Quite but the underlying problem is that we don't really have the depth of quality in the squad. Vale and Dolan aren't really the answer in an unforgiving league like the Championship although Dolan has a value as an impact substitute for me.

You might be right but today's opponents also played in the heat on Sunday and drew at Middlesbrough. They too played on Wednesday and beat Sunderland. I've just read that Billy Sharp is injured which gives me a little but of hope.

The clock is really ticking now after three seems of transfer inactivity. We have a 17 year old centre half who is playing his fourth game in ten days today which underlines our predicament. There was an expectation that last week would have seen some incoming activity but nothing. It's becoming a real worry and by the end of August could overshadow our great start.

I'm not sure what you mean.

But predominantly the nucleus of the under 23's train at the Academy and not the STC. In the past they have played midweek, usually Monday's at home and it's never been an issue. Once the season starts and games come thick and fast training becomes less intense and managers will be likely to give days off more readily. It makes little sense to me.

I was told that for family reasons Van Hecke will, with Brightons blessing be going back to Holland or Belgium to be closer to his family.

If that's the case (I personally think it's poor rationale) why don't they stagger the kick off times? For example if they were both at home tomorrow the first team would naturally be 3 pm and the under 21's could kick off at sat 12 noon. That way supporters can still see the under 21's play. Personally I like seeing the youngsters coming through and developing as do many others.

I am really uncomfortable with this slow build talk. Football evolves and changes so quickly and after the suggested three year period how many of today's squad will still be here? Trying to plan so far ahead in a notoriously volatile industry is doomed to failure in my view. In his time here Mowbray built two squads, one comparatively expensive and we never even got to the playoffs. That was five years. Early days I know but on Wednesday what hurt us most was the weakness of the squad and I'm fearful that this is going to hurt us tomorrow. The here and now is our squad is too weak.

I'm not sure but in the usual fanfare following his appointment I thought the article said he had to work a notice period with the FAW.

In one of Tomassons first interviews he said he wants us to pass the ball but not for passing sake. A big proportion of that 65% was just for the sake of passing and in truth it was the kind of meaningless, mundane passing that lots of us slaughtered Mowbray for. I said earlier that Ince outdid our manager tactically but I want to caveat that with the fact JDT hasn't yet been given enough raw materials to work with. It come back to the so far distinctly an average recruitment. To use a Tomasson quite last night we suffered from the 'Dutch disease'.

I had an idea after ten minutes that we would get beat but I didn't think it would be so comprehensive. Ince outdid JDT tactically although it has to be said some of our players were listless. I just checked on some numbers and all of our back four touched the ball close to or above a hundred times. Many of the others struggled to get anywhere close to that and for me it tells the story. Much as we did at Swansea they were happy to let us pass the ball around in inconsequential, non dangerous areas but squeezed when we got in their half. I have to say though that the starting line up surprised me with Hedges and Gallagher on the bench with the ineffective Vale and Dolan starting. Last night has gone now and we can't do anything about that but the performance really highlighted how weak our squad is. If we don't get players in the key positions we desperately need them then I worry our excellent start will prove a false dawn. Broughton has to start earning his money.

We are getting into the desperation stage now in my view. Broughton needs to really up his game now and the owners need to push the boat out. Hopefully this wage structure isn't the stumbling block but I suspect it is.

It's 22 years today since Rovers greatest supporter passed away. He gave us probably the greatest day of our footballing lives and lots of other memories that will never leave us. RIP Jack. "

In their first four games Nobbers have scored one and conceded none.

💼 #Rovers currently have vacancies for the following roles: 📊 Head of Data Scouting. 🇪🇺 Head of European Scouting - closing date Monday 22nd August - 5pm. 🧤 @RoversLadies Goalkeeping Coach - closing date Friday 26th August 5pm. For more info, please click below 👇 🔵⚪️ Some vacancies have arisen at Rovers. Perhaps JoeH might be interested in the first one 😉. The second one looks interesting after we did away with the role not too long ago.

He soiled his nappy Andy. He also failed a drug test after the game. They found Calpol in his system. 😂😂

But not many fans do when analysing a match - that was my point. They use their eyes and football knowledge to form an opinion.

No disrespect to anybody who uses these numbers and metrics but they don't interest me one iota. I watch the games live, praise and criticise during play and form an overall opinion post match. Good luck to anybody who uses them but I'd wager the vast, vast majority have no interest in them.

As Rovers advertised tickets only available online through Bradford this morning they have the responsibility. Because I tend to believe things I see on our official website I bought three tickets online through Bradford. I paid £1 extra booking fee for each ticket which I wouldn't have done had I, as I usually do bought them from Rovers ticket office. It's not about the money but there is a principle here and once again we are talking about something which should be a simple process but isn't. I will be contacting Rovers about the £3 being refunded.

I saw a clip on the Radio Lancashire website of a recent interview where he was 'talking' through a machine that saved thousands of pre recorded words. He was in good spirits despite the horrible disease having almost total control over him. I remember him as an honest, hard working professional who never gave less that his all. RIP Lenny and sincere condolences to the family and friends.

Whilst everyone might have an individual preference Sweet Caroline is a 'one size fits all' for me. It's quite bouncy, the words are easy to sing along to and it reflect a happiness. I think if a straw poll was taken amongst Rovers fans the majority are happy with it. This is supported by the numbers belting it out yesterday. I associate it with Rovers winning now so if I hear it another twenty times this season I'll be delighted 😂😂

The fantastic start we have had shouldn't be allow to paper over the cracks of a wafer think squad. In fact Tomasson mentioned the number of players out against the number in only last week after speaking about it before. By Saturday we will have played three games in six days and we are already really limited in certain areas and unless we bring some bodies in will be really stretched. I know the window is open for a couple of weeks yet but many of us (and almost certainly Tomasson too) wanted the business done much earlier because of the situation we are now in with injuries. We still have four league matches get before the window closes. That said I have been told that Liverpool will make a decision on VdB after their game tonight. If their centre backs come through unscathed and their injury situation has improved he will be here tomorrow according to what I've heard.

I've just read that and was about to edit my post. I wrongly assumed it was the knock to his head that forced him off. Ironically I'd said to me brother he looked tired after he made a run forward close to half time. And he was playing in the shaded side 😂😂.

Was the substitution of Brittain a concussion substitute? If it was he might not be available. Hopefully it was just precautionary.

Although I'm not totally certain I have a recollection that we gave Phil Jones a new deal not long after his debut when the £17m clause was inserted. Last week will have alerted the big boys to what a talent he is so we need to move fast. For me it's a risk offering him a bumper deal but it's a calculated risk given his potential.