rovers11

I completely agree. We've been poor all season and were going to get well beaten sooner or later imo.

LB, 2 CBs, CM, ans striker all required. We shouldn't let a good start paper over the cracks. We've got a bottom half squad at the moment.

Big wake up call and reminds us that we've got a bang average team.

Apart from good finishing, have we really played that well in any of the previous 3 league games this season? OK nowhere near as bad as today, but our ball retention and general play has been poor so far this season despite the very good results. Much improvement needed.

Fully deserved

Horrible half. No fight, desire, or quality. Reading will be kicking themselves its only one.

Vale is nowhere near good enough for this level

Big blow to lose Phillips. No point playing him from now on.

So Van Dan Berg is almost a done deal and I think it's another very shrewd signing. He's a proven performer at this level and knows the area well, so he should be able to hit the ground running. I would hope that there's a chance we may be able to sign him permanently down the line too as he's never going to play for Liverpool and I doubt he would be wildly expensive. The youngsters look good, our new signings look good, and our new manager has started well. It's all looking a bit more promising for a good season ahead. Still think we need more though.

Van Hecke won't be coming here. Anyone who thinks otherwise will be sorely disappointed.

Didn't someone on here yesterday say Van Hecke has 100% not travelled to Manchester 😆

Tactical masterclass from JDT. Swansea are dire to watch. Pass the ball to death without doing anything with it.

It does seem a little surprising we'd make a big investment, by our standards, in a player who plays in the same position as Dack. I know Szmodics can play across many positions but it sounds like he's best in the hole. That to me suggests there are big doubts about Dack's fitness and ability to play a pressing game. For me, Dack is still our most naturally gifted player who has a huge role to play.

Brighton are signing a centre half from Chelsea. Looking likely Van Hecke won't be part of their plans. Still not convinced he'll end up here though.

Dead in the water now Morton is here. Always a long shot anyway.

One in, another one to come. I suspect Szmodics will be done by midweek. Don't know much about Morton or Szmodics but they get my backing.

Obafemi is one that I'm pleased we missed out on.

Overall I thought we did well today, especially given the amount of key players we've lost and the lack of incomings. It was a fairly routine win in the end (did they even have a shot on target?). I thought the defence was outstanding and the combo of Travis/Buckley in Central midfield was excellent. The front 4 didn't quite click - Vale struggled, Gallagher was his usual self, Hedges did OK, and Brereton was quiet. There's no doubt we'll need to be better than that to win matches consistently, but it's a good start and hopefully 4/5 good signings over the next few weeks.

Talk to Gregg

Thought we looked poor for the majority of that half. QPR were much brighter but lack a cutting edge. Happy to be leading.

"Growing sense" just means he's seen the tweet from the Peterborough owner like the rest of us. I suspect we have an interest in Bowler but it's unlikely to happen. I think he'll end up at Bournemouth.

From that it sounds like it's getting closer.

1. Where will Rovers finish ? With our current squad, we'll finish around 14th. With 4/5 quality signings I could see us pushing for the play offs again. 2. Who will be the Rovers (official) Player Of The Season ? Kaminski. Have a feeling we're going to need him to be at his best this season. 3. Who do you think will be the breakout/breakthrough academy player this season ? (Let’s say under 23 at season start & fewer than 10 1st team appearances to be eligible) Jack Vale. 4. Who will win the Championship ? Middlesbrough. Top manager and a good set of championship players. 5. Where will Burnley finish ? 7th

I do wonder whether the attacking players are completely confused about what they should be doing and what positions they should be taking up. It seems like the plan is to give the front 4 players complete freedom but I feel players need more direction than that.

Van Hecke won't come back here, I'm pretty sure of that. Far too good for this level. He'll end up in one of the top flight European leagues if Brighton decide not to keep him. No point him playing championship football again, he's already proved he's better than that.