1 hour ago, philipl said:

It is one of the best days of my life Kean out day- I was that happy.

I remember the feeling of optimism going to the Charlton game. I had my team back. Things didn't necessarily improve but a glimmer of hope that was almost completely extinguished by that cretin did return. 

We are lightyears away from those dark old days with Tony. 

On Dack, it's gonna be down to him to take his chance when he does comeback. Simple as. There is plenty of competition and expectations have increased, down to him to rise to it. I don't think he'll be put into the team if he clearly causes a decrease in our overall levels of performance. 

I think he will be a quality addition when he is back and I'm excited just to see where and how that happens. He's looking lean and has had a lengthy amount of time to reflect and hopefully learn and be in touch with Mowbray's expectations. 

Running out of accolades. Gets me off my sofa and always looking forward to seeing him play. Entertainment and end product. Long may it continue. 

If we play with the same level of quality and workrate as we have done so far this season then I genuinely believe we have turned a real corner. I've been really impressed by our play and performances and have a real optimism for the season ahead which I haven't had in a long long time. 

Derby 1 - 3 Rovers (Armstrong (pen), Rothwell, Brereton) 

Kaminski 

Nyambe Lenihan Ayala Bell

Travis Holtby Rothwell

Dolan Armstrong Dack

I'd go for the above right now. But, most have played very well since the season has restarted so there is no reason we shouldn't see plenty of competition and players knocking on the door i.e Brereton, Johnson, JRC, Williams, Buckley, then the return of Gallagher and Evans prior to the international run in. Absolutely no reason not to be excited by that. 

Looking forward to seeing this lad play every game, shame it's only via the telly but what a talent! 

2 minutes ago, JacknOry said:

Whats all this deleted lark?

Deleted.

Has to be said he is looking much improved in a deeper role. I was disappointed with his impact last season but if he can maintain his current form he makes losing Downing more understandable. 

7 minutes ago, Richard Oakley said:

Holtby - Who knows? Enjoy it whilst it lasts.

Johnson - move on

Evans - not injured all the time

Davenport - it's Mowbray who picks the team

Rothwell - CM, as he doesn't appear to fit anywhere else

JRC - Never said he is a CM, he's a RH in old parlance

We have more than enough cover in the midfield and other priorities that need addressing.

 

Throwing another one out there if we can think outside the box - Magloire as our new Axe meets Kante? Use his pace to protect the back 4 against the counter and get him harrying and harassing all game, keeping it simple and lay it to Holtby. Also allows us to keep sticking our wing back up the pitch. 

- - - - - - - - - - - Kaminski

Nyambe Lenihan Ayala New Lb

 - - - - - - - -Magloire Holtby 

- - - -  - - - - - - - Rothwell

Dolan - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Brereton 

- - - - - - - - - - - Armstrong 

Brad Smith still available? 

Reckon we still might have a sniff at Tosin on loan near the end of the window? I could see him potentially being utilised further up the pitch this time round with Travis out. 

Probably not realistic with Ayala in and the wages he is likely to command but hopefully something we are still monitoring. 

4 hours ago, philipl said:

I didn't watch it.

One of my least favourite people was proved right.

Bruce said he would play his second string and win.

He did. They did.

Putting it simply if we cannot dominate Newcastle Reserves, there is something very wrong.

Sounds like we were told to keep possession rather than shoot.

Sounds like Ben muffed his chance to lead the line.

Sounds like Dolan twinkled again.

Sounds like Ayala was sorely needed.

Sounds like zero inspiration.

Sounds like you should have watched the game. 

1 hour ago, philipl said:

Hope we are not all pinning too much hope on Ayala. The Boro players keeping him out of contention are nothing to write home about.

I suspect Mulgrew, Williams and Evans will not be at Ewood by mid October based on Mowbray's moan about the suits.

Is there any substance about the Greg Cunningham talk on here?

Which Boro players were keeping Ayala out? I thought he was dropped due to not signing a new contract? 

