My apologies to any fellow BRFCS poster(s) if you'd been lined up / ready to write this thread, but given it was less than 2 days to go, and most of us being somewhat pre-occupied tomorrow, I thought I'd give it a go... (but not 'a right good go'...) Up next at Ewood are the sleeping giants of Sheffield Wednesday, currently slumbering along second bottom of the Championship. The all time record between the two clubs is very evenly balanced, with Rovers having won 57, Owls 59 and 38 drawn. Managed by another of TM's contemporaries whose better days seem well behind him, Tony Pulis, Wednesday are having a torrid time this season, having started some 12 points adrift due to FA sanctions (recently reduced somewhat, but still a negative start). Their record over recent games should give Rovers fans some hope for a result, having only won one from the last 5 with the other 4 being losses. Pulis is no mug though, so Rovers will need to be on their game in order to overcome what will most likely be a packed rearguard, well drilled and organised midfield and a manager with some tactical nous. Rumours are that Big Ben is ready for a comeback, which would be a boost, particularly if he can reproduce some of the sparkling form that has seen Rovers convert high possession stats into goals. Without him it may be difficult to break down a big and bruising back four, regardless of how much of the ball we see. Players that have graced both clubs? I'm sure there are loads! Three favourites from recent years that I've seen are Paul Warhurst (very unlucky with injuries and scored some great goals for and against both clubs!), Tommy Spurr and of course Jordan (He scores when he wants!) Rhodes. Looking for a quick bounce back from the disappointment last time out. 3-1 Rovers Merry Christmas to all! COYB! A repeat of this would be nice...

Tyrrhis D with a smart finish!

3-4 great ball by Chapman, Joe Nolan tap in (?)

3-3 Chapman great finish!

Pike unlucky to not score there.. followed by Rovers conceding a stupid penalty. 3-2 Derby. Dang!

The style of play is certainly reminiscent of the first team..

Sibley sent off for them. If Chapman grows a pair we might nick this..

Yup. Rocket science it isnt. Has anyone actually asked Mowbray, "This Gallagher on the wing nonsense- wtf?" I wonder what his response would be if challenged directly about this weird blind-soot everyone else seems able to see, but not the bloke picking the team..

He can't trap a ball for sh!t, can't bring others into play the way a decent target man would, can't impose himself one on one with defenders with their back to goal... I wish it was otherwise, but we just haven't seen that in his game. I'd be delighted if Sam could do all those things AND WAS ALLOWED TO!! But sadly it appears he can't and he ISN'T ALLOWED TO! Hmmm, do you think another choirmaster could get a different tune from this band? (another thread yes).. So, in January, in the absence of SG coming good, please could we just buy a battering ram?

Enough of this tippy tappy 69% possession horsesh!t - we need a big strong, capable target man, to aim for and to hold up the ball in opponent's territory and who our other players with an eye for goal can feed off. Chris Martin would do for me. Feck it, this guy would do it for me, if he could add the difference to make the difference

Saw an Arna doppelganger leaving a (n illegal) house party at 2am this morning. Hope to hello it wasn't him, but reading the Ben Marshall thread has me wondering... after all, everyone under 25 is fecking immortal and entitled, right??

Pitch hasn't changed much, on Wednesay night's evidence!

Not for me - Buckley did nothing in the game. Nothing. Rothwell made some good attacking runs and had our only shot of any note on target in the first half (denied only by a good save by their keeper at full stretch). Buckley needs to fill out, man up and get stuck in more. Rothwell looks a natural in this team.

Called this earlier. Grind (mainly my teeth) but a win nonetheless;)

\HAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHA Serves em right the time wasting shaggers!

AAAARRRNNNNANAAAA

Bell offside

Dolan 1 minute to make a mark

ELLLIIIOOOTTT

Has Arna been watching his Jason Roberts vids again? Barn Door Banjo Boys

Lenihan you dick

We have replaced the entire midfield. Just WHAT was TM thinking at the start of the evening?

Football can turn in a minute. Works both ways. It doesn't look like we have any attacking intention, so we are going to need them to score for us. Holtby and Trybull coming on...

|Commentator, "Rovers haven't done themselves too many favours tonight.." Duh!

Yes. As if..