arbitro

Neil Wilkinson was sent off in the replay for retaliation as I remember. It happened right in front of where I was as he kicked out following a late challenge. I think Altrinchams captain was Blackburn born and bred and worked for the council. I think Lenny Dickinson was his name.

I don't understand the relevance of comparing Evans and Smallwood to the list of players you mentioned. It's the here and now that counts and if we are to improve we need players who are an upgrade on what we have. Travis certainly fits that and brings more qualities to the team.

It's always better coming back from a long trip with three points on the board despite the actual game being poor. Give me substance over style any day if it means winning football matches. Neither team really posed a threat and the game had 0-0 written all over it until the last five minutes. For our part we were solid and our new signing (sic) Lewis Travis once again caught the eye. I really don't think either Evans or Smallwood would have been that far up the field to play a part in both of our goals. Lenihan and Rodwell formed a strong defensive barrier and dealt well physically with the big Millwall strikers. Raya wasn't really troubled but generally his kicking really does leave a lot to be desired. Bell never really looks comfortable in possession and we were far better when the reliable Nyambe came on and the energy of Bennett was utilised further up the field. Overall a satisfying day and worth the long journey. Watching the Millwall fans bursting blood vessels when a decision went against them was, at times as entertaining as the game.

Are you sure they had the right kits on? We only concede 83rd minute equalising or losing goals ?.

The Leeds owner has apologised to the Derby owner Mel Morris for what Bielsa did. And he is going to remind Bielsa and his staff about his responsibility to 'remind them of the integrity and honesty which are the foundations that Leeds is built on'. I think it's damage limitation from an owner who fears serious repercussions.

And their fans adopt a 'no one likes us we don't care' mentality in believing the world is against them. All the bandwagon jumpers will be back talking about how they won in the San Siro and they were pseudo Champions of Europe.

Can a mod please change the title of this thread to spell Members? At a glance it looks like Thank you to Imbreds ?.

Wages, loan fees? It doesn't matter about viewing figures. Leeds are happy to take the Sky money but chant they are f****** s***. Isn't that hypocritical?

In the recent past Leeds have been great at playing the victims. I remember regular chants against the EFL when you were (quite rightly) deducted points and there are regular 'Sky TV is f****** s***' songs despite your club earning millions from them, more than any other Championship club which is probably going a long way to financing your promotion push. And now it has emerged that your manager is cheating by spying on future opponents to gain an unfair advantage and to compound that he thinks it's acceptable to do it. Hopefully a points deduction will be handed to your club and then the victim card will inevitably be played again.

I remember Andrews for being a fit but talentless footballer from the Jason Lowe mould. I really squirm when I hear him pontificating on Sky and wonder how people like him get such a well paid gig.

A clown belongs in a circus. At least he has the right haircut to get in character.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11715/11605059/leeds-boss-marcelo-bielsa-i-did-send-someone-to-spy-on-derby-training Bielsa has admitted sending a 'spy' to watch Derby's training session before their game tonight. Lampard says they did tactics, shape, set plays and positional sessions which were with tonight's game in mind. He said Harry Wilson was missing the session which will probably effect how Leeds set up and play. I hope they throw the book at Leeds as Bielsa has admitted they have done it before. However everyone knows the EFL and FA are as weak as p*** when it comes to something like this.

Tickets are available from Millwall tomorrow with NO surcharge. Millwall will have the same costs that Rovers use to justify the extra payment but they must realise they might have a bearing on people deciding to go on the day. https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2019/january/ticket-news-millwall-a/

I find it inconceivable that Mowbray would even consider sending Travis out on loan. He has proved himself to be up to the standard required and if he goes out I think that may be the last we see of him as his disenchantment may see him push for a permanent move away. He is as good if not better than what we have in central midfield but can also cover at right back better than Bennett.

As long as he's been gone too long. ?

Very subtle my friend ?

I think a winning run breeds confidence and is a good habit to be in. You are right that it will end sometime but I'd rather play a team on a bad run than a good one (although Rovers are notorious for ending teams losing runs?).

Lewis Travis is like a new signing in my book after not really been given a chance this season. Over the last three games he has been our outstanding player and offers versatility too. Hopefully Mowbray picks the team on merit and Travis maintains his good form. I believe it will be detrimental to the team if Mowbray returns to type when Smallwood is available.

I know of long standing season ticket holders who miss night games because they work until 5.30 or 6 and the mad rush to get home, eat and get ready is just too much hassle. The cost to them is immaterial. I also know some who have childminding issues. I just don't get why anybody thinks they have the right to criticise non attendance when the accuser simply doesn't know anybody's personal circumstances.

Not quite as bad Leonard. The Millwall one is Chas and Daveesque but it grows on you. They play the chorus after goals and the word Den becomes Deeeeeeeeeeen. If you ever come across Harry the Dog tell him you like it. ?

This coming weekend Rovers are literally going into the Lions Den as we take on Millwall. I believe that pound for pound the New Den is the most hostile ground in the country which can be daunting for officials, players and visiting supporters. Millwall were formed in 1885 and contrary to rumour not by London Dockers but the workers of J. T. Morton's canning and preserve factory in the Millwall area of the Isle of Dogs in London's East End. Strangely enough their original name was Millwall Rovers. They moved to the Den (the Cold Blow Lane one) in 1910 where they stayed until 1993 when they moved to the New Den and have been there ever since. It has often been said that Millwall is one of the most difficult clubs to play for as their predominantly working class fan base won't accept fancy dans and shirkers as epitomised by club legends such as Barry Kitchener,Terry Hurlock, Harry Cripps and current manager Neil Harris who was nicknamed Chopper after the Chelsea legend Ron. Neil Harris sums up really what Millwall are about. As a player he was totally committed and always gave his all. He could play hard if he had to and leave a foot in. His management style replicates this as he can be aggressive in the technical area. I actually refereed at the New Den several times and found the staff behind the scenes to be friendly and hospitable which completely belied the image generally portrayed by the media. Crossing the white line though was like going into a different world as the hostility was prevalent whenever as decision went against them. Fortunately every game I refereed there was a home win so I escaped relatively unscathed. Rovers record against Millwall is quite good with 20 wins, 11 losses and 10 defeats in all competitions. Saturday will be difficult to predict so I'm sitting on the fence and going for a draw. As it's live on Sky there is an opportunity for everyone to see it but to the fellow Rovers travelling down have a safe journey and hopefully a celebratory trip back. Although I don't want them to score any goals if they do listen for the song below which I believe is the best football club song ever. It kind of sums up what Millwall is all about. Let 'em all come down the the Den indeed!

My point was (using Dack as the example) successful players at a club like ours usually aren't here for three windows and then the cycle has to start again. I think it's folly to put any timescales on anything in football given that amount of variables. It brings an unnecessary pressure on the manager.

I heard something similar but with the caveat being we had to be in the top ten.

It's a crazy strategy though and one set up to fail. Our best signing by a country mile is now being courted by several PL clubs and could well be sold in his third window with us, severely weakening us not strengthening us. Conversely I can't see Brereton being anywhere near ready for the first team in three windows. I just ca't understand how time limits can be set particularly when spending good money on unproven young players.

Whilst he has many positive attributes there are two which I think really improve us and get us on the front foot. One is that almost instinctively his first touch and movement are forwards which is something that Evans and Smallwood don't do. A couple of times he has looked naive and lost possession but part of his learning will be when to do it but it's quite a novelty to have a central midfielder who does it. He also plays the ball in between the centre half and full back for our wide players to run on to. I think it's a killer ball and young Travis spots the runs early.