A lot of players out, seemingly, for the U23s - Eastham, Saadi, Barnes, Cirino, Whitehall, Nolan and, perhaps, Baker. With the loanees gone too, the U18s will need to step up. Glad to see that McBride scored off the bench, and a spectacular 20 yard lob, it's described as. He really needs that loan move. I believe that the club should take the punt of giving him a new contract, despite his lack of form this season. He showed a lot of promise last year and clearly still has the ability to score goals at U23 level. Recalling his goal for the first team in pre-season, a deflected free kick, I believe, what was notable was that he ran and picked the ball out of the net to resume the game. If that is reflective of his mentality, then, it's rare in a young player and will stand him in good stead.

A year ago, U23 right back, Dan Pike was training with the first team and being talked up by Mowbray: “I like Dan Pike, he’s an earthy footballer, a throwback full back who likes to tackle his winger. He likes to run up the pitch, he passes the ball forward and he’s hard to play against. He is someone I like. The bottom line is ‘when do you throw them in and expose them?" Now, he's so desperate (or, perhaps the club are) to get away from the club that he didn't wait for the Jan transfer window to look for loan options, and instead, back in December, he headed out to National League North club AFC Fylde. one level below the conference league, for a another month - I think, until mid Jan or so. In my estimation, the club have failed to plan for the RB/RWB spot, knowing that Nyambe was probably leaving and JRC rarely fit. Pike never looked impressive for me, albeit, in the very brief times I saw him play, being, seemingly, somewhat short on pace and not great on the ball and a back-up has long been needed. (That said, full backs have had good careers without both and Pike has time to develop). It looks like it's being rectified in this window but it's a bit late.

Not entirely surprised by the result. I was nervous about the likes of Edun and Johnson coming in again after the Fulham horror show. That said, we have been poor in cups for a number of eras. I'm a Mowbray sceptic overall and his selections reminded me as to why - even if they weren't key to the defeat. Starting Gallagher as a wide forward is a discredited choice that Mowbray won't give up. It makes no sense to play Bradley Johnson at centre back. This selection is reminscent of last season's efforts to shoehorn the elder 'statesmen' in Bennett, Evans, Downing and Holtby in every game. If need be, play Barnes, Magloire or Carter who are, at least, defenders. (Scott Wharton's cover is an issue as he plays LCB and I'm not sure we have anyone comfortable there). Dolan at RWB seems like an unnecessary experiment. Put James Brown in there, if fit. Buckley's done a job there too. Or play Nyambe, if fit. As was mentioned above, Travis needs a rest. He's played every game, I think. Where's Davenport? Ultimately, Pears cost us but it's hard to be too harsh. He's barely played a game and expected to come in. He did well in the previous outing but this one might just confirm that he's not ready for a first team spot. MWith Kaminski likely to be coveted by other clubs and his contract winding down, I think the future goalkeeper position is a worrying one for Rovers. All the other reserve goalies seem to be heading out, leaving Pears the obvious successor or a new signing

Still nothing from Rovers or Burton Albion on Chapman, whose loan deal is meant to expire about now. My guess is that Burton are looking for a loan extension and Rovers will likely agree once they sort out their incoming players. He scored a goal in the last game and maybe Burton are hoping he might find some form. There's a chance that Rovers might get some compensation for him when he leaves for free in June or so - though, my uneducated guess is that it'll be very limited given that he's barely contributed of late. Chapman must go down as a bad signing by Mowbray. Rovers paid an undisclosed sum for him from Boro and, despite being out of the picture, was given a one year extension (possibly, to try to salvage some compensation money), gave him a taste of first team football and then sent him packing to Burton. Mowbray repeatedly questions Chapman's attitude and yet, the player has been on Rovers books for some four years, including the earlier loan spell. Though Mowbray has made some good signings that are belatedly showing some consistent form, it shouldn't be forgotten that he has thrown money away. How much, we don't exactly know as most transfers are undisclosed and Premier League loan fees aren't reported, but Stergiakis, Davenport, Chapman, Bell are some of the recent transfer signings that went down the drain. In Stergiakis' case, I presume he is heading out as there's been no mention of him from the club for months. Chapman's struggled at Burton, after a great spell in League One with Shrewsbury. Burton fans do say he doesn't work hard enough and isn't consistent. Perhaps, Mowbray is right about his attitude. However, I would rather see Chapman on the right wing than Gallagher, which is what Rovers had for a lot of last season. Edit: Chapman is 24 years old, as of 5th November 2021, so it would seem that Rovers won't be entitled to any compensation come June 2022, or so. Perhaps, I was trying to credit the club with too much logic with their decision to extend his Rovers career by one year last summer. Edit x 2: Chapman back in training at Rovers and likely to see out his contract here: https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/19831103.harry-chapman-back-blackburn-rovers-loan-spell-ends/

