I seem to remember this being said in each season since we came back up, be that carrying on promotion momentum, or having consolidated our Champ status, or having been 2nd in Feb last season. Maybe the best chance will be next season, once JDT has built his own squad? Of course, let's go for it this season though!!

I can't understand your first sentence. We're joint top with a team of kids and lower league journeymen, working under a whole new management team, having won more games than any other team in the division. Considering we're still very much in a transitional process after 5 years of TM, that is (to steal arbitro's word) phenomenal. What a great platform on which to build. Yes we can point to some poor performances and agree they were unacceptable, or to the fact we've lost 7, but to my mind that is part of the learning & transitional process. All good teams put in poor performances & get poor results, but still achieve or exceed their overall goals.

First chance to post on here since Tuesday. Have to say it was a great advert for Championship football. Without being a 9 goal thriller, both teams went at each other with 100% commitment right into the 95th minute, & there was no shortage of ability on show from either side. I think we deserved that win, whether or not there was some controversy over the goals themselves (fwiw I think both were valid but could've gone against us, we've had enough 60/40s go against us to be entitled to some luck). I think that it would be picky to be critical of any Rovers player, who all played their part in a really hard fought win. Standout performances were from Hyam, Morton & Szmodics for me, but credit to everyone. BBD is just a physical beast, the power & strength in his running in injury time testament to his fitness levels, just a shame he couldn't find the finish or final pass.special mentions too to Hedges, Brittain & esp Carter, who I felt had a great debut and didn't look at all out of place. I read some comments on here earlier in the game that he was hiding, I didn't get that impression at all. TK seems back to his best after a bit if a blip, Carter & Wharton were solid, Gally was quiet but still put in a shift & was crucially involved in BBD's goal. I think we all wondered what formation we'd have when the team was announced, but it worked really well. Ok it was "only Sunderland" but I think it shows that JDT and his staff have a good amount of tactical nous about them. The future looks really bright. We started that game with Scott W, Carter & Garrett, finished with Dolan & Vale in addition, with Adam W, Buckley & Phillips unused & the likes of Travis, & Barnes unavailable. That's some credit to our academy, plus 19y/o loanee Morton directing the midfield. Even our older players are under 30 (bar Ayala), and all have plenty of time on their contracts bar BBD & Dack. Whilst there is clearly a long way to go, and some difficult decisions to make off the pitch (northeast the futures of the latter 2 players mentioned), after 16 games we have to recognise we"re in a far better position than we could have expected, and have given ourselves a real springboard for success.

Dack is a shade under 2 years older than Szmodics, but also has 2 v serious recent injuries behind him compared to Szmodics. Plus his contract expires in the summer; if the club is looking to the present & future, then arguably Szmodics has more to offer than Dack does (sadly). As for it being a young squad, whilst in general it is there is still plenty of experience in it, with the likes of Kaminski, Ayala, Hyam, Hedges, Szmodics, Dack, Gallagher. What we don't have is a crop of 30 year olds; we just have Ayala, but we have a good spread of players in their early,, mid & late 20s. I don't mind that, and I don't think losing Dack for his experience alone would be that great a loss (which is not me saying we wouldn't miss his footballing ability).

There are some valid points on here re Dack imo. I'm certain if he was selected more then he would repay that in his performances. It would be sad if his time with us ends this Jan or in summer with him having only played a bit part in the season. But time moves on, he has suffered 2 bad injuries and maybe in JDT's view that's caught up with him. The onus of the club now, rightly, is on the future & relying more on youth than experience. There are so many attacking options available to JDT in the midfield & forward lines that maybe he doesn't see a longer term future for him at the club. His wages may play a part in that. JDT's mantra since his arrival has been on the team not the individuals. When all's said and done he has us in 5th place, 1 point off top (albeit having played one game more than everyone else), having not found any consistency as yet. There's clearly room for improvement, but imo the initial signs are very good.

He's definitely not one to give up on IMO, as many on here were suggesting they would. He's clearly the type if player who becomes a fan's favourite for his effort & commitment. Didn't he get 6 goals for Posh last season? He's already a third of the way there after what, 6 starts? At that rate he'll finish on 10-12 goals, which will be none too shabby. If he (2 so far), Gally (2), BBD (7), Dolan (2) & Hirst (0) can score 40-50 between them, and the rest of the squad 25-30 (5 so far), that'll be a good return I'd say.

