smiller14

A much more pleasing performance. Well organised, more pragmatic and mixed it up a bit. Can't fault an away win and clean sheet. Much better after the debacle of the previous 2 games.

Agree media have gone over the top. He has been superb but think the BBC/ITV pundits have been swept away by the romanticism of it being his last World Cup, as well as it being a rare glimpse of him on those channels. That being said, there have been some moments that have been absolutely out of this world. The assists vs Holland and Croatia both top drawer, and whilst it was only Australia, that performance was amazing. The coverage is a bit odd - whilst I appreciate it's a domestic TV channel, I was surprised with them discussing Southgate's future at half time during an engrossing semi final.

Good point! 'Not many' would have been more appropriate - although nobody touches his assist numbers in the last decade (although appreciate assists are weighted against players who sit deeper and often aren't credited officially with the assist). I still think Messi edges it for vision, some of his passes in the final third are sublime and always perfectly weighted. It's been a privilege watching him and Modric all tournament; the latter absolutely bossed it vs Brazil, at 37 he was head and shoulders above everyone else.

Of course, but I can't understand how Messi doesn't excite people! And I agree on Kane, England are lucky to have him. Not from the same planet as Messi, though.

Messi doesn't excite you? There's nobody of our current generation who can dribble like him, nobody who can pass like him, only Ronaldo scores at the frequency he does. If he doesn't excite you, then I dread to think how miserable you find watching Rovers. And fair enough about their celebrations, but I notice you didn't mention the Dutch players in the face of every Argentine penalty taker. Did you have the same disgust when England players (rightfully) got in the face of Colombia players in 2018?

I think Fulham's perceived superiority was skewed by the fact they absolutely tubbed a few teams - they hit 3 different teams for 7. Plus, they were promoted really early. They got to 90 points (less than I thought actually), but turns out they lost 4 f their last 7 and 5 of their last 10. Whilst it didn't appear to be the case, it looks like Burnley will end up doing similar to Fulham and will run away with it. Things were a bit unconvincing at times for you, with a few dodgy draws and question marks over cutting edge and putting teams to the sword, but Burnley have quietly put together a real consistency and are now starting to comfortably win games. And those tight, late wins over Rotherham and Reading are the hallmarks of champions, despite protestations over a few refereeing decisions if I remember rightly. The league doesn't feel too strong this year, but I'd say Burnley are comfortably the strongest side. Although the game vs us didn't really tell us much, as we've made lots of teams look that good this season (sadly)

I am actively trying to find a way where I am not in front o a tele to watch it. On a weekend away with a Dingle and a Rangers fan - sick to the back teeth of people putting the boot in and mocking our self-destructive style of play, so hopefully I'll find somewhere without a tele between 5.30 and 7.30!

As I've posted before, my main issue is the nature of defeats. We will turn our wins into draws/losses before we turn our losses into wins/draws, as the losses are so clear cut and totally woeful performance wise. Whilst Boro (wonder save and 2nd half battering), Huddersfield (sat back and lucky to win), West Brom (even game) and Birmingham (Kaminski MOTM) could easily have been draws/defeats, you can't argue any of our defeats could have been more, perhaps with the exception of Stoke where we were alright 2nd half. Reading, Cardiff, Burnley, Preston, Luton, Wigan, Cardiff and Coventry would probably all find themselves on a list of top-15 worst performances since promotion in 2018. I'd even argue this season would comprise the entire top 5. Even when we've been tubbed before, we've shown some sort of attacking intent, whereas amongst those games you'd probably add up around 5 shots on target combined. Fans are already starting to turn and get frustrated mid-game - it will only get worse if we keep playing hospital passes and repeating mistakes, especially in games that matter to fans. It's easy to say people's opinions are clouded by Preston/Burnley, but these concerns have been aired before. And to put in 2 disgraceful performances in local games is spitting in the face of the supporters, compounded by his smug grinning away after the match in interviews, totally unwilling to accept any sort of responsibility. Make no mistake about it, we could easily ship 5 at home to Burnley in March, and on our current trajectory there won't be the saving grace of being 3rd in the league to make up for it. Unless he adapts, I can see a swift plummet down the table. I barely even enjoy watching the team anymore - as someone who can generally only make away games, this season has been painful and the lack of Plan B makes games uninteresting, tedious and frustrating. I'm not calling for him to be sacked, I'm just calling for a bit of common sense and humility from him. Mix it up a bit, please. I'm sick of people watching us on Sky and taking the piss about how bad we are, compounded by our local rivals laughing our fans/players out the ground. I hoped the entire Turf Moor singing 'you're fucking shit' at the players would force a reaction, but we only succeeded in proving them right.

