Andy

He was shit for their second, but other than that he had a very good game. The saves early on were superb. And I'm not particularly a fan of his.

Gutted to lose, obviously, but really pleased with that performance. They were on top before the red, but we defended well for the majority of the match and even after they equalised, we should have gone 2-1 up just before they scored their second. Even with 10 men we created plenty today. Couple of additions and I think we'll do alright this season.

1-0 - Hyam. 7 points from the first 3 games 💪

Both Russia and China have tried it (albeit to a lesser degree) in the recent past and I expect the Saudi project to follow a similar path - ie fade into obscurity. I haven’t met a single person who is interested in watching the Saudi league, irrespective of who is playing in it, so it will effectively become a rich men’s plaything and little else.

That team wins this match, simple as that 👍

No matter how old you are, 30 years ago is flipping miles in the past 😄

The final corner, at the death, frustrated the hell out of me. We were past time added on and the whistle was being blown the second the ball left the very top end of the pitch. Expected a box full (including Pears), a big corner and let chaos ensue.

I couldn't get there today due to work commitments - is this a general comment, or specific things today?

Agree with this. I intentionally stayed away from here during the match, as I didn't want to depress myself even further at 0-2. But over the course of the 99 minutes, SS redeemed himself totally, fair play to him. Some of the other players could learn a lot from his attitude.

I thought we started well and if it wasn't for SS' error, Rotherham weren't scoring. The red was a joke, obviously, possibly even more daft than Buckley's last season. But, the rules are the rules I guess. Would have liked to have seen their GK given a yellow for the excessive time wasting from midway in the first half. Felt for SS, everything was going against him until the 2 goals for us. Thought JRC made the difference (again) when moving into midfield - we have to consider switching him here permanently? Ennis was bright when he came on as well, which was encouraging. And Brittain did well again, he must be pushing for a start soon.

Agreed - such a strange mentality to think additional fans is a bad thing. I didn't exist in the 'bad old days' and was only old enough to start going in the Prem days - that's not glory hunting. We need as many fans as we can get, I couldn't care less if they've supported us for 50 years or 50 minutes, as long as their arse is on a seat at Ewood.

Whilst there’s a risk involved (throwing a kid in), I really like the idea of the element of surprise. I don’t want to keep digging Dolan out, but he’s been consistently poor for a while now (presses well, but little end product). Suspect teams sussed him out some time ago. Gilsenan has given a couple of good recent showings in friendlies and the cup; give him a shot.

I saw this elsewhere - I couldn't make it tonight (work commitments), so not sure if legit or not. But if it is, this is the kind of food we need to be serving at Ewood, rather than stale Rollover hot dogs and sad-looking currys.

Gilsenan goal and assist on his debut. Bucko goal and assist. Ennis goal on his debut. 2 x assists for Hedges. Decent attendance as well, good night all round.

Happy with that, good finish.

Don't think it'll be much of a battle, tbh. Leo will get the shirt, Pears will go back to being number 2 and normal service will resume. Excellent deal. We'll get 2-3 good seasons from him and sell at a massive profit (even with 15% of it going to his old club).

Hedges with 2 assists as well as 2 debut goals.

I drove past not too long before KO and what appeared to be a TV van was in the car park by the DE. Surprised it's not being shown somewhere.

I'd heard whispers that he was in negotiations for a new contract a few weeks ago (when the red tops were saying that he was on the verge of walking). Imagine if there was a situation where we announced a new signing or two - and then chucked this in at the same time (if it happens).

Agreed - when he was pushing for a World Cup place, he was on fire. Sadly, all fizzled away after that.

I was extremely impressed with Brittain early last season and before his injury, I felt he was one of our best players. Injuries robbed him of most of the season last year, but I’m hoping he’ll be another ‘like a new signing’ for us this season. And I saw another note whilst I’ve been catching up saying Dolan gets a hard time on here. I don’t think he does, he’s just had very few good games in recent memory.

I really liked him - was sloppy a few times, but that'll come. Linked play well and broke up the opposition attacks; it's a very unappreciated position/role and I think he'll be a big part of the team this season.

I feel like we've got a potentially excellent spine of the team, including the new GK arriving. Both CBs are top-6 standard, we know about A.Wharton and I genuinely think that Leonard's potential at this level is without an upper limit. If we can fill the squad with another 2/3/4 bodies and we do keep hold of JDT, there is absolutely no reason why we'd not be around the top 6.

I don't think any of their shouts were valid. The JRC one was the closest - VAR gives it, but it's never a penalty.

Same thing happened to a 9/10 year old me, on VE Day (vs Newcastle). Pottering around outside the ground and a local bobby offered me and a mate some free tickets. His was in the JW, mine was slap bang in the middle of the Geordies. Never celebrated a goal as quietly in my life, whilst the other 3 sides of the stadium were electric.