frosty

The effort was there from us but the ability, in comparison to Norwich, wasn't. They were a good outfit, every player comfortable on the ball and they put some nice moves together. We don't have that many players comfortable on the ball but they all were. Both full backs were good today, Bell more like his first game. Nyambe did what he should be doing and is certainly capable of - getting forward and driving past players. Just needs work on his final ball. Some of Graham's hold up play was excellent. Dack quiet overall. Brereton was worryingly poor. If that was an academy player, the feeling would be that they just aren't ready yet, or that they may or may not make it. I know he came on out of position again, but even the basics weren't there. Another late goal conceded too..... Also - Rothwell isn't even getting off the bench anymore which is very harsh IMO. There's no way Palmer or Brereton were better choices to come on the wing than him.

Going back a few years but Andy Cole 01/02, Stead 03/04, Nelsen 04/05, Samba 06/07 just off the top of my head were all signed in January, the first two transformed our season and the latter two were unbelievably astute signings.

I can't imagine Rothwell is happy having only started once (I think - Bolton away) in the league. Mowbray said he was like a pitbull ready to be let off the leash, that was a couple of months ago I think so I can't even imagine how he is now. I'd say to Rothwell "I'm going to give you a run of half a dozen starts, go out there and make it impossible for me to leave you out again". He's got technical ability, a spark and a drive that we don't otherwise have and I'd like to see him get a chance.

Boro must be dire at the moment. Beaten 0-1 at home to Burton in the QF of the Carabao Cup.

Good post. It's all well and good saying that you aim to be at this stage or that in however many transfer windows, but having more transfer windows doesn't necessarily make you stronger. It'd be great if it was that easy, but unfortunately it isn't. Mowbray's transfer record is mixed in terms of players who have gone in and made an impact on the team, with only Reed being a regular starter from this summer's signings. If Dack leaves say next summer, plus key players Graham and Mulgrew being a year older, then recruitment is going to have to be good. If this time next year we're challenging in the top six with a team that is better all over the park then the current one then great - Mowbray will have got it right and a mid-table finish this season would have been a good base to work from. What I don't want to happen is a year or two from now to be reading things like 'we're only seven points from the play offs with a game in hand'. We had enough of that in Bowyer's second season when the previous 18 months had shown that we simply weren't capable.

We won't do anything of note in this league if we're chucking away points v 10 men last week, and against a team that looked devoid of any belief and as though they couldn't wait to get off the pitch and go home this week. We should have seen this out as a comfortable 2-0 victory. Raya - best staying on your line, never did Friedel any harm. He's won us plenty of points in the last couple of seasons but also cost quite a few goals. Otherwise he'll always have that eccentricity in him and be capable of moments like today, sort of like a lower league Hugo Lloris.

Bentley, Duff, Santa Cruz, Jones, £17m-£18m certainly seems to be the magic price as Tom says.

Ireland v Denmark again, bet you'e sick of them!

It's a strange one with Bell. On his debut you couldn't stop him from flying forward and he looked full of confidence, taking players on. But he hasn't really played like that since and seems to be getting worse if anything. I'm not sure whether he's under any instruction not to be too adventurous but you'd think him and Nyambe on the flanks would be perfect for getting up and down. I'm sure there's a player in there somewhere.....

I thought Leutweiler looked a bit shaky when we drew 3-3 with Crewe in the FA Cup last year, from memory I think their second and third goals came from corners or crosses that at the time I thought he could have come out and dealt with. Hopefully though on Saturday he can do a decent job if he's playing.

We completely gifted them that. First half we were in control and Swansea looked like they were going through the motions. We can't keep ending up with 3 players out of position when we take Graham off. Dack isn't a striker, Brereton isn't a winger. So frustrating to throw away a game we were comfortable in.

Great video that. What a legend.

They've only won two out of their last seven in the league, both wins coming against teams in the bottom 3. As with every game in this league, absolutely nothing at all to fear.

Decent looking team, glad it's been mixed up a bit. Rothwell stands out every time he comes off the bench so looking forward to seeing him from the start.

Would have had Rothwell or Reed, or both, in. They both look full of enthusiasm and energy and Rothwell has played well every time he's played. Nevertheless, come on Rovers!

QPR must be truly dreadful.

Great result and what an opportunity to make it two wins in a row on Wednesday. COYB!

4-1 unbelievable!

True about Dack though. Some players are so important to a team that they should be on the pitch at all times (unless, say, 3-0 up and coasting with 10 mins left). I'd say Dack is that important to us.

If Chaddy says it's a bizarre post then it's almost certainly bang on. No different here.

Jagielka I think. Great stuff!

Rovers are doing a poll on Facebook and Twitter asking if goal music should be kept. Get voting to remove it people.

Pre-injury Ronaldo (he essentially missed 3 full seasons around the turn of the century) had it all. He did exceptionally well to reinvent himself as a pure goalscorer after that but yeah, he was on another level before his injuries.

Unreal that from Mbappé.

Henderson's better than most give him credit for but Matuidi is certainly better. 0-0 HT. Belgium started off well, having a lot of possession but France have had the best sights of goal.