When we were linked with Stead, from Huddersfield, I was first introduced to these great cartoon match reports by a Huddersfield fan: http://htfc-world.com/

Three assists, or so, on his full debut, I vaguely remember, with Bellamy scoring. But he didn't fulfill his potential and his career faded quickly. There were always claims that he had a negative attitude - though, don't know any details. If I remember rightly, he messed up a Panenka penalty attempt in a pre-season game which added to his reputation (though, I'm going off hazy memory). That was back in the day that Rovers recruited many more overseas youth players from France, Germany and Spain. From Germany, I remember Mamadi Keita, Kevin Pezzoni and Bjorn Bussman who played U18s or U21s. I think the consensus was that Peter had the talent to do well but something went wrong. I was reminded of him last season with Reda Khadra on the wing, also a German and to my vague memory, bears a resemblance to Peter. Edit: He moved to Sparta Prague but had his contract terminated. Peter's account is recorded in a German language interview I came across on SPOX.com: "I had a good feeling, it was good in the team, the coach relied on me. However, I was only allowed to eat salad and water at the training camp in two weeks and suffered a circulatory collapse on the way back from Hong Kong in London and was hospitalized. During that time, the team flew on to Spain for the next training camp and I really wanted to go with them. So I left the hospital at my own risk to fly after the team. But on the way to the airport I collapsed again - and after that it was over. I couldn't take it anymore, I had depression and anxiety. I only felt comfortable at home, didn't go out and didn't want to see my friends anymore."

I found this interesting article on Gary Harkins, who was at Rovers in the Mark Hughes era. I've never heard of a player to go from defensive midfielder/CB to skilful maverick well into, apparently, his career. He says in the article: “When I was younger I was coached to give it to people who can play, to just touch and play. I wasn’t coached to do skills or to do things. I think that happens to quite a lot of guys in Scotland where their talent gets coached out them. I got to a point when I’d left Blackburn and went to Grimsby – I had a year at Grimsby and I hated it – and I thought, ‘I’m not playing football this way. If I’m going to play, then I’m going to play the way I want to and enjoy it’. Once he went from defensive player to free role playmaker, he had a very decent career in Scotland with Partick Thistle,, Dundee, Kilmarnock and many more and gained a reputation as a maverick. The article from The Herald: https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/18544195.jester-genius-maverick-maestro-gary-harkins-reflects-career-less-ordinary/

If he's not sold in the next few hours, Brereton going for free next year or a possible very low fee in January 2023. This could well lead to a repeat of the destabilising Rothwell situation - though you'd hope he doesn't demand a move in the same fashion. I think the club has messed up again. We can just hope that Brereton fires us up to the upper reaches of the league by Jan but I don't think we have the experience or physicality in the team but hope I'm wrong.

Ah, yes, more like 18 years ago. Frightening!

Not current transfer news, so apologies, but Odemwingie came on a brief trial at Rovers and Souness opted out of signing him from Belgium. Maybe, 8 years ago or so. There was a time when Rovers often had players come on trial, even relatively, established players from Europe, but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. Though, no doubt, youth players are regularly being considered at academy level and maybe U21s without it being reported. I suppose James Brown is a recent example of a trial of a relatively established player turning into a signing, more recently - but, perhaps, demand outstrips supply, at our level, anyway, so less common? Not to mention that we're not the club that we were in terms of pulling power. Edit: Odemwingie is a 41 year old retired former Nigeria international, for those scanning the thread!

In yesteryear, he’d play on the wing and hone his craft before anyone dreamt of playing him central. Now, players are moved all over the pitch and expected to perform and develop, which is unreasonable.

I remember that, Douglas played LM in Souness' Catennacio team, with, I think, Martin Andresen and Jon Stead, and managed to avoid relegation. He turned into a decent holding midfielder, playing for Leeds, Brentford and Ipswich and making it into the Rep Ireland team. Douglas came from the Rovers youth generation of David Dunn, Neil Danns, Darren Dunning which, as well as being very alliterative, was a much-heralded reserve side, I think. A name I'd like to mention is Gary Harkins, who some might remember from the Hughes era. He was a reserve player who got the odd game for Rovers, I think. Strangely, Hughes had him playing as CB (maybe, pre-season) and he went onto have a decent career in Scotland as a skilful attacking midfielder. I'm not sure how it came about but he seemed to be considered a defensive player at Rovers and it turns out his was a creative attacker. The final name I'd mention is Raffa De Vita, the Italian forward who was on the books at Rovers at the same time, I think, as Joe Garner. I remember he posted on the Rovers official website forum back in the day. Edit: Also, see Aaron Brian Doran Cogan, also known as Aaron Doran. A skilful Irish winger who was talked of as a successor to Damien Duff but was let go by, I think, Allardyce, and eventually had a long career at Inverness, where he's still playing, I think.

It's not much discussed in the media, from what I can tell, but the gap between the Premier League and the next tier has become even wider and we are effectively getting a domestic Super League with no relegation, because most relegated teams are likely to spring back up with the wealth they've attained. You'll have the same clubs circling the top flight, at this rate. It's not new but it's much worse, it seems, going off my impression. It's enough to put me off professional football.

