It’s going to be hard to find any enjoyment the rest of the season. I can’t even say we need a win, we need a GOAL. I said on a previous thread we needed two wins out of these three at Ewood to keep up with promotion chasers around us. It didn’t happen. There’s no use hoping for a playoff run now, there’s nothing but disappointment all around us. No one feels worse than Dack right now. You know how badly he wanted his return to be a triumphant one.

No amount of spin can salve this. Simply terrible decision making today.

C’mon, Dacky…

This is our 11, until BB-D and/or Dack is fully fit. Maybe not the alignment we want.

Lots of truth there, Pirate. And a couple of laughs, thanks for posting.

You are right; it was an outdated site. I shouldn’t have clicked on the first one I saw, usually 11x11 is a decent source.

I feel more hopeful of a win vs BristolC than anybody in our last 10… Millwall excepted, and that was 0-0. I have no idea; except the defending will have to be good. Hopefully, we can steal a goal, somehow. It’s Bristol City; in our history, we are 8-4-4 against them. here’s to 9-4-4🍻

1994, very thoughtful post. This one comment you made got me laughing: “Mowbray’s stubborn and bizarre ways…” 🤣 That is one of the nicest ways I’ve heard TM’s erratic managerial style referred to on this site. Getting back to the meat of your post, promotion would obviously win him another year… if he wants it. He might feel getting us up is good enough, and the prospect of staying up, another matter entirely. If we fall out of top 7, I believe his fate is obvious. Amongst candidates, from lower leagues, I would say Ainsworth would have been an excellent target last year, so he’s still on my short list. Liam Manning is another. Here’s my surprise candidate: Karl Robinson. Former Rover who’s done an admirable job at Oxford. I would not have expected them to remain on League 1, Robinson has something to do with that. Y’all have already mentioned other possibilities amongst the recycled managers.

Burnley is a good example of what quality we would need to begin a PL, player-personnel journey. However, Dyche’s bunch has grown rather long in the tooth. If they are relegated, they would need to go much younger, imo, and might not bounce back up after one season. If somehow we make it to PL, from our current squad (I am not including loaners), I could see Kaminski, Nyambe, Lenihan, Wharton, Travis, Dack, Bucko, Rothwell, & BB-D on our initial PL venture. We simply wouldn’t have the funds to replace everyone. I think it all comes down to the Academy for Rovers; we’ve got a good one, we need to continue to invest in it. But, the academy alone isn’t enough to build a squad. Based on some of our acquisitions while in the Championship, I’m not sure our people would make judicious transfers to enable us to compete in the PL, more than one season. One & done, I’m afraid. But, since I’ve followed Rovers, we haven’t been there. I would still take it, after a 10-year absence.

Not only did they not have a shot on goal, they did not have a shot. Period. Kaminski was basically a fan in the stands.

Jack Vale, go get ‘em

Well, here we go, let’s see if our defending stays as good as it was in 1st half…

Millwall, no shots at all.

I didn’t say I’d be happy, just content. They are in great form, we’re not. One point beats no points.

Having earned 5 points from our last 7, and one goal scored, score once vs Millwall and it should be considered a major victory. I will say 1-1, and be content if we get it.

I suppose we gave it a nice run, better than at any time since I came aboard Rovers fandom (2013). Our next three games should determine our layoff hopes.

Were we that much better in the 2nd half, or did Fulham shut ‘er down? Regardless, much more possession, cleaner passing, cleaner all around play. Now, if we can get some of our key guys back from injury…

we’re showing some fight this half

we’re showing some fight this half

We’re def better off promoting. But, we don’t want to disappoint ourselves when we don’t, and games like this emphasize we’re not ready for promotion.

Bah, I will keep it on, in case we show some life, but it’s over.

Frankly, we’re a mess. Dolan goes down, gets a YC.

C’mon, Kaminski…

We’ve got our share of troubles, can’t keep up with Mitrovic, and injuries. JR-C on…

I appreciate your optimism. For me, just to be within striking range with 80’ would be a coup, after the disaster at Ewood.