ElTwis

I did last night and this morning slightly regretted it

Wait one more point. Pickering coming on at RB and Ribiero signing a longer contract, I wonder if that's indicative of Ismael seeing Pickering as a utility player capable of playing across the back line and Ribiero being first choice LB.

I'll try not to repeat what others have said but some thoughts: Toth looked decent, I think tthere's a classic lack of confidence in a goalkeeper unsure of his position and that played out a couple of times when he was unsure of coming out. He was heavily used in recycling the ball which is great but 100% will cost a goal at some point as his passing wasn't perfect Brittain - player of the season for me, defensively solid and has a knack of being in the right position from an attacking sense too Tronstadt - definitely played further forward. Really reads the game well which is why he's so often in the right place at the right time. Again, I think the shift in positioning will cost us a goal and its probably why Millwall managed to break the limes a couple times but it really contributed to the intensity Ismael is set upon. Yuki seemed ineffective today, not sure why but perhaps the early miss was playing on his mind. He still managed to drag Millwall players out of position so as much as he didn't score he played his part to an extent Gueye looked unfit to me, very slow but gave them something to think about at set pieces which is the point of having him as an impact sub. Cantwell is a class above in terms of vision and passing ability, his work rate has definitely picked up under Ismael which I think is interesting. He's got to cut the sulky rolling about on the floor when he loses the ball though. There were 2 occasions we played with 10 during Millwall attacks because he was committed to pretending he had an injury. Dolan, classic Dolan performance really, great workmrate, great drive but his final ball and decision making let's him down. That said, we shouldn't be letting him leave unless his wage demands are ridiculous. Overall - a great game to watch and if this is what Ismael teams are about I'm actually looking forward to it. We will doubtlessly lose badly to teams eho put away the chances we will deginitely give them each game but noone will look forward to playing us! However, our squad is so poor (as shown by the subs) that it's got to have some investment. One final thought - everything I saw yesterday suggests this team has a togetherness about them that they didn't under JE. Even the warming up at the sidelines was done together and there was one point they were clearly having a great time pressuring a millwall player taking a throw. Interesting given togetherness was JE's mantra. PS - playoffs definitely still on!

So. Buoyed on by a brilliant performance today (and also a couple cans) I've had a little look and I don't think we're dead and buried yet. Cynics look away now and the rest of you bear with me as we make some big assumptions and ignore some bigger contradictions... Assumption 1 - Rovers will win the next 3 matches. I know, I know but that's the only way this works, if you can't accept this then skip the post. We probably also need a few goals within those matches but if we play as we did today that won't be an issue. Assumption 2 - anyone can beat anyone in this league - I think this is a bit easier to accept particularly towards the end of the season but is slightly contradictory of #1 Assumption 3 - leeds are the best team in the league and will show that (this is very important...) Assumption 4 - millwall and West brom will not win all their remaining 3 fixtures - all we need is a draw somewhere and we're golden Assumption 5 - Middlesbrough will not win twice - classic Boro, who knows which team will turn up on any given day If you're still with me after those 5 then you're a true believer and the next bits won't be an issue for you I'm sure. Bristol City - need 2 pts to ensure they finish ahead of Rovers. They play Luton away next and only just beat an unmotivated Sunderland who were down to 10 from the 7th minute. Accepting assumption #2 means this is 0 pts. They then play leeds and obviously accepting #3 that's also 0 pts. That means they go into the final day needing a win against PNE as their (at best) +8 gd will be under threat from our (at worst) +5 gd. Coventry - need 3 pts to definitely finish ahead of Rovers. Play Plymouth next who just beat Sheff Utd, then Luton who, as we know, have just spanked Bristol City. Even if they get a draw from one of these games (highly unlikely) they will need to win their last game against Middlesbrough as again their gd is under threat from a resurgent Blackburn Rovers. All in all then, I've booked my Travelodge for Wembley.

Not to push this too much as I know its not realistic BUT in 2013 after gameweek 42 6th place was on 63pts so the same parallel exists as it did for gameweek 41. 2013 of course was the last time 68pts earnt a playoff spot. Just keeps a little bit of interest!

I've been forced to have a little look at this in comparison to previous years. The trend is basically for the pack contending for 5th/6th to slip up a bit over the last 4/5 games which is why you sometimes see a team come from nowhere. If Rovers actually won the next 4 tthen think we would end up very close to 6th as Coventry, West brom and boro all have to play each other and we play millwall and Watford. Coventry losing tonight would be a really good start and goal difference doubtlessly would come into play. A lot of ifs, buts and maybes though and not really worth thinking about unless we win the next 2.

68 points was enough once for Leicester....interestingly, as with this season at game week 41 the team in 6th on 62. Throw in that the teams above are playing each other.... I know, I know but my 10yo has told me off for being negative about rovers so I'm trying! I fancy a draw here, the energy of the last 1.5 games to continue and Cantwell to score

I think the last couple of weeks have been brilliant and all involved deserve some genuine appreciation. I don't expect details now but I wonder, when this is all over, will we get a behind the scenes story? Feels to me there are people involved who we don't know about and that have recognised now as an opportunity. If that's the case, I absolutely love it and it gives me just a tingle of hope for a fresh start next season?

