Knowing Stockport have their own squad issues, I'd definitely be tempted to give the likes of Mafoumbi a go. Pears Duru Carter Batth Batty Buckley Tronstad Weimann Markanday Siggy Mafoumbi Bring Gueye and Ohashi on to play 9 and 10 respectively in the 2nd half, see how they play together.

Luton seem to be really short of numbers, they were absolutely no match for Burnley and if they don't get recruitment right then they'll likely have a season of mid table football ahead of them. Burnley will equally face much tougher sides, but I suspect that they've got a squad more than capable of finishing top 2, and so they should really with the money spent over the last 2 years. Anything less than that for them should be considered a disappointment.

Their end of season form won't have helped, but there is no shame in losing to Sheffield United who are likely to be up there challenging for the automatic spots. Still, sounds like it was a really poor performance on Friday night and he was a very unlikeable figure amongst PNE fans. It was their great start that sustained their top half finish last year, which was unlikely to happen this time round. Wonder who they'll go for. Putting 2+2 together and potentially getting 5, they seem to have a few Scandinavian players on their books now, so maybe someone from that part of the World. From the same old names and faces - Gary Rowett is probably the one who's out of work that could go in there and do an ok job.

Plymouth so, so poor today. Granted it's a tough place to go on the first game when Wednesday are clearly riding the crest of a wave after last season, but bloody hell they've offered absolutely nothing.

Would like to see Duru get a game, and it makes sense for Batth, Buckley, Markanday, Vale and Siggy to all get minutes. I suspect Gueye will play at some point as he needs minutes, perhaps for the last 30. He perhaps needs it more than Ohashi at this moment. Doubt they'll play Szmodics in this one if negotiations with Ipswich are still ongoing, given the lack of importance of the fixture in comparison to the league.

Fantastic to start with a home win. Was really impressed with the debutants and the fact that the substitutions all paid off feels particularly good. Some really good stuff overall but certainly areas to improve on. Seeing Yuki chip the keeper for the 4th brought had me beaming. Szmodics included in the squad was a pleasant surprise, and it felt almost inevitable that he'd come on and make an impact. Thought Dolan was lively and deserved his goal in the 1st half, but wasn't as influential in the 2nd half. Travis probably put in one of his best displays for the club, and hopefully he can build up a solid partnership with Tronstad moving forwards. Liked a lot of what Gueye seems to be about except for the weak finishing. Was perhaps unlucky with the tight angle in the 1st half, but that chance in the 2nd half I really expected him to thunder it past the keeper, instead it was so feeble. I do however think he will be a real character and terrorise defenders, with his link up play and first touch are a massive improvement on Gallagher based on last night. A new number 1 GK, a left winger, cover for left back and central midfield feel essential. If Sammie goes then add another player to the shopping list, even if it is as cover for Dolan, who probably deserves to start there if Sammie does indeed leave. All in all, its a good start and something to build on. Having watched a pretty feeble Norwich side lose to Oxford just now, I see no reason why Rovers can't go to Carrow Road next weekend and get at least a draw.

I think the team now pretty much picks itself for tonight... Pears Brittain Carter Hyam Pickering Travis Tronstad JRC Dolan Hedges Gueye I'm pretty happy with that as a starting 11, goalkeeper aside I think it's an ok Championship XI, but the problems as we know lie with strength in depth and the lack of goals, of which we'll be hoping that Gueye can carry the burden, as well as JRC and Dolan chipping in more often. Obviously would prefer Szmodics starting in place of Dolan. The bench to me looks a bit more reliable on paper than last season with the additions of more experienced heads, but definitely lacking central midfield and wide options. Hilton (you'd hope this will soon be Pears if we can bring in a better keeper) Fadz Batth Wiemann Markanday Duru Siggy Ohashi Buckley Positive pants on, I'm going for a Rovers 2-1 win. Always likely to concede with our calamity keeper, but I think we'll just edge it with goals from JRC and Gueye.

Yeah there's that too 😂

Not overly concerned by Gestede saying 2-3 players. I remember Eustace said in the early close season that we didn't need many new recruits, which had us all up in arms for a little while, he's changed his tune now of course. I suspect he's said 2-3 more players simply because saying 'we want 5 or 6+ more players' increases expectations, which naturally puts us all on a downer if (when) it doesn't happen.

Where is O'Riordan going out on loan too?

