I feel like someone like Tronstad or Garrett would've been able to come in and fill some of those gaps, slow the game down a bit as well to frustrate Boro, obviously the former wasn't in the squad though. I see JRC as more of a creative midfield type when he's in there rather than a Travis type, so I wasn't too surprised that the gaps were still there. That being said, I think the game was so chaotic at that point, it was going to be hard for any new players to come on and get up to speed with what was happening on the pitch as it really was headless chicken time for the last 20 mins.

What a surreal and yet typically Rovers game. It could've been a 4 or 5 nil victory when you think back to some of the missed chances, but it's also incredible as to how Boro didn't get anything out of it in the end with how open Rovers were at times in the 2nd half. That being said, when JDT 's style clicks, it really is a joy to watch. I thought some of the passages of play were exceptional at times. Some thoughts: Brittain was outstanding today. Szmodics really grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck. Two brilliant goals, he is such a likeable player. Shame he didn't get his hat-trick. I actually thought Dolan did ok aside from the sitter near the start of the game, and Moran seemed to be much poorer when he came on for him. Very much a rabbit in headlights type performance from him. Gally also did ok but again was guilty of missing a sitter. Same old Gally really. Telalovic I thought showed some good instinctive touches and movements at times, but its clear he's very raw at this level. What a moment it would've been if he'd stuck that chance in to make it 3-1 near the end. He's going to be the next Fode Koita or the 2003/04 season Jon Stead 😂. I still want to see us switch goalkeepers. Pears was ok today but I'm uneasy about him when the defence is under pressure. Hedges played really well. I think him and Brittain link up nicely down the right. Adam Wharton showed his class again on the ball, but he looked to be really struggling off the ball as the game went on. Too many lacklustre challenges and some sloppy touches as he tired. I should also add - Szmodics goal coming in the 30th minute during the applause for Matt Sillitoe was absolutely wonderful.

Worried if Pears starts, I don't feel confident in our defence with him at all so I'll be desperately hoping he has one of his better games. Hopefully Telalovic gets an opportunity, but I rather suspect that'll only happen if we are chasing the game.

Can't help but feel cynical about this. Don't believe for one second that it'll result in better communication...why would it? He's a financial guy not a comms guy. That's just a throwaway line in a statement to make fans think positively about the appointment. Can't believe some people on Twitter are still so deluded over Venkys, thinking they're doing 'everything they can'. Look at where we were when they arrived and look at were we are now. The debate should end there. Yes they were badly advised initially, but ultimately they have been bad for this football club.

100% agree.

Think this will be a draw, so I'll go for a 1-1. Carrick and Boro simply need to get something from this, and I feel that they'll take the game to Rovers. I have absolutely no idea what kind of team we'll put out after the international break, but I'd like to see the following: Wahlstedt as GK JRC into midfield Ennis or Telalovic as the central striker Sigurdsson on the bench at least I'd say 1 of those is possible (the goalkeeper) 😅. Gallagher always bags against Boro, so would not be surprised to see him get the nod up front.

To echo the general consensus on here, it is definitely time for Pears to be dropped. He's a decent backup who covered well enough for Kaminski last season but mistakes have gradually been creeping in since the back end of last season. Some of his better saves have papered over those cracks. I've said it before; you don't spend money on a new keeper with a cap for his country just to have him sit on the bench when the whole point of signing him is to buy cheap, build up his value and sell for big money if he does well enough. I've no doubt that there will be bumps along the way as there often is when you're trying to play out from the back, but I feel like Leo oozes the confidence that's needed.

Have they thrown the towel in more often though? Rovers under Bowyer in 2013/14 and 2014/15 were arguably a much better side than what we have right now, and should have been quite comfortably in the playoffs ATLEAST with the goals scored by Gestede and Rhodes. I'd suggest that team was worse for bottling it than this current group. They definitely choked in a fair few games. Mowbray's 2020/21 squad with a forward line of Brereton, Armstrong and Harvey Elliott was another one....finished 15th that season if I recall, including losing 5 on the spin!

Ever since Rovers dropped out of the prem we've had some awful results to newly promoted or 'lesser' teams earlyish into a season. 2013/14: Lost away at Doncaster 2-0 in August 2014/15: Lost away at Rotherham 2-0 in September 2015/16: Lost away at MK Dons 3-0 in October 2018/19: Lost away at Bristol City 4-1 in September 2019/20: Lost at home to Charlton 1-2 in August 2020/21: Lost at home to Reading 2-4 in October 2021/22: Lost away at Blackpool 2-1 in October 2022/23: Lost away at Reading 3-0 in August There's probably a few more and today is another to add to the list, but it doesn't mean we're going to have a terrible season in the long term, and there are other clubs out there that have had similarly crap and unexpected results. Just today QPR have beaten Boro, Norwich have lost to Rotherham and Sunderland have thrashed Southampton. There will be games where we brush teams aside as well. No real point to this post, other than we need to maintain a degree of realism as to where we are as a club. Unable to compete financially with a lot of the teams that will be pushing the top 6, and reliant on a very young squad of players where the more experienced pros are perhaps the most guilty of inconsistency. All this being said, after the international break there are 4 significant changes I'd like to see in the squad for Boro. Leo in for Pears. Brittain stays in at right back with JRC coming into midfield for Travis. Telalovic to start up front, because we're never going to get a consistent tune out of Gallagher as much as I want it to happen, so give the new kid a chance. Ennis and Sigurdsson on the bench (if they are fit enough). Doubt Siggy will be fit enough to start a game until October.

