I think that the two older lads should help with that and I’m hoping playing with his mate McFadzean should help Hyam get more confident. With Fleck’s age and injuries I don’t think he can or will be expected to be box to box either so is likely to add a bit more solidity. I think JDT approached lowly QPR still fairly attacking but now with the acknowledgement of alarm bells will look to be a bit more defensive

I think if he stays and McFadzean and Fleck are fit then JDT is capable of grinding out results in the same we may we did last season in which there were several 1-0 wins. I think he was flexible with 3 at the back against Huddersfield but Hyam, in particular needs to start playing a lot better quickly ( I chose to single out him because he’s been especially far from his best recently and he is the captain )

I was flying in from Shanghai for the game today, really excited and looking forward to it a great deal, especially after being there for the first fan takeover versus Girona, but unfortunately last night my plane got stuck on the runway for three hours and I missed my connecting flight to Manchester in Dubai. I have the ticket PDF and I would think anyone could use it so if you want it PM me Gutted

Personally I play in a league in Shanghai without promotion or relegation and it is for the most part very competitive. I and my teammates play every game to win and do our best. I certainly would be absolutely gutted to finish bottom but we usually finish mid table, still aiming to win the league though.

I think it will be a tough game this weekend, despite their troubles WBA have a good squad with some very good players, Corberan, who did an excellent job at Huddersfield, has had a preseason with them now (ignoring poor friendly results) and so it may be that they actually go on to have a really good season. It’s a big test for him and will really show how good a manager he really is. Still always hope for the beginning of the season so fingers crossed for a Rovers win

AW played deeper while Buckley and Garrett were more advanced but also came out to the sides on occasion Very preseason friendly feel about the game, movement wasn’t great and when we did play it in behind it was too late half the time No one really impressed that much, Batty had a few good involvements going forward but didn’t look great going backwards Gilsenan did ok with a few decent touches, Bloxham ran around and Edmondson fluffed a couple of good opportunities looking like he wanted them on his left but they fell to his right

Thanks mate, I just went on the site to have a look and get a ticket and the Stockport game is no longer there...

Where are Rovers fans sitting? The website just takes you to Stockport's ticket site...

Well I'm coming and bringing my Chinese wife, she chose this game over coming with me to the WBA game. First game since COVID closed China. I'd love a BRFCS top but I'm leaving after the Hull game

I think we need to remember it is still a couple of weeks before he even turns 18, there's no rush and in fact rushing him (40+ games in league one say) might be detrimental. He played 14 games here last season and the same amount or a few more might be best. Personally I'd expect him to stay and see how he gets on, how much game time and improvement he makes and reassess in January. If he isn't getting any game time and the sports science people think it is the right move then loan him out in January when he can get games like Carter did.

Personally, I wouldn't say it is odd at all. We know that we have limited resources and are most significant outlay has been on a player that isn't going to be in most people's best 11, so a squad player. Is that good allocation of resources? I don't think so, especially when we have needed a good striker all season. It seems like GB or JDT didn't think Dack would get back to anything like what he has done so they brought Smodz in however Buckley could have played there just as well. IMO Smodz has not been very good but not terrible but considering the percentage of our budget used on him and the lack of need for him then it's a poor signing.

I think Butterworth has the skill to challenge for the first team it's more of a question of whether he has the brain and the heart to do it

I thought, surprisingly, he was excellent at centre back on Wednesday, not sure how he’d do in midfield. A really good striker would be key for me, although Gallagher has been better than in previous seasons I don’t really think he’s that good and therefore good enough to help fire us to promotion

I think I read he has picked up a little knock

RV Blue posted a perfectly feasible scenario in which Brereton signs a contract on the previous page. I think he'll be off if a good enough bid comes in but if one doesn't he may well sign that kind of contract, especially after what happened to his good mate Dack. Speaking of Dack, I don't think you have to be especially mobile to press effectively, sure it helps but on MOTD they highlighted Mitrovic doing it intelligently and he's no more mobile than our Bradley.