I think the word uncompromising in a football context was created for the likes of John Coddington. He would likely struggle in today's game but in the era he played in he did what centre halves were paid to do namely whack the centre forward and boot the ball as far upfield as you can. RIP John.

We did the same with Dan Butterworth. Gave him a year then loaned him out for pretty much all of it.

I remember the loony Holloway saying on the aborted Quest programme that we should build a statue to Mowbray for what he achieved here.

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2023/august/09/jared-joins-tns-on-loan/ Jared Harlock leaves on a season long loan to TNS. Effectively his Rovers career is over but I don't understand why we exercised the extra year on his contract. With TNS being full time I assume he'll be training with them every day.

We are ball number one in tonight's draw. This round is still regionalised and takes place around 10.15 on Sky following the Burtonv Leicester match. The games will be played w/c August 28th. https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2023/august/09/carabao-cup-draw-to-take-place-tonight-/

It looks like somebody has spewed up all over it 😂

A decent watch with credit to Walsall for making a game of it. Gilsenan was by far the outstanding player for us in my opinion although Ennis looks like he will offer us something different with his clever movement in the penalty area. The players I was expecting to stand out and push for selection in the first team didn't really impress with Adam Wharton in particular proving he is a while off starting yet. Still it's good to win any game so well done.

It's a real gamble by Levy as Kane is out of contract next summer and he is 30. The latest report says Bayern have offered £94.6m. If he doesn't let him go I can see Kane joining the Saudi gravy train.

I thought Leonard was really good on Saturday up against two huge centre halves. I can't recall either of them having a clean header. Although he didn't win too many headers he challenged them both and didn't allow too many headed passes. His work rate was prodigious as he pressed high and occasionally dropped a bit deeper to put challenges in. In the interviews he has done he seems such a mature young man and willing to listen and learn.

I agree. With their transfer business so far it's almost like they are planning for relegation.

He is out of contract in the summer and there is a report of no extra year option.

The pass from Adam Wharton is sublime. Look how tantalisingly close it is to the West Brom centre half which enables Leonard to stay onside. Perfection.

If England win the WWC then Rovers are offering to refund 50% of the price of a ladies season ticket. It's a shame they weren't so magnanimous when people asked for refunds for games played behind closed doors during Covid. https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2023/august/07/Rovers-Women-2023-24-Season-Tickets---Deadline-Extended-/

Absolutely we have done it in the past probably in the knowledge that all of the time wasted wouldn't get added on. There have been many edicts down the years which have fizzled out but this feels different.

In that Huddersfield match four minutes were shown (that is the minimum btw), their keeper was cautioned for delaying the restart and some other Warnock traits were shown but bang on four minutes were played. Luton and Burnley were similar. As I said this delaying the restart had become a cancer in our game essentially through referees not applying law. Howard Webb has threatened to discipline referees who don't comply. The moving the ball forward for dissent was only a trial and never actually written into law. I remember using this in a game at Bristol City when Noel Blake screamed at me. He was more upset at the ball being moved forwards than the yellow card. I always felt that this trial should have been implemented into law as I remember being at a meeting and the group of referees all gave positive feedback.

I can clearly recall three matches towards the end of the season when the stoppage time was woefully inadequate. We were so much on top in these matches I was sure in my own mind that had the correct time been added we would have won or drawn (the games were Huddersfield, that lot and Luton). There will be times when we lose out by conceding in stoppage time but I can tell you for a fact that Tomasson is an advocate and is giving it his full support.

Has there been an explanation for Markanday's goal celebration yet? He seemed to be on an imaginary motor bike revving it up.

You too Ian. Are you gracing us with your presence for the rest of the season?

It does absolutely but I thought Joe had one of his quieter games by his own high standards.

Absolutely delighted with the win today particularly after predicting Rovers nil scoreline. In parts we were excellent against an experienced West Brom side. One thing I do know though was that every player out in the maximum of effort, a trait Tomosson has imparted into his players. And when you do that you always have a chance. Defensively we were comfortable save for a fifteen minute spell at the start of the second half although in truth that was West Broms purple patch. Our centre backs gave the kind of performance that gets results, they won headers, tackles and some great interceptions through excellent reading of play. In midfield we just about shaded it as Tronstadt showed what an acquisition he is going to be. Everything nice and simple and always available. Leonard was really good and will benefit hugely from his excellently taken goal as will Markanday. Szmodics showed exactly why he is fast becoming a fans favourite with his work rate and attitude. I was pleased that Tomasson went early with his changes and going like for like helped us keep our shape. Adam Wharton needs game time but the pass he played to put Leonard in was world class and not many players would see the run let alone be able to execute the pass. After the summer of discontent it was delightful to walk away from Ewood with a win. Well done JDT who I thought tellingly showed some emotion after the second goal. He is normally placid but he enjoyed that 😂😂.

The problem over delaying restarts has been getting progressively worse and under Mike Riley the referees were advised to manage situations rather than enforce law. Players and managers took advantage of this. Under Howard Webb they now have to do their jobs and apply law more rigidly. There will be some annoyance and lots of moaning but within a couple of months the message should get through. I firmly believe that we, the supporters will be the main beneficiaries. Edit: I forgot to add that the use of towels to dry the ball for long throws has been outlawed. It was farcical at times last season particularly against todays opponents. I think it was this game where Hedges threw their towels into the crowd.

In last nights game two players were cautioned quite early on for kicking the ball away, the second one the ball only travelled a few yards. Significantly there was no more after that. Similarly cautions will be issued for players who stand in front of the ball after their team has conceded a free kick, even if the ball is passed sideways or backwards from the free kick. Every true fan should welcome these instructions but the emphasis should be about consistent application both individually and collectively.

I wonder how the early leavers from the Riverside will cope with the games being extended by extraordinary amounts of time. I don't doubt there will be gasps up and down the country today when additional time is announced but it's something fans will have to become accustomed to. From memory the average ball in play time for the Championship was about 55 minutes last season - that just can't be right so hopefully what seems to some like a sledgehammer to a walnut will sort out the issues.

Time wasting is an area of the game which the vast majority of fans find frustrating. Over the years the cheats have been allowed to prosper simply because the referees haven't applied law. I can recall two games towards the end of the season when we were well on top and pushing for a winner. The added time was woefully inadequate and Tomasson blew a fuse. He said something like "this is the only country where this happens". A close friend spoke to the Rovers players and staff about the changes for the coming season and he said Tomasson welcomed every one. Three players were cautioned last for delaying the restart, another thing Tomasson was in agreement with. If we end up with an extra fifteen minutes in every match it doesn't matter in my view and there will be some collateral damage but the effort to punish the cheats has to be applauded.