Agreed, another very positive performance from the young lad. Got to keep playing him now. What a bonus this looks to be as a signing, very excited to see what he can do. Shame for him that he doesn't get to do it in front of a a crowd but maybe that is ideal for him at this moment in time. 

Brereton did well for me too. As did the whole team today, but we absolutely need to either create more real chances or be more ruthless in front of goal. Dack will make a difference, Armstrong can do it but we need one or two others to step up otherwise it'll be a nearly season and nice football will cease to give the satisfaction that it has done for me in our last 3 games (inc Leicester). 

Dolan is good enough for sure based on today. Keep playing him. 

Rothwell continued to give glimpses, I would write him off but he is so close to being so dangerous for us. 

Nyambe is one of the best right backs in our league. 

Holtby and Travis were very impressive. 

I'm finding it strange how nobody even recognised Kaminski, like even when Del Williams bundled him down in the box no eye contact at all even. Weird.

Optimistic about the season ahead but we need to get wins and quickly. 

Ayala compilation. 

Tell you what, the ladies version is pretty nice with the red sponsor. Tempted to opt for this over the mens...

46 minutes ago, Blue blood said:

The good news is it's a decent second keeper. 

The bad news is the fee. Surely there would be a decent back up who doesn't cost a fee. Especially when we really need a centre back and left back. 

Aye but as has been mentioned before, you need to look at the deal for the duration of a contract. If Pears costs 300k and is on (for arguments sake) 8k per week over 3 years that is an outlay of just shy of 1.55mil. 

If we got an older Gk on a free but he was on 14k per week that would cost us just over 2.18 mil over 3 years. 

Just an example as a fee can sometimes be a distraction on here. 

For me, no need to rest anyone for our 2nd game of the season. Johnson injured so Rothwell after an impressive cameo against Bournemouth deserves a start. Bell will never be good enough so stick JRC there til we get a proper left back and let Dolan off the leash against a less physical opponent than our Championship counterparts. Wharton should get a chance to show what he is about against Premier league opposition without risking us losing points in the process. 

Kaminski 

Nyambe Lenihan Wharton JRC

Travis Buckley Rothwell 

Dolan Armstrong Brereton 

I watched the game and dodged being on here as I was gutted with the result and can never bring myself to read the post-mortem. 

For me though, frustrating but we were beaten by 3 quality finishes and were the better side. Despite it sounding like the usual guff, I agree with Mowbray that the players should be happy with that level of performance, we just need some quality at the back as Bell and Del are playing to their limits while Lenihan needs a solid partner to prevent exposing his own weaknesses. If we don't get those defenders, well that is down to one man and so far it has cost us at least one point if not three. 

It's quite exciting and equally nerve-wracking to know that the first we will see of our new foreign goalie will be straight into our first league game of the season. Still such an unknown for us all. Fingers crossed he is a good'un as we undoubtedly lost points last season with Walton in goal. Who knows, if he is authoritative in his area and can organise a defence we might see a significant improvement. 

Always positive first game of the season, plenty of time to be let down! COYB!!! 

Just now, Wing Wizard Windy Miller said:

Any one else expecting Fisher to start with Kaminski 'bedding in' on the bench?

No chance. 

Kaminski 

Nyambe Lenihan Williams Bell

Travis Holtby Evans

Brereton Armstrong JRC

I'd go with the above and a 1-2 away win, goals from JRC and Armstrong.

Buzzing for it despite genuine cause for concern regarding our defence. 

2 hours ago, perthblue02 said:

Good efforts from Hummel and Macron

Can not seem to find any pic of the back of the Millwall away kit, but from other release photos looks like the halves are not reversed on the back , still a good shirt  though

 

That Millwall away shirt is delightful. Boston Celtics vibes. 

Good write up here on Sarr, bit on website: https://www.cafc.co.uk/news/view/5e01defbc2b43/100-up-the-charlton-journey-of-naby-sarr