I think it is a recurring theme that too many of our players are showing an appalling first touch. Particular offenders tonight, Pickering, Travis, Gallagher, Szmodic, Hyam

Bad results for us today, in general, have only added to the nerves! I rarely go along with a 'must win game' view, but it absolutely applies this evening. I need beer...

We do. But they aren't the worst in English professional football so it can't just be that.

You are right about him generally, but he was correct there about it being too easy to blame inability to come back from a difficult situation during a match on having young players. I'm sick of hearing it as some kind of get out of jail free card this season. They need to be stronger.

Can't see anything but a defeat here. I hope to be proved very wrong..!

I totally agree with this. It is my big fear for the end of the season - that we will always look back at that one huge error off the pitch and know it cost us a shot at the play-offs. For me, the way to try and take control of this with what we have is to keep Morton on the bench for the rest of the season (assuming no more injuries in CM) and bring in Adam Wharton straight away. I really don't think we have anything to lose compared with keeping selecting someone else's youth project who has had more than sufficient opportunity but just isn't up to the particular demands of the Championship.

As much as I hope he could be the fiery central midfielder we could do with now, albeit in 2036, currently watching him run around ineffectively, not touching the ball, pointing at nothing, but seeming to be just about enjoying himself until he trips over, I suspect he might instead fill the niche void as a Keith Andrews impersonator.

Every game is huge from now on in. I feel like today is a very tricky one. But at least I've managed to (only slightly forcibly) pass a torch on to my youngest to keep the Rovers flame burning in the deep South West! :-)

Get to half time

Sheffield U are so good on the ball. This is going to be tough.

Before the managerial appointment I would have gone for a Rovers one-goal win. New manager bounce, and all that, and I'm thinking 2-1 win for QPR. Would be fairly pleased with a point today.

Ouch, good luck for today. I am hoping 'pone' isn't some street lingo for penis...

Fair point. I'd rather watch my dog shit on your lawn, too. Joking. I don't even own a dog. *Licks lips shiftily, piggy eyes glancing side to side, knocks back a morning whiskey*

While I'm inclined to agree with you that some things have moved on, there is a danger here of suggesting our director of football, and his colleagues, has done a lot right, except in regard to the footballers, or the football pitch/stadium.

Everton fans fly plane over Goodison with banner: "Worst run club in the league". I advise my family to hold my beer as I grumpily put on my Rovers shirt.

What message does this send out to any, and all, other clubs that Rovers look to do business with? We are going to be even further down the 'pecking order' in terms of clubs that are worth dealing with. The totally amateur outfit, from owners, to coaches, is an embarrassment to us all, and an insult to us all. I'm seriously more angry about the situation now than at any time previously in 30 years of supporting. This is an absolute shambles and will no doubt have repercussions for our fumbling attempts at future transfers, as well as for the players caught up in the mess, and our team's chances of success. What does the club do now? I bet it is hardly a thing. It's completely, totally broken. I actually feel really sad about this slow death. Fuck off, Venkys.

I reckon he beeps every time he goes in or out of the supermarket! Dear, oh dear.

I'm just playing, and looking for some optimism, somewhere! I knew what you meant. Even if, through this farcical situation, we end up with O'Brien in on loan (a very good signing), failing to build on that with a striker will mean the impact O'Brien could have had will no doubt be reduced. For the second January in a row, the club's inability to prioritise investment in someone to actually score goals should be a huge source of regret... But they're not learning.

Ooh, I like this bit. Not sure if it is what you intended, Mercer, but I'm interpreting positively/ not negatively. 🙂

I think Chaddy gleefully insisted everyone would be "going mental on here tomorrow [deadline day]" Well, he was only a day out. I'm fucking furious.

"Crappy Millwall", or "Ambitious, looking upwards, make clever signings to address gaps, Millwall"? It isn't catchy, admittedly. And I don't really rate Whatmore, anyway. Better than what we have got right now, though.

Dion Dublin seems to have been touting himself around on TV a lot, recently. He could be in the frame if we are looking for an upgrade on what we have.

Agreed. If the idea is to give our young players a chance to progress and develop then I can support that but, in that case, why the hell is Morton still at the club? Send him back, give Wharton game time, play Markanday (when fit) ahead of BBD, prepare for next season. Or else strengthen CM with some experience, bring in a real striker, and show we actually believe the play-offs are a possibility. At the moment, we are doing neither. Drifting/withering.

We should be. Trouble is, we seem to have to guarantee one of the starting spots to Morton. So I'm not sure bringing in someone for the other position, when we have several options already being paid a wage, will be a priority for whatever limited ("healthy"?!) budget we have. For me, I'd be looking for a replacement for Morton who is good enough for the first team but not obliged to be picked, whatever their performance.

So, on this Undav guy. Some of you seem excited about this one. Personally, I hadn't heard of him before. Is this just me not keeping up with the changing generations of footballers, or is it more a case of the collective dumbing down of us as Rovers fans, and our expectations, that this might be sold as the "highlight" of our transfer window, and whom we should be biting our nails over until (if) he joins?? Genuine question and I might well be betraying my ignorance.