Thanks for sharing this. There's something fascinating about watching two strikers play in a 4-4-2. The combined creative and physical struggle is very visible as they try to connect and spring the opposition defence. It's even more the case with players like Cole and Jansen. The element of scrappiness and fortune in the goals makes them all the more beautiful. I had forgotten that Tiny Taylor played at right back and how good he was in this game, albeit, I'm not sure Spurs tested him as they could have with Ziege in the team. Edit: It has to be said that our route to the final was rather fortunate. If I remember rightly, we faced a reserve Arsenal team (albeit, Wenger's reserve teams were nifty) and then, I think, Sheffield Wednesday in the semi-final.

Going off the Sheff Utd fan comments, which is a tiny sample, of course, it sounds like he's a James McClean type player. There's probably a better comparison, as McClean has, despite his limitations, had a good career at Championship level, mostly. That is, he's a very "basic" winger who'll outrun and try to cross but doesn't have much else to his game. On their game, these wingers can look amazing, but when closed down and matched with pace and aggression, they might struggle. That said, I know nothing much else about him and maybe his big money moves suggest there's more to him, so have to reserve judgment. Personally, feel that we could do with someone with not just explosive pace or power, but some guile, to open defences as, I'm sure, a lot of teams will defend deep against us now that we're front runners.

Any new right back needs to be quick (as well as a good player). Nyambe's probably the fastest of our defenders and helps with covering other positions. It's notable that he was the player who stayed back when everyone else went up for the late corner against Huddersfield. Admittedly, his goal record isn't much but no doubt his pace was part of the reason for this. That said, I do think JRC is a good player, and hope he gets a chance, should Nyambe leave or be unavailable. It might be he could play CM, as well.

Ah, yes, that's true Bluebruce, however, the unilateral one extension should really be a last resort by a club - as when a player is into that extension, they are, very probably, if any good, heading out the door for nothing or a low fee, as within that year, they can start to talk to other clubs about a bumper Bosman deal.

I know that tactics have changed and Buckley's role is different from a No.10 in a 4-4-2, but in Rovers recent history, fantastic players like David Dunn and David Bentley were played in that No.10 role and struggled - and, ultimately, were moved back into centre mid or right mid. It goes to show the challenge Buckley faces in proving himself in that comparable role - albeit, it's arguably somewhat easier with two wing-forwards supporting, rather than a single striker. A challenge Buckley faces is how he adapts his game when Rovers have the majority of the ball. Teams will, I think, increasingly defend deep and flood the midfield against us, fearing our counter-attack. Rather than turn and play a through ball, he's got to be patient and dictate the play. He may have to play, in those circumstances, more often with his back to goal, which will be more like the No.10 role.

Brown was in the PFAI team of the year in Ireland, for Div One, in 2020 and then the same for the Premier Division in 2021. Clearly, a lesser standard and he is 23, which means he's hardly a youth player, but it could be promising signing.

