Would be interesting to know the last time a Rovers player was selected for the No.1 ranked national team in the world. Of course, not that the rankings necessarily reflect the reality of team abilities but Kaminski is rubbing shoulders with some really good players and a few world class ones in the Belgium squad. Edit: I can't think if it has ever previously happened since the FIFA World Rankings started, in 1993. I suppose England were high in the rankings when our players have been selected but they've never reached top position. Andre Ooijer was in the Holland squad when they were doing well and, it seems, they did reach top spot for a brief period, but, at the time, Ooijer was no longer at Rovers.

First Norwich attack in the highlights shows a breakaway leading to what looks like a seven versus four (+ goalkeeper) situation for Norwich. Their goal arose out of a simple pass that created a five versus four (+ goalkeeper) situation for them - albeit, in this case, some Rovers midfielders were close behind. I don't know how representative of the whole match these two incidents were but I think they highlight that, despite, a better defensive shape in recent matches, the defence is still getting mightily exposed. Kaminski's body language at the moment seems to say it all. Every time he pulls off a good save, he seems to look around with disdain and resignation. He's made mistakes, as has the whole defence, but a seven versus four situation against the top team in the league, relatively early in the match (I presume), puts the defence in a desperate situation. I

Makes sense to put McBride on the bench. Painful to see what Mowbray's doing with Nyambe, relegated behind Bennett today. He's not a polished player yet but with the right manager and team, he'll definitely be a very good full back. Have to credit the team, they seem to have improved with defensive workrate and positioning. Seems as if Harewood-Bellis has made a difference.

I actually think that signings like Lyons and Tom White make some sense from a football point of view because, as the best and, often, most experienced, reserves go out on loan, it can leave the squad bare and promoting younger players from U18s or even younger in an unstructured way could damage not only them but the rest of the team, if results and performances of the team as a whole fall away. White has, himself, mostly been on loan - it seems he prefers lower league football than appearing for the reserves but Lyons performed well for the U23s before getting a break at St Mirren, where he also did quite well, I believe. Last I saw, he wasn't in the Morecambe match day squads, so not sure if he's not made the cut or injured. However, from a financial point of view, signings Lyons and White etc. is something I can't really comment on without knowing the details of fees paid, wages and how the club manages their likely exits. I suppose, as they seem to be dedicated and quite promising players, it may have been worth taking the punt to see if they could make the grade and if not, they might support the development of peers at the club whilst playing here and, potentially, earn the club a small transfer fee. I thought Lyons would do well for Morecambe but hasn't quite made it into their first team. Incidentally, loan spells that don't work out must be hard for players to recover from mentally. I wonder whether Stefan Mols, Luke Brennan and Jack Vale will be able to recover from their seemingly unsuccessful lower league spells (not sure about why Vale's not been in the Rochdale match day squads) and still have decent football careers.

Just watched the second half which, from the sounds of things, was an improvement on the first for Rovers. It was even in the second but, I think, this match confirms to me that Rovers are doing so well at this level, against Premier League outfits, with a lot of reliance on superior organisation and hard work rather than exceptional technical talents in the team. McBride and Whitehall look the most comfortable and intelligent players for Rovers. McBride looks at ease playing No.9 or No.10, generally, holds the ball well and brings in teammates, and Whitehall seems a steady defensive midfielder with good passing ability. Burns played well up front and wide and players like Durrant, Nolan, Annesley (out of position at left back), Barnes and Saadi did a solid job. Rovers lacked width, at times, with Mols struggling and the full backs not getting too far forward. I think Lenni Cirino not playing left back today was a big miss with his speed and wing play. Stergiakis' distribution and handling looked inconsistent but he made at least one good save in the second. Dan Pike is a prospect and physically seems stronger than others at the level but, I feel, he has a lot of improvement to make to his game. His distribution with his feet and throw ins was disappointing, in the second half. His relative lack of pace means that he needs to improve his positioning to compensate. I wonder if CB might be a better role for him. Brighton had a lot of good players and seemed to match Rovers press and tough tackling. The Scottish CM Leonard looked very good, a decent left winger and their RB, No.2, Tanimowo looked a tremendous prospect with good speed and trickery. He rarely seemed to lose the ball. Their centre backs defended well and rarely made an error.

