It was, twice, from open play, after good one touch football opened up a tight defence, but in his infinite wisdom the ref disallowed them due to 2 fouls on us about 3 seconds before the ball crossed the line. We'd be top if the ref had half a clue about how to do his job and had let the play go. That doesn't excuse an abject 1st half showing, which was not down to tactics IMO opinion but a combination of a thin squad & poor individual performances from Buckley & JRC in particular; we were effectively playing with 9 men, and others made poor on the ball decisions. If stats don't matter, why do football coaches & management teams have so much invested in analytics? I get they can be analysed to the nth degree to the point of becoming meaningless, but I do think certain stats can be telling, xg amongst them.

But here's another stat that indicates that we should've got something out of yesterday, despite many opinions to the contrary & such a poor first half. And that doesn't count the goals ruled out. So my eyes didn't deceive me... things really aren't as bad as is being made out by many!

I'm sorry, but those questioning JDT's managerial credentials, pls give your heads a wobble. He's 8 games into the season, W3 L3, won 2 cup matches albeit against lower league. Hardly disastrous. All done with what we all know is a paper thin squad inherited halfway into the summer from previous management which has been further stretched due to more-than-average injuries in defence and loss of form of a couple of key players. It's not perfect; it never will be perfect, quite apart from it not yet being 2 months into his tenure. We've lost two away games 3-0, deservedly so it sounds like; one of those sides is many peoples' favourites for automatic promotion (we beat another one in WBA), the other is sitting pretty in 1st position (yet still only 3 points ahead of us). Yesterday, without 3 regular starters (Gally, Hedges & Brittain), after an abject 1st half he recognised the problems, switched systems & personnel & we were relentless in the 2nd half. We had the ball in the back of the net twice which shouldn't have been pulled back for fouls (I presume @arbitro would agree), plus a nailed on penalty denied. Stoke defended well TBF, blocked shots at source (which I think don't get counted as on target, even if they are), and Dolan & BBD fluffed their lines a couple of times. I'd have been much more worried if the 2nd half continued like the 1st, but they were chalk & cheese. Someone said why play BBD out wide, it's ridiculous; but we know how effective he is from there, not just for us but for Chile too. It's his best position to make use of his abilities. To criticise JDT in that respect is, with respect, what's ridiculous. It takes time to build a squad, for new ideas to sink in, to put it into practise on the pitch, to build fitness to play aggressively in and out of position. When JDT came in most people were urging patience, yet that seems to be in ever shorter supply. He needs time & he needs backing.

This match is what the phrase "game of 2 halves" was made for. Turgid first half, but what a turnaround in all but the scoreline. Kaminski 6 - made some good saves 1st half but shouldn't have conceded the only goal. Had little to do 2nd half. JRC 2 - that's being generous, though unfortunate to be booked. Looked well lost, is clearly not a RB, Travis played far better there 2nd half than him. Confidence must be shot, needs a loan out or selling. Ayala 7 - guilty of overplaying 1st half but did his defensive work fantastically and in all other respects was a rock. Phillips 7 - his best game, was put under a lot of pressure by dirty Delap & cocky Gayle, but dealt with it well. Like the rest, had a better 2nd half than 1st. Pickering 6 - did ok, was left isolated a bit and also got caught a couple of times overplaying. Not as bad as some make out, but ought to consider himself at risk of being replaced in the transfer market. Morton 6 - I think his presence encouraged us to overplay. Was way too slow & negative 1st half but improved in second. Could be a good signing once gets up to speed with the Championship. Travis 6 - like everyone else, had a poor first half but ably deputiised at RB 2nd half. Got shown up for pace a couple of times by Campbell, but showed desire & passion that is his trait. Buckley 3 - poor passing, poor drive, poor decision making, had a very off day & deserved to be hooked. Not having a good season, maybe feels unsettled under new management (first change in his career?) Szmodics 5 - showed a couple of touches but didn't really get into the game before he was taken off injured. That incident should've been a penalty, the ball had gone so why Flint (?) felt the need to wallop him in the head I don't know. Dack 6 - poor first half in unfamiliar role, did better 2nd. Was coming too deep to influence play in an attacking sense, but linked up well in 2nd half. Will benefit from 90 mins fitness wise. BBD 6 - anonymous first half, much better second but poor end product. Likely to be his last game for us, shame he was unable to sign off with a goal. Subs Dolan 5 - frustratingly wasteful. Has skill & talent to hurt opponents but makes some poor decisions re not shooting. Should've done better when 1 on1 with defenders on numerous occasions. Is still only 20, hopefully game intelligence will come (like it did with BBD). Hedges 7 - did v well when he came on, drove at them, pressed, brought others into play. Showed passion & grit that was badly missing 1st half. Wharton 7 - wow, looks quality, has that languid style with his passing but is also tenacious out of possession. Seems to read the game well, has good vision, wasn't at all overawed. We've got to keep him. Carter 6 - looked solid enough, can't recall him doing anything wrong & got stuck in when required. Edun 6 - was only on for 5 mins but showed good attacking instincts compared to Pickering. Wasn't really tested defensively. JDT 7 - although 1st half was poor & some selections debatable, he had few options given injuries to Gally & Brittain. In his position I'd've played Vale and Dack, with Szmodics on the bench, but he had a right to expect better from JRC & especially Buckley. Was right to hook them both at half time & bring on Hedhes & Wharton, both of whom changed the game. Hindsight suggests they would've been better starting, but that would've been a very brave decision. Way too soon to be critical of JDT imo. We missed Gallagher's physical presence & energy imo, is v underated the amount of work he gets through, even if his goal return should be better. Ref was awful. Delap was holding on throughout, pulled BBD's shirt off almost, gave nothing. Szmodics got whacked in the head on the area after the ball had gone, he gave nothing but Szmodics had to go off. Booked JRC for a soft foul early on. Worst of all, in 2nd half missed a clear pen for BBD and then stopped play twice to give us free kicks when, if he'd have let play run on a couple of seconds, we'd have scored 2 goals. Overall can feel aggrieved at a loss overall, but cannot play like we did for 30 mins & hope to achieve anything of note.