Mentioned it previously but their keeper was on loan at Bolton last season. Massive step up to the prem and probably should've spent a season in the Championship before making that move. Would not be at all surprised if they bring in a more experienced keeper on a free....Kasper Schmeichel just left his club in France, I could see him turning up there for sure, but he is currently linked with Celtic. That aside, its a consolation after Rovers result today to see that Burnley are rock bottom with 0 points 😁.

Not good at all. Sounds like a case of failing to take chances and it's cost Rovers dearly. We do seem to get bullied a bit too easily by more direct sides. I didn't expect a win today because Plymouth have turned Home Park into somewhat of a fortress and they're riding the wave of last seasons success, but its still massively disappointing to lose 3 nil. Saw the early Hedges miss and it just sums him and Rovers up perfectly. Scores a fabulous goal last match and misses a sitter in this one. Unfortunately the inconsistency within the team results = a mid table Championship side. With positive pants on, if you'd have offered me 3 points from the last 2 I'd have taken it. I thought the best we could manage was a couple of draws from them. It's still early in the season, we'll no doubt have a good run of form as we will a bad one too. Right now we're neither here nor there, like a lot of sides. The realist in me says its 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats from the opening 5. That's probably about right in terms of where Rovers are at. Lets hope the international break allows the new players to bed in and give the injured players time to recover for Boro at Ewood.

Strongest possible line-up there I think. Hoping Moran can really cement his place. Didn't realise Plymouth are Gallagher's boyhood team. Would be nice for him to score 😁.

A draw would be more than acceptable. Plymouth have put up a fight in all of their league games so far. Southampton just about scraped a win there the other week and they only lost narrowly to Birmingham at St Andrews last weekend. Think we'll do well to get a point in this one. You get the feeling that Home Park will be a difficult place for a lot of sides to go to this season and they'll spring a few upsets. They've also got a good finisher in Hardie who's started the season really well adapting to the Championship. I'll go for another 2-2 draw. My expected team: Pears Brittain Carter Hyam Pickering Travis Wharton Szmodics Hedges Gallagher Moran Hopefully we have a 2 or 3 new additions on the bench!

I doubt JDT will want to risk playing Carter, Wharton & Hyam all together for the full 90, so maybe he'll give Patrick Gamble an opportunity at CB. My predicted team: Wahlstedt Carter Gamble Wharton Brittain Tronstad Buckley Garrett Markanday Gallagher Gilsenan

I had no idea Burnley had spent over £100m this summer, but looking at the signings there is a lot of young players there that will likely take time to adjust to the demands of Premier League football. I still think they have the best chance of the 3 promoted teams to survive, although that's not saying much at the moment! I know he did well for the England U21s, but James Trafford making the step up from League One football last season seems a heck of a leap. Think they might've missed a trick not bringing in an experienced keeper as their number one, like a Kasper Schmeichel or similar. I'm sure Trafford will make for a good keeper in the future, but it seems like a huge risk to put your faith in someone who was on loan at Bolton last season. Very naïve.

Must admit I've had my doubts about him since he arrived, especially after some of those heavy defeats last season....but he's won me over for sure. It helps that he's not a miserable old git like the previous manager 😂. I've no doubt that he'll go on to be a top coach at a club that backs him...just hopefully not anytime soon.

Wow, what a win that was! A lot of positives to take from that. Hedges goal was a touch of class. Pears played really well. The substitutions were made at the right time. Gally in particular had a good impact. Defensively solid. Travis putting in a big shift. Scott Wharton came on and we didn't concede in stoppage time 😂. Something to build on ahead of a tough trip to Plymouth. Let's hope by then that we have some more new players through the door. Amazing what a difference a win makes 😅.

Fabulous goal! Now catch them on the break again and finish it 😆

No real goal threat here. Leonard getting bullied out of it, Dolan ineffective on the ball, Hedges doing ok but again he's never really been a threat. Sammie looks to be most likely to score out of the attacking players. Defensively we're doing ok. Travis lucky to not get booked. Moran for Dolan at the break please.

Buckley flatters to deceive quite a lot. He appears to be one of those players that has talent but struggles with consistency. He's now behind Wharton, Tronstad, Travis, probably even JRC as an option in midfield. He's 23 now. Very much a now or never season for him. Personally I think he's far too casual in his play to be a top player at this level. For every great pass he plays, there's a really sloppy giveaway that puts us under the cosh.

RIP Matt. Matchdays won't be quite the same without him. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. Just 30 years old, its absolutely tragic.

Preston having a great start to the season. Armstrong scoring again for Saints. Leicester winning again. Leeds look to have finally kicked into gear as well beating Ipswich 4-2 away. Would be very surprised if 2 of the 3 relegated Premier League teams aren't automatically promoted. Leicester in particular you feel are going to be able to achieve promotion without playing particularly well simply because of their financial capabilities and the quality of their squad. Top 6 is the best we can hope for without a doubt.

This is going to be really tough. Can't see anything other than a Watford win. They've not scored a league goal since the opening day, so you know it's coming... Watford 2 - 0 Rovers. My expected team: Pears JRC Carter Hyam Brittain Travis Wharton Szmodics Hedges Leonard Dolan Would prefer Gilsenan to get a chance over Dolan, or put Szmodics there and bring Tronstad in but I can't see it happening.

Seeing the 2nd Hull goal, the positioning is very poor. This is where Pears falls down as a first choice keeper. He is a good shot stopper and capably at playing out from the back. We have just signed a keeper who got a cap for Sweden this year, looks like a perfect fit for JDT's style of play....I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him come into the team in the coming weeks once he's up to speed with things and perhaps gets a a full 90 in the Harrogate game. No way did we sign a 24 year old international to sit on the bench when the whole point of the clubs transfer model is to buy cheap and sell on for high prices.