Actually Danny Graham is a very good call i kind of forgot him with trying to think back for something stand out. Similar to Rhodes he's been a reliable scorer, does his job with no fuss, keeps his head down and is popular with fans and seems to genuinely like it here. Stayed around to help haul us back up at the first time of asking as well so yes he gets the vote from me now, no brainer. Likes of Nelson more than did their bit but as i said earlier way they left soured it although not their fault really, plus it was a long time ago. Hanley, no, a big no from me he couldn't wait to be on his toes and has never given us a sideways glance sine. Let the side down on and off the park as well at times. Graham has been here a while now so he's the one.

A fixture that down there always seems to have a few goals in it.

Interesting to see what he does i think i'd be tempted to go same as but with someone else replacing Dack. However there'll be temptation to rest DG before a busy period and try something different, in that case i really would go 44 ######g 2 with his expensive strikers ! Or how about a front 3 with them all in their comfortable positions ? AA left SG middle BB right ! The key though for me is whatever he does up front try and leave the rest of the side well alone now it's settled down and gelled a bit more. Tombola hasn't been out a while though so he'll be more tempted than ever to give it a good old spin.

This is very difficult there really isn't an outstanding candidate at all, so many players and managers going through the revolving door. Rhodes does spring to mind as despite his obvious limitations he did exactly what it said on the tin and was a good all round bloke. Conway was another you couldn't help but like and always tried his best. I certainly wouldn't pitch the likes of Hanley in there his off field antics let him and the side down. Yes he was wholehearted but that's just the type he is, far too inconsistent here until he sniffed a move. I've never been a massive fan but if Evans had shown more of the form he's shown in the last 18 months in patches then he'd be in with a shout. Mostly because he's long serving and almost first name on team shit when he's fit whoever the boss, another strange Venky era phenomena !! Obviously the best of this decade are way back in the later Prem days before Kean ruined it but many didn't cover themselves in glory the way they left.

Think we might come unstuck in this it's a tough game and this league is mad. No need for meltdown as long as it's not a revert to type from the manager that blatantly looks like it costs us. Fancy another draw myself but head says.... Brizzle 2 Rovers 1

I was trying to remember who this divisive attitude newbie reminded us of but couldn't quite place it.

When they start with Gallagher wide right he's galloping all over the shop and they keep aiming balls in his general direction. When he gets it on the deck if not in space to knock it forward he often loses it as it's an unatural role. Just having Rothwell there or an able right sided player gives the side far more balance and chance of ball retention. I think some are a bit blinded to that just expecting him to tear up trees every time he has the ball. I'd give Chapman a go but failing that i'll stick with Rothwell over Gally, Brereton or Samuel there. Maybe Saturday will be his one great game in every five or so he seems that type, sometimes you just have to let them stick at it. Although to me he's a better impact sub but still the best suited to start there at the min. Get a bloody winger in !

Leave Bennett out if possible, these are the big tests for TM to see if there really is a new leaf been turned. If changes are needed try and go like for like with the player most suited to that position. Not because it just happens to be player A,B or C next in line in the pecking order so re arrange just to accommodate. I think it's undeniable that a large factor in the recent upturn has been a more horses for courses approach. Side looks more balanced and more comfortable. Big test of the tinker.

Spot on that, best assessment of him yet although maybe it poses the question of who suits this best alongside him. He seems livelier when Travis is in there, someone who puts it about a bit and yes he gives it away too much sometimes but he doesn't leave gaping holes like Lowe used to.

People are talking about the substitutions not the starting team that has spoken for itself now and should be the go to 11. Subs are the thing that you can understand being changeable as to what is happening in the game, they also get debated on every team in the lands forum so chill.

Teams will cotton on so will start packing the middle that's why imo we now need a good winger to open it up a bit down the side. But yeah i fear a revert at some point.

