Same side never mind rotating to rest do it the old school way and rest them when they can't give anymore. No point having fresh legs in April when there's nowt to play for. Flog em to death then show your faith in back up players/youth when you have to. I'm revelling in the new found balance in the starting line ups and the not swapping it around knee jerk in game all the time. Normally us rolling into town would signal 3 points to any struggling side it's the rovers way. Not sure that'll be the case this time if he keeps faith, i never want to see another Brum away shocker again no excuse for that either. Heart says win head says credible draw here Swans 1 Rovers 1

Looks a bit better now ?

Didn't know it was Cat A which is a bit disrespectful given the time of year although not sure it would've made a lot of difference. Derby i'd have had them down 900/1000 max for this so yes Mr 'We're looking into it' will be pleased on that turnout.

Fury's wasn't a rematch though and he does box like that all the time he does what suits him. Joshua went toe to toe with the same guy 18 months later and his youth and strength prevailed. Understandable he might have a dig hellfire Fury literally lives off AJs back publicity wise. I think he's learnt the hard way though after that interview but lets keep digging around looking for excuses to pan him. Meanwhile Fury gets forced to sign for the Wilder rematch by the WBC and before and after runs away from ANY other meaningful HW fight. Runs off to a fake sport in fact whilst also trying to do a Mayweather with UFC guys. Good ability he may have but there is only one big dosser in HW boxing currently and it isn't Joshua, just look who's banding that interview about...

An upturn in form but no free tickets distributed and the time of year ended in another low home turnout. If they didn't know what they were up against before surely they will by now.

I did say in another post somewhere i expected them to run out of steam but it wouldn't be the managers fault ? Not a strong enough squad to keep it up they were definitely over achieving, some good recruitment though and.....

Same as here last season he was ok early doors then ran out of puff, his legs are gone. I said this 2 seasons ago he needed to retire from international football if he wanted to remain a decent championship defender.

The hypocrisy is alive and well again this morning i see. Fact is most will bash him when things aren't going well and they feel he is to blame then praise and maybe defend him when there's a sudden turn around like this. He has to take credit now for getting it right just like he has to shoulder a lot of the blame for weakening our chances by messing around before. I'm no different in any of that and i still think he's bang on average at this level, you can only base it on what we've seen so far. I'm talking the whole package of tactics, signings, results etc etc. I'm more than happy for him to prove me wrong and if we finish around tenth place then in the grand scheme of things it'll be about right. We all 'hope' for higher but it's never that straight forward.

The mental hurdle to get through that would have been massive after the previous pasting, all caused by his brains being scrambled by a howitzer on the top of the nut. In the end it did him a favour and switched him on but the rare times Ruiz got close you always felt he'd hurt him again. Few HWs are made of cast iron though they all get hurt from time to time and most of the best have hit the deck or been beaten at some point. So he's come through that sticky patch now. Secret to Wilder if there is one is to nail him before he nails you both Ortiz & Fury had plenty of success but one is just too slow the other quick but pillow fisted at top level. Joshua would have to make advantage of his extra weight and strength, his speed and power probably fall somewhere in between that of Ortiz and Fury. He really isn't chinny either that's just for the haters but he doesn't seem to have a great one either, average on that score. Take away Wilders one trick pony signature shot and there's always a chance. As for Ruiz i hope he gets back some focus and stays at it he's a lot to offer the top ten HW there's some good fights for him.

Something he appeared to be getting to grips with recently but having some sort of unbalanced side seems to be a real weakness of his though. As is the temptation to fiddle about with it for the sake of it.

I'd definitely say his lower weight lowered his power. Although to be fair he wasn't trying to load up and throw his usual bombs or plant his feet. Backed Ruiz up plenty times but he's a tough little bit for sure. He'll be back around 17 and a half for a centre of the ring scuffle with Pulev. A fight that has its dangers but far more suited to Joshua's normal style.

It's there in a nutshell. Also imo if he had strengthened the defence last Jan instead of allowing adequate back up to leave the bad run wouldn't have been so long. Might not have happened at all but we'll never know now. There's a lesson in there as well though seeing as we are thankfully now celebrating others appearing to be learned.

I like Dubois but there's a long way to go for him yet and he may have to free himself of Frank Warren to get there.

No doubt in my mind they have people at the club who keep him informed as to the general feeling. Far to many things he says and highlights as do the LT follow what's being moaned about on forums, social media etc. Not a bad idea i suppose a lot of clubs do it these days it's all part and parcel of the modern game. Whether it influences anything or not who knows but the turnaround and back to basics approach has been a remarkable coincidence compared to everything the fans have been asking for for months.

Just like Fury then who seems to get plaudits from his fangirls for it from every single fight he has. Because that's the only way he knows how to win. Mostly against low level opponents as well although i'm not sure AJ could out Fury Fury for 12 he'd need to put it on him at some point. Wilder i don't agree at all he's a stalker himself but a long range fighter his main strength is springing the gap at length and nailing you. Underated long jab as well imo but get in close and take that away he can't fight well when you rough him up and is easy to hit. AJ has quicker hands than Ortiz and power in both compared to Fury plus a weight advantage over Wilder so should be strong enough. Dance round the outside all night he'll nail you at some point imo.

Well common sense should tell why he was scared of Ruizs power really shouldn't it given what happened last time. It should also tell that Wilder is a completely different style of fight. He needed to stay away from Ruizs short haymakers on the side of the head with Wilder he'll need to stay closer to avoid the straight long range jab and sledgehammers. Ruiz's danger is up close and on the inside Wilder is the opposite. Doesn't matter who wins in Feb as he'll be signed up for a mando for March/April before then.

Keeping the side more settled and more comfortable in their roles and tactics is allowing some to settle down now and a few partnerships to gel. He's now acting like a manager who wants the best 11 to fit a set of tactics and get points to drive us up the league. Not someone just going through the motions hoping to keep his squad happy and hoping to drop on a formula that works then altering it and hoping it works again. Penny dropped or has someone had a word ? Amazing what a bit of potential fan unrest can provoke iv'e always said a little bit of pressure does no harm at times. Seems at Rovers it's only the fans who'll do that. Stay off easy street boys and keep up the good work !

He can do what he normally does then we'll text him the team on Saturday morning and take him for a beer every half time. He only needs to ask... ?

I'd stop short of calling him a prick but he is annoying iv'e said a few times he's the most frustrating manager iv'e seen at Ewood. That's part compliment really because it's a fine line and he's trod both sides of it in different periods to be fair. However imo he really really needs to be more first 11 and points focused than squad harmony and training pitch favouritism. His main job in the eyes of the fans is to get points by using the best system and best 11 to fit that. Everything else is second place to the punters and should be kept that way. I know it's part of the job but less welfare officer more sergeant major for me please.

Just finally learn from your frequent mistakes Tony that's all we ask.

I'm of the opinion the other keepers you're training with are as important as the coach if not more so. Training day in day out with someone of calibre if you are their back up or even training with another good keeper similar to yourself. So it's a straight shoot out as to who is number one can only benefit imo. Over the past few years at Ewood you really don't have to be that good to be guaranteed no 1 because there is no one else who will take that jersey permanently.

Didn't we once sign a young attacking player ? In fact didn't we sign 2 ?

I suspect someone might be feeling under the weather or have a slight strain. Don't think he'll admit to trying to pull off a tactical masterstroke by including him, unless we win ?

John Claret needs a gagging order.

Grant hanley ? That's a big call i'd have had him down more as another Lenihen in the making but tough and rugged, good at the basics is what we need really. If that's how he's shaping up he might do ok.