arbitro

I saw Pratt talking to Gestede but it doesn't appear he is fit yet. Whitehall came on at half time but no sign of Baker yet.

Atcheson, Saadi, Olson, Wood, Montgomery, Caddick, O'Grady-Macken, Edmundson and Strich, Powell, Litherland, Honour and Doherty were among the substitutes

He did well. Scored a tap in and showed an appetite for hard work by pressing and running in behind. He looks string and quick too. He was taken off soon after half time but it wasn't a reflection on his performance.

The under 21's beat Hull 5-0 at Brockhall earlier today. Whilst it's undoubtedly a great result it doesn't really reflect the game as Rovers were clinical and Hull, with a mixture of bad finishing, good goalkeeping and hitting the woodwork weren't. Some good individual performances from Rovers players but the team performance was very good with a decent intensity in the play. Barrett in goal made some top drawer saves but it's fair to say he is no Ederson when it comes to playing out from the back. With no Duru, Batty, Gamble or Tyjon playing it leads me to believe that there might be a BCD game early next week to give the recent signings some minutes to improve their fitness levels.

There are two games today for each of the under 21's and 18's. With the senior signings this week both teams should be more representative of the relative age groups.

They also had Oliver Norwood who played 27 games for Sheffield United last season as another trialist.

The main thing for me from last night was the intensity was getting closer to where it should be. Progressively the fitness levels and tempo have improved with each game so from that perspective I feel happier.

I thought it was the best we have looked as a team in all the pre season games (although I didn't see the ones in Austria). The fitness levels have improved along with the intensity so from that perspective it's been a successful month. Although it has only been 45 minutes I really liked the look of Gueye. He is a different player to Gallagher it seems. His first touch, movement in and out of the box gives me some cause for optimism. Ohashi also showed up well. His work rate and willingness to run in behind was encouraging. It does seen that the signings last week have given the majority of fans a lift. The squad suddenly looks a lot stronger. I'm feeling a lot more optimistic today than I was last weekend when I would have shook hands on finishing fourth bottom.

I might be in the minority but I'm looking forward to the season starting. After the summer we have had with so much going on, usually adverse it will be good to focus on some actual competitive football and watching the a game gives me a chance to forget about Waggott, the Punekars and all the other things wrong at our club. Disclaimer: The above doesn't negate my option to moan like mad if we lose 😄.

I agree about Mike and anybody who volunteers their time to trying to make our club better. Some of the criticism (and I include the Fans Forum too) has been OTT and unjustified. I'm all for constructive criticism and opinion but it's not nice when it borders on vitriol. I don't agree about Waggott though who is a self serving individual. He is good for the Punekars but not the fans and the club in general.The only person who tried to advise the owners correctly since John Williams et al was sacked for doing just that.

According to this https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2024/july/15/ticket-news--stockport-county-v-rovers/ they aren't but there is a link to Stockport's website to order online.

The ridiculous side of booking away tickets online is that you can still collect the paper ticket from Ewood. I booked our Norwich tickets yesterday and took up the option of picking them up rather than have them posted out. A few hours later I collected them. The Carabou Cup game at Stockport doesn't give you an option to collect them but you have to pay an extra £1.50 for them to be posted.

It really emphasises my point though 😃😃

I will be interested to see who Eustace appoints as captain for the coming season. So far in the friendlies he has used Brittain, Hyam and Travis in rotation. I honestly haven't got a clue why though.

The Linford documentary was really good but I thought the Daley Thompson one was better. It's a BBC production so should be available on iPlayer.

For anybody who wants to go to a long distance away game by train a 12.30 kick off just isn't convenient and sometimes impossible. If I am having to drive to those two it's going to be a 6-6.30 am start which I consider wholly inconvenient. Last season we played Norwich at Carrow Road in a moon kick off. The coaches left Ewood at 5 am. When was the last time you did a 200 plus mile trip to an away game for an early kick off? It's fine just going to home games where early kick offs aren't too much hassle for many but what about the away fans like QPR who we play in September in an early kick off. We all know why the clubs and Sky have done it but that doesn't make it any easier for fans who actually travel to away games.

Really good work @upsidedown. Some of your work was used in the recent Fans Forum so we should all be appreciative.

His development here would have been enhanced as he would be training with the seniors. I'd hazard a guess that at Newcastle he will be training with the under 21's. It's not dissimilar to the situation with Igor Tyjon who along with his advisers thought it would be better for his career to stay here. If he develops and gets the right exposure a big move would inevitably come.

He is quoted as saying he is leaving because he wants a new challenge. He is 16 and could have been a regular squad player for a Championship club. Instead he will be in Newcastle's under 18's and 21's. Poor choice in my opinion and I can see him regretting it from a career point of view (which at his age should be the most important thing).

That is probably the most damning statistic of the Punekars reign of terror (and there is plenty to go at). Waggott won't be able to boast about a record income for season tickets now.

I think some were making assumptions and as most people know assumptions are the mother of all f** ups 😆😆

His English is decent despite one of two suggesting he couldn't speak it. I like the respect he shows in saying Mr Shearer and Mr Suarez. Hopefully he gets some game time on Friday at Stockport so we can get a proper look at him.

Waggott has done exactly what he is paid to do in protecting the owners. His answers are typical Waggott. He appears to have answered the questions without answering them. I just want honesty but there has been very little of that for a long time.

If you haven't moved seats, new or moved into another age category you will still use your existing one. My granddaughter has moved to 12-18 and her new card has been delivered today.

I don't know for certain but rumours abound that they have rebuffed any interest to buy the club from them. There isn't and rational explanation for them still being here.