs and botched it. Again though, to clarify I'm delighted with the win. Just not getting my hopes up yet, and even factoring in guarding against disappointment I don't see us making the grade.

Being honest this performance doesn't make me that convinced we've enough in the locker to go up. However it is a very welcome 3 points and ones we haven't been taking recently, or at all this season, so on those grounds alone you have to be pleased with the results. The upturn of Gally and Bereton is huge. Sure neither are world beaters but both posing some.threat this season and has changed them from liabilities into options. Gally especially seems to be excelling as a super sub. More injuries is a kicker and I wanted more defenders in during the last window. I do worry that our lack of depth I'm defence will cause us all sorts of challenges over the season Shame for.Warton who seems to be bailing us out of a lack of centre backs. Having a good keeper probably got us the points. nice to have a keeper who gains rather than costs you points. Really supports the cliché build from the back. Overall much needed back to back wins and keeps our (imo slim) playoff hopes a possibility.

Forgot about the Taker Cena "match". Now that was another terrible, terrible waste of an opponent for the Taker. Good build up, terrible match. That would have been an epic way to turn Cena, retiring Taker, or with those two as story tellers they could have told an epic match. Neither happened though. As for raw and smackdown on the network both are a month behind which doesn't really help momentum. A poor product doesn't help either.

Maybe it was a how do we boost survivor series thing? After all there is little build up and zero consequence to survivor series these days with brand Vs brand. The only thing going for it is you see some match ups you otherwise wouldn't like Lesnar Vs Bryan or Styles that people think are interesting. Last year they had NXT involved to add intrigue. This year had pretty much nothing going for it. Got to boost ratings somehow.

Yes that was a cool image and a good image to end on. But surely the match and story make a huge difference too. Thinking of Ric Falir and Shawn Michaels retirements at Wrestlemania - although neither actually lasted, as you also say when money is involved - they were both excellent ways to go out. Good matches, good stories, the works. They were, imo, what wrestiling is. A cool visual after a crap match and lame story is not enough for me. Also, and I get Taker is slowing down, a good story and a hyped crowd can elevate a match. Thinking of Hogan-Andre at WM3 as the prime example. The match seemed wow, due to the storyline and crowd, and both wrestlers playing their parts well, even if the match itself wasn't great from a technical standpoint. No reason with with right opponent that this couldn't have been done even with Taker slowing down.