Great away support too,to help the lads on.

Superb defensive displays by Hill & Carter. Just such a pity we have to play at least half of our games at home! 

Give Telalovic or Leonard a few minutes. I refuse to believe that either is any worse than Hirst was for us last season(even though Ipswich are a comfortable 2nd in the table).

Bench looks very weak but we really have to start looking at injury/fitness levels with our transfer policy. Signing Ennis looks ridiculous particularly given the aggressive sanctions now being imposed by FFP.

Yes the lack of height cuts down the options. Not like a German team is it?

More like Barca(size -wise at least)

Probably too many players had their minds  on the midweek match against Chelsea. The real positive (perhaps only one)is that Potter is not our manager after his abysmal showing with Chelsea.

Oh and also I really dont think there is  any way we get relegated this season.

Great result and the 3 Scandinavians did us proud. If Wahlstedt doesnt save that early chance a whole different game.....Dont want to get too carried away-QPR did look poor.

But thats the kinda game to build up Markanday and Dolans confidence -against the weaker teams.

Injury-prone squad(its only October), horrible set of results and completely baffling tactics by JDT are enough to worry any fan.

This "refusal to defend " attitude is ridiculous. No wonder Carter & Hyam are struggling. Why no 3 in midfield?

Its not as though all these attackers score regularly is it?

Just...change the system.

I think most of you have highlighted our glaring problems at the back. 

All the more astonishing as JDT had a very illustrious career with A,C,Milan reaching the absolute pinnacles of European competition. Catenaccio football was far more the order of the day.

 He MUST understand how to set up a team so that the opponents dont get 2 dozen chances every game. 

We know how the Owen Coyle style of defending ends. This is baffling to me??

The answer to the question" should JDT be replaced if results dont improve ?" is fairly irrelevant Id say. Simply because he wont be. 

Look how the Venkys let Mowbrays contract run out.

Sacking managers costs money and the purse strings have been tightened.

To answer Mr.Gussets question, my answer would be to do some work in training on 1.defending and 2.changing the tactics so we sometimes have 3 in the middle and offer protection to the back line & goalie.

We cant play Harrogate or Cardiff every week unfortunately.

Results count for more than attractive football.

However poor Carter/Pears/Wahlstedt looked today it cant be any picnic when the managers tactics leave you so exposed all the game.....other teams have players like defensive midfielders to protect the back line.

The Nobbers results suggest its not all about the lack of investment. Even Luton got to the promised land with a miniscule budget.

This is on JDT fair and square. 

Avoiding relegation has to be the priority...giving Leo the jersey is a start.

Where is Plan B? Unless(as rigger says)there is another agenda in play.....??

On the positive side, with performances like these, no one will be poaching JDT!

Seriously though, where is plan B?

If Pears isnt replaced in goal more goalkeeping errors will occur, Id wager.

Good with his feet(the trendy thing for modern goalies yes agreed)but a poor shot-stopper. Better than Alan Fettis or Lutweiler certainly, but if JDT persists with Pears, the results are on him fair & square.

Its fair to say we have been spoilt with having some of the greatest goalies in the world at Ewood- Brad Freidel, Tim Flowers, David Raya, Roger Jones even....Thomas Kaminski,Paul Robinson and Jason Steele werent that bad!

So a high bar  yes and Aynsley Pears is underneath it for me.

It doesnt help that out of 7 signings,2 are injured(Sigurdsson & Ennis),2 will be lucky to make the bench on what weve seen(Tronstad & Moran),& 2 arent currently needed but could be, injuries allowing(Wahlstedt & Hill). Leaves only Telalovic. Hope the lad does really well but shouldnt expect too much from German 4th Division. Better than Hirst or Chris Brown would be a start.

To tomphils point,yes lets get shut- we cant afford players not pulling their weight/always injured. No room for Jaden Sanchos/Paul Pogbas at Ewood!
,

Getting back to the game in hand,if Tronstad & Markanday arent showing a bit more in training than they do on the pitch I doubt either will even make the bench. 

One reason Dolan is starting could be he does the dirty work of tracking back very well. Much better than Gilsenan/Moran from what Ive seen. Going forward/scoring  of course is another story.

Mark Atkins used to get a lot of stick(unjustifiably IMHO)from the fans as he stood out as a technically less gifted footballer amongst all the big-money signings. But he certainly could shoot and was probably the best long-range striker in the team after Alan Shearer.

Dunno whats happened with Tronstad?

Results unpredictable indeed with the Nobbers leading the pack(showing us how to turn over Plymouth)! Even Mowbrays Sunderland one place above(they put 5 past Southampton) so goal difference much better. Similar strategy to us apparently ditching the "I value experience" mantra and going with the kids,; no doubt in total opposition to Mowbrays wishes.

Expect the good atheletes to start IF fit aka Hedges,Travis,Gally.....

JDT has his work cut out if the injuries/suspensions start to build up....dont think a draw would be the worst result.

Expect Gally up top.   Putting Telalovic in from the start smacks of extreme desperation. Wahlstedt should get the jersey(I doubt he will).

Think JDT is getting concerned about the squad being too threadbare with injuries,loss of form etc.. still given Buckleys body language this season loaning him out looks absolutely the right call.  

Clearly problems to solve.....

Think JDT puts a lot on commitment, effort, tracking-back -the "dirty work" of football. Hence Travis plays, and Dolan gets his fair share of game-time. 

Markanday looks too delicate & weak to even make the bench, Pears not commanding enough and Gally has no strikers instinct whatsoever.

Lets just hope Hyam isnt seriously injured and Walhstedt gets the gloves.

At least we can watch the Dingles being thrashed...... 

What is most interesting is the players left out ...aka not even on the bench.

Im referring to Markanday & Buckley of course!

Anybody that can be rested simply has to be rested. We are struggling for bodies and its only August. 

The academy is being tested to the limit and beyond. 

Hence if we want a small squad to stay within FFP rules we need some players brought in  that are fit.

Id say Buckley has to start(or be loaned out). Id also be inclined to start Dolan again,particularly if he hasnt signed a new contract.

You are correct.

My point that Bob Crompton was the most important footballer in Rovers history stands.

Have to disagree Mash,  Manchester United only became Man Utd in 1902(brand change obviously)so our large collection of  F.A.Cup wins were when they were Newton Heath.

Either way can you imagine their large horde of "glory hunters" showing the magnaminity  in defeat that Leicester fans showed?