Wheelton Blue

Contrary to post-match dismissive comments of Annesley in some quarters, and a lack of physicality admittedly made by myself, the opposite transpired. A well contested game between 2 sides looking to win, no small amount of hard tackles being made, and some lovely passing play by our youngsters notably Wharton and Morton, made for a really good game to watch. Fair play to Bradford and their fans also for backing their side. The atmosphere they created reminded me a little of Blackpool away last season.

Cracking read 👍

Enjoyable night out with a decent Rovers following. Morton was my MOTM. Very composed.

The Bradford game tonight reminded me of the Mackay era. I remember playing Bradford at Ewood when Archibald played. The BBE gates were shut way before kick off, so we ended up in the DE with the visitors. Those were great days watching the Rovers.

Eek. There's no physicality in that side whatsoever.

So we still need replacements for.... JPVH Lenihan Giles Johnson Rothwell Khadra ...just to stand still from last season

The vast majority of us can see it. JDT is hinting as such. As it stands, this squad is bottom 6 and likely relegation fodder. Let's hope that those above can see it too.

When does 'perhaps panic a bit' change to 'run for the hills'?

I decided to get tickets for this as I've not been to Valley Parade for about 30 years. A win is vital - however we do it - to avoid a confidence drain. We can't be risking Ayala; without him we'd be totally goosed in defence.

Our lack of quality and depth prompts me to fear another heavy loss. 3-0 Blades.

Man of the match for me by a mile. Proper footballer, that lad.

Burnley's next game is Watford mate, if that's what's thrown you.

He just doesn't care as long as he meets his low level financial targets. That's why he has to go. He's strangling the club.

They're possibly giving Markanday a full game to get his match fitness up. He won't get that sitting on the bench.

No I didn't. I said 'more successful'.

... who could do both with aplomb.

Give me a player who can pass the ball through a defemce, vesus one who can dribble through a defence, any day. The former will be more successful than the latter, every time.

I was pulling your leg fella. Never mind!

So you're disagreeing with JDT? Wow that's a first 🤣

Haven't you been saying that Vale did enough against QPR to stay in the side?

Yeah, tore his thigh muscle (I think) around the same time last year, which kept him out for months. Absolute shame, as he was on the verge of the first team. He was about to come on as a sub late on in the QPR game, got the nod from JDT and had his shirt on ready.

Gonna need more than one centre half - Barnes has done his ACL

Regarding Dack. Time will tell whether he has the athleticism and can regain his form and fitness to fit into JDT's preferred style of play. Every sucessful squad and manager are adaptable though; they have many ways of playing and ways to win games. Dack will undoubtably get his chance at some point. On his day, he's a class act and our best player. He's a proven match winner. To write him off at this stage, because he supposedly doesn't fit JDT's style, is premature IMO.

Spot on. IMO, the numbers who don't attend simply because of the owners alone will rank in the dozens, not the thousands. Price and what's on the pitch are the overriding factors.

I'll go with 'pride' to add to that list.