Our pride is still intact as we put in a good performance against a team full of internationals from all over the world. Our game plan was really good and generally worked but against the quality Chelsea have we were punished for two mistakes, mistakes which we could possibly get away with in the Championship. In fact I reckon we created the two best chances of the game with Leonard and Sigurdsson missing when clean through. Throw in the clear penalty we should have had which somehow the referee couldn't see how unnatural the position of the Chelsea players arm was and it gives a clear picture of how well we played. We weren't overawed or intimidated and at times out passed them with Adam Wharton and James Hill looking quite comfortable against some top players. On the night their class told but there was lots of pride from the Rovers fans in West London last night. I listened to some Chelsea supporters on the tube after the match and they were complimentary towards us particularly 'that skinny kid in midfield' 😁😁

We missed out on the playoffs on goal difference. Another point or three would have put us there so every league point is crucial in my view.

Pochettino says he is going with a strong side.

Drama queen. I thought he was going to cry. He could have just said no.

Personally I would sacrifice tomorrow for a win in Sunday at Norwich and my team would reflect that. I think it's a difficult one for Tomasson. If he goes strong and we lose he will be criticised by some and if he sticks with the youngsters and get beat he will also be criticised by some. If he plays a strong team and we get injuries it will really harm us. Some of them were blowing out of their backsides on Saturday too. The perfect situation would be win both games.

I do wonder if this could be us in a few months. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12997167/sheffield-wednesday-owner-dejphon-chansiri-calls-for-fans-to-raise-2m-to-save-the-club-from-three-window-transfer-ban

It doesn't look like things are going to get any better for the Rags in the short to mid term either. This prolonged take over (or part take over) is really dragging on and it seems that Ratcliffe is looking to set up some sort of football committee of he gets the 25% he wants. One of this committee will be Dave Brailsford who was extremely successful with the Sky and Ineos (there's the connection) cycling teams. Personally I think it will be doomed to failure as moving people from different sports backgrounds is extremely difficult particularly somebody moving into football. I remember Clive Woodward being appointed as Technical Director of Southampton and trying to implement rugby ideas which failed. Anyhow whichever way it goes for the Rags I'm enjoying the moment. Between them and Burnley losing it certainly takes the edge off a Rovers defeat.

Both Buckley and Ayala on their respective benches. I have a feeling Buckley will be back here in January.

This match poses a few selection problems for Tomasson. I don't believe Hilton is good enough but does Tomasson risk Walstedt as he is the only senior keeper with Pears still out. We are short of centre halves with Hyam out. With Carter suspended for the Norwich game he could play on Wednesday alongside Gamble or Atcheson. Yesterday we had lots of tired looking players in need of a rest so I expect wholesale changes in an attempt to keep players fresh.

The old adage of scoring when you are on top is really applicable today after we missed some glorious chances early on as we played some of our best football of the season. I'm convinced if we had scored first we would have won. But we didn't and Swansea grew into the game and took the game to us, had two goals disallowed and scored. It was during this period that confidence seemed to evaporate from some of our players. We were ponderous in possession, took too many touches, passed the ball poorly and generally were second best with too many passengers. In the first half I thought Swansea were better tactically than us as they passed out from the back with a spare man who we simply didn't press. The changes at half time made us better and we got on the front foot but still there were several elementary mistakes from a few players. We penned them in for much of the second half but I still felt Swansea were a real danger on the break with lots of pace in forward positions. We still contrived to miss a few easy chances and the game out me in mind of several this season when missed chances have cost us. Hopefully we can put today behind us and get a result at Norwich next Sunday

Birmingham have been denied an absolutely certain penalty for a ridiculous challenge by the Southampton keeper.

Rooney working his magic at Birmingham I see. Two down after 22 minutes at Southampton.

Under Martin Swansea were easy to set up against as they were so predictable. They are a totally different prospect under the ex Dingle Duff as they mix it up by going back to front quickly on occasion as well as trying to keep possession at times. The only certainty is that we have to compete and he ready for anything. I have total confidence in Tomasson and his ability to come up with a winning game plan. A clean sheet will be great as we are always in the hunt for goals. I'm confident of a win without getting carried away.

Whatever.

You fully understood and were trying to be a smart arse.

As Upside Down said embarrassing.

Work it out for yourself.

Sodexho made €699m profit in 2022. https://www.facilitatemagazine.com/content/news/2022/10/26/sodexo-records-rise-profits-and-revenues-2022

Hyam likely to be out for 'weeks' according to Tomasson. On Tuesday I noticed Scott Wharton warming up in the third minute and it was apparent when I looked at Hyam he was struggling. On a few occasions I saw him visibly wince in pain as he landed after an aerial challenge. I couldn't understand why he stayed on for the entire first half when he was clearly struggling.

In one of her first interviews the woman Venky talked about spending £5m per window and 'leasing' players. Deary me the Walker Trust were spending more than that. They have never been committed, to them we were a vanity project that now hangs like an albatross around their grubby necks. And still they won't sell us.

Is it any wonder they can't get staff? https://sportsandleisure.sodexojobs.co.uk/en/blackburn-rovers

The new Chris Smalling he likened him to as a late developer. Robbie Cotton was the new Steven Gerrard and Goodwillie was the new Wayne Rooney. Jesus wept.

Dingles salvation? https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/breaking-everton-points-deduction-premierleague-31277275

Imagine where we could be if we had a goalscorer.

It's fair to say that until last night Brittain has hardly used his left foot in a Rovers shirt. Watching it live I was surprised when he switched from his right foot to his left foot and probably more surprised when he pulled the trigger. The rest, as they say is history.