Exiled_Rover

I know he's the scapegoat on here and absolutely hated, but that chance there (and the penalty) is why I'd be giving Gueye more minutes. He's a chaos engine - he makes things happen when he's on the pitch (some good, some bad). The players around him simply have to be ready to capitalise on it.

The priority for a CB is to defend. I loved watching Batth put the ball into Row Z when he was playing for us - he assessed the situation and rather than trying to lay off a deft header / pass to a teammate he just cleared the danger and got us set. It's a lost art. Everyone tries to be Rio Ferdinand these days.

We have the worst owners in football. That said we were clearly heading for an iceberg in the summer - all of our assets were heading into the final year of their deals (Brittain, Hyam, Travis) with no intention of extending them (nor should they on the terms offered). At least now we have young(ish) assets and a future. Even if it's just kicking the can down the road.

We're mainly short at CB (due to injuries - albeit you always want at least 5 CBs on your books) and RWB. Pickering and Ribeiro aren't WBs, they've both been left out to dry in this formation. Likewise, we have nobody to back up Alebiosu at RWB. I think CM will sort itself out - if Baradji can actually tackle that is.

Yes, exactly.

We've got 6 more games before Christmas to navigate first. That's where we'll fall down - we don't have the squad for it.

Did I miss the Derby game? Hedges played LCB in a 3 with DeNeve LWB and Alebiosu RWB, no?

He has a lot of quality on the ball - put in several good dead balls today and of course slid in both Ohashi and Gudjohnsen in dangerous positions (their first touch let both of them down). He's either got to learn to ride the initial 'tackle' (I say tackle 'cos he often gets manhandled) or he's got to be cleverer about drifting into space. Once he has the ball under control he's a dangerous player.

I'm going to assume because Chorley extended his loan on 3 Nov and we only recalled him on 7 Nov. The Derby match was the next day.

It's a joke of a tackle - and Tronstad's reaction should have been all the ref needed (as clearly he missed it live) to know it was a bad one. You don't steam in like that for a player trying to cynically stop a counter attack. It was a deliberate leg breaker.

Yes, he's an excellent WB at this level. He's also a L1 AML/R, which is where he's played most of the time he's been at Rovers. I'd just be looking at his age and his limitations and move on - but clearly I'm in the minority.

Top 5 reliable players for 3 months.

Oh lovely, Miller admitting to having a concussion in the full time interview. Won't be available midweek then.

At a properly run club you thank Hedges for his services and let him go at the end of the season. He's 30 now, 31 before the start of the new season and has always flattered to deceive. Here he'll get a new contract if he fits in the wage structure.

You can see why they grind out results. We're not a small, soft team anymore. When we're not giving away soft goals we're hard to beat.

Oh, full control - he knew exactly what he was doing then. If Baradji gets beyond him it's a huge counter attack. Disgraceful tackle.

Yeah, c'mon, ref, that's a clear red card for Whiteman. No attempt to play the ball.

Tavares vibes - trying to slow the game down to his pace. Acting like he's got all the time in the world on the ball. Quite scary, really.

Three, technically.

I'd have gone with Forshaw - and I'm absolutely on record as saying Forshaw's legs have gone.

He's much better at LWB. Focuses on his positive aspects (basically being a defensive Winger).

Absolutely not. Hasn't played a second of English football, now is not the time.

Looks like he played 6 times for Chorley. Often they pick up loans at that level for cover - suspect they had favourites at CB and he wasn't breaking into that team without injuries / looking like Rio Ferdinand in training.

So good they've switched him to the right because he was getting battered by Alebiosu.

He's learning - defender on the floor, no need to come in and try to overplay it. Crash it into Row Z and let everyone reset.