To add to the mix of players who could be leaving on a free this summer are, as far as I can tell from a quick online search, Sam Burns and Connor McBride. From I read online, the club might have unilateral one year extensions to keep them until 2023 but it would seem that the club aren't convinced, seeing as they are leaving things late. By contast, U23 defenders, Louis Annesley and Dan Pike, now on loan in the conference league and lower, agreed terms until 2023 last year. The list of contracts expiring in 2022 reads, as far as I can tell, based mostly on the site, Transfermarkt (which inaccurately includes Carter in the list, who got a a deal until 2024): Joe Rothwell Darragh Lenihan Ryan Nyambe Harry Chapman Bradley Johnson Ben Brereton Diaz Thomas Kaminski Jacob Davenport Dan Butterworth Connor McBride Tyler Magloire Sam Burns Jordan Eastham Joe Hilton Luke Brennan Reda Khadra Jan Paul van Hecke Ian Poveda

Ex-Rover, Joe Grayson is at Barrow, I think, in League 2 and Annesley's perhaps, in that category - though I stand corrected by those who watch the U23s regularly. I think, Grayson's better on the ball - and, admittedly, has an influential contact or two. I still find it surprising that Dan Pike has been sent out one level lower than Annesley at Woking, to the National North, with Fylde. With the transfer window opening, I would've thought it'd make sense to keep him here and at least try to find a higher standard for him to test himself. If McBride's and Burns' loans go through at Crewe and Scunthorpe, it'll be excellent news, I think for all. From what I can see, both players' contracts expire this summer, with a one year option. They are very close to be let go by Rovers, barring, perhaps, a good loan spell. I think it'd be a mistake to let them go so soon, but the loan spells could shed more light on that. Edit: With 23 year old James Brown coming in from Drogheda United, to play right back and the choice to let Pike go out to Fylde, it suggests that the latter's days at Rovers are looking numbered, barring a major turnaround.

I will watch Clarkson's career with interest. Like Poveda, he was thrown into a unstable team without a coherent formation and didn't greatly impress. He was, I think, playing the AM role in 433, which is I suspect, very new. However, I thought that he could've got minutes off the bench to show his ability, later on, as Poveda did. However, if Mowbray doesn't rate him, it makes sense for all for him to go back to Liverpool - especially as there was possibly an obligation to have him in the matchday squad when fit.

Other teams will know our strengths now, after a sudden formation shift after the Fulham defeat, so Rovers players are going to have to up their game yet further- and Mowbray's going to up his game. It looks like nearly everyone plays 3-5-2 of some form. If Gallagher is going to come on, he needs to play centrally. It has worked this season, as a traditional centre forward.

Buckley's got to play deeper to protect the midfield if Gallagher is on the right wing.

Not sure about Edun on the bench, at the moment. He needs minutes to rebuild confidence after the mauling against Fulham at left back. Understandably, management would be hesitant to bring him on in a tight game like this, leaving our midfield options limited to Johnson. If things aren't working, I'd look to bring Dolan on and Johnson for Travis, as the latter's on a yellow and needs a bit of a rest.

The standard of the Premier League and financial inequality is immense, especially, towards the top, and will likely only rise as Newcastle recruit first team players. The current Prem topscorer is Mohammed Salah and amongst the joint 20th league top scorers are Bruno Fernandes, Benrahma, Foden, De Bruyne and Maddison. In previous years, they would be near the top. (The fact that teams have big squads and tend to play with three forwards does spread the goals out more, now, I think). Contrast that with the Championship and the current top scorers are Mitrovic, Brereton, Solanke, Piroe, Grabban, Adebayo and Weimann. Without knowing a great deal about most of these players, the gulf seems huge. Perhaps, insurmountable. For Armstrong or Brereton to score goals in the Prem will take much more than would have been the case in the past when, for example, an Andy Johnson or Marcus Stewart could lead a newly promoted team up the league. The season Rovers last got promoted to the Premier League in 2000-01, newly promoted Ipswich Town, who had attained promotion via the play-offs, finished 5th in the Premier League. Sunderland finished 7th and Charlton 9th. Back then, there was great inequality, with Leeds, Chelsea, Man U and others spending big but nothing like what we're seeing now. The financial and squad quality inequality is, perhaps, greater than ever for the bottom of the league clubs and the rest. However, I think that players like Patrick Bamford and, perhaps, Teemu Pukki should give them some hope. Brereton's goals, at the moment, remind of me of Jamie Vardy, in the sense that a lot is off counter-attacks and racing against the last defenders. A counter-attack side would probably suit him much more than a possession based one. Probably, the same for Armstrong.

