Could have been penalty for Pompey and a Rovers red card. They look like scoring more than we do. Oops 1-0. Haha!

Asante has scored one goal in 25 matches for Coventry which is about the same as Gueye's one in 24. But Chaddy likes Asante so he must be good.

Not a bad shout and probably the best role for Weimann. He's skilful and has an eye for goal but his legs are going and his mobility not what it used to be, so he's of limited use in midfield.

You've nailed it there. The Rovers motto should be "Ipso facto", not Arte et Labore

Anyone going to this match? The games are coming thick and fast at present and this follows quickly on from what hopefully will be a home win over Portsmouth and is a chance to glean what looks, on paper at least, another 3 points. It’s a struggle to remember that many games against Oxford over the years but the one that stands out is the FA Cup fifth round tie at the Manor Ground in February 1964 when Rovers, then flying high in second place in the old first division, suffered a shock 3-1 defeat. And it was a huge shock. Oxford, captained by one Ron Atkinson, were in the fourth division and weren’t given a chance against an excellent Rovers side but outplayed us on the day. As a way of comparison it would be like Accrington Stanley beating Arsenal or Manchester City today. See YouTube footage below for those who want to see it - I can’t, I still bear the mental scars. More recently and happily there was the memorable night when Rovers beat Oxford to secure promotion from League One at a packed Ewood. We missed that game but went to the away match at the Kassam stadium when Rovers won comfortably. Payne was outstanding for Oxford that night and I was delighted when we subsequently signed him but he proved to be a bit of a flop - which shows what I know. Our merry little group has decided to have another of our occasional days out and attend Saturday’s game and hopefully we’ll have a change of luck because we’ve yet to see Rovers win this season. The losing streak can’t last forever however so I’m going for a hard fought Rovers 1-0 victory Word of warning for those thinking of making the journey. The Kassam is a windswept, soulless place made worse because, when we attended, for some reason the end behind one goal was entirely open with no spectators at all and making for a lack of atmosphere. I believe that is still the case and stand to be corrected. But don’t let that put you off. The away support has generally been excellent this season.

He needs 10 chances to score one and this Rovers team creates very few chances. No better than Jack Vale in my opinion, another lad who always struggled at this level.

The Rovers front 6 don't have the skill to press and open up defences at home. We need to treat home games as away games - sit back, invite them to attack, then hit them on the break. And anything other than a win after the super Cup result at Middlesbrough would be a big disappointment

Was that Oxford match a replay Tyrone? I remember the shock LT front page though. Still haven't recovered!

So many lower league teams we might have drawn but it’s never easy is it?

That's how I'd think we'd benefit - 2 intelligent footballers working together who'd open up defences. All supposition though - isn't Bamford injured yet again?

Rovers fans on Facebook are the same with regards to Venky's - think they can do no wrong As for Twitter/X best to give it a miss altogether. And Facebook now for that matter after Zuckerberg's announcement last week. They're unregulated cesspits

None obviously, and signing Bamford would come with risks. This is all theoretical and it shows the type of players we’re looking at - freebies, young loanees and has beens. Everything points to us spending not one penny in this window

Bamford was a top player a few years ago - played for England. At 31 he should have a few good years in him and I wouldn’t be against him coming to us - if anything even without goals he would lead the lead the line better than anything we’ve got at present

He was very good in that Butch Cassidy film with Paul Newman too, Tyrone

Brereton,s preference is Sheffield and Sunderland are the only club willing to make a loan permanent So we’re a poor third in the queue Forget about it

We're better away from home. The team mindset and players we have at present is better at defending. We should have won by more today. The lack of a goalscorer will kill us in the end

Is it too much to hope for a kind draw, and by that I mean a lower league side at home? I'd love a good cup run

That's a good win after the Bumley disappointment Rovers love playing in the north-east ........ can we play there every week?

Leonard needs 10 chances (at least) to score one, and his all round play isn't good either. I don't see a future for him

Where's Pears? I missed any news

My biggest memory of him will be missing that header against Burnley last weekend. For that reason alone I'm not sorry to see him go. He needs to be replaced though - surely it can't beyond even this useless management to find another average Championship plodder?

Unless neither Carter nor Wharton are going to play again this season, and we need the extra cover, Hanley is a bullet dodged. As for Siggurdsson (sp?) shunt him out this week. He's a waste of a wage and needs to be got off the payroll.

It wasn't boring (who said that?) and no one said the occasion wasn't exciting, but you don't have to be "invested" as a fan for more than 60 years, as our group are, to recognise that as a match it wasn't a good watch. It'll take more than a disappointing derby for us to give up on football and I think you're United supporting friends were being kind.

Shame, I thought it was a brief glimmer of good news on a horrible weekend

Just caught the tailend of this conversation but if anyone, just anyone, is offering money for Dolan I'd take it. Regarding ageing wingers, a a general rule they're not a good idea. Your body changes in your late 20s, the spring in the legs suddenly goes and with it the pace over 2-3 yards to beat defenders and get a cross in. Some folk would say Rovers signed Waggie at 32, and he proved to be an excellent player for us, albeit not as the flying winger he used to be. Schlupp's not in the same class, so it's a no from me.