Evans had a much better 2nd half against Forest (1st half was pants) when the formation moved to him and Johnson acting as defensive midfielders.  I'd expect the same tonight with Holtby being the key pivot on the attack.

I'd expect the intention to be to keep it tight for the first half but who knows really ......

Scrappy goal but seemed to be coming

That's a poor half, too many sloppy passes and  a very pedestrian midfield performance.  I have to think that might be down to the mix of the midfield 3.  Evans does look off it at the moment.

Credit to Hughton who's got Forest well organised which is putting Rovers off.

Armstrong is dealing with scraps and if anyone looks likely at the moment it's Brereton.

Need more dynamism and slick passing in midfield if we are going to get anything today, more worried that Forest look the more likely.

23 minutes ago, Sparks Rover said:

You are talking as if we are three quarters through the season.  There's no doubting Johnson and Holtby's abilities are top of the championship/bottom of the premier when at their peak.  4 games out of 46, let's hold our horses and see what happens.  

This PR nonsense is pointless.

I agree it takes a whole season before the jury is out, but so far so good.  The point I was trying to make is that we went into this transfer window needing a CM and another CB, Johnson and Holtby are, in my opinion, showing we don't need another CM, Williams form excludes the need of another CB.  The signings made look very promising with Dolan a wildcard win at the moment - I know, too early to tell ....

Extrapolate your 'pointless' comment and you could say anything on this Board is pointless

We do have a new player being added to the squad before December - I believe he's called Bradley Dack .........

The player who really needs to buckle down and perform consistently and effectively in the current structure is Joe Rothwell.  You have to say Bradley Johnson has been a revelation this season and Lewis Holtby is looking like the player we hoped he would be.  Both have stepped up a level in consistency and effectiveness from last season.  Joe Rothwell shows potential, is exciting when he carries the ball forward in the final third but is inconsistent and if I was facing a firing squad I would hope he was in it.

The system Rovers are playing (4-3-3) seems to be bringing the best out of the team, add that to see the really heartening performances by Williams at centre-back means that the one position I think Rovers need to sign a player to help improve the side is left-back.  As discussed there are free agents out there that might fit the bill.  I am a little concerned about the right back slot but we will see on that.

Also well done to the European scouting team as the signing of two goalies shows.

Just now, tonyoz said:

Back to reality. Shoulda known!

Where did the devastating attacking force go?

Rothwell can be infuriating. Holtby fairly ineffective. Not much magic from Dolan. Armstrong offside again and missed a great chance. Brereton disappointing.

I thought Brereton had a good half, different view I guess.  The Cardiff set up is intended to stifle Rovers and it's ended u[p with the strikers needing to work with scraps.  Rothwell needs to be more varied, he's great when he is attacking players but he just has to 'beat' another man .......

Fine half from Williams - do we need another CB?

Very solid from Brereton, looks stronger and has provided an outlet when needed.  Perhaps his adoption of a hairstyle of Danny Graham is the key?

Fair comment, Williams looks composed and in position when needed.

Given the aerial blitz early on that is a very positive performance.

28 minutes ago, Bohinen 22 said:

It is absolutely ridiculous that we haven’t strengthened the defence over the summer. We are starting with 3 of the 4 who we got relegated with and 3 that started the first league one game. How is Mowbray, a centre half himself,  not able to make one decent defensive signing? It’s laughable. And his excuses and bullsh!t he spouts in interviews is boring. And Bayes is worse than useless with his questions. No hard questioning, he’s just a sycophant. Doesn’t want to lose his access.

The reality for local radio or press is that they need to keep good relations up with the club to maintain access - there can be questions and challenge but not at the emotional level of a fan.  It also means that some things are kept off air as it won't help the discussion.  If Mowbray wants to say something Radio Lancashire and the LT give him a platform, if he won't then there isn't much they can do.

The nationals don't have the same problem but unfortunately they don't take much notice of clubs outside of the Premier and, ironically, they have the same issues of access when it comes to the top flight clubs.

It was always thus, if Andy Bayes was blocked from Ewood it would be bad for his job but also fur us as we would get even less information.

If you don't like it just reach for the switch.

But - the failure to strengthen the defence is the real issue, not the reporting.  I doubt if anyone would give a proverbial if we'd added a solid LB and CH ..............

At the moment the Championship is in a degree of limbo given the ongoing discussions around a salary cap.  Add to that the uncertainty of the impact of Covid-19 costs on costs and income in the upcoming season which is about to start then whoever is manager at Ewood would be facing a real challenge.  Mind you, that comment applies to every club outside of the Premier League.