Really interested to see what this turns out to look like!

What a ridiculous situation it is that I actually dare to hope it might be true just because it would surely be the beginning of the end for venkys. I dream of the first match under new owners. In reality though, this doesn't feel true at all.

Feels unlikely that news would come out this way but i suppose stranger things have happened, what was actually said on the podcast?

I really feel like this is Dennis' game today. He's clearly been on the outside of the team, that's evident jist from lacklustre warmups alone from the others BUT despite what some may think, he's actually a very talented player and can be a genuine goal threat

Forgot to mention, speaking to Hyam after the game re the elbow he said "don't worry, I know him". Thought that was odd, I don't know if he meant it was a bit of a joke between pals or if they've had issues in the past

As another 40 odd yo with 2 kids stood next to me 90mins after the final whistle said, the 1230ko's are good for it as you have the time to wait. Just hang around at the corner of JW and DE, the palyers and staff either come out there or the centre of JW and walk towards the cars. All are happy to stop and sign or have a photo taken

As another 40 odd yo with 2 kids stood next to me 90mins after the final whistle said, the 1230ko's are good for it as you have the time to wait. Just hang around at the corner of JW and DE, the palyers and dtaff either come out there or the centre of JW and walk towards the cars. All are happy to stop and sign or have a photo taken

Just back after my boys insisted on hanging around after the match for autographs, there were only a couple of us die hards left there by the time Ismael made it out! Thought we did OK, Forshaw wasn't as bad as some made out, I think we were strong on the right because of his link up with Brittain (who remains player of the season for me) Dolan continues to frustrate, I think overall he just isn't good enough. Kargbo will be excellent for us long term, but today he was having to do a lot of defensive work at times which limited our attacking options. Gueye wasn't brilliant but remains unrecognisable from the player who started with us. Cantwell was fine, few lovely touches and he seemed to get stuck in a but more than normal. I remain firmly of the belief he needs to be surrounded by better players to shine and suspect he won't get to the levels he's capable of at rovers. I thought we were caught out a couple times as players adjusted to a new mindset and some tactical switches from Eustace, I may be hopelessly optimistic but I think as they relax into it we'll do OK over the next 11 (ish?!) games.

Feels like a very 2025 rovers signing. He won't be expensive, isn't likely to be waiting for a PL job and won't come in with a huge weight of expectation. The sticking point is presumably the cost of buying him out of his contract. I wouldn't mind him overall looking at his record and experience, he appears a calm head with some legitimacy about him. There's a decent argument that's what we need rather than an unknown quantity who could be amazing or could be a disaster

Eustace is (possibly has?) Taking training today and is then travelling to meet with Derby. Could still be part of a powerplay but it suggests to me noone in India has made contact or expressed a desire to have the meeting.

Elliot Jackson retweeted a selection of questions asked of JE and I think they're very telling. I assumed with the quotes of speaking to the owners he actually mean Waggot and Sugail but actually he repeatedly says owners to several questions. His body language is interesting when he hints about what the content of those conversations might be. I think this is a powerplay. My genuine belief is he knows going to Derby is not a positive step but he's fed up of being told what's going to happen. He knows he's in a position of strength and if he doesn't get an audience with an actual decision maker then he's prepared to go. The question is, does that message actually get to the venkys or will it be intercepted. He's used the platforms available to him to circumvent the communication process currently in place, knowing full well that those present in the UK will not want him to have an honest conversation. I don't see an outcome outside of JE leaving tomorrow or Waggot and Suhail effectively being sidelined. Interesting times.

He won't sadly, no-one wants to step out of line for fear of angering agents

If he's genuinely in talks then surely he doesn't take the match today. Although as I'm typing this the thought occurred - who at rovers cares enough to tell him to stay away.

I don't think betting odds on a next manager market are much to assess the chances by, they've always massively fluctuated based on a couple of low level bets. I don't think JE would realistically leave for Derby but I absolutely believe he will leave in the summer because, let's be honest, what does he have to gain by staying at Rovers. His reputation is in a good place after Birmingham regardless of how the next 15 games play out and given most clubs have a significantly better level of board competence and support he would be crazy to stay.

I see Rovers insider has popped up after 6 months of silence, feels odd timing wise

Sorry, this is getting off topic. It just frustrates me that so many will go to any means to get a product for free then complain at its quality. Back to Rovers not signing anyone.

I don't think that's fair really. He has to cope with, let's be honest, a basket case of a club - dealing with senior personnel who have minimal decision making ability and a desire not to communicate. If no-one pays for the LT then they will move towards sensationalism to drive advertising, probably removing any semblance of local journalism in order to cut costs and rely on independents who care only for clicks. Elliot isn't perfect and his continual grammatical errors and spelling mistakes wind me up as much as anyone else but I genuinely believe he wants to produce a quality product without resorting to making up rumours.