I hope your dad has a great day with his family Neal, continues to improve, and that the lads put on a show to remember for him.

Hang on, weren't you amongst those predicting a lower half finish / relegation battle this season a few weeks back? If not, I'm certain you weren't expecting 3 wins from the first 5 games, yet here we are with a good chance to make that 4 in 6 this aft. It's a start to the season that all of us would've taken in July. Early days I know, but I think the negatives of a slow transfer window & past experiences of mismanagement under TM & Co (admittedly with the owners & SW still in place) are unfairly over inflated on here, as is possibly some of the optimism / hope that I tend to side with (it makes life more bearable!). I'm not brainwashed, I'm realistic. I don't expect promotion this year as no one has said that's the do-or-die aim since the new structure & management team came in. This season however does lend itself so far to the belief that the league is more open than ever, so let hope win over despair I say!

Armstrong starting for Southampton this lunchtime v Man U. For those hoping for a potential return on loan, I think that can be dismissed.

May not be able to make it today as my daughter has had her tonsillitis come back with a vengeance 😔 Hoping the week's rest has given the players extra zing to press better than of late. Kaminski & Brittain are nailed on starters, I'd like to see Carter partnering Ayala, sticking with Pickering at LB, a midfield 3 of Buckley, travis & Morton with a fluid frontline of BBD, Hedges & Dack. Subs of Pears, Gallagher, Phillips, Szmodics, Edun, A Wharton, Vale, Markanday, Dolan

Technically 12 players have left,no argument there, their influence / involvement does not amount to any more than 7/8 players. Brittain - replaces / improves on Nyambe. Morton - replaces / improves on Clarkson & / or Davenport, plus provides emergency cover at CB at a push. Hyam - expected to replace / improve on Lenihan (imagine the pelters if Lenihan had started the season for us like he has for Boro) Szmodics - has had a slow start obviously, but eplaces role of Rothwell & / or frees Buckley to drop back. Also offers cover for Dack, who himself barely figured last year. Caulker - does not directly replace Van Hecke, but fills the gap left behind. Provides cover for Ayala when he gets injured, affords time for Carter & Phillip's to improve. Forward (TBC) - clearly we're in for one, presumably to replace Khadra & / or Poveda. The latter barely figured last season, the former was useful in fits and starts. That's 6 players in. If BBD leaves I would hope / expect one or 2 replacements, preferably 1 perm & 1 loan. Factor in that we have youngsters Phillips, Carter, Garrett, A Wharton & Vale now very much part of the senior squad (and fitting in well generally), allied to the return of Carter, Dack & Markanday and arguably the usable squad is at least as strong, if not better, than last year. Don't forget also, all the existing players are 1 year older & wiser (without any being past it). The marked improvement in Hedges is the perfect example of that. Factor in the tactical & fitness benefits that JDT & his team bring to the table compared to TM & Venus, then overall it's possible to claim improvement. It's not perfect; LB is still a problem, as is cover at RB. But overall I think a very strong argument can be made that by the end of this window the squad will be stronger. Of course, it may not work out like that, but I can see things moving in the right direction by blooding youth whilst improving on the first 11. I think there's a danger folk are expecting too much from GB & JDT as a new team from a standing start in a shortened window. Theres a clear understanding amongst us all that they inherited a small squad & limited funding due to past mismanagement, to expect all that to be rectified in 2 thirds of a window is unreasonable IMO.

So we're about to sign Connor Gallagher then?? 😁 I don't think we need to be too het up about this. Experienced, confident on the ball, cheap. Reminds me of when we signed Tony Gale before 94/95.

Is he able to clone himself??

Markanday!

Thing is, that wasn't the case 3 weeks ago was it? We've suffered injuries since then to Carter, Wharton & Barnes; few clubs could withstand that. Yes we need players in & sooner the better as JDT has just explicitly pointed out, but to say that where we are is criminally negligent on GB's part with 2 weeks to.go until the transfer window closes is clearly an OTT reaction.

