arbitro

It was Cheston who called Coyle the 'outstanding candidate' when he was appointed thus insulting us and our club. For that alone I'll not be sorry to see him go.

It was interesting yesterday that we were zonal marking on Southampton corners and one of these markers was Gallagher who normally picks up a centre half. And it worked because he got the first contact on at least three of the five corners they had.

Did anybody else notice that Ewood didn't get its usual soaking by the sprinklers yesterday but almost a cursory few seconds before and at half time. A deliberate ploy by Eustace to keep the pitch dry and impede their passing game?

The game plan was really good and I think it's almost unanimous that we were deserving of the point. In fact we could have nicked it with a bit more composure in the penalty area. We looked solid pretty much throughout and despite the possession stats weighing heavily in Southampton's favour we were quite comfortable and I was never unduly worried. Once again the collective stood out but Callum Brittain deserves a special mention not just for today but the last few games. I have been critical of him in recent times but I'm happy to be wrong right now. I firmly believe that Tronstad is the glue that holds us together in this system. His tidy, effective way of breaking up play and keeping possession is perfect for us. We aren't out of the woods yet and a combination of results in midweek could see us tumbling but I take great comfort in the knowledge that we are more than capable of keeping clean sheets against anybody in this league.

He is the third choice now and as such will be at Ewood to cover injury/illness to Pears and Wahlstedt.

Rovers under 21's are playing Liverpool at noon today.

As ever I really want us to win today because that is the most important thing but I have a couple of other reasons too. I can't stand Martin. His air of superiority and arrogance is so much of what I despise and his touchline demeanour leaves a lot to be desired. And it looks like he dyes his hair and beard black too 😃. Another reason is Harwood-Bellend. Unless you were at the game you might not have seen it but the way he celebrated at the Turd after they beat us last season was over the top to say the least. He danced right in front of us in an antagonistic way. I understand he was doing similar in the match at Ewood too. So to knock them two cretins off their arrogant perch with a win would be so satisfying.

And Rotherham were awful despite us wanting them to get something. It occurred to me whilst watching that we dropped nine points to those two and conceded eight goals in the process. Another five dropped against Huddersfield too. Just winning those games against poor teams would have put us on the cusp of the playoffs.

I thought we set up the most defensive we had been under Tomasson down there. We sat deep and invited pressure as we let them dominate the ball and territory. We conceded a really poor goal from a corner just before half time and the game plan went to pieces. Shortly into the second half Brittain got a stupid red card and from then it was simply damage limitation. I think Eustace will adopt similar tactics on Saturday but with the new found resilience we a more than capable of keeping a clean sheet. And with Szmodics we can always nick one.

We've found a buyer. 😄 https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/doctor-who-matt-smith-blackburn-32503334

It did and was a big part of that winning run. However Mowbray changed to that after the Fulham debacle when we shipped seven. If I remember correctly the next game was against Sheffield United and despite conceding an early goal we were solid defensively. Van Hecke came back after his suspension and slotted in with Lenihan and Wharton. Hyam seems really uncomfortable in a three.

Wow, where did that come from? I thought we would win today but that exceeded my wildest dreams. It was a terrific team performance and the type of match when you struggle to pick any outstanding players because they were all on their game. After a tentative opening we simply blew them away with some great pressing and transitioning, both done with a great tempo and aggression. To score five after the dearth of recent goals really was something to behold and credit to Eustace who got his tactics right and the game plan worked exceptionally well. The effort put in was another feature epitomised by Dolan and Szmodics. The former has his detractors and can be inconsistent but the last two games have shown he has these performances in his locker. What can you say about Szmodics? I was thinking the drive home that his goals to chances ratio must be really good because he doesn't seem to miss many. In the last couple of minutes of stoppage time at the end he was still chasing and pressing. In truth I would have taken him off after an hour to protect him but with his attitude he would probably have had a meltdown. It's only one win and we have some work to do yet but I'm going to enjoy the next few days. Well done to the fans who travelled today too. They really supported the team today and after recent weeks I'd like to think the win is for them.

A word of warning for any Rovers fans going today. You will be searched and any loose change you have will be confiscated as will vapes. This is because some Dingles threw objects at the Sunderland fans in the tier below them last season. They advise it is a cashless ground but last season you could only but programmes outside the ground with cash. Work that one out.

Most people don't know who Pasha is let alone what he looks like and that is how they want it. The majority just want to watch Rovers play and hopefully win. You should just respect that rather than having a go a people for not boycotting or whatever. It's their choice. When you watch a match wherever you are do you pay for it?

It's difficult to argue with the points you make. I think in general the majority of football fans live in hope that their club will be successful but very few are. Through all the torrid years under this lot I still somehow look forward to match days and the possibility of that winning feeling. And as such I'm looking forward to the game tomorrow and see that as a chance of winning.

How on earth are the fans complicit? Your strange generalisation is so far off the mark and characterises every fan as the same. It's a real cheap shot to apportion some of the blame on the fans. I guess that geographically it's easy for you to boycott and that's your prerogative but passing the blame to supporters who do go is a low blow.

I attend to see Rovers hopefully win as I believe lots do. Winning a game gives a great feeling to many and every game is another opportunity to win.

I think your labelling of fans that actually to go games as 'happy clappers' is crude and way off the mark for the majority. I go to home games with family and friends as do many others. I usually travel to away games with a different group. None of them are happy about the last fourteen years and certainly aren't happy about the state of the club but we all want to see Rovers win. We moan and groan sometimes and praise when we feel it's deserved. We aren't particularly vocal neither so does that make us 'happy clappers'? It's almost like you are blaming the fans who stayed loyal for the predicament we are in. Frankly it's insulting. By the way do you watch the games at all?

That's really harsh. He's 19 and played about ten Premier League games , still growing and learning the game. His languid style might make him look like he isn't working but I'd wager his running stats prove that wrong.

I don't really understand what you are implying.

James Hill and Sonny Tronstad this season both scored from outside the penalty area. I don't think this is a problem that's particular to us though. I see so many games when I'm willing a player to shoot but they want an extra touch or look to pass.

How could it be an obvious goalscoring opportunity? The Ipswich player had his back to goal and wasn't in control of the ball.

Penalty absolutely. Red card though - for what?

It's another example where IFAB have complicated something that is relatively simple. Handball is the same and both of these laws make the officials job much harder and lead to more inconsistency. Add to that it is so confusing for players and spectators. It would have been interesting had we had VAR last night whether it would have been considered a clear and obvious error and recommended an OFR.

I don't think he is directly in the keepers eye line but enough to be interfering with it. If course it's subjective and some are given, some not but there is definitely enough in this to support the referees decision in my view. Another point is that having seen it back he didn't need to be offside. As good as he has been He frustratingly gets caught offside a lot.