Whichever ways anybody wants to dress it up Tomasson is aggrieved and feels let down in the January window. He has spoken of his desire to bring a striker in and we didn't get one despite a lot of excuses from Broughton. Tomasson's stock has risen considerably over the last few months and he certainly won't be short of suitors. It was reported recently that he has changed agents too.

His performance will be reviewed and the main focus will be on any KMI's given rightly or wrongly. If the reviewer thinks he got it wrong then he will potentially lose marks which could affect his standing on the merit list. Conversely if it is deemed that he got it right he could gain marks. In truth I have got away with some poor decisions in the past primarily due to the Delegate assessing my performance not being fit for purpose. Rovers are fully entitled to ask for clarification and hopefully they mark him accordingly in their report.

I still can't fathom out how Robinson wasn't given a second yellow card for his challenge on Hedges which was from behind and reckless therefore ticking the boxes for a mandatory caution. This was the same referee who sent Ayala off at Bristol for two yellow cards, rightly in my view) but neither of his two challenges were as bad as Robinsons yesterday. He also sent Garratt off of Coventry which was overturned on appeal and reduced to a yellow (if I remember correctly). The referee clearly has an issue distinguishing between careless, reckless and dangerous challenges and unfortunately we paid the price yesterday for his incompetence and his failure to do his primary role which is enforcing the laws. I believe Rovers should be seeking an explanation using the examples I have quoted. It won't change the result but at least they would be making the referee accountable.

I agree with your every word. Excellent summary.

It's not really the size of the squad for me but the lack of experience. Compare our bench to theirs yesterday. They had several experienced players and we had largely kids who are promising but to throw them into a real scrap could be detrimental to them and the team. I hope I'm wrong but my worry is that the infertile January window could cost us.

In August I saw us well and truly walloped at Bramhall Lane when we were lucky to get nil and only concede three. If anybody wants a yardstick as to how much we have improved compare that to today's performance with essentially the same players. The dust has now settled on today and I'm feeling optimistic about my club, more so than I have for a long time.

I agree. Our poor January transfer window could well come have to bite us.

I haven't seen the Rovers one back, in truth in real time I didn't even see the handball. The Fulham one denied an obvious goalscoring opportunity as the ball was going into the goal when Willian handled it which in law is a red card. I can only assume Robinson wasn't sent off because his keeper was behind him therefore not a clear goalscoring opportunity but as I said I haven't seen it back

I feel that somewhere today a Rovers fan just have run over a black cat. We simply didn't deserve to lose that game today as the players were more than the equals of them and in many areas better. If I was being critical I thought we should have been more clinical in front of goal but that aside I was pretty much happy with nearly every other aspect of our play. They are a cynical lot and got away with a lot today but hopefully they get their comeuppance against City in the semi. Today has gone now, it's history. We should all now get behind the team for the last nine games. We have nothing to fear, let's be good and have a real go.

Do you mean Eastham?

Poor performance by the team and the score line actually flattered us as Liverpool were dominant. Ball retention was poor as was the passing. Kaminski's distribution was erratic particularly in the first half. I would like to make the excuse that it's because he has been out for a while but having seen it so many times in the first team I have my doubts. Mola also showed why he was a waste of a signing and should be nowhere near the first team squad.

I honestly don't think there is much between Buckley and Morton (and perhaps Adam Wharton too) given the way we are currently playing. They both have similar qualities and like to get on the ball. Both can be frustrating at times with decision making and carelessness but they can both keep us ticking over in possession. The biggest worry for me from last night is the missed opportunities but hopefully that was a one off.

Three points in the bag was pretty much all that mattered and despite some nervy moments we got them. Job done and now the planning can start for the next match. Personally I thought Reading were in the Blackpool category but if there was one real weakness tonight for us it was the finishing which overall was poor. Our ratio of chances to goals was excellent before tonight but that might have slipped a bit after some wayward finishing. But the excitement was palpable leaving the ground and travelling home as we know it's another three points towards our end goal. We are making a habit of late goals recently and this was an area in which we were criticised earlier in the season. I believe it's this new mentality and drive which is keeping us at it right to the end. Well done to the players and staff.

Assuming we don't win are you throwing the towel in?

I think we will win and will be really frustrated if we don't but if we do lose there are still plenty of points and games left. 'Must win' implies we are in the last chance saloon. And the comparison to last season isn't fair as we had Mowbray then and were in our death spiral.

I don't get the 'must win' comments. There are 30 points to play yet and there will be lots of twists and turns for all the clubs involved.

Bad news for the player times and Rovers. I found this comment from Tomasson interesting in light of our upturn in form and playing a different style. “We’re very disappointed for John because he’s had an excellent 2023, he’s worked hard and developed how we want to play, the new way we want to play.

Thanks for that.

The appointed referee for this match is Tim Robinson who interestingly had us in the last round at Leicester where I thought he had a decent match. Perhaps even more interestingly there WILL be VAR. I can only assume it's being used as Sheffield have the set up from their PL days. That then begs the question why they didn't have it in the last round against Spurs or Burnley didn't have it against Fleetwood.

That's harsh mate - how is anybody expected to survive on £200k per year

If there is any justice Sharp will be given a retrospective three match ban for this act of violence but the fact the referee appears to have seen it might be the loophole.

And not spending money on O'Brien.

The game yesterday against the Finnish team was only for an hour and Adam played the whole match whilst Scott got half an hour. The length of the game was quite innovative and ideal as we had players coming back from injury and several who had some minutes the night before. On the back of this I expect Brereton, Hedges, Morton, Brittain and Garrett to be in the frame to start against Reading.

I thought I'd start a thread for Reading on Wednesday as there isn't one yet but surprisingly there is one with three pages for the game after this. I hope the players and staff aren't looking at that game before Wednesday. I hope we batter them senseless for a few reasons. Our performance at their place this season was a shocker after an excellent start to the season as we made them look like world beaters. Then Paul Ince who is in the Coyle and Kean category for bullshit and bluff. And then Andy Carroll, a player who has moved around for millions, made millions and couldn't trap a bag of cement. A one trick pony. But mostly I want to beat them to get three points, rubbing their noses in it would be the icing on the cake. Thomason has selection issues after the Stoke no show and also a couple of injuries. Hopefully we revert to the style of play that had us on a great run recently and we get back to playing to our strengths rather than allowing Reading to negate them.

It's the Championship - there are twists and turns every week. Subconsciously I'm trying to ignore results, form etc of other clubs as it what we do that matters. As ever the next game is the most important and hopefully Tomasson comes up with a plan to beat Reading. I saw some updates of their game against Millwall today on Soccer Saturday and the reporter spoke several times about their physicality with Carroll in particular playing right on the edge. We have to match that.