Well yes I'd agree that if that was the case it would be a terrible window, but that absolutely won't be the case so it's a straw man comment. You're wise to judge at the end of the window as to whether or not it's been a good window, but it would be premature to judge the club's new structure or personnel on just the 1 window.

I get the concern & apprehension as we get closer to deadline day and our squad is struggling for depth, but I think there's been as big an overreaction to the defeat on Weds as there was to the 3 wins before then. Every team at our level will do plenty of business in the last week of the window. It happens every year, and I'm quite sure we'll be well amongst the throng. I'm also quite sure GB and his team are well along the way to having targets in their sights, as they were with recent signings without any knowledge externally. People calling GB a dud are way off the mark in my view, or at the very least massively premature; it was widely stated when he joined that this was something that would need 2-3 windows to implement the medium term strategy, anything else would be a bonus. Many are expecting instant returns, which would be great but less likely. Take a step back; we've had a great start. Clearly today's tough & after the Reading game confidence might be hit, but even if we lose today we'll still be in a far better position than we had a right to expect at the end of July. Nothing will be decided at the end of this window or the next, patience & trust in the new management team, as individuals & as a structure, is required.

After last night's debacle, hopefully this is the jolt the players (and me!) needed to bring us back down to earth. The players need to react like Reading did to their heavy defeat, just like they did last season after the 7-0 v Fulham. Interestingly it's against the same opponents, so hopefully that's a good omen...

Burnley back to being the shame of Lancashire, looking at the table!

His time with us was in my early days of watching Rovers so I don't remember much of his time with us, but it's a very sad day. MN is a horrible disease but he did a lot to raise awareness & funds for further much needed research, to his enormous credit. An ex teacher of mine had it, everyone feared him but to see how quickly his health deteriorated following diagnosis will stick with me. Thoughts are with all those who knew Lenny, may he rest in peace.

Time for Ash Phillips to show us what all the fuss is about it seems... we'll be right behind you lad, do us all proud. And search youtube for Phil Jones v Drogba for invaluable lessons on how to handle yourself as a youth in a man's game. 👍

Great post and I agree with all it says, and endorse the management style that JDT is adopting & appreciate the knowledge of other posters about where it comes from, how it ut implemented & how it breeds confidence & togetherness. I also however think the last paragraph was unnecessary. Can we not just appreciate JDT without denigrating TM and his "worshippers"? It's not a fair comparison for a start. The core of your post is how the structure is better, with JDT being just a part of that and who is effectively replaceable if he leaves or is poached. TM didn't have the benefit of that structure, he was not able just to concentrate on being head coach, he had to wear other hats too. Imagine the grief he would've got when asked about transfers if he'd replied "the club is working hard, you'll have to ask Steve." Also, the concern about who TM would be replaced with was entirely legitimate. It's widely accepted that the club was going down a different, long & winding path to appointing someone else until Gregg came on board. At least someone within the club realised it's structure needed improving. TM had taken us as far as he could. I was up for him leaving last summer, and he undoubtedly overstayed his welcome. But had he done we wouldn't have appointed GB or JDT. Overall TM did a very good job in helping bring the club back from the brink of oblivion and re-establishing some pride in difficult circumstances IMO, and was the major part in putting us in a position to be seen as an attractive project with solid foundations in the eyes of a young, up & coming ambitious head coach to pick up & run with under a new, fresh, modern and pro-active management structure.

All the pressure should be on W Brom on Sunday. They're the ones who have an established manager with a proven track record at this level, with a large & expensively assembled squad (comparitively) with expectations internally & externally of a top 2 finish. They'll be coming here knowing that they lack firepower & if they lose, they'll be 7 points off top spot already with no wins in 3 matches. They'll also be unsure of what to expect from us due to the radically different approaches we've taken to each match under JDT. We on the other hand have nothing to lose. We're 2 wins & clean sheets in with a young, light squad that is playing confidently, at pace & without fear for 90 mins. No-one externally expects us to challenge the top 6, and even internally there's an understanding that this season is mainly likely to be a transitional one. So Rovers can just go out & enjoy themselves, put in a disciplined & committed performance & not worry too much about the outcome. I gonna go for an entertaining 2-1 Rovers win, BBD & Hedges the scorers.

This implies that there's such a thing as a good home Burnley shirt... steady on!

Please, let's have Van Den Berg in quickly to: A - be available for Sunday; B - update the thread title, which is starting to look outdated; and C - to save this thread from itself!!

If he's going to be second choice (which it seems he is, whether we think he should be or not), I'd rather he was as prepared as possible to step in at the deep end if needed. To me, that means playing in relatively low jeopardy matches like at home to Hartlepool in the Carabao Cup.

Both fair points re Pears, but presumably he is considered as TK's understudy having been named as sub keeper in JDT's first 2 squads, would be bizarre to then choose Hilton over Pears for a 1st round cup game v lower league 2 opposition. Also, remember that before the Wigan fiasco, he had looked fairly handy (pun intended) & was an important part of the 6 game run of clean sheets.