Just now, Biz said:

Cracking ball in by Samuel that, not bad for a striker out wide. Write him off at your own peril! 

Criticism of Samuel on here is a bit over the top at times. He contributed his share of goals last season and showed glimpses of real talent during some games like the example above.

He still has a lot to prove, but the fact he is working hard to do so is a real positive and I hope he does well next season. 

Just now, JAL said:

Bradford at home and Oxford at home Darragh demonstrated many times his lack of accuracy over twenty yards. 

It's now been highlighted , wether you like it or not, let see how next season pans out for Lenihan.

Is there a Rovers player you like?

Well that was some goal...

This France team is so good. Quality all throughout the first 11. Mbappe looks unstoppable.

Argentina’s squad is ridiculously poor in comparison. The weakest Argentina team that I can remember. Is Messi even on the pitch?

Interesting to see who takes the spots in the semifinals. 

One of the spots will be taken by one of France, Argentina, Portugal or Uruguay. All strong teams. Pre-tournament my money would be on France, but they have been so poor in their group games. Argentina and Portugal both have a chance due to Messi and Ronaldo, but I would love Uruguay to win it as they deserve it the most after their performances in the group stage.

I expect the 2nd semi final spot to go to either Spain or Croatia, which is a really tough one to call. Croatia have been so impressive and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them defeat Spain in the quarterfinal. I can’t see Denmark or Russia progressing any further.

I think I know who our new scouting team is...

https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/fm-2018-best-lower-league-players-to-sign

1 hour ago, roverandout said:

If argentina had croatias midfield their strikers would score 10 goals a game..in reality argentinas midfield, defence and goalkeeper are awful..says alot when they have no one better than the over the hill mascherano.  Their forwards are quality poor everywhere else.

It’s probably one of the worst Argentina squads in some time.

Croatia has a good team with one of the best midfields in the competition. They could go far this World Cup. Realistically they only have France and Spain as contenders for a spot in the final, and France have looked really poor so far. 

Australia played well against Denmark. The penalty goal was very fortunate for us, but we were by far the better team in the second half and I was disappointed we couldn’t get a winner. Arzani looks like a very promising player and Leckie was excellent. 

5 hours ago, DE. said:

Certainly is some turnaround in form.

Hard to tell from friendlies. I assume there was at least some experimentation being made with lineups, formations and tactics in those games.

You would really expect them to beat Saudi and Egypt though. Not exactly great teams. Uruguay will be the real test for them.

Didn’t stay up to watch the England game, but a 2-1 win even against a team like Tunisia is surely a good sign for you guys. All of the big teams have struggled and/or dropped points so far.

Belgium were dominant against Panama. Some of their attacking play was very incisive and the score could have been bigger than 3-0 if they found their shooting boots before half time. It will be interesting to see how they do against a better team. They obviously look vulnerable on the counter and could get caught out by faster players, but Courtois was absolutely world class with some of his saves and they’ll be able to rely on him to bail them out at times when things go wrong.

Also, thought the ref in the Belgium game was excellent. He gave out a large number of yellows, but he got all his decisions spot on. 

4 hours ago, RovingRover said:

The Lancashire Telegraph have picked up the Patrick Bauer story.

Maybe it does have some legs after all.

Rovers eye move for Charlton defender Patrick Bauer

Looks like a decent signing. I imagine that if next season Mowbray decides to play a back 3 then it will consist of Williams, Mulgrew and Lenihan. Downing/Bauer would provide very good backup/competition in that area of the pitch.

20 minutes ago, philipl said:

I have seen bits of every World Cup game live so far except Spain v Portugal and still haven't seen a single goal. No longer getting excited when there is a promising situation because I know it will be cleared or saved.

I feel this Belgium game is going to be a high scoring one. That line up looks like it’s all out attack and I don’t think Panama has the players to handle them.

4 hours ago, Ewood Ace said:

After 3 successive World Cup's that have been poor, the early signs are that this one is could be a classic.

It has been very entertaining so far. Already several fantastic goals scored that could easily be contenders for goal of the tournament. 

I was a bit disappointed with Uruguay, they struggled to break down a very resolute Egyptian defence and their midfield was largely ineffective. If Salah was on the pitch, you feel the result would have been very different.

I was surprised that Morocco lost as well. There was a lot of talk about them being the surprise package of the tournament due to their playmaker Ziyech being in the team, but they lost against the weakest team in the group. Can’t imagine them getting much off Portugal or Spain now.

Just now, roversfan99 said:

Agreed on Uruguay. They have a centre back pairing in Godin and Gimenez and strike pairing in Suarez and Cavani that are as good as any team and some handy players in between, Torreira and Bentacur.

Belgium going forward are as good as anyone but their undoing could be their manager. Why they appointed Martinez I have no idea. They also have Carrasco at wing back whose a winger playing in China, and if Kompany doesnt recover theres going to be a weakness there.

Spain and Germany dont have a Neymar/Messi/Ronaldo but a well balanced team with quality everywhere and tournament experience and know how. Seems the former are in disarray with the manager potentially leaving though. Im not 100% convinced by Germany, they looked poor the other day when I watched them, im still baffled theyve left Sane at home but they will no doubt turn up once the opening game comes around.