I just thought I'd raise a question about veteran players after the apparent failure of the Stewart Downing signing. According to Wikipedia, he's made 47 appearances for Rovers, which seems a lot. He was evidently a really good winger and, again, according to Wikipedia, has made nearly 600 club appearances. He also has 35 England caps to his name. We don't know what his physical and mental fitness and functioning is, these days, but he's struggled to make it into the team, even with others under-performing. He may be slow but I recall veterans such as Ian Harte and Ali Benarbia doing really well at this level in yesteryear. With the failures of the signings of Downing and Danny Murphy, in recent times, have we just picked up the wrong ex-top flight players - or, is there a wider issue? Is the pace, physicality or team formations and tactics of the game, at this level, making it harder for slower, older but technically gifted players to make an impact? Or, is it the demands of a career in the modern game ravaging many players' bodies, making it harder at the latter stage of the career? Glancing through the current Championship topscorer list, I don't see any 'veterans' in the 33+ age group, except, Steven Fletcher and Fraizer Campbell, and, they're not in the top 10. I don't know the trend over the years, but it does seem to suggest that, maybe, older players struggle to make an impact at this level. Or, perhaps, it has always been this way and the likes of Ian Harte and Ali Benarbia were exceptions to the rule?

I think the selection of four central midfield players on the bench in Bennett, Trybull, Buckley and Evans suggests a manager seriously struggling with conviction and forward planning. He made some bold changes and got a draw but he has to start weeding out those without a future at the club and pushing those that might. He did, at least, demote Downing who seems to lack pace, these days, to fit in anywhere on the pitch. Edit: To be fair, players approaching the end of their career, such as Ian Harte, did a really good job in the Championship, albeit he was a few years ago. Downing, I suppose, could be useful if fit, on form and with the right support, but it hasn't been the case here. It all depends on his state of fitness and injuries. I recall Michael Owen describing his inability to move properly when at Stoke City, at the end of his career, and in that kind of state of mind and body, you can't expect much from an older player. I just wonder how fit and mobile Downing really is.

I think this is very true. Aside from Adam Armstrong, I can't think of a player who looks to be improving his game and stats. Lewis Travis and Darragh Lenihan made progress and, whether for injuries, or other reasons, seem to have gone backwards or, at least, been inconsistent. Same for Nyambe, Rothwell and Kaminski. I fear for the progress of Dolan, Buckley and JRC because there is little precedent for consistent player development in Rovers first team lately. I must give Mowbray credit, however, for persevering with Buckley in the first place.

https://www.facebook.com/SalfordCityFC/videos/jason-lowe-after-scoring-the-winning-penalty-/747226372853952/ "Didn't expect that..." "I'm full of surprises, pal, I'm full of surprises!" Jason Lowe, after scoring the winning penalty in the EFL Trophy at Wembley for Salford City. (For anyone who doesn't want to click the link)

It is unlikely to happen but I think I would consider Dwight McNeil for the squad. I feel he is unique in terms of his ability to play as an out and out left winger - even more so than Saka. I see most of the current crop wanting to come in-field, when attacking, so that different option might be useful as a last throw of the dice. But, it would be an unexpected choice, as Southgate is probably anticipating an in-from Shaw and, perhaps, Saka to suffice down that flank and, of course, then there's the No.10/attacking midfielders to choose from. On a different note, I think England U19s squad is announced soon for some games. It seems to have been a while since Rovers players got into the U19s/U20s, despite relatively successfully youth teams. Edit; Forgot Harvey Barnes.

I would be very glad to hear from anyone who saw the full game to explain why, based on the highlights, Ryan Nyambe was, at key moments, elsewhere (the penalty foul), centre back (the Vitaly Janelt chance, where Lenihan seems to be at RB) and in the left back area (for the Harwood-Bellis foul leading to the long-range free-kick attempt). As per his attacking duties, Nyambe is also seen in the right wing position too, in the highlights. The positional mayhem is clearly not just about Nyambe. Harwood-Bellis gives away the free-kick attempt foul in the left midfield area. For the Janelt chance, Lenihan seems to be at right back and, for the penalty foul, Douglas is also AWOL. Whilst Nyambe gets back, Douglas, doesn't. I increasingly get the feeling that the elite level of the game evolved away from 4-4-2/3-5-2 as the formation mainstays but many managers and players have followed without really knowing how to set up their teams in these 'novel' ways. Clearly, if you're going to have two 'flying' full backs, then, you need at least one, if not two, specialist defensive midfielder who do nothing but shield the defence and play out from the back and, ideally, with one who pulls off to fill vacant defensive spaces out wide. I also get the feeling that Nyambe, being the only one with any pace in the defence, is either assuming, or being expected - or most likely, both, to do too much. He even seemed to be in the defensive midfield position at one point in the highlights. Imagine him playing JUST as a right back. I think he'd do it very well. Edit: I made this point in the previous game but a number of Rovers players stand motionless as penalties are taken. It seems as if Dack and Buckley, amongst others, don't anticipate a rebound. I think this reveals a lack of defensive desire, which, you might expect from a forward but not a central midfielder. It should really be inexcusable for any player, in my opinion.

