sharpysharps86

This is a huge game, along with the Stoke home game next weekend, because after the international break we have an immensely tough run of fixtures....and the thing is, both Swansea and Stoke have started the season very well too, so are by no means 'easy' matches. I'd be tempted to really shake things up system wise but I doubt it will happen as there would only be one day of training to work on it. I'm predicting this starting 11 from Ismael: Toth Alebiosu (if fit) Miller McLoughlin Ribeirio TGH Tronstad Morishita Cantwell Hedges Gudjohnsen If Alebiosu is not fit, then I guess he'll do what he did 2nd half against Charlton and put Tavares in the middle with TGH at RB.....because that went well. Rovers 1 - 2 Swansea. Gudjohnsen to score.

I have gone back and read the comment - still don't get it how the two things are remotely related. Yeah if the game had been seen out against Ipswich and Rovers had won - brilliant result....doesn't change any of the crap going on behind the scenes though, does it...?

I don't understand what the Ipswich game has got to do with them banning the LT.

Felt inevitable after a torrid week, yet again not turning up away from home against a newly promoted side.

Well I can't imagine this will end well for the club. Elliot has been fairly light touch in terms of criticism IMO. Presume its a mixture of Suhail and Gestede who've come to this conclusion, in which case I hope it massively backfires on both of them.

Abandoning the game isn't the issue for me, but it's that the decision they've come to that feels unfair when they've still allowed the red card to stand. My take on it is if you're going to allow something that happened in the game to still stand, then EVERYTHING that happened in the game needs to still stand. The EFL have made it worse by making that particular call.

As Rovers fans, its hard not to think that this decision is going to come back to haunt Rovers later on in the season. However, I hope that this decision rallies the players for the next few games, and also for the eventual replay whenever that happens. Knowing the EFL and their logic they'll probably place it during a particularly hectic period of fixtures.

Suspect we'll find out more from Ismael after his pre match presser, but the silence from the club possibly suggests that he's out for another sustained period of time.

Not surprised at all with the outcome, but its an absolute disgrace that it took this long to get to the conclusion that was probably always going to be the way it went. The red card still standing makes for a future pub quiz question somewhere.

Forgot Grant McCann was Doncaster manager. Find it amusing how he and Darren Ferguson seem to take it in turns to manage Donny and Peterborough 😅. Ferguson - Four times at Posh, once at Donny McCann - Twice at Posh, twice at Donny However my lasting memory of McCann will always be the own goal he scored against Rovers in the 7-1 win over West Ham.

Yeah for sure, I think that in certain scenarios where you have really standout players (like Szmodics when he was here) then yes, those types should always be first on the team sheet. In the case of Rovers CBs that my original post was referring to, I wouldn't say McLoughlin is one of those standout players. He had a decent start to the season but was foolish to get himself sent off against Norwich. Since then Rovers have done very well defensively and not conceded a goal, so that's my logic for keeping the pairing as is. Also sometimes need to consider the pairing of players as well. Some players have better chemistry on the pitch than others. I think its too early to say which CB pairing has the best chemistry in this team.

Fair, but do you not also need to consider form as well?

I'm predicting a 1-1 draw for this. Gudjohnsen to get his first Rovers goal. Predicted team Toth Alebiosu Miller Wharton Ribeiro G-Hickman Tronstad Morishita Cantwell Hedges Gudjohnsen I just think, away from home especially Rovers could do with Gudjohnsen leading the line, with a bit more strength than Ohashi has. Love Yuki, but I'd have him come on as sub for this one. McLoughlin also unfortunate to not come back in after suspension, but would be harsh on Miller or Wharton to drop either of them them.

I do expect Sheff United to move out of trouble eventually, but they were significantly weakened in the summer and the replacements they've signed have been questionable. Having Hamer still is a bonus for them though. Agree on your point though. After the weekend results it appears to be largely wide open all over the place.

As good as a win it was for Rovers at the weekend, Ipswich appear to have clicked now, albeit after playing a very poor form Sheffield United side. I think this will be another home 0-2 defeat. Lots of effort on show but a lack of quality in the final third. Suspect Ismael will start with the same 11 that started the Watford game.

Suspect Birmingham and Wrexham will give them both time. Sheff United on the other hand, I don't think anyone would be surprised if Selles was given the boot this week.

Fantastic result, and a huge win given Rovers next few games all look tough. Now that Ipswich seem to have turned up this season it was really important to get a win here ahead of playing them next weekend. Promising signs with Mori and Gudjohnsen by the sounds of it.

Thankfully its now 2-2.

If Carter lasts more than a half I'll be impressed. The boy is held together by tape and string. Pleased to see Mori starts. Always felt it would be too soon for Gudjohnsen given the lack of training he's had with the team so no surprise him on the bench. Generally that side is probably as good as we can muster up at the moment. Tavares in the middle is a worry though, seems far too casual, but I suppose he'll only be able to really change that with game time and experience at this level.

Can only see a loss in this one. Which is how I felt before the Hull game too so maybe Rover will surprise me again. I'll go 2-1 Watford, Gudjohnsen to come off the bench and get a late debut goal.

Losing Gueye is not a huge problem on the face of it, although of course Rovers letting him go when they're no longer able to bring someone else in other than potentially a free agent is just typical of the club these days. Gueye doesn't have the brain for football at championship level. A couple of promising performances last season gave some hope that he could learn the ropes and kick on, but he just hasn't....obviously not helped by the change in head coach and the fact that Ismael clearly doesn't want him. My question is who plays upfront if Ohashi and Gudjohnsen get injured? Tyjon??

Oh I'm sure there'll be someone else between Ismael and him 😂

By the end of that contract he'll be taking over as head coach on a rolling deal, because nobody else will want it. 😅

Pickering can also play as a left sided CB, and Morishita as a LWB. I like this system in the sense that it gives Ohashi a strike partner, which feels needed...but I'd be surprised if Ismael made such a big system change.

Agree there's no reason to drop Ohashi, but equally I think they should start Gudjohnsen as something has to change in attack. Perhaps shift Morishita out wide for Kargbo, and then put Ohashi behind Gudjohnsen?