Commondore

I don’t buy it. We’ll see, but this sounds more like conjecture based on frustration. Eustace is a pro like most managers, he works season to season and can’t be concerned about ”visions for the years ahead” when he knows his position is under threat whenever he loses a couple of games in a row, no matter who the owners are.

Buckley! This is the resurrection, mark my words!

Is it Buckley or JRC that releases Beck down the left hand side before the goal? Either way it’s a good example of what they offer in central midfield that Tronstad and Travis don’t.

If nothing else, Gueye is so far continuously available for selection. Gallagher missed out on about a third of our games through injury both last season and the one before that.

How come the highlights video from Hull's Youtube account use several more camera angles and replays than Rovers, from an Ewood game no less?

It was a good header as well, and if Weimann hadn’t pulled off that volley he’d still be in a great position to advance on their goal. Great contribution from Gueye.

Giles was such an idiotic transfer, bringing in the best crosser in the division when we were playing Buckley as a false 9. Completely meaningless.

We’ve had similar great runs under Mowbray and JDT only to get found out, but the difference this time around is that we’re so much better defensively and have a much more balanced squad. Long may it continue. Great to see Gueye finally get of the mark, great work getting over the shoulders of his defender but I have a gnawing feeling that header is very close to ramming the crossbar rather than going in.

The goal yesterday was a good demonstration of the advantages of playing out from the back. It’s not about vainly trying to play tippy tappy, it’s about inviting the other team to close down and play past them.

I don’t understand what Ohashi is doing in the lead up to the penalty yesterday. He gets the ball at the center line, plays a good pass to Dolan in the channel who runs at their goal from a good position, but instead of following along in the center of the pitch Ohashi takes a few steps in the other direction before running towards their goal, which means he’s not there when Dolan then has the opportunity for a cross or cut back. He might be aiming to arrive late to get at a secondary ball, but surely that should be the job of Cantwell or Travis/Trondstad? As a lime striker Ohashi should barrel down at their goal as soon as Dolan gets the ball to draw defenders away and be a direct option for in the box! I don’t know if he’s coached to play that way or if he has too much of a midfielder’s mindset.

I don’t mind a good defensive midfield block, but they need to be complemented with at least some attacking flair. Of the six starters in front of the back four today only Cantwell plays because of his attacking nous, the rest are there for defensive skill and/or work rate. It’s not an insane choice to go with a defensive setup against one of the stronger teams in the league, but we need to show we have more ways of getting points in our toolbox.

I'm well familiar with their new manager, he started at my hometown club before moving into the Swedish top tier and then Aberdeen. Aggressively uncharismatic but tactically shrewd. Last season he completely transformed his team over the off season from a possession-based style into focusing almost completely on counter attacks, and lost the title on the final day against opposition with much more money and resources. I had my doubts over whether he could manage abroad with such a low key personality, but it seems to be working so far.

I don't buy Gueye being a complete donkey. He had three assists in his first four games (really should have been four, apparently the one he provided in the Derby game didn't count in the official statistics) and offered some good and savvy center forward play in those games, particularly against Burnley before the red card.

Usual Eustace setup away from home: Keep it tight, defense comes first (every attacking player in the lineup bar Cantwell chosen for their defensive work rather than attacking skill), get a draw or sneak a one nil win if the stars are aligned. On a normal day Batth scores that rebound, they ger their penalty, and its one point away from home. Not exactly inspiring stuff, but I’m not worried yet.

According to the LT, Markanday was at Ewood tonight in the director's box. Possibly about to be recalled?

Had a look at the size guide for this years kits, are they really small? If I'm reading the chart right I would need to go up two sizes from my usual t-shirt size...

For sale is a Uhlsport Rovers third shirt from the 99/00 season with 15 JANSEN on the back. Size is XXL. The shirt in itself is in good condition for its age, two small bobbles on the top right of the red band across the chest notwithstanding. The printing on the back is a bit ragged. Price is £45 net to be paid via Paypal or bank transfer, including shipping from the EU. Let me know if you have any questions!

Only seen highlights so not fit to comment on the game as a whole, but from a pure squad perspective it seems very strange to persist with JRC as an attacking midfielder when we've got loads of those and only one recognized right back, a position JRC could easily make his own and which would probably be better for his own career in the long run. Also noteable that Buckley's ability to thread a pass from midfield was key to us getting a penalty and our second best scoring opportunity, he's not a perfect player even at this level but we'd be a much more dangerous side if we found an effective place for him.

Markanday's loan is a head scratcher for me. Even if he scores 15 goals in League 2 his status in the Rovers' squad wouldn't change (unless we're relgated that is), and his market value would still be miniscule.

Gallagher played under four different managers while at Rovers, and was a preferred option by every single one. He's like catnip for them for some reason.

Hopefully Hirst least season filled that quota for a good while.

One inevitably starts thinking of ways to play Ohashi and Gueye in the same team. I feel like we have a more than decent basis for a 3-5-2 formation, with the only downside being that it leaves a significant portion of attacking midfielders with no real place in the team. ---------------------Pears/New-------------------- -----------------Hyam---Batth---Carter----------- Brittain/Hedges-----------------------Pickering-- ------------------------Tronstad------------------- ----------Rankin Costello-------Travis------------ ---------------------------------------------------- -----------------Gueye-------Ohashi--------------

...and scored against Real Madrid and Roma in the Champions League. A while back of course, but he's only 25. Eustace needs to move heaven and earth to get a tune out of him rather than dismissing him because he's not 32 and has 400+ games in the Championship and League 1 behind him, which i fear is what's happening. We'll see.

FWIW, Ayari was interviewed in Swedish media ahead of a couple of pre-Euros frendlies this week, and he claimed that he enjoyed his time at Rovers and that Eustace wants him back. All up to Brighton's incoming manager apparently.

"Kyle has been fantastic, we have spoken about having more quality and experienced players around the group to help and develop. He is one I would like to keep for sure, if we're allowed to do that."