My thoughts on the above: Hyam - agree, been a good player Brittain - good when he plays, injuries a constant issue Hirst - not sure what you've seen to suggest he'll come good, hopefully there's a player somewhere but as it stands has been a total flop Szmodics - undecided. 3 goals and 1 assist when we've played 22 games isn't a great return, although appreciate he hasn't played them all Mola - very disappointed. His first touch/passing look amateur

Did anyone just see Travis totally duck out of a 50-50? Cowardly.

I think that's the issue - the more his style beds in, the worse we are.

I can't wait to see him smiling away in the interview. He doesn't give a fuck. Neither do half the team. We won't finish top half.

Clueless tactics and a team with no fight or passion. This lot deserve chasing off the pitch. Another local derby, another absolute no-show. Travis is an absolute shadow of his former self too. Mola looks like he won a raffle to play. If this is 'adding value' then the game is gone.

It's quite galling seeing him grin away as he describes how he feels. Also noticed how he often gets asked a question and just always goes off on a tangent unrelated to the question. Interviews don't bother me too much but disappointing to see.

The players looked surprised at the end when they meekly came over to the away end and the applause was drowned out by boos and some choice words from the supporters. That, combined with them being serenaded with a 'you're fucking shit' from the home fans as they went off will hopefully trigger some sort of self reflection.

What about the other 2,250 fans who supported the team, didn’t act the bellend and were rewarded with utter dross?

I was very young this season, but remember the Wednesday game well. Also bought a 'two horse race' VHS, which showed the season up until Christmas time when Rovers were fighting for the title. Fair to say they didn't release a part 2! We also thumped Leicester (I think) 5-3 that season, remember racing into a 5-0 lead and being delighted that my hero Colin Hendry had scored. 98-99 was more miserable, again my age means any memories are sketchy but remember the 4-3 defeat at home to Chelsea being a heartbreaker (referee was a wanker too) and remember hearing Roy had been sacked on the radio after the Southampton game.

On my birthday too. Was a long train back to Cardiff!

I'd agree with the point about the comments towards his other half. Some very weird comments, mocking her when we win etc - doesn't paint us in a good light.

I'm torn on Szmodics starting or not. His work rate is second to none and might be valuable in a game where we'll lack the ball and will need a player to press and try and force counters. Will Hedges provide that to the same extent? And will Hedges drop in o the midfield to shore things up? Genuinely unsure! Inverted wing backs would be a gamble. Don't know enough about their wingers to say whether it's a good shout, but also love how Pickering/Brereton link up down the side and think Brittain ended up stifling Brereton at Coventry. We also need to get some balls into the box.

Great comments from him, and good to see his ambition regarding promotion. Almost certain he's off in summer, but we expected that anyway. I don't understand the resignation some have in losing him in January - I am very confident he will still be a Rovers player come February, Venky's are stubborn and I suspect they'll only waver if JDT/Broughton wish for him to be sold - which I cannot see if we are knocking on the door for promotion. Seems to me JDT is keeping expectations in check publicly but behind closed doors is firing the players up for a promotion push. Either that, or BBD has ambitions beyond the rest of the group.

Impossible to predict, as we just don't know which Rovers will turn up. We have the tools to trouble them - the ball in behind to Brereton, the physicality of Gallagher, a few decent set piece options. However, we could easily be passive and watch the game pass us by as we've seen in so many away games. A big worry for me is the occasion - when we've been up against it in other away games, we've retreated into our shells and our lack of points from losing positions is testament to this. How will the team respond to an 'up for it', partisan home crowd?

We haven't even equalised in a league game since April, let alone actually earned a point! And in that game (Coventry) we still contrived to concede a 97th minute equaliser. I'm not sure how much of it is mentality and how much tactics. Clearly we did nothing to change the game tactically at Coventry this time, but any adversity seems to sap the confidence of our team at the moment. It's a real worry.

I don't think it's fair at all to expect promotion - that's why I was surprised there's been mentions of them expecting it!

Is he? If he's under pressure to achieve promotion then that contradicts what he/Broughton have said. Talk of needing multiple transfer windows and talk of projects/inconsistency doesn't strike me as a club pressuring him to achieve promotion. I sincerely hope he achieves it mind. But doesn't feel like there's masses of pressure (yet).