An additional challenge is that the U18s also play on Saturdays, at times, I believe. For example, Rovers U18s lost 4-0 to Newcastle on 27 August. It's clearly an increased strain on our reduced squad. It would appear that the U23s had no sub goalkeeper at the weekend, in the defeat to Leicester, with Hilton starting in goal. I would guess that many of the more experienced U23 players, especially, those who are heading out the door in 2023, would be eager for loan spells - but with the squad so short, Burns, Saadi, Annesley, Pike, Hilton are, seemingly, being kept here. No doubt, this will be reviewed once transfer business is completed for the first team and we may yet see AFC Fylde or FC Halifax swooping for one-month loan deals for some of them... or, if the club were sensible, they'd seek to plan ahead and organise more secure and longer loan spells aimed at a higher level for the better players. Edit: I would qualify all this by saying that I think that there might be a transition spell when U23s team breaks up and leaves, and U18s step up. So, whilst, reduced squad size and playing at the same time might be contributing to the defeats, they're likely not the only reason.

As good as this performance and result is, considering the youthfulness and the number of changes, it can't paper over the cracks. Apparently, Bradford went with 4-4-2 which was a potential tactical failure by Hughes because it has been three man midfields that have been dominating us, of late. Our defence is not up to standard and solutions need to be found. It's heartening that Garrett and Wharton look like they might be able to contribute but Tomasson's decision to, apparently, go with the same formation, raises questions for me. Can Dack, Szmodics, Hedges or whoever plays in the AM role provide the help that Travis and Buckley have needed?

Arguably, it's going to be harder for Rovers U21s playing concurrently with the first team with it putting more strain on the squad and, perhaps, less likely that fringe senior players will play with the reserves. Moreover, there's the potential for the games to receive less attention from the club - the official website is not carrying a match report until Tuesdays, I think. Though, what is really important is how much attention the management can put on the games. There's a long way to go, but staying in the top flight looks like it might be another struggle. As far as I know, we let go Stergiakis, Brennan, Nolan, Durrant, McBride and a few others and only brought in Walker from PNE and other gaps filled by those promoted from U18s, Looks like there's potentially been some significant cost cutting done in terms of player wages and fees at that level - but this I base on guesswork and without the data. It'd be fine, but with the first team squad stretched too, I wonder if a one or two other slightly more experienced additions (or retentions) could've been made to aid with the U18s transition to the next level. (Or maybe, will yet happen). Edit: Against Liverpool, I read that there was a 16 year old ex-City keeper on our bench (Solomon Honor) and a recent recruit from Liverpool's academy, Paul Murphy-Worrell. Liverpool won 1-0, with Klopp in attendance, and are said to have dominated, with Rovers AIdan Dowling keeping the team in it, according to the Liverpool report.

Return of Hughes, Chapman, Smallwood (and Matt Platt and Yann Songo'o) will give them added motivation but if the team can re-find their self-belief and structure, we should surely win. Chapman has, I note, kept his place in the starting eleven, so may be finding some consistency, as, apparently a No.10. Hopefully, it'll be a chance to find the foundations of the team again - i.e get the central midfield and defence working again. I'm not sure how this can be done, whether a formation change is needed or introduction of new players but this needs to be a springboard. We really need Morton to do something because the midfield is looking very weak at the moment. Perhaps, testing out 4--5-1, with Dack as the experimental forward. I'd also look to throw in Batty or Cirino at LB. It's just not working with the others. Although, it's a risk, as our team is inexperienced as it is.

We needed a tough tackling DM for so long and the club have gone for the likes of Davenport, Trybull and Clarkson.

There's a possibility of Buckley finishing RWB today. It seems the club were hasty in letting James Brown and Tyler Magloire go before getting in cover. I'm sure Travis would have been considered for emergency CB but the long-running problem remains that there are few alternatives to fill his role. I have a feeling that if we try to play a slow build up game, we will be picked off by Khadra. We probably need to do a Mowbray* and sit deep, to protect the slower defenders and try to win with limited possession. *Mowbray circa Oct-Dec 2021

Sorry, had a scroll through and can't see an answer - why have the U21s matches been moved to Saturdays? (And, why was it changed back to U21s from U23s?

The 5 man vs 4 man midfield is an interesting contest. The 4 man midfield is outnumbered centrally but, potentially, has the advantage out wide, if full back and winger face the single wing-back on either flank. My less than qualified tactical advice would be for the 4 man midfield team to play direct diagonals and line balls to catch the opposition wing back out of positions, rather than too much of a slow build-up game which would invariably be crowded out in the middle. Match stats say Rovers 65% possession which could indicate that we were playing into Reading's hands - though I didn't see the game, so just guessing. Another problem that Tomasson isn't directly addressing is that Phillips needs protection and is being taken off before the 90 mins. In which case, we really should have a CB on the bench, even if it's an inexperienced one. As mentioned before, I would be really interested to see Jake Garrett in the utility role, having at times played CB for the U23s/U21s. He might also offer better defensive protection in the middle than Morton, though, it's hard to judge until we see more of Morton. Edit: Just looking at Garrett's height and a few sites have him as under 6 ft, so perhaps, that might rule him out of CB. On a different point, I definitely agree about the need for pace in the full back area. Nyambe and Bell had deficiencies but their pace could be useful and that's still not been fully addressed, I think. If Edun could play LB regularly, it would add a something but it's still not clear if he's capable, with the Fulham defeat still haunting many of us. But, it might be worth a try.

