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.

I mentioned that yesterday Andy. Most have been from outside or on the edge of the box. No penalties yet or goals from free kicks neither.

It means it's a load of bollocks to me. Only one thing matters and that's winning.

It was terrific game management and certainly not riding our luck. How many chances did they create? Two or three I reckon whilst we probably had the same. Aside from a couple of routine stops Kaminski wasn't tested. Circumstances (and the weather) played a part as we had a makeshift defence for most of the second half.

Amidst lots of emotions today the overriding one was pride. It feels good to be a Rover again and the effort those players in blue and white put in today was phenomenal and my confidence and belief in the manager and what he is trying to do is high indeed. Today was probably the worst performance of the three so far was for me the most satisfying. A few injuries brought about some positional changes which under normal circumstances would have scared me but there is a different mentality amongst our players, a mentality brought and implemented by JDT. The supporters and play are certainly buying into this new era at Ewood and hopefully more will join the ranks of happy supporters soon. Well done to everyone with a Rovers connection at Ewood today.

No Butterworth either. It certainly looks like his days are numbered. Interestingly Jordan Eastham is on the bench having played for Lancaster yesterday.

Mark Palios' take on the play or pay system. Tranmere Rovers have struck six loan deals this summer. According to the League Two club’s chairman, the former FA chief executive Mark Palios, the role lower-league clubs play in developing players remains vital. “The ability to play proper football in front of a paying crowd is missing at the top end of the game,” he says of the situation for younger players. “Proper use of experience in the football pyramid is essential and beneficial if managed properly. Not many others have a pyramid like ours and we’re fans of using it.” While Palios sees the greater good of the loan system, the list of complications are just as clear “Loans where a club insists the player plays are wrong from every point of view,” he says. “It’s wrong for the player – they have to earn their place as part of a learning process. For the club, it damages the dynamic in dressing room. Finally, from a fan’s perspective, there’s a sense that you’re basically relinquishing your independence if loanees are going to play come what may.” Palios says Tranmere don’t do such deals but have made arrangements whereby the loan club would pay a higher percentage of the player’s wages if he doesn’t play. He believes the game is not yet at a stage where parent clubs hold undue influence over those lower down the pyramid. “Nobody forces you to take a loan player; every club is entitled to do what it wants and what fits within its budget,” he says, but he acknowledges that the landscape is changing. “I think you can find clubs become dependent on it,” he says. “It’s hard to put a finger on it but you lose that sense of identity, that willingness to play for the club.”