Their whole club looked lost, yet they still managed to sign a reasonable striker. Fancy that.

If he's that much of a Rovers fan, he probably knows we're liable to bugger it up anyway 😂

Can't say I'm optimistic- largely because I never ever like to play a side who just appointed a new manager. They're always trying to impress the new boss, and feel like their worries might be behind them etc. We seem to play sides who just got a new boss or at least a caretaker boss about 5 times a season lol Also been a lot of games the last week or so for a smallish squad depleted by injuries. The bookies seem to be expecting it too, they have far better odds despite having far worse form.

Brereton was just ok that season. For me Dolan has definitely merited a regular spot when not landing one, on several occasions, and Mowbray did fuck all to develop him. How exactly do you think he developed him? How was he handled well? Not playing doesn't develop you, and I saw precisely nothing added to Dolan's game in the time between, if anything he visibly went backwards. Elliott was a better player, no doubt about that, but bringing him in to begin with got in Dolan's way. I understand this if it helps us make a promotion push, but we didn't come anywhere near and he was still favouring Elliott over players who would still be here the next season when promotion was mathematically over with, and so was the prospect of relegation. What's the bloody point of continuing to develop another club's player when the season is essentially over? You're welcome to your opinion of course, I just think that it's a right load of old bollocks in this case. Mowbray sometimes gets flak he doesn't deserve, but I'm not having it that he developed a player who clearly stagnated and at times regressed under him. Side note, those needless skills...yes he does need to get wiser at when to use them and when not to, that will come with time, but the fact he could do anything with the ball at any given time terrifies and confuses defenders. Even if he does a trick that's 'pointless' (which I agree, he does), it can confuse a defender about which way he's going and what he will do at closer quarters. When I was a defender, players who could turn, bob and weave as quickly as him and had that unpredictability were the ones that had me most on edge. They were the ones that could embarass me, whereas the 6 ft 2 lump I was more than happy to see running at me with the ball (and usually happy to muscle it with). The skills are a big part of his game, without those he's just a hard-working short player who is quick over 10 yards but not over 40. When he gets them right, he shreds defenders.

Hard disagree there. Lad looked dynamite from the off, then TM brought in Elliott, an exceptional talent to be sure, but one who we didn't own then sat in Dolan's way for a season where we didn't threaten the playoffs. Despite this, he could and at many points should have played Dolan more often, as he had the versatility to play elsewhere. Mowbray was just scared to play two young flair players at the same time. I'm a big believer in momentum in football, especially for young players still developing, and Mowbray killed his repeatedly during that and the next season. Last season, Dolan looked less ambitious and confident in his play to me, and I believe being in and out of the team, as well as Mowbray trying to coach some of the flair out of his play, is why. Really, he is only getting back now to more or less where he was (think his game intelligence may have improved a little though, and maybe his shooting). I actually don't think he has really developed since he arrived, and that it's primarily down to mismanagement by Mowbray.

I'm not convinced by the bit at the end. I don't think it being an independent panel will kill the chances of other clubs appealing. They'll just appeal until they reach an independent panel themselves. I assume he is talking more in reference to them dragging up old cases...again they could seek independent arbitration though, and a precedent will have been set. It also implies, if the EFL have never accepted an appeal, and then one goes independent and wins, that the EFL's processes are not fit for purpose and likely self serving. The panel would be saying they go about things wrongly.

15. Not counting his 2 for Clitheroe (for obvious reasons). He also usually plays wide, whereas Dickov played further forward and more centrally, where you expect more goals. Given he's only been playing full senior football for 3 seasons, and probably has another 10 before the age where it can all go almost overnight...you're talking about another 50 ish (making around 65) just keeping the current rate. Which assumes he doesn't improve and assumes doesn't make himself a regular fixture in the starting 11 (people forget most of his games have been cameos off the bench). He's definitely capable of getting at least near 100 in his career if injuries or stagnation don't get him. Brereton leaving may open up a lot more opportunities for him too... Edit - might be 16 goals actually, transfermarkt probably hasn't updated yet.

If we end up having to pay his wages since Jan 31st. Otherwise it will be what, 2 months of wages?

I think they would probably get him on a bench a little before then, but he will need a period to get fit and sharp. Hopefully he is looking after himself, but I think I read someone say he hasn't played (maybe it was started) a first team game since Halloween!

.......you're serious with this? Nevermind, you do you.

Maybe Goddard? Regardless of how good they were? @rigger see, he does think a keeper being sub 6 ft makes them crap.

It was a young team we put out, some of them I associate more with the u18s, so with one or more multimillion pound players on the pitch it's not a shameful effort. Would be interesting to see how it went if we fielded a full strength u21 side.

Full time 4-2, deserved to lose. Walker looks decent, definitely has some technique. The first half was even, 1-1 was a fair reflection. Second half we were outmatched.

I gather Pike didn't particularly stand out at Fylde, so I've not really had any hopes for him since. Too late for him to crack on here now, will leave when his contract is up I'm sure. Think he's only had the captaincy as I think the most experienced player tonight? Sure it is, it limits reach. Although a lighter keeper can also get around a bit quicker, and some tall keepers can't get down well. But actually Exiled did seem to be inferring it made for a crap keeper, if you follow the thread of our discussion. Maybe he wasn't but it's how it came across. 4-2 now, Walker header. The commentator saying it's the right scoreline, which he has said almost every time there's a goal...

A bit of googling suggests Eastham is, but that Hilton is 6 ft 6... Being sub 6 ft doesn't automatically make someone a crap keeper. Raya is only bang on 6 ft himself. When I think of short Rovers keepers, Jason Brown comes to mind. Was alright for me. Good shot stopper, though his height did sometimes mean he couldn't get to things a slightly taller man would. Nonetheless, he'd have been a more than able deputy if we had a player like him now.

That's 4. Enciso again, the 9 million quid lad. Been far too good for this level.

Eastham and Hilton have always sounded decent from what I've been told. Not 'they should be in the first team' decent, but it must be hard to develop when you're only getting a few games at a time at youth level.

At least his positioning was better on the free kick this time. But yeh he doesn't look anything special. Think maybe he should be the one who sticks around playing for the U21s whilst we find loans for the others...

Yeh I mean to post before the game saying it seemed an unfamiliar, young lineup, and where was Burns, Saadi, Gilsenan...like you say, Cirino and Eastham too. Not sure how many are just injured.

Nearly conceded a fourth due to pissing around with stupid passes at the back. It hit the bar.

3-1 down now. Not been as good this half so far (other than maybe in the 5 mins the stream went down), creating nothing and more easily exposed at the back. Intensity has dipped a bit too. Commentator saying it may be Pike that put it in his own net in the end.

Stream back and Brighton back in the lead as soon as it recommenced.

You were both (unless you got a free ride!). It's not difficult Jim, most things in the English language have more than one word that can be used to describe them. You'll spend most of your life having pointless arguments if you take umbrage at it. Or should that be if you're irritated by it. Or annoyed by it. Or....

If it costs the club anything at all (and perhaps if it doesn't), you can bet Waggott would want to monetise it. Especially since it could stop fans coming on the night and paying a couple of quid or whatever it is. Though tbf, it being a perk of Rovers TV would be better than it not being shown at all.

Was about to post that. Suggests he will be at least on the bench tomorrow.