The club couldn't ethically say that to a 17 year old defender with a injury-troubled season behind, especially considering the role is probably the most physical on the pitch. He is being offered a back-up role and chance to play plenty of games, which is more than enough. If he decides to cash in and try to fast-track his elevation to the Premier League, then that's up to him and understandable for financial reasons. Likely he'd be loaned to the Championship/abroad for a year or so, if he did make the move.

I can't understand why the club didn't get Reda Khadra back in, assuming he was available, affordable and/or didn't turn us down. Perhaps, they see Dolan and Hedges as ample cover but with Brereton Diaz expected to move on, he would've been a safe bet to get goals and assists, to support any new signing. Khadra was one of the drivers of our run last year. He helped make Buckley impress as a no.I0 by offering direct running and options, even if his output tailed off. Gallagher returning from injury and to the wing cut off that outlet to some extent. If Dolan does step up, maybe, that'll explain it.

Rankin-Costello came off on 37 mins in the U21 match today against Wolves, possibly meaning he suffered an injury. We'll have to await confirmation but a recall of James Brown from Stockport might be needed, if contractually possible. Edit: It's likely due to lack of options but I feel that the manager has the balance between attack and defence on the subs bench a little off at the moment. Rather than Adam Wharton, I'd have the more defensively minded and versatile Garrett there. Wharton is a really promising player but I'd go for the cover of Garrett, who could displace Edun as the utility player, if he performs.

I was wrong to worry about the changes, especially, pairing Morton and Wharton in the middle. It's a really good sign when squad players can come in and win, regardless of the opposition. Often, wholesale changes can lead to disjointed performances. You see it with even the best sides. I feel that the management have done a really good job of integrating U23 players into the first team, in preseason. Perhaps, in part, their hand was forced by the departures and lack of transfer activity but it must give a real boost to young players to see a genuine pathway to progression and the first team. I hope Garrett and Cirino can get opportunities too, here or on loan. Eight or nine of the twenty players in the matchday squad have come through the academy and U23s. Some are more homegrown than others (Buckley and Wharton brothers here as young boys, whilst others brought in at later age groups) but it goes to show, again, how valuable the youth system can be for Rovers. As mentioned, there's Cirino, Garrett and a few others, including the injured players, that might contribute, in the future, too.

It will be a mistake, I fear, to make too many changes. It's rarely worked for us. That said, our cup record generally is poor. I think we need Travis, Brereton and a few others to start and help the debutants and newcomers. The more I hear about Liverpool's current midfield 'crisis', it makes me question how ready Morton is to make an impact, but we definitely needed someone, he has played for Liverpool and he should get his chance - but with someone experienced alongside him. And, we might have little choice, remembering the farce of Clarkson being the constant unused sub, which could, without, I admit, any further evidence, point to contractual obligations/incentives to play or include Morton.

It looks like Lenihan was playing the central role in the back three today, for Boro, that is, the van Hecke role, and did a van Hecke versus Fulham to get sent off (though not as spectacular). I'm sure he'll improve but the highlights suggest he really struggled. He stood off for the opening stunning strike by Willock and then got overpowered at the corner, though, it wasn't his man who scored. Decision-making in that role is even more vital because, more often than not, it's the last man. Lenihan has a preference, I think, to stand-off his man but he's got to be more decisive and aggressive to make it there.

Feel sorry for Sam Barnes who's now reportedly out for "months" due to a "bad knee injury", possibly cruciate ligament damage, according to Tomasson. I'm sure this has been mentioned already but it looked like he might be having his breakthrough year with the firsts, after impressing in pre-season, and now he is set back again and will, likely miss a chunk, if not most of the season, according to the manager. Last season, his and Saadi's return, I believe, at the latter part of the season, helped rescue the U23s from relegation. Barnes has had so many injury problems and has kept coming back, so here's hoping he can do so again. I feel that, but for their injuries, he and Isaac Whitehall would be first team squad players by now. Just unfortunate for both.

Sam Szmodics achievements are all the more impressive considering his injury record, as referenced in various sources online. In calendar year, 2017, whilst playing for Colchester, he suffered separate injuries of a broken ankle, broken leg and ankle ligament damage. His loan spell at Braintree, the previous season, was interrupted by an ankle injury that required surgery. Last summer, June 2021, he withdrew from his first Ireland national squad inclusion with a recurrence of a shoulder injury, . He seems resilient and has done very well, it seems, despite this but there is cause for concern about spending big money on him considering his injury record. But, the medical team will presumably, be able to make an accurate call.