Andy

I've almost always been JW, just prefer the views. But I took the little lad over to the Walkersteel (it'll always be Walkersteel to me) for the Stoke game and we had a surprisingly good view of the pitch. First time I've sat in there for a long time.

You wouldn’t believe the amount of grief I took in those days for persisting with the belief that a good player was in there and just needed time, patience and development. As for when I dared to suggest that he’d play international football one day…might as well have shat on people’s kids’ Xmas presents 😁 But we are where we are and, thankfully for us, it’s worked out well.

One positive of us keeping BBD is that it puts to bed that tin-foil 'we'll intentionally sell at the last minute and pocket the money' guff. Venky's won't be bullied, we've seen that numerous times now. They have their (many) failings, but I've got to give them some credit here.

I wonder if AW's performances against Stoke and Blackpool persuaded us to drop a live target, to fast track his path into the first team? Extremely exciting prospect.

Gutted I'm missing this one - bought tickets to take the kids to a wrestling thing in Cardiff on Sat before the fixtures came out 🤦‍♂️ However, optimistic after the Blackpool performance and a win would keep us within a couple of points from the top spot. I'd go with: Kaminski Travis Carter Hyam Pickering Wharton Morton Hedges Dack BBD Hirst

I actually think that this is what will happen. Nobody will pay the asking price, he’ll sign a new contract with a release clause and big payrise and what happens after that depends on where we finish and how he does.

I was there for that game (Derby) and, without checking back, I'm sure we shuffled around halfway through the first half - and put Johnson further forward. Clear disaster, was never going to work.

For 15 minutes, in one match, then abandoned when it clearly (obviously) didn't work - always makes me chuckle when this gets bandied about like it's something he did more than once 😅 Anyway, if that's the last time we see BBD in the blue & white halves, it's a good way to sign off - good luck to him and I hope we make a stupid amount of money off him tomorrow. Tonight showed us that the future is very bright for Rovers and a couple more additions tomorrow, we'll do alright this season.

Tonight's performance, how well he took his goal and his professionalism post-match will have done his chances of a move no harm at all. And if that is the case, hopefully adds a few £m more onto the price as well.

In fairness, we should have had 3/4 prior to them having their first shot on target. Their GK was their MoM.

2 points off top after 7 games, think we'd have all taken that. Adam Wharton though.

I'm sure JDT just said 'see you tomorrow' to Bowler at the end 😅

It's been very quiet around this point, but you're spot on. Pickering's had his best game of the season, so far.

Disagreed strongly, until I saw the angle from behind the goal. Blatant dive and good spot by the ref.

Vale has done more in 5-10 minutes than Dolan did for 60. If it wasn't for their GK having a great game, we'd easily have 3 or 4.

One of the things that Wharton does so well is intelligent and positive use of the ball. He's not looking to go safe unless there's no other option. Gets it, already knows where he wants to play it - and off it pops. Very, very impressed.

Interesting stat just popped up - we've only lost 1 of the last 25 where we've scored first.

He'll need to do it for a consistent and sustained period before any big money moves come. But based on his first couple of appearances, he's got the potential.

Hopefully Trav gets to stick a sneaky one on Madine late in the game. With Dolan, it's like we're playing with 10 - may as well give Dilan a go. Back 4 have been very good so far, against a half decent set of players at this level.

First reaction was yes, but after seeing the replay - definitely not.

Based on the fact that Pickering has kept him extremely quiet (so far), he won't be doing his own chances any good.

Thought we'd defended well - Blackpool had plenty of the ball, but didn't really threaten. That Bowler guy lost somewhere in Pickering's pocket. We look like we're growing into the game, lets hope that continues.

Lovely ball, lovely finish. Wharton played his part in that, too.

Fair point - as I said, in theory, I see the sense. He's just not had a good game for us for a long while now. But hopefully tonight is the start of a good run for him.

I will give JDT credit for making changes that it would have taken TM weeks to get around to. Buckley has been terrible for a few games now and Wharton excelled on his debut - really happy to see that change. Strange seeing Dolan start, but he must be impressing in training.