Personally, I’m disappointed we didn’t get Brereton in. He is exactly the sort of player we need to be a replacement for Graham. Strong, fast, great ball control... he will keep improving and has a bright future ahead. Checking Transfermarkt, Brereton and Chapman appear to have the same agent. Would love both players to come on loan with a view to buy in the next few weeks.

I’ve been on here long enough to know that it wouldn’t matter. You’d find a bunch of people still complaining that we only signed 1 when we were promised 3 or 4.

Great summary, agree that Evans looked better than Smallwood. Would like to see what Davenport can do in the next match.

Thought we looked second best throughout the game, especially in the first half (despite scoring 2 goals). Ipswich’s passing and movement was on a different level to us. Edwards is some player for them and a great signing, he will no doubt go on to have a fantastic season. Despite comments on here, I thought Williams was excellent in the first half, but was caught out multiple times by Edwards in the second half. Lenihan is a colossus at the back for us and one of the few players who’s cemented a place in the squad I think. Raya, Nyambe and Mulgrew all looked solid enough defensively throughout the game, but had some moments of uncertainty which are a bit worrying. Our weakest area was in midfield and out wide I thought. Samuel was dreadful and Bennett didn’t offer much either. Evans and Smallwood seemed fairly anonymous in midfield as well. Dack and Graham delivered the goods when it mattered as usual and had good games before being subbed. Not much to say about the subs... Palmer, Nuttall and Conway all offered very little. We definitely need a better front man to come on for Graham. Nuttall isn’t ready for Championship football. Overall, pleased with the result. Point against a decent side away from home. A lot of work ahead for the team and Mowbray though, but at least the drive and desire is there.

Tbf Mowbray has always maintained that the team that won promotion will be given a chance this season. We’ll see if they can raise their game in these first few games. I’m sure we will see the likes of Davenport, Rothwell, Bell, Travis and Palmer introduced into the starting 11 if others can’t hack it. I think we struggled at times last season without Armstrong’s pace and Payne’s creativity, so it will be interesting to see how we go against much better opposition.

I feel like you are ignoring the fact that we’ve already signed Palmer and Rothwell who Mowbray will most likely play out wide. I agree we need 2 more quality signings up front and out wide to have a truly strong team that’s able to compete this season, but not at the expense of team spirit and Mowbray has got it right with his current approach to signings. Signing “two quality strikers” and immediately relegating Graham (one of our key men last season) to third choice before a ball has even been kicked this season would be a disaster.

Personally I think Mowbray has signed versatile players and we have versatility throughout the squad to play both formations well. I don’t really see that as an issue. We had bad games last season playing 3 at the back, but we also had some fantastic games playing it as well. I’m sure Mowbray will play whatever system he feels best suits the game and the players available at the time, and sometimes it will come off and sometimes it won’t. What impressed me about Mowbray last season is he knew when things weren’t working and could change it around to great effect (not always, but more often than not).

Is this game streamable via iFollow? Nice to see that both Nuttall and Wharton continue to feature in pre season. Hopefully they can push on and make the step up.

Yea absolutely ridiculous.

Think the ref had to give it after going to VAR. He thought about it for a while. It would be a real shame if it proves to be the winning goal as it would be a really poor end to a fantastic World Cup.

I agree, 2 quality forward/wingers are imperative in this transfer window. If we fail to sign them I would be worried where the goals would be coming from. I’ve said before I’d be happy with Armstrong/Chapman, but both are unproven at this level really. So I’d love us to make a big statement and sign a proven goal scorer as a marquee signing.

I’d like us to sign Bauer as he seems a good player with a lot of potential, but we are not exactly desperate to sign defensive players at this stage, so I think that’s why Mowbray is being patient with this one. Mulgrew and Lenihan are our first choice pairing in the centre, so any defender who comes in would have to settle for a place on the bench and take his chances when either one of them is injured or in poor form. We have Williams and Nyambe who can play at centre back, especially if we play 3 defenders, plus Downing, Wharton and Platt competing for spots as well.

Interesting that both England and Belgium have played similar formations this tournament and have easily dominated lesser teams, but I feel both teams are being found out against stronger opposition like France and Croatia. Even if England win here, I think they will seriously struggle if they persist with the same system against France, just as Belgium did. Croatia look tired right noe. They have gone to extra time in all of their games now. Surely has to catch up to them at some point. Either way, can’t look past a France World Cup win.

No idea how he’s still starting for France. Surely someone else deserves a chance up front for them. He has been their worst player every game.

Fantastic contest so far. 0-0 but it’s been end to end. Belgium have been really exposed at the back and if they didn’t have world class defenders I wouldn’t be surprised to see them a few goals down by now. France looks the better team. Belgium are struggling to gel in this weird formation and a lot of their moves are breaking down as a result.

Belgium has gone all out attack it seems tonight. I can’t see it ending well... France have players that can do some real damage on a counter attack.

Anyone know if game is available to stream from somewhere? Doesn’t look like it’s on iFollow.

N’zonzi coming on for France now. Crazy to see a player we signed nearly 10 years ago for about half a million go on to represent one of the best teams in the World Cup.

The 2 I would probably want to see leave are Hart and Caddis. They are too far behind the other players in their positions. Gladwin will probably go if there are any takers, but given our lack of attacking players at the moment, I wouldn’t be against giving him another chance. Whittingham has a lot of competition in his position so I’m not sure if there’s sense keeping him. His experience may be handy to have around the squad though.

The colours and emblem of the French jerseys had me confused for a second thinking I was watching a Tottenham game...

I’ve got the same impression from what Mowbray has said in the past. It sounds like the team that won promotion will be given a chance next season and players will be brought in to challenge them for spots, rather than replace them. It seems like sensible squad management to me, especially when you have such a good team spirit throughout the squad. Thanks to iFollow I got to watch Rovers games for the first time since we got relegated from the Premier League, and I have to say I love this current team. I know that a lot of them may not be cut out for the Championship, but I hope that they do manage to up their game and do well next season. The area where we obviously need to sign players ready to come into the first 11 is up front and on the wings, where we are seriously lacking in players. The quality in midfield was a bit worrying as Evans was poor until the last few games last season and Gladwin and Whittingham were unimpressive, but I think the signings of Rothwell and Davenport addres that problem. The rest of the side I’m not worried about that much.

I think Uruguay will struggle up front tonight without Cavani, so can see this one going to penalties, especially if France fail to break through what is probably the strongest defence in the competition. Cant wait for the Belgium v Brazil game later tonight though, as it promises to be an absolute cracker. Have to stay up til 5am to watch it, but think it will be worth it!

What happened to Bauer? Would be a great addition to Rothwell and Davenport who have already come in. If Armstrong and Chapman sign as well, I would be pretty happy with the business done in this transfer window. Wouldn’t really expect any more signings unless some players leave.

Aguero is the king of last minute goals.

Incredible. This really has been a fantastic World Cup. Now THAT is the goal of the tournament.