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.

For me, Sheffield United ARE the dirtiest team in this league bar none. I agree 2 should have been sent off today(and at least one in the home tie with Spurs which I watched on t.v.). I think our young lads play with no fear which is really exciting to watch(a bit like Fergusons Class of 92). You probably wouldnt get these explosive counter-attacks with experienced old stalwarts clogging the side up ;it would be just too slow. Thought Dolan, Travis & Carter were all sensational today. Quality fitness levels. A big shout out to the coaches at the Academy. They are clearly doing something right!

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?

Yes indeed I did Tyrone. Keith Newton was far better than Henning Berg(in the Premier League winning side). Not totally off-topic as I was commenting on JRCs performance against Leicester. That was the most magical performance from a right-back since the Newton era. Not to put too fine a point on it, but Bob Crompton was winning trophies and medals for Blackburn Rovers before Man.Utd were even invented!

Really hope JRC isnt badly injured. The performances recently from him at right-back are staggeringly good(like a Real Madrid player). Even if injury-prone Id be tempted to get a contract extension signed up. Early days I know, but he looks even better than Henning Berg: perhaps up there with Keith Newton? Of course, Rovers greatest ever-player was a right-back.......Bob Crompton. (Alan Shearer clearly the best in the last few decades).

One of the great Rovers F.A.Cup performances. The football was so easy on the eye,high press and slick passing in the final third. No wonder the players were tiring towards the end. Gallaghers tackle to set up the second goal worthy of the great Roberto Boninsegna himself. JRC just sensational until injured. Think it wont have gone unnoticed by scouts of other clubs though. Seriously, what a shift put in by Travis. A true warrior in there. In fairness, many Leicester fans quite gracious in defeat. I really DONT want the Dingles next round, though. Anyone but them!!

Feeling more positive now. The defending with these clean sheets is just sensational-credit where its due Hyam,Ayala & Carter all good again,and JRC plus Brittain not too bad either plus 2 reasonable goalies (when Kaminski is fit). Much prefer building from the back in the time-honoured Allardyce traditions. So grateful Mowbrayfication has finally ended also. The Academy is truly playing its part and credit to JDT for game-managing the players(as best he can). Hes getting a gallon out of a pint pot at the moment. Well done!

Quite happy if our best players are our defenders. Garrett MOTM for me. On Gally, would say hes a great defensive centre-forward and a good athelete, just very poor at the goalscoring end. Kevin Davies had those sort of qualities as well.

An obligation to buy Hirst IMHO is a sacking offence, period. Just remember Chris Brown did at least come on a free.

Poor performance ,bewildering subs (given their recent displays) so mainly on JDT more than the players. Hirst needs to be a sub for the reserves NOT the first team. With such a poor bench, how about showing some imagination & putting Scott Wharton on as a "makeshift impact centre-forward." His goal-scoring ability with his head is leagues better than Hirst.

Great performance & result from the lads. As per usual sensational shot-stopping(if awful kicking)from Kaminski. Well done to Dolan, JRC, & Buckley. It is very encouraging to get good performances from the younger players who are naturally a tad inconsistent.

Dont look too good,does it? I reckon the 1-4 home thumping by a very mediocre Preston team was a worse performance than the record 0-7 hammering by Fulham,who did at least look a Premiership side,even then(plus we had 10 men when van Hecke got the red card). If the suicide football continues you HAVE to blame the manager not the players. About the only thing JDT has got right recently is keeping Markanday & Hirst away from the first team. With two delicate players like that we would probably concede more then five.

Pretty wishful thinking Jim, Bellingham isnt gonna come here on loan with Liverpool ,Man.City, Real Madrid after him. Hope we are entertaining moving a few players on.... Hirst needs to go back to Leicester, maybe Edun and Pears moving on? Butterworth and James Brown loan deals ? And what to do with Ben? Would you prefer £5 million now or zero pence at the end of the season in the best Lenihan/Rothwell time-honoured traditions?

You mean Jim Fryatt with "the serious sideburns/anglebars"? On a positive note we are still third so relegation looks unlikely! Also still in the League Cup. Have to say there doesnt look much passion from JDT. The players are probably as confused as we are....and as bad as Travis was against Preston the worst performer was JDT....Smodzics AND Dack on together from the start?? Makes Tonys tombola look sensible!!

Great performances from all the players. JDT setting a scorching pace.. lets hope it continues. The importance of the academy cannot be exaggerated cos we can offer the youngsters something the Premier League big boys cannot... its called game time..

The one team I wouldnt want to play Dack against is a Mowbray team . No need for psychological problems. Only Dack & Markanday havent really had any proper game -time under JDT. I dont really buy the fitness thing. And in Markandays case,it isnt his age or his wages. He must be pretty unimpressive in training given the game time Hirst has had!!

Ranks up there with the Gordon Banks save against Pele in the 1970 World Cup! With shot-stopping like that who cares what Kaminskis kicking is like? Could we not get one of our large & swelling collection of central defenders to take the goal kicks?

Top show from Daragh helping us on our way! Who replaces Travis as our "tackler"(if he is suspended)? Garrett hasn t been given any game time so Szmodics or Morton to plug the hole? Just need to remember these good performances when the (mostly young) lads hit an inconsistent patch.

If JDT does buy Hirst we need a new manager. Perhaps a bit early to judge but just playing Greggs acquisitions irrrespective of how they perform is grossly unfair to quality players like Dack. I stiil maintain that if JDT really wants a non-scoring centre-forward Jack Vale is a better and less expensive option. Even Chris Brown (who was older,less fit and slower than Hirst)had a physical presence and more importantly cost zero pence.