Plenty of time for him to come back to form, and there will be plenty of opportunities too this season as the games come thick and fast; we may even see him replace Travis tomorrow or Saturday. He definitely has ability & can see & play a pass. And I'm sure JDT & GB agree otherwise there's no way he would've got a 5 year extension. Like others have said above, he struggles in a 2-man midfield but in a 3, and given a licence to roam, he can be very dangerous when our forwards are making runs.

He definitely left us in a better state than he found us, as comparing his first team to his last is like chalk & cheese. Of course, much of that is down to the development of players from the academy, which in all fairness everyone in a senior management role (inc the owners) can take some credit in. That said, he should've made more of the superb position we were in last season by at least qualifying for the playoffs. As for the comment re half of Tomasson's signings hardly getting a kick, that's a bit harsh. Hyam has been an excellent upgrade on Lenihan, & Morton is more than proving his worth. Szmodics has scored 2 & assisted 2 since his late arrival, whilst also hampered by concussion, likewise Brittain is a top signing also hampered by injury. Hirst is clearly the main signing up for debate, but it's still early days & he clearly has something given his performances for Pompey. That leaves Mola, who was never likely to be an immediate hit given his age & lack of match fitness. According to Rigger, he seems to be doing well for the U21s & developing nicely. So overall I'd say purely from a footballing perspective, TM did a good job overall & improved the squad significantly, and the early signs are positive that JDT & GB can improve us further. The win at Boro shows what the team is capable of when things click, so it is logical that as the players grow together they produce more of that than they do the dross at Wigan etc.

I'd like to see Garrett in for Travis & go with the same approach to the game as at Boro. The only other option would be Dack instead, but I wonder if that might just leave us exposed through a lack of mobility and bite in midfield. I'd keep Gally up top, he's always had that ability in him, I've been a staunch defender of his against a lot of criticism on here, and that's why. Play him right & that's what he can do. Tomorrow night's selection will have one eye to Saturday's match too. I suspect we will see significant changes between the two matches as rotation continues with 7 games in the next 4 weeks. These next two games are massive chances to make a statement, but both are big potential banana skins for us too so we'll need to be on our mettle throughout.

I think TM's recent comments have sullied his reputation here for those who were supportive of him during his tenure. It's fair enough to change your mind on the back of those comments & particularly on his admission that he actively encouraged a respected senior member of staff to take a "bigger" job elsewhere. I appreciate TM for what he did in reversing the decline & helping bring some semblance of normality to the club. For that reason, he won't be getting any boos or claps from me. We've moved on, his presence ought really to be an irrelevance, it's just about a very valuable 3 points like any other match.

Erm... 2-2 now!

U21s just gone 2 up with 2 goals in a minute, Leonard & Markanday with assists from Haddow & sub Cirrino (all according to google)

Not sure why Travis is getting so much criticism at the moment? I appreciate he might be going through a rough patch and has his limitations as an all-round CM, but in his 4/5 years as a first teamer he's hardly let us down, and the general consensus on here was that we missed him in the middle when he stood in for Brittain at RB during our 3 game losing run. I'm not saying he's undroppable as no-one is (or should be), but on form he's as good as anyone in this division at what he does so I think he's worth persevering with. I would have Garrett on the bench though as he looks like the closest like-for-like replacement in the squad. I do think Dack deserves a start, but can't see it as he played the full 90 midweek for the U21s. But I think it will be 433: Kaminski Brittain Hyam S Wharton Pickering Hedges Travis Morton Gallagher Szmodics BBD Subs: Pears, Mola, Dack, A Wharton, Hirst, Buckley, Dolan Need to find some confidence on the road, away to manager less team in 21st is a good time for that, but we all know they're much better than that.

Fair enough, you saw the match and I didn't but I can't help thinking your analysis is harsh. Granted there's room for improvement; but if a young forward tries things and they don't come off I don't mind that (indeed it should be actively encouraged), so long as he's doing it in the right areas of the pitch. Because sometimes those things he tries result in a shot that hits the post that he or a teammate can score from on the rebound, or a penalty, or a goal. If a forward manages to score a goal and get an assist each match, that'll keep every manager happy.

