Dingles attack Villa team bus...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66635771

Great to hear, hopefully he gets a shiny new contract to complete what has been a remarkable turnaround. 

Regards him playing in midfield, I think we need to see more than just 45 mins in an end of season game but if he nails down a regular spot in centre midfield I'd consider making him captain. He's got that will to win and steely determination that not many of our players have. He's also more than capable of handing out a bollocking when required!

1 minute ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Not even sure it needs huge investment. The key is skilled recruitment of players who compliment each other.

Agree with this. We can't/won't spend huge sums but need to be really clever with our summer recruitment (over to you Greg). We need to utilise the loan system better. 5 really good loans could make a huge difference to this squad, particularly in the forward areas. I know good loans can be expensive but we could offset some of that by getting a few high earners off the books (Dack, Ayala, maybe even Gallagher).

13 hours ago, johnradfordsubbuteo said:

Your mindless dedication does you credit. 

I hope you are a native Ulsterman inveigled into the Blackburn cult!

If an exiled Blackburnian then equal respect. 

Haha, there aren't many of us but yes, a proud Ulsterman and Rover. My wife regularly questions my sanity (and choice of team) but after 30 odd years of supporting Rovers through ups and downs (I'm looking at you Venkys) there's no hope for me.

Anyway, on the game, I really think this will be a big test of JDT's managerial skills to get this young team up for another 'cup final', particularly after the heartbreak of the last three. If he can get them playing with the same level of intensity then I think we can sneak a win!

FFS, I booked flights for this in October thinking neither team would be in playoffs so unlikely to be moved. Damn you JDT! 😁

4 minutes ago, ben_the_beast said:

There's clearly two sides to the argument here. I'm firmly on the side that Wharton needs to prove himself in training to get into the team. I think the people on the otherside, who are advocating for him to be thrown back because he's so much better than Morton are missing something. I'd love for him to be starting more than anything. Because I do think he is the more talented player. 

I just think he has to prove that day in, day out for it to happen.

Agree with this. He's 18, I think we should trust JDT that he has the player's (and the club's) best interests at heart. I'm confident A Wharton will be a big player's for us in the future. We just need to be patient and try not to expect too much, too soon.

11 unbeaten and only one defeat so far this year.

Starting to think the whole LOB cock up was intentional and part of some clever plan to galvanise the squad!!!

7 minutes ago, AllRoverAsia said:

Spot on ......

Meanwhile I'm desperately gearing up memory recall of Hedges regularly beating opposition players 1v1 on the wing ..... and as a bonus creating something. I'll have to get back on that one.

Shouldn't be too hard...

https://twitter.com/Rovers/status/1609917301821693953?t=qAusZlRTNhg3QxvZ51lm-A&s=19

3 hours ago, Rover_in_the_South said:

Those that were there, did Mola look ready to be considered for the first team?

I've just rewatched the game on Rovers TV and Mola was impressive. I would certainly put him ahead of Phillips and possibly even Carter. He's left footed and has decent distribution so I'd have him as a back up for Wharton.

33 minutes ago, SoldierMo said:

Anyone else notice Garrett sssh the west ham fans after the pen? Haha he is going to be an asset

Yep, I like the cut of his jib!!! 🤫

Nathan Jones to Southampton all but agreed. Strange appointment if you ask me. I fancied Luton to be pushing for top 6 under Jones so hopefully they'll be less of a threat now.

Decent first half. Think someone else has already mentioned it but the inverted wing backs seem to be nullifying their inverted forwards. 

Also didn't think it was a pen.

Garrett has been nice and tidy. As has Sammy. 

Brittain outstanding so far.

Big 2nd half performance required.

The ridiculous win/lose sequence continues! Didn't see the game but sounds like some decent football played at times. 

Anyone know when the match replay will be available on Rovers TV?

2 hours ago, islander200 said:

Dack has to be a starter, him and Brererton are the 2 players who can be relied upon for goals

Agreed. I'm actually really excited to see Dack and Brereton play a (hopefully) full season together. I think we got a glimpse on Wednesday night of how they can compliment each other. 

Well that's that then. Decent window overall. Delighted to get Brittain and Hyam on perms and think the loan to buy options are interesting. 

Would have liked another attacker but BBD staying is like a new signing really. I missed last night's game and have just rewatched it and thought he was superb (that curling effort - wow!!!) I think we should just appreciate him whilst he is still here and worry about it again in January.

As usual I got far too engrossed in the whole window so now to find something else to obsess over 😁 

Re Jamal Lewis. I've seen him plenty of times playing for N Ireland and he'd be a definite upgrade. Ideally suited to playing wing back as he is very athletic and can run all day. Can also play left back too.

He hasn't had a great time of late through injury, loss of form/confidence etc. and he does have a tendency to play safe too much and pass backwards/sideways but he's got a lot of good attributes. A championship loan might be his best opportunity to rediscover the form that got him his move to Newcastle in the first place. Hopefully Howe agrees!

I'll admit I didn't know much about Hyam but the more I read about him (mostly from Coventry fans) the more I think he could be a very shrewd signing.  Someone who maybe doesn't always grab the headlines but is already a solid defender with still a bit of time to develop even further (a bit like Scott Wharton).

I'll sit on the fence re Caulker. Good to have another experienced CB in the squad and hopefully we can use the money we are saving to get some real quality further up the pitch!

18 hours ago, TheRevAshton said:

Close to completion according to this little minx.

Checked her account this morning to see if there had been any further updates and I note the original tweet has now been deleted. 🤷‍♂️

Blackpool

Hull

Cardiff

QPR

Wigan

Luton

Stoke

Swansea

Reading

All beaten tonight by lower league opposition  😲

Absolutely nothing wrong with a bit of healthy competition. Players will have to raise their game in training and in matches if they want to play. Should all benefit the team in the long run!

FFS, logged on and saw all the new posts and thought we were making moves but, alas, bugger all happening!

Amazing recall @glen9mullan and a fascinating insight 👏 

Not sure we should be reading too much into this but here's all the pages (with Brittain included).

4 "gaps" in the squad although I still reckon a few of those included will go (loaned or sold).