Interesting. Huge opportunity for Tony to show genius tonight.

I think we can pretty much forget about the playoffs. But, I do want to see how Rovers respond when they play the next four, all teams ahead of us on the table. I just read Tony’s comments on Sam G & BB in the Telegraph. Apparently, SG just isn’t selfish enough, lol. He has to justify the expense of these two somehow. I expect he will do so until all three of them are finally shoved out the door.

We haven’t had an answer at left back in awhile. I wish TM would surprise me (& others), and pull a left back out of his hat. Meanwhile, dingles are at Palace today. I hope ol’ Roy’s lads give ‘em a good thrashing.

Chapman has roughly a year left on the contract he signed. He’s played 17 times, scoring once. tony, why not give him another go?

Play the best 11 available. IMO, this means no Bennett, or Gallagher. That’s right, sit the Cap’n on the bench. Play Armstrong & Holtby, for sure. Downing at left back. Williams, if he’s fit. Brereton showed a lot of interest & hustle. I would bring Samuel off the bench before SG, probably before DG, as well. At DF- Nyambe, Lenihan, Tosin, Williams (if fit), or Downing. No need to play Bell, even if he’s fit. Gotta put our best on the pitch this week, and hereafter. However, I believe the playoff dream is over, it’s certainly done if we can’t get all 3 pts at Barnsley.

It’s ironic that the reason for veteran players, is because they ostensibly are tried & true, understand they game better, & make fewer mistakes. Yet, that’s apparently not the case with ours. At least, with Rovers’ Captain. Laughable. I would love to see Rovers commit to youth, with a number of seasoned veterans. if we’re going to have a team that contends for promotion, I believe we need to commit to the future with youth. I think we also need to ultimately find a younger manager, energetic, with fresh ideas, that isn’t tied to players he coached elsewhere, years ago.

If Rovers are to improve in the offseason, it’s not just ditching Bennett & Gallagher. We have about 5 other guys that are age liabilities (DG, Johnson, Mulgrew, Smallwood & yes, even Downing). Recovering from knocks/niggles takes longer. Speed is reduced, & a host of other things. Going forward next season, NONE of these guys should have key roles. Most of ‘em should not even be on the roster. It’s about finding that elusive left back; a decent ‘keeper; someone creative in MF; and somebody that can finish. If Rovers are to make a serious push for promotion, there’s no room for pets or projects anymore.

A point was essential today, three were needed to keep pace. We can’t put it on “must win” at Barnsley. That ship has sailed.

I won’t lie, I am a bit more anxious after seeing our 11 than I was before.

Meanwhile, Rooney scores, Derby up 2-0, so we drop another spot. Gotta get all 3 today to keep pace.

Indeed; when we lost Dack, I thought all was lost. Not to mention Cunningham, Holtby, Evans, et al. But, guys we had to have come through were making plays, and some other guys farther down the depth chart started showing their stuff. Does Tony have weaknesses, and lapses of good sense? I guess he does, who doesn’t. But we’ve got what we needed.... Rovers are in position to make a serious run to the playoffs. That’s all I need to be encouraged. When/if we fall from that, I will have a legitimate gripe. Right now, I’m feeling good about this season.

Teams teetering on the brink of relegation places, with seemingly nothing to play for, often are the hardest games to play. Rovers are approaching being fully fit (sans Dack), but these matches are so hard to pick. Our defending should be improved over what we had vs BC. But I had no gripes with R-C. Going back to old PL days, Rovers were 7-3-4 vs Latics. Rovers have more quality, more to play for; therefore, I say 2-1, Rovers.

Kudos to Tony, his staff, players, cardboard cutouts, LoL, everybody. Great day, all the way around.

I would say that qualifies as massive! ?

Welcome back, Corry!

Meanwhile, Raya looking able & competent for playoffs

I can’t see Bennett on the squad next season; if he is, a greatly reduced role.

Still possible to be in a playoff place by the end of the day; +7 goal diff still staggers the mind

Midfield will need to figure in scoring heavily for us to have a chance to win this. C’mon, you Rovers!

I am excited for the restart to the season. I truly hope Rovers can make a big noise in the run to the playoffs, but even if they don’t, I am content just for the season to conclude. I like the lineup already stated, Williams a shade better. Also, I’m convinced if Bennett is with Rovers next season, it’s in a greatly reduced role.

It’s all new to me... I love it, many thanks!

Thank you very much. Texas is a long way away from Blackburn, but I hope to make it back soon.

I came into a love of the EFL when our son was getting his Masters at Reading 7 years ago. He was already a big Liverpool fan, and as a newcomer, my mind was wide open. I started reading & learning about the game, and I might say, Rovers chose me, I just kept going back to them. The FA Cup matches were on U.S.TV back then, and one of the first games I saw was Blackburn/ManC (it ended 1-1). They were a year removed from the PL, but I really liked Bowyer & many of the young players- Scott Dann, Spurr, Hanley, Rhodes, King, Marshall, etc. My first Rovers game was a win at Reading in September, & I visited Ewood a week later, it was a big thrill. I am a Blackburn Rovers fan for life!

Looking forward to this... I have only been a fan the last 7 years, thanks!

Yeah, I think a bunch of us wanted to see BB given a fair chance. At this point in time, with so much on the line and the season riding on every game, I have to wonder how many more chances he deserves, over guys that are probably more skillful than he is.