According to LT, Butterworth's contract expires next year (2022). Even if the unilateral 1 year extension is available, it looks very poor from the management to be allowing a promising player's value devalue and for him to edge closer to the door when there's still hope he could contribute. I'm not sure whether Butterworth will make it as a first team regular but I think he can contribute and should be on the bench. He had all the attributes but injury held him back (perhaps, ill-discipline, occasionly too in the U23s, if I remember rightly) however, he's shown glimpses of promise and, admittedly, other times been not so good. If he's not playing, how is the club meant to know whether he should be offered the, perhaps, 2 year deal that he'll likely expect as a minimum? The bedrock of the current side is the academy graduates of Buckley, Lenihan, Wharton, Nyambe and Travis. The management need to try and keep that flow going, even if not every generation matches previous heights. Giving a player like Butterworth minutes and making a decision on Clarkson (who I feel might well be useful if given a chance) is part of that forward planning.

I've read that Connolly is not popular at Brighton as a result of off-field issues - as well, as presumably, not impressing on the pitch. Though, I agree that he'll probably be decent at Champ level. I saw that some Albion fans were looking at a recall of either Khadra or, I think, Zeqiri, a young Swiss striker on loan in Augsburg. However, whether that is the thinking of the management, I don't know. Their promising Ecuador forward, Jose Sarmiento, has been injured recently, I think, and his fitness and form might influence the decision. That's all assuming that Brighton have a recall clause. We really need Khadra to stay, especially, as it seems Mowbray fancies Gallagher as right wing understudy. However, I suspect that Brighton will look to recall, if they can. Even more so as they play a similar formation to us and Khadra has shown an ability to play centrally.

Travis has been ever present and really needs a rest, like Nyambe, I think. However, Johnson and Davenport aren't trusted to deputise. If not, then a DM will be needed in Jan.

From an Aberdeen fan forum site on Hedges - which is, clearly, just one person's opinion but it does seem quite considered: "The only reason Hedges will be missed is that we don’t have any other players who can run at the opposition and cause problems for them. Hedges flatters to deceive and can’t be relied on to perform well consistently. But because he does play well occasionally , that’s enough to give the opponents cause for concern that he might have one of his better games. If Hedges is out or not playing well the opposition know that our open-play threat will be pretty much limited to trying to pass our way through them." He sounds a bit like Joe Rothwell before he established himself in the team - and, perhaps, Harry Chapman before he was sent away - at least, in being an unpredictable attacking player who runs the ball. It needs to be borne in mind that Hedges missed half of last season after an operation and then had a hamstring injury at the start of this. Moreover, he's leaving Aberdeen, apparently, in the lurch, so there'll be some enmity there. Currently, Aberdeen are mid-table. At 26 years old and, also, apparently, with the Old Firm not keen, it does raise questions. I can't pass judgment, knowing so little about him but I'd take him on a free but would be cautious about Rovers buying him outright in January. That said, another runner up front could be useful in our promotion push if he could match the levels of Dolan and Khadra. Mowbray's attacking signings, as far as I can recall, have been decent - even if they haven't made a cohesive team - so would give him the benefit of the doubt on this one.