Preferred on the bench as the utility man over JRC.

Rovers U23s look like a real team. Very good attitude, organised and pressing the opponents constantly, with McBride and Burns leading by example up front. In fact, most of Rovers chances came from Arsenal losing the ball in their own third, after trying to play out from the back. The Rovers first team could learn a lot from watching them, I think, in terms of intelligent positional play and closing down as a team. Arsenal, by contrast, were incoherent and resembled, in a way, Rovers first team at times, in terms of not tracking back or maintaining positional discipline. They evidently have some really gifted individuals - but not a team. A clear contrast was at corners; time and again, Rovers had the short corner on. Rovers defenders, on the other hand, were always looking to pick up the short corner from Arsenal. I don't think there's standout talent in the Rovers team, as Arsenal have in Reiss Nelson, but all the players look comfortable on the ball and tough and hardworking. Garrett and Whitehall were very solid in the middle. Durrant looked clever on the ball. McBride and Burns worked tirelessly and linked up well. In defence, Annesley played well and, perhaps, the pick of the players was Cirino, at left back. He was fouled for the penalty and he looked very quick, skillful and strong in the tackle. Pike, who's been talked about a lot, did ok but, at times, looked uncomfortable against the pace of Nelson. Eastham deserves credit too. He fairly confident with kicking and handling and shot-stopping was excellent as Arsenal pressed for a late consolation.

Looks a really big test for the U23s. Arsenal are near the bottom of the table and on an indifferent run but they won 6-0 in the reverse fixture. Emile Smith Rowe scored back then and, though he won't play, first team fringe strikers, Nketiah and Balogun start for Arsenal, alongside Moller. Reiss Nelson also in the team. Antonis Stergiakis not involved, for some reason. Rovers team: Eastham, Pike, Saadi, Garrett, Cirino, Durrant, Annesley (c), Whitehall, Nolan, Burns, McBride Dowling, Gent, Baker, Connolly, Harlock Arsenal: Okonkwo; Alebiousu, Dinzeyi, Monlouis, Lopez; Azeez,Taylor-Hart, Nelson, Nketiah, Balogun (c), Moller, Bola, Lewis, Smith, Cirjan, Akinowla Edit: 3-0 to Rovers at h-t. Arsenal playing from the back unsuccessfully and Rovers closing down and working very hard, forcing numerous errors.

Trybull's neat pass to create the chance for Dack was superb. He's been disappointing at times but from recent performances, it seems he definitely has something. With the pressure off for the rest of the season and having made his way into the first team, I wonder if we might start to see the best of him. I'm not sure if it was Gallagher but the penalty 'tackle' looked really clumsy.

Glad to hear Buckley had a good game, alongside Trybull. Hopefully, it'll give him a confidence boost and those two can develop a good partnership. I was disappointed to see Buckley and Dack, in the highlights, motionless as the penalty was taken. Fortunately, for them, they didn't get shown up but would expect players to be looking to pick up a rebound.

There seem to have been some improvements in the last couple of games, especially, in terms of team shape. I think Millwall next is our best chance of breaking the run of defeats and rebuilding some confidence. After that, we have a really difficult March - Swansea, Brentford, Bristol City and Norwich.

Might be overlooking an obvious one - but when was the last time we scored a header from a winger/full back cross from open play?

Stefan Mols and Lewis Thompson are two that seem to have hit a glass ceiling. They've performed well at U23 regularly, in a successful team, with Mols captaining the side quite often, yet, there's not even a hint of them progressing. Mols obviously had a doomed loan spell somewhere in the Spanish lower leagues, which casts doubt on his ability or mentality, but given his success at U23 level - with him getting plaudits, I would have thought we may have seen more of him, given our own struggles. If it's deemed he's not going to make it, hope he - and Thompson - can get a move soon, as they've put in a shift for the reserves.

