Parsonblue

His form has been awful this season in the Under-21's. Seems to be going backwards for some reason. Totally overshadowed by Duru at right-back who looks the part and is getting the bench at senior level.

Nothing better than watching two good wingers delivering crosses into the box for a centre-forward to finish. Shearer and Sutton didn't do too badly from the service off Ripley and Wilcox.

It's always been the same Gav. Spurs great team of the early 60's played a possession based game. As for the speed of the game, it seems to me that in many ways it's played at walking pace with sudden bursts of speed injected at key moments. I've loved watching the way JDT is trying to get our players to play but ultimately, football is about winning and possession on its own will not achieve that. The basics of the game never change. The ability to defend well and keep a clean sheet whilst creating and taking chances at the other end are constant fundamentals which this season we are struggling to get to grips with.

Chaddy, how has football moved on from what Tyrone was describing? I suspect I'm of a similar generation to Tyrone and the football that Jack Marshall produced in the early sixties was all about movement, skill and passing. There isn't one player in the present team who would have got anywhere near the first team in the early 60s. At present we have nothing that comes close to matching a forward line of Fergie, McEvoy, Pickering, Dougie, Harrison, for skill, flair and goalscoring thrills.

Today was a real shocker. Huddersfield had done their homework on us and stopped us playing our normal game, The high press put our defenders under pressure and often led to wayward passes going straight to our opponents. We looked out on our feet from early on and too many players seemed to lack the fight required at this level. Once Huddersfield took the lead - another howler from the 'keeper - we rarely looked like getting back in the game. At two-nil it was game over and we looked to be simply going through the motions at that point. These past few games have shown just how much we have missed Dolan and the energy he brings to the game. Since he was injured it's been noticeable that both Szmodics and Moran had struggled at times to find that third player to link up with in attack. Indeed, both have had a dip in form themselves. Neither Ennis nor Telalovic look anything like the standard required for the Championship whilst Harry Leonard shows promise but, for me, is not ready to play week in and week out at this level. Whilst I love football that JDT is attempting to achieve with these players the fact remains that at the moment we are too easy to beat. Thirteen defeats with only Rotherham United conceding more goals are facts which speak for themselves. With no money to alter the squad in any significant way it is up to JDT to look at the tactics and find a way that makes us more compact and more solid in defence. Five defeats in the last six games would suggest that something needs to change and change quickly.

Another frustrating afternoon at Ewood. I love the football we play but, ultimately, the only way fans will return on a regular basis is with winning games. Seven home defeats in the first half of the season is a difficult sell to fans - no matter how cheap the tickets. At the end of the day those who aren't die-hards, want to see winning football - not unique to Rovers, it's the same at every club. Personally, I think we've been fortunate with the previous manager and the present one. Mowbray did a good job steadying a club that look beyond hope and JDT has built on that and produced some superb football over the last eighteen months. Recent results have simply highlighted the threadbare nature of our squad. It's all very well relying on an Academy to produce players but it's unrealistic to expect the Academy to produce three or four players every year who are up to the required standard. Looking the bench in the past three or four games shows just how unrealistic that aim is. We are crying out for some experienced, older heads, to help the younger players and in particular to help see out games when we are in a winning position. A couple of 29 or 30 year-olds who've been around the block would make all the difference to this squad. Until we get the right mix of youth and experience I think we will continue to struggle for consistency. Young players are still learning and will make mistakes - Leo being a good example yesterday. He made some excellent saves but, ultimately, two errors late in the game cost us. With little or no money available in January it's difficult to see how things change. At the moment we are a decent mid-table Championship team but no more than that. Financially, we are falling further and further behind from the club's who have realistic chances of a top six finish. Nonetheless, congratulations to all concerned in helping to get the crowd figure up yesterday. It was a great effort.

I think recent games have illustrated just how important Dolan is to the way we play. At the time of his injury he was in terrific form and linked so well with Szmodics and Moran. The three of them created chances with their quick interplay. Also Dolan led the press in a way that Leonard isn't able to do because he is a different type of player. In recent games both Moran and Szmodics seem to be dropping deeper and deeper and therefore have less impact on the game in terms of attack. Again, it just illustrates how limited the options are for JDT - especially as two of the summer signings Ennis and Telalovic seems well short of the standard required at the moment.