I'll take poor if it means hitting the post, winning a pen and scoring a goal each game! He clearly has pace & natural ability. From those highlights Garrett looks v tidy, & Dack's experience was clearly a class above. I do hope he can get himself back involved in the 1st 11.

Disappointing away performance again; still early days for JDT & absolutely no need to panic,but there is clearly lots of room for improvement.

I'm guessing Brittain still isn't 100% after his injury, but them strange he's been on the bench so often? Playing Hirst here might make sense; he did well in L1 last season & Wigan are more or less L1 opponents. No reason why we can't win tonight, the dismal record there means nothing when the whistle goes, getting a win of any sort would be fantastic. I'm going 1-2, BBD & Szmodics.

Liam Delap at Stoke is 19, he turns 20 in February. Tommy Doyle at Sheff Utd is 20, he turns 21 next week. James McAtee at Sheff Utd is 19, he turns 20 next week. I think my point stands!

Not sure if I'm included in this or not, as I admit I have been a bit more vocal these last few days in calling out what I perceive to be unfair or exaggerated opinions, which I know will rub some people up the wrong way! But like those posters, I'll call it as I see it when I have time to post on here, will always be able to justify my comments with evidence, and am always happy to engage in healthy discussion that plays the ball, not the man. I just want to clarify also that in no way do I diss the match-going support which overall is as supportive of our young team as possible (besides some of my fellow Riversiders, who are a tough crowd to please!); my only wish there is that there were more of us!

I think that slightly undersells us though, given we had a 17y/o CB & several 18 yr olds in the team too, with one other in the senior squad. Not only that, from what I've read we thoroughly deserved the win, on table-topping City's own patch. No mean feat I'd say.

The run the U21s are on atm seems to have snuck under the radar a bit on here. That's 4 wins in a row isn't it, after a poor start? Rovers 9 Manchester 1 so far this season, quality stuff! I know some will say their best youngsters are out on loan, but many of ours are injured / coming back from injury or with the first team, & aside from Edun, Buckley & Vale, the other players were all on the younger side I think. I don't know if JDT's use of the games to give a couple of senior players some game time when rotating is a factor, but it doesn't seem to be doing them any harm. If it also pays dividends by keeping rotatable first teamers fit & sharp then it's win win for the club.

Me too, I was v surprised when he was named in the first 11 at Palace, but he never looked back from there. But that's my point, he was persisted with & flourished. Hopefully Szmodics is given the chance to do the same as he clearly has ability given his hero status at Peterboro (much like Dack was at Gillingham).

I'm not sure that was the general consensus actually, though it was certainly the opinion of some. Most people (I would argue those less prone to exaggeration or hyperbole) were of the view that he deserved more time & opportunities to show us what he is capable of doing. Thankfully JDT doesn't seem to be someone who gives up on a player after a couple of appearances. Tim Sherwood wouldn't have had a chance with some of you!!

You've not looked at the table much recently then... they're now 17th, but if they'd won they'd have leapfrogged us, who are now 3 points off top. Give the bloke a chance, and some credit. He came in 7 games ago, scored on debut, then suffered a concussion on his 2nd appearance, then yesterday got a goal & a quality assist. It's like saying, "Apart from scoring 7 goals in 13 apps, BBDs done jack shit."

Fair enough, I didn't see it as I can't get to away matches & don't have sky. But even though it was a poor performance and folk are entitled to call it out, it didn't warrant the extended OTT conclusions that many came out with. We are so early into JDT's reign, with a young squad, trying new things with many players barely half a dozen games into their careers here. It's bound to be bumpy and there will be bad choices made by players & staff (as pointed out by JDT yesterday), but to me that's just natural. Anyway, I've probably taken this as far as I should for now & don't want to come across as a kill joy! I think we can all agree that we're in a decent position from which build. Szmodics comments after yesterday re everyone buying into his thought processes (esp his use of the U21s games) is good to see, esp with the U21s being 2 up v the Mancs this season! What would make this better is Dack being more involved. Whatever the reason, JDT can point to us being in striking distance of the top to justify his decisions but it would be great to see Dack get more of a chance to be influential from here. A goal @ Wigan would be just the tonic for him & us.