Since when is he showing shades of Semir? He's had 45 mins in a friendly and by the sounds of it did well. Granted the proof will be in how he fares against Championship sides, but lets not forget that our current (for now) talisman looked completely out of his depth for half a season after joining from a League One club, and having had plenty of previous Championship experience where he'd also flattered to deceive at Posh and Bristol City. Let's give Ohashi some support instead of bashing him before a league ball has even been kicked.

Hogan scored 1 league goal last season, although he did manage 10 in 21/22 and 22/23. Surely only an option as backup to Gueye and Ohashi. If they're looking to move Vale on then as a replacement for him it's fine.

Is it just me or did Barkhuizen have a habit of scoring against us when he was at Preston. He's nailed on to score I reckon 😂.

Supposedly Ewood is going to be in EAFC25 according to recent leaks of new stadiums added to the game. Hopefully will look a bit cleaner in the game than in reality!

Never suggested it would be those two, but yes you're correct on that. More likely 1 of those two and Ruddy on loan.

Wouldn't be at all surprised if we do want 2 GK's. For all we know JE doesn't rate Pears, but he simply has to play him because Hilton is nowhere near the required ability.

Yep, went down to Ewood on Friday to pick up the away shirt. Checked the third shirt and they only had kids sizes or 5XL left in adults. Seems to be very popular!

1. Winners of the Championship Leeds 2. Runners-up in the Championship Luton 3. Championship Play-off final winners Burnley 4. Where will Rovers finish the season? 17th 5. Which 3 clubs will be relegated from the Championship? Oxford, Plymouth, Portsmouth 6. Who will be the first club in the Championship to change manager? (For whatever reason) Preston 7. Who will be the BRFCS Player of the Season? (As voted for in the Match Centre on BRFCS) JRC 8. A wildcard prediction for something (possibly quite mad) that will happen to or at Rovers during this coming season Waggott will leave

If Eustace wants 3-4 more players they've gotta be a GK, LB, CM, and a proper winger. If Szmodics goes then we need a replacement for him too, likewise if anyone else leaves. Obviously it depends on who the players are that come in and how good they are, but I'm quite happy with business done so far given the circumstances at the club, and I feel JE is going to make is difficult to beat first and foremost. Some actual experience added to the ranks gives the squad a much more balanced look to it. Obviously very early days in regard to Ohashi and Gueye, but both sounded promising from last nights game and will each add something different.

Don't know anything about de Lange, but playing as a number 1 in a side that finished mid table in the Eredivisie....he must be good enough for the Championship and surely an upgrade on Pears. Hopefully this is a deal that gets done.

Anyone's guess who starts for Rovers in this game. If Szmodics is still here then he should start IMO. Tonight's friendly may be quite telling as to who gets the nod, particularly in the attacking positions given we've brought in 3 that definitely go into contention. I'm going to go for a 1-1 draw. Derby look like they've done some respectable business for a newly promoted side, but they do have a manager who's an expert in getting relegated from the Championship. I don't think this is the team that starts, but it's the one I'd like to see providing there are no new incomings before the game: Pears (no other options) Brittain Carter Hyam Pickering Travis Tronstad Wiemann Szmodics JRC Gueye If there's no Szmodics then either Markanday or Ohashi to come into that role. Take Wiemann off for Hedges after an hour.

Garrett definitely needs a full season on loan somewhere, we'll see more of what he's made of and will probably be make or break for him at Rovers. Hopefully we are bringing in a midfielder to strengthen us now.

Gentleman's agreement and Steve Waggott are two things that simply don't go together 😂. Sammie will go. He'll probably force it in the end, which will be a sad way to end things but I just hope that some of the money coming in for him allows us to bring in an actual replacement, although I fully expect Wiemann to end up coming in to be that player.

Gallagher is a good lad and I thank him for his efforts at Rovers, but it was definitely time to part ways, and it has been time for a while. He has regressed as a player in the last couple of years so hopefully for his sake a fresh start will reignite his career...just not when it comes to playing us. All that being said, he simply wasn't good enough at scoring goals and has never built on the double figures he hit back in the Owen Coyle days. It might click for him at Stoke, but it didn't at Rovers, and he was deeply frustrating to watch for the most part. Hopefully the new attackers prove to be more of a goal threat.

Probably because Wharton is injured long term and O' Riordan is untested at Championship level, leaving us with just Hyam and Carter at the moment as the clubs only proven championship CB's.