Sadly, we are paying the price for starting the season with such a small and inexperienced squad. Many of the players are now running on empty - both mentally and physically - after so many games without the chance to rotate players. I fear for us over the Christmas period unless we can get some of our injured players back,. Yesterday we were outplayed from start to finish by a better team with far more resources than ourselves. I think JDT has worked wonders with the limited resources available to him but, sadly, I'm sure he knows that promotion is really a pipedream at the moment. We are what we look - decent Championship team that sits comfortably in mid-table but no more than that.

Tried to buy my usual seat, as a season ticket holder, online. It all went well until the checkout. Ticket master didn't recognise my login details - even though I was already logged onto the Rovers site. It asked me to create a new password. Which I did and then tried to login with the new password and again it wouldn't accept it. Eventually I rang the ticket office and a very helpful lady allowed me to buy the ticket over the phone and then emailed the ticket for me to print out at home. There are so many issues with this system - doesn't cater for anyone without IT facilities or a smartphone. However, even then the technology clearly isn't reliable. I still can't workout how printing paper tickets at home is going digital or helping the environment.

I thought we did well in the first half but looked tired both physically and mentally in the second-half. Understandable really given the lack of options. I thoroughly enjoy the football that JDT has us playing but am realistic enough to know that the play-offs are a non-starter with a squad this small. I always felt that Leeds had another gear they could go to if needed and in the end I thought they played within themselves after the second goal. Looking at their bench compared to ours and it shows just how difficult this League is in terms of trying to compete over a season with the clubs with money and decent squads. Once again, our bench looked very weak in terms of changing a game with none of the subs making any impact when they came on. Having no money to spend in January is a frustration but a fact of life. I've lost count of the seasons I've followed Rovers when we've had to sell before we could buy.

I thought this game illustrated just how important Dolan is to the way that JDT plays. We missed his energy and the high press he brings to the team. Leonard is a totally different type of forward. In the past couple of months Dolan has linked up well with Szmodics and Moran and that was missing today. I thought today illustrated just how thin we are as a squad. The bench was made up of Under-21 players with only Garrett and Markanday having experience at senior level. In many ways it just seemed a game too far for a group of players who looked shattered at times. Today was poor but JDT has worked wonders to get these players into the position we are in. We are crying out for a bit of experience in key positions but, sadly, that costs money which we don't have.

Agree. At the moment he doesn't convince as a player ready for the Championship. He's young and has time to learn but for me looks like another development project rather than a senior 'keeper.

Long day yesterday with a 4am start, but a fantastic performance and result. A real gave of two halves in terms of performance. First half we played some wonderful football and in the second, when we went down to ten men we showed grit and character. Everything you want from a team. I thought Szmodics, Dolan and Moran were superb as an attacking three in terms of their movement and eye for the pass - not to mention the finishing of Szmodics and Dolan. My only concern remains the goalkeeping position. Leo looks a bundle of nerves on crosses and too many of his saves bounce off him into dangerous areas. I think this is going to become an increasingly problematic position for Rovers unless we can bring in a relatively cheap and experienced 'keeper. At the moment, neither of our senior 'keepers looks the part for me.

No complaints today as I thought we were beaten by a better side. Swansea moved the ball at pace and with purpose. Their passing was crisp and they got the ball into dangerous areas which caused our defence problems. It might have been different if we had taken the chance in the opening minutes - a perfect ball from Dolan which JRC and Brittain completely missed. After the opening 15 minutes, Swansea took control with Grimes running the game in midfield. Their front men were quick and always looked dangerous. Too many of our players were slow and wanted too many touches which Swansea didn't allow. As on Tuesday, Sigurdsson offered very little and it was no surprise that JDT said Sigurdsson and Brittain were removed for tactical reasons. However, the changes didn't really work either. I think today highlighted just how threadbare our squad is becoming and with no likely reinforcements in January, unless there is a massive turnaround in the financial situation, mid-table looks the best we can hope for.

