philipl

At the moment Match Centre is showing as Off Air. Last season Carabao Cup games came on air just before kick off so let's see what happens... https://www.rovers.co.uk/match/first-team/2023-24/g2372906

Interesting to see Garrett pushed further forward. The Walsall right back is going to have sore ankles tonight!

Very rarely I look at the opposition line-up and subs and know nothing about any of the players- this is the case with Walsall tonight.

There are 5 full debuts in the XI

CORRECTION It is on live on Rovers TV for overseas subscribers!

I watched both the Hartlepool and Bradford games live online on Rovers TV. Not looking good tonight though.

I think this will apply for Adam Wharton and others tonight also. From the odd clips I have seen of Walsall, there is not much finesse in the side and their defence can be panicked.

With the signings made this summer and less bad luck with injuries, Sunderland should be serious promotion prospects this season However, the management team does not seem to have learnt from its setbacks at Ewood.

Agreed, let's go as far as we can in the Cups. Did Tony Mowbray win any Cup ties in his 5 years with us?

Higher league players keep the ball from going out of play much better. Much fewer row z clearances and hospital passes. Far more passing to feet or into channels for recipients.

Wow JDT Pre Wallsall press conference off the scale in happy vibes. Long may it continue!

Just as well Harry Leonard doesn't play for Nigeria ladies. The chances they have had from around where he buried it on Saturday!

Lauren James was having an absolute stinker even before that brain dead red card. Got to fancy Nigeria now. their subs were already making a big difference.

Agreed. He got himself out of trouble with great footwork after receiving Carter's hospital pass. Then it all went wrong and was caught in possession when he attempted a dribble when he had options to pass or even Row Z on the halfway line. His big learning from Saturday will be when the analysis boys show him how often his decision making was wrong. If he gets that sorted then I think the "too small, too lightweight" comments will fade away.

Oh and Huddersfield missed three absolute sitters at Plymouth. Colin wouldn't be good company after that.

All 24 Championship sides have played and my for what its worth impressions- Millwall were very good at Boro Stoke clinical and impressive in beating Rotherham 4-1 Southampton terribly pretty up front but pretty terrible at the back Preston were excellent and unfortunate not to win at Bristol City. Nobody terrifying me yet except the QPR defence in the first half at Watford...

Interesting balance for JDT between building match fitness, capitalising on Markanday and Leonard great starts and full rotation. Brittain, Hedges, Scott Wharton, Buckley, Garrett and Batty will start. Might as well get a tombola for who starts and who subs in the other positions.

Dilan was excellent yesterday. I bet his timing of passing goes under the microscope at Brockhall this week though! Has not got the hang of when he should be moving the ball on to avoid being caught in possession. That said he was strong and bullying catching West Brom players dwelling. So chuffed for him getting that goal which was really well taken. Puts big pressure on Dolan Ennis and Sigurddson when all fit for their starting places but potentially could hold his own.

Sigurdsson the obvious absentee.

JDT deserves all the smiles and delight he so obviously got from yesterday's performance. He picked a team for the Girona friendly which played really well and with the exception of the forced keeper change the same eleven played beautiful football and gave their all against West Brom. Subs timing and selection worked perfectly too showing how his whole squad training approach is paying off. A personal and well deserved triumph for JDT as well as the boys.

Agreed. Especially as we didn't even take the kick off!

Has the crowd size been announced yet?

Great thing about Malta, the market is so small the broadcasters can't remotely get the advertising revenue to get rights so I never have the problem of Rovers TV games not being accessible. Except today I probably missed 10 minutes including the Markanday goal through the feed dropping!

The potential is there in this group of players to get so much better quickly. The future is bright The future is blue and white