arbitro

A really good day for Rovers supporters particularly the 1000 at Hull who gave the team excellent backing. Yesterday was so reminiscent of West Brom last season when, almost against the odds Rovers players seemed to galvanise and show some solidarity despite the shenanigans behind the scenes. It was the perfect away performance for me in which we looked much better than Hull. Our tactics and game plan was really important and Ismael and his staff should take credit for this. Toth in great form, so solid defensively, industrious and skilful in midfield and up front which gave us the platform to achieve the result. Giving Cantwell the captaincy could well be a masterstroke from Ismael. He seemed to thrive on the responsibility and put in by far his best performance in a Rovers shirt. Hull tried every dirty trick in the book to stop him but simply couldn't. We looked a proper Championship team yesterday and the challenge for the staff and players going forward is to build on this and gain some momentum.

I'm writing this new bloke off immediately - when you say his name fast it sounds like Balaji. Yuk. 😂

The first thing to say is that Brighton were excellent. They were quicker in movement and mind, stronger and certainly more skilful. Ordinarily that would tell the story of a 4-0 defeat but the truth is not one Rovers player (except Batty who was ok) comes out with any credit. We lacked cohesion, application and at times attitude. It was certainly the most inept I have seen our under 21's for a long time and baffling after a decent performance on Monday against Everton although there were some changes. We ended up with Wood as a central striker and Strich just behind him so the absolute dearth of strikers doesn't just apply to the first team. Hopefully the under 18 boys can smash the Dingles today and restore some pride to the Academy.

I don't think he will given we have a senior game tomorrow. The under 21 game against Everton on Monday would have been ideal for him to play in but Goddard was picked instead. I think Barrett will play tonight as Goddard has been the third choice in first team games so far. It will be interesting to see what happens when/if Pears is available.

Five Championship games out of twelve each weekend are given up for life coverage. That is far too many and as a consequence the Sky planners have to broadcast fixtures where long distances are involved and anti social kick off times. That is the real point of the debate as it really is unnecessary. In total, over 1000 (1059) of the EFL’s 1891 games across the Sky Bet EFL, EFL Cup and EFL Trophy will be broadcast: 328 Sky Bet Championship matches 248 Sky Bet League One matches 248 Sky Bet League Two matches All 15 Play-Off matches All 93 Carabao Cup matches All 127 EFL Trophy matches Each League weekend fixture round will see 10 live EFL fixtures shown Five matches in the Sky Bet Championship Five from Sky Bet League One and League Two

Pre covid there weren't anything like the number of Friday night and Saturday lunch time kick offs. You have very little empathy for anyone or anything as long as it doesn't really affect you and as far as I can see that's the bottom line.

Have they gone a bit early with this? Surely tickets won't be going off sale today or is someone down there confused.

I did read that WIGton Harriers and THATCHam Town were interested but BARNET are expected to make a late bid.

Giving them a few weeks notice doesn't make it right - the logistics make it really difficult for travelling supporters. Millwall fans travelling by train to Preston could catch the 07.11 from Euston. Firstly they would have to travel across London which will be around an hour from Lewisham. It gets into Preston at 10.51. The earlier train is 06.08 which will mean them leaving home at around 5 am I'm sure if you were a regular away match attendee and the changes had a direct effect on you you might think differently (at least I hope you would). PS sorry for so much detail but I'm just trying to emphasise my point to Chaddy who doesn't seem to grasp the issues this causes for genuine supporters.

I quite like memorabilia like this but aside from a few words on the announcement there is no indication as to the content or contributors. Having anything to do with owners will go down like a lead balloon.

Rovers under 21's are playing Brighton at Ewood on Friday and if you are a season ticket holder it's free but you have to get your ticket before 3 pm on Friday. Misleadingly the article states the prices you have to pay after 5 pm. I wonder what is happening in the two hour period between 3 and 5.

In light of your post and given how quiet it was on Saturday at the food and drink outlets it could be that many are switching on to the fact they are being fleeced. Not that it will make any difference to Sodexho and Rovers whose head in the sand attitude will prevail. I bought a dozen 500ml bottles of water from Lidl last week for £1.89.

The official website hasn't been updated yet (no surprise there) but the under 18's are playing Fulham at the Academy on Tuesday 26th in the Premier League Cup. Kick off is 12 noon.

I wonder if the plethora of new players have to pay to park at Ewood on match days. Normally I would out a smiley thing against something that sounds so bizarre but thinking about it it's a serious question.

I was told the concession for parking was for existing match day employees. Any new staff will have to pay is the information I was given.

Succinct. 😂 I saw a clip on which hundreds were streaming out of the ground after twenty minutes. Martin just doesn't get it. His whole demeanour and words are adding fuel to the fire. They have Celtic coming up on August 31st too

I have been told that they are struggling to get catering staff and new stewards because they are charging them £15 to use the car parks. If that is true then the majority of them will be working for free for the first hour and a quarter. As an aside I haven't seen the concourse where we sit as quiet as it was on Saturday. There were very few people on there at 2.40 when we got on and there was nobody in the queue for food.

From memory Eustace wasn't seen at any apart from the afternoon kick off matches at the Academy when he and some colleagues could be seen watching. It used to be that if extra numbers were required for first team training the under 21 coach would recommend them.

So one of the Blues Bar membership benefits include watching games involving Rovers that you could stay at home and watch on YouTube. I would certainly be looking at the t&c's and potentially asking for a refund. Surely if it's too expensive for the Blues Bar they can't afford it in other areas of the ground.

I haven't seen him or any of the first team coaches watching any of the games. Mowbray was often at the under 21 matches too.

I don't remember being there for that.

History dispels your opinion.

I can vividly remember standing on Nuttall Street with a few hundred other chanting 'sack the board' in the 70's but I honestly don't remember any pitch invasions of the protest variety.

I think it was Bobby Moore who answered 'the first two yards are in your head' when he was quizzed about his apparent lack of pace.

I have a theory that lots of really quick players have no real football brain. And you can't coach natural footballing intelligence.