We watched most of the Huddersfield v Leeds match in a Swansea pub and I remarked that I thought Leeds looked lethargic, perhaps a legacy of their cup match at Chelsea on Wednesday. Jokingly I said I hoped we wouldn't be like that. Well in the first half we were worse. We were devoid of energy, drive and criminally a little passion too. Swansea had lost their previous four home games and they couldn't believe their luck in the first half to play against such a listless team. I honestly can't think of one player who, in my opinion came out of that first half with any credit. Ok we did create some chances but woeful finishing summed up the performance. In fairness Eustace made two changes at half time and suddenly we have some energy and drive primarily coming from Ayari who started to dictate the game. We created some good chances which were spurned by a combination of poor touches, a lack of pace and sometimes the old failing of just not shooting. The goal was deserved and there was a feeling amongst the supporters there that we could actually salvage some from the disaster that was the first half. Unfortunately we couldn't manage another goal and the Jekyll and Hyde nature of our performance really has started to worry me. For the first time today I have considered the possibility of relegation a serious one. Eustace simply has to get a ninety minute performance out of them as so far we have been good and bad in equal measure in every league game. He has to come up with something that ensures we are at it for the whole game. The players can't start to feel sorry for themselves and sulk. Tuesday represents a huge game in our season, undoubtedly the most important so far. As a group are they up to scrapping and fighting for a win? I really have my doubts. Our performance was summed up when I thought about who was our best player. For me Ayari was a level above and he gets it for me. And he only played half a game.

Absolute nonsense.

One really interesting aspect of this game is that the referee is Rebecca Welch. I'm certain this is the first time we have had a female referee.

Fantastic - thanks for posting it. Seeing that video and nights like Tuesday makes me realise just how much Rovers mean to us and are part of the fabric of our lives.

As good as Tuesday was it will count for nothing come 3 o'clock on Saturday. Their form over the last six games has yielded exactly the same as ours, six points but they have three defeats in that as opposed to our two. They have scored less and conceded more but significantly they have lost their last four home league matches. I guess the approach from Rovers will be similar to the Cardiff match where we keep the game tight and compact and frustrate the home players and crowd. A gradual opening up and changes to personnel and formation could be part of the game plan. The three at the back has worked well so far and is a system which suits our centre , and the wing backs and midfield players seem comfortable too. Hopefully we can nick it and it's certainty within our capability to do so.

I remember being at a protest meeting at either KGH or Blakeys and Daniel Grabko had flown in from Sweden to attend and spoke really well. If I remember correctly his forte was finance and he spoke about how to fund the club without those wretched owners. I wondered what happened as he just seemed to disappear. You are correct about Wayne Wild as WEC were taken over and he left the business.

I liked Tomasson's interviews and found them a refreshing change from the mundane stuff from Mowbray. For me it was enlightening to hear him calling out the right people for the right reasons. He was misled on more than one occasion and I personally thought he was right to have a go even if it goes against the grain for the majority of managers interviews.

Happy 37th birthday to Kyle McFadzean. He looks like he's 47 but plays like he's 27. I particularly liked the way he cleaned out the Newcastle player in front of the dug outs. No foul, ball and man taken and a Newcastle player looking like he had been hit by a juggernaut.

I think Pears was categorised by many (me included) after his nightmare performance at Wigan in the FA Cup a few seasons ago. Sometimes as supporters we judge far too early, I know I do. On the day at Wigan he was poor and was roundly criticised but in fairness to him he bided his time and once he got in took his chance. Last night was probably his best Rovers performance, perhaps the best of his career.

You've got it now.

I'll say it again for you. Michalski is now considered number three goalkeeper and was with the first team. Had both games not been on the same night Michalski would have played for the under 21's. It's not difficult to understand.

I haven't read all the posts on here but what I have read (all post match posts) have been complimentary and reflected how well we played, the game and individual players. It was almost like we had won walking away from Ewood last night.

Eastham is on loan at Hyde United right now and Micalski is viewed as number three.

Tim Krul was in goal for Luton. No way Haaland scores five past Tommy 😂.

Absolutely. My best friend was at the game as the referees coach and I sent him a post match text telling him exactly that. The foul count of Rovers 16 to Newcastle's 8 is completely unjust even in the eyes of a neutral.

Although we lost tonight I think the watching BBC audience will have been mightily impressed by our team. The effort we put in made us all proud and a bounce of the ball or kind deflection would have seen us through. We more than matched them despite the respective value of both teams and at times simply had too much for them. Plenty of Arte and Labore on show tonight. Hopefully a few of the supporters with a day pass will come again. Lots of outstanding performances tonight from pretty much everybody and although the triple change initially weakened us it became our strength later as we dominated midfield. Whilst Hyam missed the fifth and vital penalty I cannot attach any blame to him. In fact the opposite when, as captain he strode forward for the most pressurised penalty of the night. Special mention to Aynsley Pears who was simply outstanding tonight. His double save will live long in the memory. Well done to everyone connected with Rovers (with a few notable exceptions) for an enjoyable night which gives me hope for life without these owners and the cretins they employ in senior positions. It's back to our bread and butter on Saturday now and the attitude and fighting spirit we showed tonight will hopefully stand us in good stead.

It looks like Rory Finneran is on the bench for us.

Eastham starts for the under 21's which means Michalski is with the first team.

There was that chant but it was aimed at those who invaded the pitch twice. The majority of the invaders came from the Darwen End and were clearly not regulars.

The perspective for me is that we have had awful owners for over a decade, a procession of shysters running the club and some God awful managers. In spite of all that there will be 15000 or so Rovers fans in attendance. That is a glimmer of the potential this club has for any prospective buyer should the fools decide to sell us. I for one am looking forward to a bustling Ewood Park with an atmosphere to match another era.

I have been told that in light of the West Brom v Wolves match there will be a zero tolerance approach by the police and stewards to any Geordie infiltrators. Ironic really as we have had one as our CEO for the last six years.

Right now that's an attendance of 22000 which is great. Tickets can be bought up to 6.30 pm so I think there might be 23000 on. I know that Rovers have turned away a lot of people too, people who don't have a buying history but the suspicion is that most of them were Newcastle fans.

Has Swag not copied the Mackems and decorated the Darwen End lounges in black and white? After all he is a geordie.

A really interesting appointment and I'll be curious to see how he adapts to international football. I suppose with having fewer games he won't have to deal with dullards like Waggott and Pasha on a regular basis. I wish him well and I will watch Sweden wherever possible and remember him with fondness.

I expect he will be playing for the under 21's at Aston Villa tomorrow.