We better have negotiated an unbelievable sell on clause for him after selling him so cheaply 'cos he's far too good for Crystal Palace and won't be staying there long. 

12 minutes ago, Blow-in said:

Can we just move the relegation predictions to next season now? 🙂 

Too many teams won yesterday for us to be certain.

It's a bonkers league, especially at the end of the season when a third of the division is already on the beach and evidently a third of the division is scrapping for survival. 

4 hours ago, rigger said:

What we need and what we can afford will be two completely different things. I would settle for a good keeper, and one effective winger, be it left or right.

Then you're in another relegation struggle next season.

2 hours ago, NeilInBristol said:

SURELY the club should go everything they can to encourage as many fans to attend.

Fixed it for you. 

5 hours ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

He’s earned the right to better himself. He’s been faultless this season in terms of skill and effort. He never “ downed tools “ at any time. Some of the first time finishes he’s put away have been terrific.

I’m not as pessimistic as some on here regarding replacing his goals if he goes. We can bring in other players in that role and maybe play in a way that doesn’t rely on one player staying fit for 50 games a season

We're not built around Szmodics scoring - like we were when Armstrong scored a lot of goals (he was allowed to be incredibly selfish) - it's just that he's the only bugger that knows where the back of the net is. 

2 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

watched it this morning and I just think where can you go now with both keepers who has been dropped this season. He dropped Muric at the start of the season and recently dropped Trafford. 

I wonder if they change tactics next season when they are in the championship 

The new manager will undoubtedly bring in his own system next year. 

21 minutes ago, simongarnerisgod said:

jrc is injury prone

tronstadt is great(providing we don`t sell him in the summer)

buckley goes awol to often

travis is ****

garret is raw and picks up yellow cards as a hobby

I bet Travis is a Eustace style player - provides energy, tenacity and flexibility (can play RB). His lack of football ability isn't as startling when not being asked to be a pivot. 

1 hour ago, Dreams of 1995 said:

That squad looks so bad when it is all out in front of you

We need a goalkeeper, right back, 2 central midfielders, 2 wide players and a striker. That is assuming we keep Szmodics, if not put another attacking midfielder in

We could also benefit from a better centre back and left back. But we can't be greedy now..........

I don't even think that list is right - Dolan, Siggurdson and Markanday are #10s. 

At a minimum we need a GK, a RB, a LB, 1 RW, 2 LW, 2 CF. 

I'd be loaning out Garrett if we can't guarantee him regular playing time. Same with Batty and Gilsenan. I'd be selling Markanday and Gallagher too if possible. 

I hate the term 'on the grass'. Another one that has seeped into the modern game. 

1 hour ago, Moptop1 said:

Win this and we’re safe. Come on Rovers!!!

It's a must not lose. 

They'll give us all we can handle - we hate playing big, physical, aggressive sides. Especially from set pieces.

13 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Nicholas Michalski? 

He's literally just turned 17 and has only played at U18 level. I think we're safe. 

6 hours ago, AllRoverAsia said:

John Ruddy, Pathway Blocker.

I don't think there are any GKs in the Academy that are in danger of having their pathway blocked.

1 hour ago, arbitro said:

How when he kept up with the Leeds defenders and Szmodics.

He actually got hawked down by #44, Gruev (a DM) on that break - he literally caught up to Dolan and overtook him.

Dolan is many things, but he's not fast. He's quick over a few yards and has a low centre of gravity, but he very, very rarely wins an extended sprint. 

9 hours ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

You couldn’t help but like JDT as a person. It was some of the football I didn’t like. He had me scratching my head when he referred to the modern style of possession of the ball at all costs as “ the Dutch disease “ and then promptly started to play in that style.

He didn't though - he was insistent that his players progressed the ball up the pitch as quickly as possible. They just weren't talented enough to do it.

The Dutch Disease (I've never heard it referred to as that before JDT) is when you just keep possession for the sake of keeping possession - usually amongst the back 4.

1 hour ago, rigger said:

More of a handfull than Leeds at Eland road ?

Honestly, yes. They're a big, physical side who look dangerous from set pieces and are desperate for the points.

It will be a battle. 

10 minutes ago, Torgeir said:

I think I might have aged 10+ years after watching that game. So much at stake for both teams, and to be the first team to beat Leeds at Elland Road this season is some achievement. Leeds have looked leggy recently, but they had one extra day's rest and we made only one change from our battering at Bristol C. Unfortunate results around us but teams are fighting tooth and nails and there are about five or six good teams and the rest are, bar Rotherham, can beat anyone on any given day. The top three are feeling the pressure of facing the desperate teams like ourselves and all of a sudden dropping points all over the place. What a league!

 

Sheff W was apparantly better than Stoke so they've improved a lot from earlier in the season, but I think we'll be confident going into that game, and will probably continue in the same shape and try and hit them on the break. It's a must-win for them so they must open up. 

 

Szmodics player of the match and player of the season. What a man! Top marks for everyone involved. I have to admit I thought Leeds would adjust and beat us in the second half.

A draw was a fair result between Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke City. They'll be a handful next week though. 

6 minutes ago, NeilInBristol said:

Result was great. Let's not get carried away. Eustace record and run of games has been shocking. We shouldn't have been in a situation where we are excited about beating Leeds because it means survival. He's had plenty of games we should have won and he's been shocking and so have the team.. let's not forget

But yeah totally great result today. We are almost safe..need a reshape in the summer though 

He didn't draw at home to Huddersfield and Rotherham. 

24 minutes ago, WacoRover said:

Assuming it all goes well & we stay up, we have to get ready for a crazy summer...
- I'm sure Sammie will be sold off; 

- Loanees return to parent clubs;

- I cannot see Gally and/or Dolan both being re-signed;

- Travis coming back? 

We could retain Fleck (if healthy). I don't see McFadz getting a new deal.
Also, Siggy will need to step up, & give us more than he did this year. Tronstad as well. 

Tronstad has been our signing of the season, and would be player of the season if Szmodics hadn't scored 30 goals. 

Fleck has retired and I suspect so will McFadzean. 

I'd be amazed if they didn't activate the extension in Dolan and Gallagher's contracts. 

Jesus Christ we'd all be on suicide watch if we'd lost today.

These results are horrendous. 

Just now, Ianrally said:

Commentators on Wed game saying how they should get something at Ewood whereupon Stoke immediately equalise. 

You're a tougher person than I. I couldn't last 5 minutes listening to those tossers. 

Just now, Bbrovers2288 said:

Results aren’t going our way, looks like we will need to beat Sheff wed to feel safe 

Don't fancy that - they're flying and physical as hell. Not an easy game at all. 

1-0 Sheffield Wednesday after they've not been in it in the second half (and should have had their GK sent off). 

3-0 Birmingham. Coventry have bottled it - let's hope they're on the beach when we play them. 

3 minutes ago, Neal said:

There's nothing in this league other than mentality. The difference in quality is negligible, it's just having the right manager with the right philosophy for the right players. Plymouth at Ewood looked a far better team than Leeds. It could have been a very different season for us if their mentality/attitude was better. 

Pace, pace, pace, pace, pace.

That's the difference between a lot of teams - Plymouth had it in spades so caused us all sorts of problems on the break. It's why they beat Leicester last night too.