Rovers U23 policy of allowing players to go out on month-long loans into the conference league, three or four tiers below us, makes little sense to me. Dan Pike has just rejoined AFC Fylde in the National League North, the second tier of the conference. He was there earlier in the season and got injured. Pike must be rated by the club, as he was given a new contract recently. In which case, the club should be looking to nurture the player for the first team and/or enhancing his transfer value for sale if he doesn't make the cut. I don't believe that desultory month-long loan spells to such a different standard and style of football will be beneficial for either. I can understand the choice to send an U18s player on a "work experience" contract, as has been done - or someone who's going to be released (eg. Stefan Mols at the end of his time here) - but an established U23 player with a new contract is, to my mind, very poor judgment. I can also understand but am sceptical of a season long loan to the conference, as David Raya had at Southport. However, at least, the season gives the player a chance to adapt to his surroundings and gain a meaningful amount of experience with a secure contract. Jack Vale, with his Wales U21 goals would, I suspect, with a few Rovers sub appearances, potentially carry a meaningful transfer value. (Though, the pandemic is likely to really diminish the FPL transfer market). If he stays fit, he could even develop the form and confidence to contribute something with Rovers first team The loan spell in non-league with Halifax, could easily diminish any potential transfer value and I don't think will add much to his game nor his standing - given the very different style and significantly lower standard of football played in non-league. The players seem to be desperate to play, as their first team squad opportunities are highly limited. U23s football is not as competitive as first team football. However, the club need to be making better decisions about their long-term "assets". I agree that Pike needs first-team football - and, personally, I'm not sure of him making it at Rovers without a lot of improvement, though others who have much more knowledge of the U23s rate him highly. The club need to be advising him to stay put and find a League 2 club, at least, and, ideally, a spell that is more secure than 1 month. On the other hand, if offers aren't around and the player desperately wants football, at least try to organise a longer-term and secure non-league loan, which gives the player security and time to gain meaningful experience. Sam Burns' month or so at FC United strikes me as lacking worth and risky for a player who is supposedly one of our best U23 players. All this being said, I am very much looking in from the outside, so I'd be interested to know what the club's justification is. Edit: Just seen that Jack Vale did go to Halifax Town for a half-season loan, which, at least, provides some security and adaptation time., as opposed to these month-long contracts He's playing in the National League, one level above what Dan Pike will be playing at AFC Fylde.

If Nyambe gets injured early against Hull, Mowbray will possibly sub him off for Bradley Johnson and John Buckley will switch to right wing back. (Dolan and Butterworth are the other possibilities, depending who's on the bench, to come on). As well as Buckley has done there in cameos recently and Johnson has come on regularly as a sub, since the Fulham debacle, that should be concentrating minds in the Rovers management and board. It's not that we necessarily need (or can fit in) a new specialist back up right back on the bench but, in my opinion, Bradley Johnson as the team's back up midfielder needs improvement. Either one of the other fringe midfielders are given chances to step up or we try and sign someone who can provide that physical strength and offer more mobility and versatility. And, I know it's a controversial and speculative suggestion but I think, if there's a player at the club that might be able to play the No.10, aside from Buckley and until Dack is fit, it's forgotten man, Harry Chapman. I appreciate that I might well be way off and he's done little at Burton, apparently, this season but it's just a hunch I have. In my world, he'd come back to the team and get a last hurrah but chances are slim. There is some vague precedent, as, those fans who remember the 2000/01 promotion winning season with Souness, will remember that Keith Gillespie was out-of-favour and sent on a disappointing loan down the leagues to Wigan. He came back and, unexpectedly, earned favour and was part of the promotion winning squad.

I agree with that but I think if (big if) we were to go up, the trio will be approached by established Prem clubs, which would be a big temptation. Rothwell, for sure, would be wanted by half or more of the Prem, if he manages a full season of his current form. I think, whatever the scenario, it's likely our last season with him in the team. I hope I'm wrong, as I think we're seeing the making of an excellent player.

I feel he has the attributes to be a useful sub. He has some pace, trickery and a powerful long range shot. Problem is, he can't get on the bench because Clarkson and Dolan are ahead of him in the attacking sub roles, ordinarily. I'd like to see more of Clarkson too, if he's going to be on the bench. Even more so if he's here for the whole season, which seems to be the case, unless the clubs have an agreement to terminate the deal early. He's appeared for Liverpool's first team, so he must have something about him and he was previously thrown into the Rovers team in a time of instability, with formation and personnel changes virtually every match. Moreover, he's on our bench every match.