Well I don’t wish to hijack the thread too much but I’d be a little concerned about next season if I were you, unless JDT can improve your processes of course, which he may well do. xG is the most reliable (long-term) predictor of outcomes there is and at the moment you’re a massive anomaly. A full season is still a small sample. But there are plenty other factors, things can change fast (maybe already are) and I wish you the best, I’d like to see you back in the Prem and hope you make it. And I’m not for a second suggesting any of this will have any particular bearing on tonight’s match. I’m used to us being shite - I’m happy we seem to be finally, incrementally, improving but if form is anything to go by we're nailed on for a loss to nil tonight 🙄

I’m from Stoke but live in Santiago, I joined your board to give my perspective when the bewildering Breretonmania happened and I’ve been dropping in every now and then since then 👋🏼 I like your board, it’s a lot more grown-up and reasonable than some.

We are! 😁

Here’s a beanstalk for you to climb if you dare 😜

Right, I wasn’t sure about that.. thanks for the clarification. Neil really improved our rolling xGD stats and we’re just starting to see some reflection of that in results. I feel somewhat optimistic, which makes a real change after the last six years or so. Two teams in reasonably good form then, hopefully a decent game.

Good day Blackburn Roverers, long time no post. Thought I’d have a scan of your board ahead of the game and, without wishing to dive in ruffling feathers off the bat, I was rather taken aback at the positivity, given your team’s stats this season.. seeing people talking about the playoffs and “Stoke are 16th for a reason” etc… is there not a bit of an xG-shaped elephant in the room here? You’re doing well but over-performing on your chance creation to an extent that I think could be described as a freak occurrence - is it a concern…? maybe I’m missing something. Aaanyway that said, as to the game we’re awful at home and generally seem to win one then lose one, so you’ve every right to expect a win. One thing I’d say is that if you come to attack we might stand a chance. The teams that routinely beat us at home tend to set up with a “low block”, as our manager likes to say, and nick the odd goal on the break. Maybe it’ll be a good game if you come looking for the win. We’ve actually started to create chances and score some goals in 2023, which is a novel development. No need to worry about Gayle mind, his technique has completely deserted him in his old age. Our sub goalie is also a worry. Big blow to lose Sarkic so soon, he’d improved us a lot. Safe travels to those going, mind how you go if it’s icy and enjoy the evening.

F knows how we managed to hold on to that and wtf we were doing with our subs I dunno, you were walking through us all half but we didn't put anyone on to get in the way. Looked like BBD should have had a pen too. Very fortunate on a number of counts.

We look a different team from under O'Neill, thank god. HT changes for you, here we go...

Alright Rovers. Meant to drop in before this game but we’ve had a bit of a busy week 😬 I wouldn’t worry too much yet, as much as we look rejuvenated, a good half usually means we’re ripe to concede soon.

Let me know when you have a copy of the rulebook in front of you and I'll direct you to the relevant section 😉

I really wouldn't mate, I'm a stickler for the rules. Not trying to rub anything in, believe me I know how you feel

That's not what the rule is. If the arm is in an "unnatural position" as defined by being outstretched from the silhouette of the body, it's classed as intentional handball no matter where the ball is struck from. It's why defenders defend crosses with their arms behind their backs. Awful decision from the ref.

Doesn't make any difference. Arm outstretched well away from his body, stonewall penalty.

Looked like a penno that

Case of mistaken identity somewhere I think, or just a flustered choice of words. He's been flawless. edit [cue massive clanger from him to gift you a goal...]

Point of order, Jagielka has been outstanding ever since he arrived

Up for a manager swap? Might be a giggle

Turns out we're bloody brilliant! Dunno how we're not top of this league, we'll piss it next season E-I-E-I-E-I-O..... etc etc

Two bald men fighting over a comb then

Eyup Rovers. Almost forgot we were playing today until just now. Crucial game for you, absolutely fuck all in it for us as our wet pump of a season trickles to a soggy end. So I'll go for a comfortable 0-2 to us 😉

In that case I can understand the logic of the risk but you might well end up with an hour of a leggy ineffective player rather than 25 minutes of someone who can afford to be a bit more explosive and influence the game. Tricky one

You’d be mad to start him on Saturday. You can’t come back from two months of no football and immediately perform to your best level in two games in five days, on different sides of the world, with a 14-hour flight sandwiched in the middle. It was the wrong decision to start him last night, smacked of desperation. Give him 25 mins from the bench on Sat.

And they kept him on for 80 minutes 😂

Well. He’s starting

Hello all. All the talk coming from the camp is that they're hopeful he'll play to tonight. Recovery going well, Brazil was a bit too early but he's trained really well, etc etc. The gaffer has even said they'll "wait until the very last minute" in the hope of including him. If I had to bet I'd say he'll get on the pitch at some point.