Think we've seen enough of TM by now to know he prefers defensive deep mids and would play with two most games if he could. I'm convinced he's had a prod from somewhere with this new bravery although it works when possession football turns into pressing football as they all work themselves forwards more. AS long as we don't revert back to starting a striker on the right every week again i think it'll continue to suit Evans more.

Evans looking so much better pressing forwards a bit he looks more consistently like the guy in green we've rarely seen at Ewood. Taken 5 years for a manager to finally realise what half of Ireland and Rovers fans already knew. Progress is progress i suppose though. Decent first half but over egging the passing, team still looks so much better without right wing strikers but we need a good winger in there to give an outlet and be a bit more direct. Odd second half but again too much sitting back too early and inviting probs. Defended quite well though, still need a good keeper but a good point tonight for me.

Young fit well trained athletes should not need resting, end of. This is where Tony's overthinking tinkering needs a new approach. Rest when they are knackered not just with a view to keeping them fresh later on. It's all about the 3 points that are available now, one game at a time.

Dingles restricted to 4.5k spread over 2 tiers and i'm not sure they totally sold out, plus the usual all ticket apply in advance and lunch time live kick off.

They used to plonk them there and on the advertising hoardings when i sat in N01 over ten years ago. Not encouraging the destruction of anything but it seems not content with pricing people out they just want those who do go to sit down quietly, where they are told and shut up ! Then they'll throw their own hands in the air and moan about lack of crowds and atmosphere.

After prices had gone up.......

Heavyweight boxing often writes its own rules and when two top guys go at it there is rarely such a thing as a sure thing. Ali will bash Frazier, Holmes will batter Spinks, Tyson will kill Holyfield, Lewis will school Rahman, Wilder won't lay a glove on Fury, Ruiz will end Joshua's career. It'll be interesting to see.

Probably more to do with the income streams if he's told them that although i'd expect he said something like in the next 5 years. Doubt he'd put pressure on himself by setting targets. They seem happy taking a half arsed interest and funding it via the business because the books can manage it to a beneficial tune. The club though needs big income in order to pay big fees and wages because of FFP. If they've said why don't you sign x,y,z and we'll pay the wages he'd probably have to reply we can't unless we are in the Prem. Look how close to the wind the club has sailed in the past yet it never seems to bother them. I think they need a lot of 'advising' just so they actually nearly understand it.

I think he's been threatened or even pranged with the old electronic cattle prod... Long may it continue.

I wouldn't want him sacked if we got in the play offs and lost however painful it might be to me just getting there would be an outstanding effort. Don't get me wrong i wouldn't want them doffing him an extra 5 years on the back of it either but back in the day Don Mackay had us in there 3 seasons on the bounce. I don't think anyone wanted him potting then he was our guiding light.

Pre xmas fixture quite a few finished work etc always used to have a bit of a buzz, local game as well. Ewood hierarchy are the buzz killers

You might have 1200 Wigan fans in one side and 400 home fans in the other under the old system in the DE BUT you'd have an actual bit of atmosphere at that end. Plus looking better on the TV, feeling a lot better in the ground however some lads in hoods though might flick the vs at each other and shout over a fence, row of netted off seats and a few stewards ! Can't have that at Ewood in 2019, call the robocops and shut the ground !!!

If the strategy is to spend the 20 million Venkys allegedly wanted to give TM after promotion over a number of windows instead of all at once there won't be that much left. Let's hope it's spent properly for once although i fear he's already blown the surplus on extra wages for Downing, Tosin loan fee and Holtby, Johnson contracts. This window will pass quietly i think in terms of incomings whilst trying to drum up a great bid for Dack by stealth then saying they've triumphed in holding onto him when one doesn't materialise.

Won't happen overnight but i'd have expected a few more maybe around 12k home fans like we've usually had in this lge. That's when you have to then look at the other factors mentioned as to reasons why. They must play a part as we are talking previous hardcore regulars here not just part timers only interested in winning. They'll need even more incentive now i think but that's another debate.