I was meaning more in the playing style and development model implemented by the coaching side of things, I totally agree that the ownership and corporate side will do their best to completely cock it up!

I think it's brilliant to seeing Rovers have an identity/playing style after years of Mowbray changing each week to combat opponents rather than making teams worry about us. There will be times where we play needless challenges but often those seemingly pointless passes are to keep the ball moving in order to open up space/shift players around the pitch. I'm a disciple of the Michels/Cruyff school so the way we play pleases me no end, seeing it implemented and taken on board by academy lads through to the first team is fantastic and something which should be celebrated. I didn't think 15 years ago this would be an ambition that any would aspire to but we could genuinely be the next Brentford with this system of play and instilling an identity at all levels of the club.

Games like this evening or essential in seeing which of the youngsters ‘has it’ to some degree. The age they’re all at and the fact they’re around the first team squad should mean they look decent against a middling League 2 team. Now, I’m not expecting them to run the show as they’re inexperienced and playing seasoned pro’s but these are the games when they set themselves apart as either future players or those who may fall down the pyramid. Can act as a great catalyst for deciding who will benefit from a league 1 or 2 loan to aid their development. I think there is a huge amount to be said for young lads cutting their teeth in league 2, learning how you really play the game. Lot to be learnt outside the santitized and cosseted environment of a cat 1 ball playing academy. also, morecambe beat Walsall on Saturday. And as someone who watches Morecambe regularly, we should be looking to put 4 or 5 in

Ha ha Dack was in that mould, but when it comes to the best example off a (genuine) Rovers legend with a big arse, Dunny wins hands down every day!

Looks very much in the mould of Dunn body shape wise (albeit no doubt a hell of a lot leaner), all arse and shoulders. Not a bad thing as a forward with a low centre of gravity.

Think the goal makes up for a pretty average performance to be honest. Mixed bag from Dilan IMO, made a few poor errors executing basic passes back to JRC and played a large part in their goal. Took his goal well and had a spell around that time of neat footwork in the final third. I think he has huge strides to make in his decision making and also executing some of the basics required during games. He simply cannot give the ball away as much as he did on Saturday.

I seem to be in the minority but I thought Tronstad did well, made a couple of great tackles getting the ball on the players safe side. Always looked to make himself available and act as a pivot in midfield. The pass from Wharton was incredible but as others have said he gave the ball away more times then he kept it, which is going to happen given his age and the way he plays. When he plays we’re going to need extra cover in midfield I think. We don’t want to blunt his eye for the perfect pass but need to not get left light if we turn it over.

The energy with which we move the ball at times, the sharp 1 touch interchanges are a joy to watch. The fact it’s being done by an increasingly homegrown team is testament to the fantastic work the academy has done over the last 10 years. JDT has brought in a style of play and these young lads have adapted to it brilliantly.

Agreed, Pickering took up some great positions in the first half doing the Zinchenko type thing of coming into the centre to receive the ball and break the press/relieve pressure on Hyam and Carter as outlets. Thought it was very clever and executed perfectly

Seem to have but Siggy, Ennis and Tronstad without numbers. Looking at which numbers remain I think Tronstad will be 6 and Siggy 11. Anyones guess for Ennis

That’s the way I see, I think JRC has done reasonably well defensively, but he’s clearly not a natural defender and unless we/he are committed to him becoming a defender I think over time teams will look to target his (relative) weaknesses. midfield has to be the long term answer for me. Wharton, Buckley and JRC in midfield protected by Tronstad would be an excellent prospect, no lack of creativity there. I’m looking forward to Buckley getting an injury/suspension free season under JDT, he clearly didn’t understand what was required at the start of last season but seemed to be coming into until his suspension and then injury. He could be a huge asset for us if used wisely alongside a defensive foil.

I agree there are definite question marks over him playing higher up, my worry is that he can only get away with the hybrid role so long before teams work it out. If they leave a man high and wide at all times it could easily totally remove JRC’s ability to roam.

I totally agree with this, Brittain is one of the best ‘proper’ RB’s in the league. He was massively hampered by injury last year so I don’t think we got to see him at full tilt. The game early on against WBA when it was about 36 degrees he was incredible. I’d like to see JRC pushed into that Hesges role, would provide defensive strength higher up on the right and give him license to roam. That extra defensive cover might also allow Buckley and Wharton to play in the same team. Buckley and Tronstad at the base of 5 man midfield.

Can’t get a game……. Barnes and Wharton in front of him now

Good assessment, only couple of points I’d disagree with. I thought Brittain did well and was one of the few attacking bright sparks, if anything he was constantly hampered by Dolans inability to beat anyone or even create space through movement. I thought Tronstad grew into the game, he played a couple of horror passes early on that he was lucky to get away with but once he’d settled looked decent. I agree though and thought Charlie Weston looked a lovely footballer in the 10 minutes he had.

Whatever contract is on the table for Dolan wants ripping up. He simply cannot beat a man. Tonight should have been meat and drink for him but he had to constantly cut back and play to Brittain. Hedges is so criminally one footed for a pro, Fleetwood showed him outside constantly knowing he’d have to play backwards. Both Dolan and Hedges are lucky to have had quality full backs in JRC and Brittain tonight

Are there any pictures of the shorts and socks that will be worn this season?

I was at Lancs CC game a couple of weeks ago and caps were £35 with Shirts £45, who in their right mind is paying £35 for a New Balance hat with a Rose on it. Madness

I think the hamstring injury toward the end of the season will have been the nail in the coffin. Dack had a hamstring graft for his acl reconstructions and having problems in that area so soon after will be a huge red flag in terms of long term fitness and ability to deal with the load of championship football. I say this as someone who had had two acl reconstructions.

It's astounding Burke has managed to remain in gainful employment at such a high level after being terrible since his early days at Forest. He was sensational there and looked like he could emulate Bale as a strong running full back/forward. When he was at Celtic to resurrect his career there were lots of reports of his attitude being appalling and generally a bit of a Charlie.

I'm very dubious whether Undav will be up to it. He was at USG when they were promoted from the Belgian championship. To give that bit of context, they're currently 2nd in the Belgian Premier league and have Burgess who was at Portsmouth last year and Sykes who was at Accrington as part of their preferred back 4. Doesn't fill me with confidence to be honest.

Half of my family are Scottish and are split evenly between being Celtic and Hibs fans, due to where they are located. Neither are particularly enamoured with Porteus, I watch a lot of Scottish football and was pretty underwhelmed when Porteus was talked about. Admittedly he is one of the Hibees better players but they're 6th in a league that is particularly poor this year (outside of the top 2).

Van Hecke had a bit of a stinker on Saturday for Brighton, lost his man at the back post and then missed the ball for the Leicester equaliser and was subsequently hooked.

Weirdly, I've done my ACL twice, In fact I'm currently without an ACL as I haven't had it repaired a second time as it's likely to go again, for a third time! At first I thought it looked a nailed on ACL but both times I've done mine there was very little pain, in fact the first time I tried to play on for 5 or so minutes. Watched it a few times since and he doesn't appear to straighten or overextend the leg too much so hopefully not an ACL. Obviously everyone is different but having done mine twice I didn't think (after watching it a few times) that it was his ACL. In fact of the two knee injuries I was more worried about Evans being an ACL has he did the trying to run it off and then realising he could weight bare, which had all the hallmarks of ACL. Anyway, really hope he recovers ASAP whatever the injury is.

Any London based fans point me in the direction of somewhere to watch this nearish Kings Cross?