Devon Rover

It is sickening to watch this Rovers team. Endeavour but no quality up front and individual errors every single game costing goals. Carter and Pickering terrible. But we simply do not have the attacking players that most other teams in this league do. And failure to address that in transfer windows is what has totally fucked us.

I've been reading really positive things about Batty for a few years now, but I don't think he has made a first team appearance - why is that? Injuries? Seems like plenty of opportunities to have had him on the bench, at least with no lb cover.

I see that you went for the safe "m" in the middle of that word rather than the "unt" I was thinking

What the fuck are they doing? Seriously. Its ridiculous. Was it sleeping pills all round at half time?

Almost as though something could have been done about it during some kind of transfer window...

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.