France have possibly the most exciting squad, their main doubts are temperament and whether Deschamps is up to it. Brazil are rightfully favourites.

I fancy a France v Brazil final to be the most likely scenario. They have a very strong team as well.

Is Martinez really that bad? He won the FA Cup with a pretty mediocre Wigan side didn’t he? 

1 hour ago, Ladyboys of Bank Top said:

Bauer to Ewood in 24 hours. 

Dinamo Moscow has a bit of a dark history post-revolution. It was affiliated to the Cheka/KGB during Stalin’s time and was under the thumb of his right hand man, Lavrenti Beria. 

Club certainly has an interesting history!

Bizarre news coming out of Spain suggest that Lopetegui is being sacked following his announcement as the new Real Madrid coach. That’s going to be Spain’s chances over if that’s the case.

Don’t really get it with this guy though. Has he done anything in his career to justify getting such top jobs as Spain and Real Madrid?

5 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

Who do people see as potential dark horses?

On paper, can see Germany, England, Belgium, Argentina, France, Spain, Uruguay/Portugal and Brazil getting to the quarter finals if thats possible but youd presume 1 or 2 might not top their group or whatever and a shock caused somewhere along the way.

Croatia, Denmark and Colombia all have good squads with talented players like Modric, Eriksen and James so wouldnt be surprised to see one of them at least get to the quarters.

Beyond that, can see Senegal getting out of their group, with Mane, Koulibaly, Kouyate, Gueye and Keita Balde they have some useful players in what looks a fairly even group.

Also, think Serbia have the potential to pip Switzerland in their group, Milinkovic-Savic has the potential to be one of the young stars of the tournament and they have plenty of quality in Matic, Mitrovic, Tadic, Ljajic, Ivanovic and Kolarov.

 

Hard to look past Brazil to win the World Cup. Everything seems to be aligned for them to win it and they have tremendous depth throughout. 

I feel like at least one of France, Spain and Germany will falter this tournament, so wouldn’t be surprised to see either England, Uruguay or Colombia make the semis in their place. 

Not expecting a lot from Argentina or Portugal. Belgium easily have one of the best teams on paper and could go all the way but they will meet Brazil in the quarters I think. I’d put my money on the team winning that match going on to win the whole thing.

For the rest, there are some that could definitely make the quarterfinals at the expense of the bigger teams but I doubt they could go any further.

Happy about both Graham and Conway signing new contracts with the club. Two players who clearly love the club and give it their all for the shirt. 

Conway came up big for the club when needed. There were several times last season when he came on the pitch and sparked life into the side. Why would he not be worth another year? He will either be a great contributor to our season once more or push others in the squad to be at their best.

I was looking through the announced squads and see there’s quite a few ex Rovers going to the World Cup.

Steven N’Zonzi, Martin Olsson, Phil Jones, Mame Biram Diouf and Jamie Maclaren. Any others I’ve missed? 

The Zonz, Jones and Olsson have been some of my favourite players that we’ve had in the past 10 years or so. Really hope they get some game time and have a good World Cup.

.

11 minutes ago, blueboy3333 said:

He did stand out against us but his goals record is pretty poor generally. Last season he got 6 in 21 games for Coventry in Lg2 and 4 in 11 for Oldham in Lg1. He's scored most of his career goals in French Div 5.

I don’t know if that’s right... he scored 8 goals and 3 assists in 19 games (all competitions) last season, which is pretty decent. I suspect quite a few of those were sub appearances as well.

He’s probably not a first choice player, but strikes me as a match winner that would be useful to have in the squad. 

Seeing all these League One players linked... honestly I can’t remember any of them having much impact in games against us. I’m sure they played well in games I haven’t seen, but none of the names excite me much.

The only player that sticks out in my mind from all of our games is Nazon. The striker at Oldham (on loan from Wolves). He scored 2 sensational goals which he created out of nothing. Looking at his stats he has something like a 1 in 2 goalscoring record for both club and country. Surely worth a look, as I doubt Wolves will use him next season. 

26 minutes ago, OnePhilT said:

Egypt are taking a 45-year old goalkeeper with them to the finals. The only downside is he's not their number one from what I can see.

Roger Milla, Carlos Valderrama... Some fantastic oldies have been the finals. Any other golden oldies that anyone can remember?

Tim Cahill is part of the Australia squad at 38. I’m sure he will at least get a sub appearance. Actually fancying Australia to have a decent tournament after that 4-0 friendly win against Czech Republic. Bert van Marwijk was a great appointment.

Actually I was looking through the list of managers that will be at the World Cup and could recognise very few names. 

1 hour ago, Bbrovers2288 said:

Looking through their squad the only two that we could probably entice would be Ben Marshall- no thanks or Duckens Nazon- seems to like ewoodEwood

Against us he looked a real player, but not sure how much else he's done all season? 

4 hours ago, Stuart said:

I honestly don’t think Mulgrew will stay fit. He has been head and shoulders above almost everyone in L1 but not sure about the level above. I’d hate for him to fade from the game (or Rovers struggle through sentiment). He deserves better.

I think we shouldn't underestimate the influence our experienced players like Mulgrew, Graham and Conway have on the squad and its mentality. I'd keep all of them. Surely worth another season at least.