Bethnal

I’d find a lot of value in betting on us going down with this many late conceded goals, if I was a masochist

With Rudy Gestede still kicking his heels in France somewhere, just imagine where we would be!

Hope he was apologising to them for making the wrong subs yet again.

I believe that’s now 6 goals at 90+ minutes

De Neve again. A total liability. Caught ball wayching

Are we sure De Neve isn’t a kind-of Ali Dia thing?

Basically transformed overnight, unbelievable to think anyone was happy with the previous set piece setup.

If you’re going to send Alebiosu down the wing at every opportunity, you need someone who can beat their defenders in the air and we don’t really have that person on the pitch. I can’t even see in Tavares whatever potential the development coaches at his previous clubs saw. Not even particularly good on the ball. Hasn’t looked interested in a single match I’ve seen him in so far.

I thought that but I remember he had an absolute horrorshow, so it’s likely as much that as anything. McKenna doesn’t strike me as the sporting type, given the circumstances this game is being played in.

Championship squad player, which is nothing to sneer at, but his limitations are plentiful.

Incredible stat

These lot look awful, in complete disarray. Never thought McKenna had much to do with their prior success, so much as their chequebook. TGH having a mare, Alebiosu quite wasteful at the byline, but otherwise look leagues above Ipswich. George Pratt can continue for the foreseeable for me, he’ll only improve further. Ashley Young better suited to the Baller League on this showing. Nothing in those legs anymore. Have to score before the hour, we fall apart when the subs come on.

De Neve is a waste of a shirt. An horrendous football brain. Looks completely out of his depth and if I never see him in a Rovers shirt again, it would be too soon. However they’re handling the players not really getting a look in is ruining any impact they’re capable of making. Henriksson looks a yard behind both mentally and physically. Baradji clearly not going to get started properly for a long time. Have to be holding onto these leads, that’s five goals conceded at 90+ minutes this season. Not a good sign.

Looks like he’s after it today.

Really low confidence moment for Ohashi. Took far too long to get the shot away. Andri has a tough job to try and put that away. All on Ohashi to finish.

Can’t fault anything there really. Seem to really enjoy pressing and winning the ball back. Some excellent anticipation on display with the interceptions and seem willing to fight for the ball. Think Ismael has a lot of work to do on the home “philosophy” because these players can play this style well. Their keeper hasn’t looked comfortable any time I’ve seen him, need to ask more questions of him than we have so far.

Meanwhile I can very distantly hear “North London Forever” being sung at the Emirates from my window.

Reckon Kevin Gallagher would beat Forshaw in a foot race

An unexpectedly pleasant end to a torrid day (hangover and bad news are a lethal combo). Such a torrid day had me primed for a battering, but the golden boys were fully at it. I say that with the qualification that we are not a squad filled with quality, but there was a lot of graft and that’s always satisfying. Pratt got through a debut in a hostile environment, under the lights, in front of the cameras and a strong and vocal away following. Excellent blocks, little bit of naïveté, but I’ll be more interested in his future performances to get a measure on him. Deserves a pat on the back. Tronstad, Mori and Miller impressed me, but Hedges really was everywhere. I groaned entering Ewood for the Derby game and working out that we had him at LCB, but the fact is, he is our most reliable player right now and he’s got so much running in him. He gets a lot of grief, he deserves the credit for his performances recently. He’s clearly setting a standard of application. I like to think I can get the measure of a player early on for Rovers, but I couldn’t tell you what I think of Baradji. I’m inclined to believe he’s showing the signs of a difficult lay-off and will need a gradual introduction to Championship. No pre-season means you never catch up, so I’ll reserve my opinion until I’ve seen a lot more. Bit of urgency needed in his play by the looks. Friday night win makes the weekend easier, so I hope it’s as such for all of you.

The problem for Wharton last night was England wanted to build to the edge of the Albanian box and play through at that point, in the first half. He was asked to stay deep and found himself caught amongst the high sitting defenders/Stones moving into midfield. Second half was more to his style, as the Albanians went more direct and the game stretched out. He doesn’t necessarily need much time on the ball, but he does need his forward players to be finding space. Anderson is more useful against teams sitting in, as he’s busy and constantly shouting for the ball, also being more likely to run at the opposition to create openings for others. For more open games, Wharton would be the better choice to find clever runs or opportunities. There weren’t many opportunities for him to play the key balls into the forwards. Having said that, he looked like he felt the pressure, which is unfortunate. He could do well to improve his off-the-ball further, too. England had a good general shape last night and he didn’t sit well amongst it fir periods.

Ewood Park existing and needing to drain into the river isn't a choice made by the council, though. It's not causing an environmental hazard when the water level is high. As I understand it, there were enquiries made by the club for an alternative (viable) solution and were presented with one. Guess the "who" and "why" those enquiries weren't pursued?

Where was “135/15” today?

That Roberts lad has to be one of the worst defenders I’ve seen at this level. Is he playing out of position?

Particularly enjoyed him pleading his innocence, as though the ref wasn’t five yards away.

No, quite, the 400 mile round-trip for me should be light work for a true fan and the business I’ve built down here can fend for itself, I suppose, while I take the days away to prolong the inevitable. Because as we’ve seen over the last 15 years, the likes of yourself and your friends have been making huge strides on our behalf.