A long day - horrendous journey down - but worth it in the end. Not the free-flowing football of earlier in the season but a team performance to grind out a result. Particularly impressed with Carter and Scott Wharton in the second-half who were outstanding in clearing the crosses that came into the box. I thought Dolan had another good game and is starting to regain his form. He worked tirelessly last night. Tronstad certainly makes a difference to the team, sitting just in front of the back four - filling spaces, cutting out passes and using the ball to keep us ticking over. I must admit that neither of our senior goalkeepers look good enough at the moment and that is an area I feel we could do with a really experienced 'keeper. Leo looks really frail on crosses and his error last night was every bit as bad as some of the blunders that Pears has made. However, Leo is still young, and has time on his side but the Championship is a steep learning curve. JDT offers us the best chance of promotion since we were relegated but I fear all his good work will be undone by our increasingly problematic financial situation. Coming back last night, talking with fellow supporters, I think most of us think we will be selling in January rather than strengthening. At the moment I've settled for just enjoying what JDT and the players are delivering no matter how grim the immediate financial outlook.

To be honest, a number of our younger lads are still a long way off being ready for the first team. As you say, Stanley thoroughly deserved their win and looked the better team. Although Ennis took his goals well, he still looks some way off being fully match fit. Missing so much of pre-season is bound to tell and they need to get him up to speed as soon as possible. I must admit that Wharton's form is a worry. I wonder if the lad is struggling with the pressure that is being put on him to play every week and be the key playmaker.

To be honest I didn't feel that Leo looked much better on Wednesday night. I suspect we might end up with a goalkeeping issue as the season progresses. Just hope Pears finds the form he showed at the back end of last season or that Leo settles and begins to impress JDT in training.

In fairness, Christina isn't just a PA for Steve, she also works for Mike Cheston and does a number of other roles at the club. Like many who work at the club they seem to have a variety of roles that they fill.

Exactly right. Players have to learn how to win games - that's part of their development. Although we have a number of promising young players, I thought yesterday showed that they are still some way off being ready for the first team.

Whitehall hasn't played for the best part of two seasons now. Doubt he'll come back to be honest. The lad has been desperately unlucky - just like young Baker who missed most of last season and is now out for most of this one.

The next to Gordon Taylor and Chris Sulley is Johnny Byrom who was a great favourite in the early sixities before leaving for Bolton in 1966. Seemed to always give us problems whenever we played Bolton thereafter. Returned to Rovers right at the end of his career for a season. A really great guy. Chris Sims is between Bryan Douglas and Malcolm Darling.

It's Chris Sims, who played for Rovers in the early sixties who was a reserve full-back in the early sixties. Made 13 League appearances but a regular for the reserves in the Central League. Great to see players like Sims, Johnny Byrom, Bryan Douglas and Malcolm Darling on Ewood again - players of my youth.

The long journey home last night gave plenty of time to reflect on the game and where we are as a club. JDT has worked miracles to produce the type of football we are playing with what he has available to him. The need for an experienced centre-back to replace Hyam when he came off, the need for an experienced striker who knows were the net is and the need for a John Buckley type to replace Adam, who had a poor game, were clear for all to see. Sadly, as JDT said after the game he didn't get them. He got more development projects and had to lose two of his first team squad to get them. So no additional numbers to an already thin squad. It seems clear, from JDT's comments, that he and the club are on divergent paths. We have a bright, youngish coach who wants to win, who wants to try to get promotion, who has the highest of standards. On the other hand we have a cash-strapped club for whom survival in the Championship and the development of young players to sell for profit is now the main goal. The fact JDT feels able to come out in public and state that he didn't want to lose Buckley speaks volumes as the where we are as club. Yesterday we saw the same problems that ought to have been addressed in the window. Defensive lapses and the inability to put the ball in the net when in total control of the game. From his comments, I fear JDT does not see the two new arrivals as solving those problems. I suspect it is going to be a long, hard season. I just hope that JDT is prepared to see it out with us.

It was the actual Central League Championship that we won in those years under the guidance of Eric Bell. The Central League Cup is a more recent competition to give Central League clubs some extra games. When we won the League, twice in the sixties, it was a 42 game League with all matches played at Ewood Park - alternate Saturdays with the first team and a few midweek fixtures thrown in. It was a proper competition in those days with international players of some repute taking part if they weren't in the first team. Youngsters came up against experienced pros week in and week out. Totally different from the present system.

When did you last see a player wearing what we would regard as a boot rather than a pair of slippers!