Devon Rover

Leonard, JRC, Buckley all way off the standard we (or any championship team) need

What the fuck. This team.

What to do? I'd probably bring on Dolan, move JRC into central midfield and take off Buckley. In truth, I doubt it would make too much difference. We are a very poor team in attacking phases. 20 days left of the window to address this? Hmmm...

Solid defence. Absolutely nothing ahead of them.

Sounds like Leonard has forgotten offside rules?

Circumstances have combined to present Buckley with a great opportunity. I really hope he surprises me and takes it with both hands..

I am going to try not to believe this one. It is better for my health!! 33 year-old, injury-affected career, free transfer to Norwich 18 months ago and played fewer than 10 games before released on a free transfer to Plymouth and a regular in a very poor team this season. And some have been talking down the loss of Lewis Baker. With our owners, it is always who replaces one of our outgoing players that matters. And it is pretty much always a downgrade. We've GOT to be looking at better than this. Right...?!

Don't be silly. Fleck can't walk.

Is there any way we could crowdfund to persuade him to switch round the punch and the moon? Would love to see Parker get thumped, I'm quite sure his face is always asking for it 😉

Yes. So I'd have preferred a quote along the lines of "too expensive for this club". That is very different to "too good".

Like others, I agree he can come across a bit awkwardly/uncomfortably in interviews, but I also think he has been increasingly strongly messaging to the board/owners in recent weeks. It feels familiar to the last months of the JDT era (minus the charm/smarm) and that worries me a lot.

That is fair, but the quote itself is very strange. Perhaps let's consider it a 'mis-speaking' that I think is understandably not landing well in the current context. I do, though, think Eustace is canny enough, and the Rovers situation sufficiently frustrating, that the words he chooses to say to the media are generally selected for impact. So I'm always going to pay attention to them.

I'm a big fan of John Eustace but that is a frankly bizarre and ridiculous comment. Unless I've missed some huge and crazy link somewhere, it just seems like nonsense.

And the only one of those I'd expect Venkys to bring in is Billy Mitchell. The one from Eastenders.

I did. Still better than what Buckley has offered over a number of recent years, in my opinion.

He put in a shift, drove forward occasionally with confidence, successfully completed simple passes, had a couple of powerful and accurate shots, did not get sent off/booked regularly for petulance. I'd prefer Baker to Buckley in my team.

By 'compensation' you mean 'insult to injury', right?!

This shouldn't be as big a blow as it is, and feels, due to our context. But Travis' injury, Baker being a current first team regular, our already paper-thin squad options in midfield (and elsewhere), and our apparent inability/unwillingness to buy anyone, means this is a further sizable problem. Our midfield options now appear to be Sondre, Buckley and Garrett?!? We're going to get ripped apart in there. As if the window wasn't panning out predictably infuriatingly enough, already...

Steady on. I like Eustace but I'm not sure he'd have that effect on me. Very happy (and confused) to be proved wrong.

So excitedterrified for this one! Wish I was at Ewood. Come on, Rovers!!

We have a real fighter of a manager and much more fight within the team than I've seen in many years. Good result.

Right changes. Hedges is a waste of a shirt, let's be honest.

Fallen apart here. Unrecognisable from first half in terms of shape, discipline, aggression, control. This feels like it is gone already

Agree with all of this. A very impressive half. Need a second goal, I suspect, with Sunderland being very accustomed to recovering a losing position. A win here would be immense and, so far, well deserved.

'Your parking space' website is useful. I've parked at Asda and walked from there, before. Worked well but not available on the site today. The Premier Inn suggestion made by Blackpool Rover is available on the site now and looks a good shout. Enjoy! Wish I could be there today. (Ewood, not the Premier Inn!)