If the owners have agreed to  continue to support the losses at Rovers without looking for a reduction in payroll and/or sale of key assets then I will breathe a sigh of relief for the next season.  There has been no direct statement yet that has answered those questions but I take a positive view that there has been no indication otherwise.

Rovers may well be in a better state than several other Championship clubs, we might find that several clubs start the season with points penalties as well as financial challenges.

Nonetheless players leaving (Centre Half, Keeper in particular) and areas of weakness (Left Back?) need attention.  It would be a real bonus if the Academy can deliver some answers, even if it is only to provide solid understudies for those positions.

Pears might be an option for keeper, I hear all the usual complaints about Mowbray going back to players he knows but doesn't every manager? I don't like the idea of a loan keeper, personally I would prefer an experienced goalie, keepers reach their peaks as they approach 30.

Like it or not we will have to expect some gambles - players leaving clubs having lost their place due to injury and so a risk (maybe Cunningham as the left back), inexperienced loans from top clubs etc..

This is likely to be a very frustrating transfer window but we aren't alone.  I really hope that some players and their agents realise that the world has changed, likewise Premiership clubs who expect too much of a contribution from a loan.

I'm glum but feel we have to accept the situation.  It would be lovely (if miraculous) for Brereton and Gallagher to deliver, I also wouldn't write Amari Bell off yet.

2 minutes ago, 4000Holes said:

If Mowbray is not shifted then I will be most concerned because this squad needs major surgery and investment.  He will not get a budget as he cannot be trusted to spend it wisely.  He has wasted so much already and surely no owner will speculate further Unless they are mad.  Having said that, this is Venky’s 

Managers get judged on their buys, he has had some successes (Dack, Armstrong for example) but Gallagher and Brereton have been disappointing.

Overall I think TM has made some costly mistakes, Venkys did back him to do that but some players really need to take a hard look at themselves over the break because we need them to improve as I can't see anyway to recoup the spend.  Grim stuff.

Just now, DE. said:

Unfortunaely we have Waggott and Venky's, so, as you were.

Given the plight of Wigan I don't want to dump Venkys - last time I looked Rovers needed their cash.

Mind you, if you know a reliable billionaire.......

Just now, Tugay's Right Foot said:

Well, we sat through that, time for some drinks

Time for many drinks.

Keep safe distance though - like Rovers defending

Painful week, where next I wonder with some of the team?

As this season is effectively over it must be time to let some of the younger players have a chance?

I'd even try a three at the back in the absence of any left-backs.

So Bennett is going off, he actually played ok so far as well - ironic.

Poor by Travis

Sat here, a son of the Red Rose from Blackburn, exiled in Bradford I have no love for Leeds (I discover via the Yorkshire Post that they are nicknamed the Peacocks), a history of corruption and cheating in the Revie years really set me against them.  I learned to loathe them because they had one of the most talented squads in Div 1 but still felt it was right to injure opponents, swarm around the referee (first team to adopt that as a standard tactic) and even then Revie felt he needed to influence the opposition outside of the match (according to Gary Sprake - allegedly of course).

I don't think we are strong enough to do them today but I don't care how we win - a scabby penalty, an own goal, I do not give a ****!

Come on Rovers!

Just now, RevidgeBlue said:

imo Graham's completely finished. The problem is Brereton and Gallagher haven't stepped up

I think Graham still has a bit left in his tank but only from the bench.  I still hope Brereton could come good (he actually looks physically stronger) - I discount the red as just one of those things.  Gallagher - wish he could learn more from Graham but he might be better in a 4-4-2 with somebody else on the wing.

Just now, bluebruce said:

Zero point blooding the youngsters against the top of the table team. They'll be too far out of their depth. After we piss this match away, start blooding them, I'll agree.

Totally agree, this match isn't one for the changes just yet.  Plenty of subs to be used as well.

TM is going to do it his way, which includes Bennett at LB, I suspect there isn't another option for him at the moment.  Feel sorry for EB as he is taking a lot of stick trying to cover yet another position in the team that he isn't a natural for. 

1 hour ago, AllRoverAsia said:

Revie shagged Sheep

That is a terrible libel, Revie bribed sheep is more believable as it was a key tool in his success.

Now that is a depressing end to the season.

Is Walton thick or what, how many wasted long balls?