I often think the same. I'd love to see the metrics for it. For instance, vs QPR we had a lot of good opportunities where we picked the wrong pass, which is impossible to put into a model like this. Very intrigued to know the stance on tackles like this as well. I think from what I've seen it does have value - typically teams 'revert to the mean' and outperforming XG can often be seen as an indicator of a freak run of form that will soon go 'back to normal'. What we're doing well is also restricting the opposite XG to very low levels, which is important. As an aside, my mate is obsessed with it, and spent a lot of time before Christmas using Celtic's higher 'expected points' (derived from XG vs XGA) as his justification that they would rein Rangers in. He was laughed at quite a lot based on his Twitter but was spot on. So I think it is a decent enough indicator, but where it lacks nuance is that it doesn't take into account the ability of the player in question. With players like BBD, we are more likely to 'overperform' XG wise as he's much more clinical than 90% of the league's strikers in front of goal.

Anyone know how many we've sold for this one? Tickets priced nicely but appreciate it's a tough trip midweek, especially with everyone being a bit lighter financially with all the goings-on.

L'amour Toujour is brilliant! That being said, 'I gotta feelin' is a truly awful song and I still remember Ewood bouncing to it when we beat Burnley 3-2. My Burnley mate (I know!) still walks out whenever it comes on, and whenever I'm unfortunate enough to hear it somewhere I'm always sure to send him a video. Then again, they could have played any tune that day and Ewood would have obliged in song/dance!

I'd argue it isn't even England's, Northern Ireland have been playing it for years now. Then again, they nicked it from America. I do love Simply the Best but slightly tainted by the links to Rangers (for me, and I appreciate others will disagree). That being said, Rangers playing 'I'm feeling it' sounded brilliant in their European games.

Looking forward to this one. Making the short trip from Cardiff, and will be in the Gateway pub pre-match availing myself of some of the best Guinness around (if it's as good last time). The only highlight of my trip last year. As a few people have said, we have a terrible record here and it's a pretty horrible away ground. Miles away from anything, no atmosphere, soulless etc. This is the type of game we'd have lost in the last few years so it's a good barometer of progress. I must admit when I saw them 4-0 down at half time I thought instantly 'it would be typical Rovers to lose to this lot'.

Reading getting thumped early on at Rotherham. Paul Ince doing Paul Ince things. Hope we turn up at the Madjeski (or whatever it's called now) for once midweek.

Caught the last 20 mins of the Dingle game last night. They'd improved slightly before the red and then showed a bit more impetus post-red card. Watford looked really ragged, I know they had a man less but some of the marking was desperate. Based on what I saw and heard from others, nothing really to fear from either side. That being said, Burnley look a striker (and maybe a bit of pragmatism) away from being a decent side. Like many have said, you don't see many teams get out of this league playing that sort of football exclusively, so they'll have to mix it up a bit to succeed. They have 2 winnable home games now I believe, will be interesting to see how they get on as I'd imagine both away sides will line up with men behind the ball. As much as I want Burnley to fail, don't want to read too much into early performances - the manager and team probably need a bit of time to settle, but it is an unforgiving league. Glad they've had a small wake up call after seeing a minority of Dingles declare themselves title shoe-ins after the Huddersfield game 😂

I agree with that - although with 10 minutes to go you might throw caution to the wind and are more likely to risk conceding another in search of an equaliser. Of course if you do that earlier in the game it is an acceptance your original system didn't work, and if you have confidence in your system then conceding a goal shouldn't cause you to massively deviate from it! That doesn't mean that some teams aren't better than others at protecting leads - with very little empirical evidence to hand I'd probably put Bruce/West Brom in that category. Based on this season, I'd also say we are the same. We play with much more swagger and confidence when a goal ahead, and it takes a good team to score 2 past us.

Obviously yes. I just think with the way Bruce sets up the first goal is even more important than normal! We've shown how difficult we are to break down with a lead this year, so if we score 1st (and avoid the absolute horror start from last year) I'll be very confident of all 3 points. We're more of an unknown quantity from 1-0 down!

I appreciate that, I'd much rather win and hope we approach the game with that mindset, but a draw would be a decent result and would reflect an improvement on last year. I think we have a more than reasonable chance of winning and I know JDT will be going all out for 3 points, although don't think me 'probably taking a draw' is being too defeatist! I'm certainly not suggesting we set up in that way. And I know the other part was relating to the other quoted post, but I definitely wouldn't take a narrow defeat 😂

I'd probably take a draw. West Brom looked very good so far. Think first goal is absolutely crucial, as much of a cliché that is. A win and things are looking very rosy ahead of a very winnable game at Reading.

I absolutely love listening to this man talk football. His enthusiasm is infectious, but you also know that he is deadly serious and players will be well aware of expectations and the repercussions should they not meet his expectations. Having the youngsters deliver presentations should increase their knowledge, confidence and most of all achieve buy-in with Tomasson's ethos and way of doing things. On a personal level, I really want JDT to do well. Obviously I'd wish that for any Rovers manager, but this fella just seems to get it. I'm truly sold on the entire project.

Great opportunity for the likes of Markanday and Phillips to stake their claim, and also fancy Jack Vale for a game to get him off the mark for the season. Big night too for Dack - he's obviously chomping at the bit to play and hope he gives JDT something to ponder. 3-1 Rovers for me.

Wales aren't too bad! Great atmosphere there too - 90 minutes of non-stop singing and not bad to watch Bale in the flesh. Obviously they aren't Brazil but after some of the dross Rovers have subjected me to in the last few years it's usually a welcome step up 😂

Agreed on this. I watch Wales regularly and there's obviously a very good player in there.

The one benefit of our recent good form is a couple of early defeats and we're suddenly a much less attractive proposition and are in danger of entering 'panic buy' territory. Whilst we definitely need a few more players, we have at least demonstrated our starting XI is strong. If I was a player eyeing a late deadline day move, I'd be much more likely to consider Rovers than if we were on 0 points or if there were already murmurs of discontent (like Swansea). My priority would be another CB or two, maybe even another RB (unless JDT has confidence in JRC to deputise) and another body up top, especially if Diaz goes (which I don't think he will now). We seem to have a strategy so confident we'll recruit well, and encouraged by the business so far.

This was a reassuring performance that indicates we have a manager now who is flexible and willing to sacrifice preferred tactical styles for the greater good. Rather than a frenetic high press, I enjoyed watching us stand off Swansea, pouncing at the right time to force a mistake. It wasn't easy on the eye in the first half, but the result (and how comfortable it was) vindicated it. Thought the Edun sub was a great one, but aside from a couple of stand outs in defence it was largely 6 or 7s out of 10 across the board - combined with good organisation this will often prove enough to grind out wins in this league. Was even sweeter for me living in Cardiff; have a good few Swansea mates so always nice to secure bragging rights.