Admiral Nelsen

In fairness, given that mid-table is looking pretty nailed on, this is one of those occasions when I wouldn't mind increased priority on a cup-run.

Wonder what, if anything we can read into this? Mulgrew is clearly fitness, but does this reflect keeping some powder dry for the FA cup?

Ha! Just looked again and yours is suspiciously close.

Hands up who predicted that one!

Back on Ben Marshall, he's not in the Norwich squad today, suggesting that he could well be off somewhere (not especially likely to be us). On the off chance that it is, I don't think it'd be an especially sensible use of funds, despite his obvious talent. Don't think I remember a player at Rovers who can be better summed up by 'feast or famine'.

I prefer the Steven Reid derby, but I'll take the scoreline!

Very impressive words, and to be fair his record has been equally impressive over the last 18 months. He might find that he's bitten off a little more than he can chew there though. We know better than most how difficult it can be to turn around a basket case team when there's high expectations and a cloud over the club. Getting Stoke back on track and at the top of the division might not be as easy as taking Luton through the divisions.

Without doubt the most technically gifted. Maybe of any era at our club but certainly within most of our memories of watching Rovers. Shearer's talent was different, as you rightly say. If you put guns against our heads and say 'who was better?', I think a large majority of Rovers fans would probably opt for Shearer simply because he was peerless at what he did (scoring goals, but plenty more besides). Can't claim to be an expert on football outside of Britain, but I'm not convinced there was a more effective number nine in world football in the 90s, other than the original Ronaldo. Thing which made Tugay so special to us though, apart from his ridiculous ability, was just how much he seemed to appreciate being here. We've had plenty of good players here in the last couple of decades, but it's much rarer to have one that 100% buys into the club, its supporters and its culture. Amazing player and amazing character. The sort you tell your kids and grand kids about.

It was indeed. Incidentally, Anderson jr has since found regular football at non-league Hartlepool. Only realised when his name popped up on Sky's vidiprinter the other week. Next to OG

Would be sorry to see Downing go, proved to be an excellently astute signing at the time and played a big role in kicking starting us last year after the dodgy start. Can't begrudge him regular football though, wish him all the best if he goes.

Good move. Looks like he's caught the eye in the U23s so good to see if he can do it at a decent level like the SPL. He's 21 too, so probably of the age where we can't afford to hang about with exposing him to men's football.

I think the truth's somewhere in the middle. Agree that his work rate was fine, think saying otherwise is a bit of a lazy accusation. That said, I don't think he could really have been trusted to play in the way that the team needed in terms of looking after the ball in the right areas. A good player who if we signed on a four year contract would be a good investment, but given where we are, would rather give more game time to one of those who will definitely be here next season.

Not overly upset about Palmer, assuming the reports are true. Talented boy though, seems like a decent lad too. Seem to remember Tony mentioning about taking the pressure off Dack when we first brought him in. Probably envisaged him playing number 10 a lot more than he has done, which would've suited him more. Now that we're as good as safe, I'd rather give playing time to one of our own players. Makes sense for all parties.

Basically agree due to their potential (especially Rothwell) but both will need to develop significantly to be long term fixtures in my view, if our aspirations are to be mixing it around the top of the table. Bell at the moment is simply too loose a defender to deserve a place in the team (especially against the better footballing teams who put us under pressure) in front of Williams, who generally I think is underrated. That said, he is physically very impressive and is comfortable on the ball (even if his crossing needs work), but that's not enough if he allows his winger to get the ball into the box as frequently as he does. As you say, as a league 1 signing for a few hundred grand, he's not been a bad bit of business, but he certainly has things in his games to fix before we can really say it's paid dividends either in terms of increased value or his being worth his place in the side. Probably say the same with Rothwell, although he's probably entitled to a few more appearences before passing judgement.

Reed on a permanent deal would be a fabulous bit of business. We've seen how difficult it is to get a player in this division who can be comfortable on the ball as well as well as properly compete in the middle of the park. Come to think of it I don't think we've had a single one, other than perhaps David Jones on loan. If young Travis develops into the sort of player that he looks like he might be, then all of a sudden our perennial problem position (even though Evans and Smallwood are a big improvement on what we've had in years) could suddenly be a real strength.

To be fair, I think the worst possible option would be to keep Travis at Rovers but not in the first XI. Delighted with the way that he's played in the last few games, and deserves to keep his place, but it's common for the form of youngsters to tail off once the adrenaline of stepping up to a new level wears off. He obviously looks every inch the Championship player already, but so long as there's no repeat of him stewing in the reserves, at least he'll get a chance to develop and show what he can do consistently.

Some tricky decisions for TM here. We're looking nailed on for mid-table, so I'd like us to really go full strength for a cup run, but at the same time a lot of our big hitters have played a lot of a football and some players out of the team probably warrant more minutes. I'd go: Raya Bennett Lenihan Williams Bell Travis Evans Rothwell Palmer Armstrong Brereton But wouldn't especially mind if Downing or Conway got starts either. Is there a chance that we could see Davenport on the bench for this one?

Once you get an opinion on a player, it's hard for them to change your mind, so my biggest complement to Evans is that after thinking that he's not been contributing nearly enough for most of the last four years, he's improved enough that I'm actually chuffed with this. Hopefully this is more to do with fitness and having a proper manager than anything else, but his form over the last 12 months suggests he is a better player than just a Championship journeyman, if at the same time not of the highest quality.

Let's see, but I can see that being surprisingly well attended after a disappointing following at Leeds. Combination of cheaper (if not exactly cheap) tickets, new ground for many, still most people off, better trains running etc.

We've had a few in recent years. Just so long as it's better than a 4 hour trip to Newport, then to be called off at half 2 due to a waterlogged pitch, then I'll be happy!

Assuming we'd still have the 'behind both goals' allocation like last year, Bury would be class. Let's see what the next few years hold, but if we carry on progressing under Mowbray then I think that fixture will be remembered fondly for years and years as a turning point.

Half agree, he's had enough chances to expect to have a couple if he was being ruthless, but then again he's hit the bar & seen efforts blocked which would usually go in. His finishing has looked one of his stronger points in the past, so hopefully he'll just need one and he can get on a roll.

Got a good feeling about Armstrong in this one. Really unlucky not to bag in the last couple of matches, but looking brighter in general play & I think Saturday will be his day.

They're clearly back in something like some form now, albeit with a team that doesn't really frighten me. Don't think there the sort of team that are going to outplay us all that much, but will probably be very difficult to play against all the same. Can see a 2-1 for either side.

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2018/november/charlie-commits-future-to-the-club/ 2 more years for Charlie!