arbitro

A good point earned without, I thought playing as well as we did at Watford. My main criticism would be that we sat too deep for long periods of the second half. Comparing that to the first half we were several yards further up the pitch and compacted play a lot more. We restricted Swift to very little in the first half but he had far more influence in the second period as he had more space. What I liked last night was how we made the pitch big in the first half as Brereton and Thomas pretty much hugged the touchline. That enabled midfield runners to find space in the gaps. I was disappointed to see Dack and Thomas go off as we lost some momentum going forward. Carter was again the standout player for me and Pears is doing a great job. His kicking, both long and short is far better than Kaminski's. So now on to two eminently winnable home matches but.............

For all the talk of projects and transfer windows out of the starting team on Saturday all but two were here when Tomasson and Broughton came in the Summer. The two starters are both on loan. In the previous match only three of the match day squad were signed this season.

I asked this morning and was told we had sold around 400 so there are plenty left.

The telling fact in the whole mess was that Broughton said he didn't think the appeal would be successful. He did caveat that by saying it was because there was no precedent. I still then ask why we have appealed. Is it to appease the fans and try and quell and discontent. It was such a strange thing to admit to when the appeal process (and associated costs) had already started.

So have Rovers called in the lawyers because the appeal has failed or were they involved in the first appeal? The usual clear as mud, cover all bases Nixon drivel.

74 year old Warnock is back. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64627655

I am never comfortable with the convention of kicking the ball out Andy. In the vast majority of cases the player is fit to continue after a short period of treatment and a walk to leave the pitch. I honestly don't know what the physio does to aid such a swift recovery for a seemingly badly injured player. Personally I would just leave the referee to decide whether or not a player requires treatment as my own sceptical view is that it's being badly abused. Slightly different but I knew of managers who told their players to go down holding their heads to put pressure on the referee to stop the game. And strangely it was always when they were under a period of pressure 😂.

I did hear a lot of discontent amongst the Rangers fans Andy when the Jags player was going through unchallenged. I recall a similar incident in the FA Cup when Marc Overmars scored after Alan Kelly kicked the ball out for a player to have treatment. On this occasion Wenger didn't let the opponents but offered a replay. My own thoughts were Wenger was 'at it' and put the ball back in the FA's court for them to make the decision. The FA, in an unprecedented move made them replay it.

Yes, well done to Beale. I wonder though if he would have done the same if it was the League Cup final against Celtic 😉😉

In their almost dire predicament Southampton could do a lot worse than appointing Sam Allardyce but some of their more snobbish fans would be dead set against it. At least with Allardyce you have a fighting chance of avoiding the drop. Personally I hope them and Bournemouth stay up only to cut the mileage down for away travel next season particularly if Ipswich and Plymouth come up.

A good point in isolation which I would have settled for at kick off. Defensively I thought it was the best we have looked for a while particularly against some lively attackers. Carter was the pick of them for me as he continues to impress. Interestingly we finished stronger and on the front foot which we haven't done too many times. That was really good from Tomasson although Watford lost their shape as they threw on substitutes to try and win the game.

There were quite a few anti Waggott and board chants before the match today. There were a significant number singing too.

I've enjoyed watching Birmingham this season both live and on tv. I still think they were the best team to come to Ewood this season although we fortuitously beat them. I think their strength is in their aggression and intensity, something that we have lacked for long periods this season. Eustace, in his first managerial role has done an excellent job and has spent very little.

In his pre match press conference Bilic said when we have played the top teams away we have counter attacked (or set up to counter). That is how he is expecting us to play so hopefully Tomasson can come up with a surprise or two.

Proper cross, proper header.

If there was no agreement to buy him other than us getting promoted then why would the EFL reject the deal because the contract hadn't been agreed factoring in relegation. In simple terms if we don't get promoted then surely it's a straightforward loan. My understanding was there was no contract agreed to cover promotion because then we are obliged to buy him and this was why the transfer was originally rejected and subsequently late. Another question then is how a contract was agreed in the ten minutes or so between 22.50 and just after 11. I understood these contracts to be complex and needed the eye of a legal person.

And his comment sums up what a selfish twat he is. He's not bothered about the health and future of Rovers. He achieved his target, the errant ones are happy and the club withers on the vine. He is everything that is bad about Rovers, he simply doesn't care whilst he takes a huge sum of money which probably includes a bonus for achieving his objective. The sooner this imbecile leaves our club the better.

Tomorrow is the first of six games in seventeen days, four of which are away. With a relatively small and inexperienced squad the resources are going to be stretched to the limit. Out of the five league games I think we will get six points and continue our downward trajectory.

Huddersfield looking for a new manager. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64571489

Watford going retro in the advert for Saturday's game. I always feel nostalgic when I see that badge.

If Brittain gets in straight away ahead of Rankin-Costello it sends out the wrong message. He has arguably been our best player since he got into the team at Norwich in December. And I honestly haven't noticed a lack of pace from him causing us a 'hindrance' and he has played against some quick players.

They weren't happy in December when we beat them at their place. After twenty minutes they were singing 'we want Deano out'. They were the same the week after at Luton. They are a strange lot.

Broughton has accepted responsibility and as such should resign.

Signed for Radcliffe, scored a hat trick on his debut and then fired off. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12805884/david-goodwillie-leaves-northern-premier-league-club-radcliffe-as-club-admits-significant-misstep-in-signing-ex-scotland-striker

It is the owners that are the root cause, you are correct. But the others are incompetent and poor at their jobs and should be sacked for that. Suffering the errant ones is purgatory but having to see Waggott and Broughton as the face of Rovers is excruciating.