Has anyone followed Damien Duff's coaching career? I believe he's recently left the Ireland set-up, after a spell at Celtic as reserve manager. I'm not suggesting him as the next manager, not really knowing of his record, but he might be someone to look to bring in for the future - if he's up for it. I think his family's normally based in Ireland.

I really agree with this. We need to return to some basics with the formation and defensive solidity. Our midfield and forward line is a free for all, with a distinct lack of positional or defensive discipline.

Watching the Watford game highlights, I feel that once again the team formation is helping to fail Rovers. In the highlights, you see a number of times two fundamental defensive weaknesses - on the flanks and through the central midfield. For all the criticism that the defence has received, it seems to me that they are receiving scant protection sometimes. By way of example, Watford's third goal, by Ken Sema, Ryan Nyambe comes out of position to close down a player in the midfield position. Watford work it around him and play it down the left and score. No Rovers midfielder is in the vicinity to realistically help the defence. I believe that this 4-3-3 business, mimicking the Premier League and other clubs, is a major part of the failing. It is all very well playing Harvey Elliot, Dack and Armstrong up top - but it requires players to track back to protect the full-backs, as wingers are expected to do in a 4-4-2 formation. It also requires someone to hold the ball up at the top. It also requires the central midfielders to know who will perform the holding role and shield the central defence. Until the formation is corrected, so that players know their defensive duties, I think we will continue to struggle. Just another point, normally, during central defensive injury crises, experienced full-backs are pulled in. I do not know why Nyambe or Douglas are not partnering one of the youngsters in the middle. Nyambe seems the obvious choice. It's not ideal but I believe is far preferable to playing two young players with so little experience (and who are not being protected by the rest of the team).

If Nyambe's coming back from a slight injury, the onus will really be on Rothwell, Douglas and Elliot to provide width. However, their record of doing so is not great. I hope Mowbray's given instruction to at least one of them to stay out wide.

It's possible that part of the problem is formation confusion. 4-3-3 is the fad these days but, as far as I see it (being no tactician), it is a glorified 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 (or so it should be) as without the ball, the forward(s) need to drop back to track the opposite full backs and to protect their own. I can think of three recent goals that highlight formational confusion - there's undoubtedly many more. The first goal scored by PNE when Nyambe covered in the centre and no-one was in sight to cover him in the right back position - though, he did well to try and block the wonder shot by Cunningham. That goal by Canos for Brentford when he cut in from the left, when Buckley was trying to stop him in the right back spot and for some reason Armstrong came ambling back without any real defensive intent and provided a decoy, helping the Brentford player to throw Buckley. Then, I can think of that Doncaster FA Cup goal when Travis and Trybull had vacated the centre of the pitch, giving their player the freedom to run from the half-way line and strike a shot that Pears should probably have saved. I believe the player haring after him was Brereton. I'm not that familiar with tactics at all but it seems to me that, often, our formation and positional play is, at times, undermining the genuine talent we have - particularly in terms of forwards defending the flanks and a central midfielder being disciplined in the defensive role. We've also had a litany of injuries and some key players getting Covid that may be affecting them still. Then there are Mowbray and team's dubious signings - Johnson, Downing, Pears, Ayala, Trybull to name a few most recent ones. Is the squad overrated? Possibly but I do think we are underperforming.

I hope Nyambe is brought back into consideration. He's inconsistent and has flaws in his game but he has so much potential, both going forward and defending, and at 23, should get better. I haven't seen direct quotes from Mowbray as to why he was dropped from the squad for the Barnsley match - and just hope that it wasn't a case of him being scapegoated for the first goal conceded in the previous match, especially, as others were equally and, I think, more culpable, in that case, and Nyambe went on to create the penalty opportunity with a strong run. It's possible that frustration from the club for the contract situation plays a part. It's really unfortunate he looks to be on his way but with his exposure to first team international football, he was always likely to consider other opportunities, I think. The fact that Mowbray doesn't seem to rate him too highly probably is contributing to his thoughts. Edit: If Mowbray's going to experiment with 3 centre backs, Nyambe has been playing in that role for Namibia, so, I think should be in consideration, if Bennett is favoured at RWB.