jim mk2

Be honest, Norwich dominated the match and should have won by 3 or 4. Rovers were fortunate to snatch a point. I don't think anyone would dispute yesterday's second half was abysmal. Apart from a brief period before half time Rovers were poor overall. Either the players are still sulking over Eustace going or they don't understand and/or are not on board with what Ismael is trying to do. On the evidence of 2 deeply disappointing displays under him that have probably finished our playoff hopes, I think it's the latter. We'll see in the next game. Another performance like yesterday will confirm my suspicions

To judge from the first 2 games, and yesterday’s second half in particular, I think this is true. The players are clearly not playing for him

Schoolteachers told us to strike the ball like you would use a 3-iron in golf, ie low and flat, and that floated crosses are like using a 9-iron and are defenders’ balls. Real basic stuff

Supporters have perhaps found out things about Ismael too, that he’s had zero impact on the team and the players, that he’s tactically rigid and that, really, he’s not very good. What was that second half all about today? Rovers were all over the place, failed to put Derby under any pressure and never at any point looked like saving the game. A large part of that is down to Ismael. My worst fears about him are being realised quicker than I expected

The “quality additions” were never going to come. I’ve witnessed some horrible defeats. It was obvious the team as it stood was never good enough, even under Eustace. Wake up and get real

Can everyone please not mention the playoffs any more? It was obvious a couple of months ago we weren’t good enough and the recent run has confirmed it. It’s over. Fini. The end

He’s a dud

He’s a dud

Yes.

Rubbish He took over a team in the top 6. His one job was to keep us there.

Why? The script had already been written

Entirely predictable Feel sorry for all those who have gone Ismael a failing manager at this point

Coventry 3-2 98th minute. That's how you get promoted. Have to hand it to Frank. He's made a huge difference there

My goodness me, Gallagher at the double Always thought he was a top class forward 😄 r

On a par with Travis then?

That's a decent team, I don't find it offensive at all. It's definitely more attacking though

Coventry 1-0 up.

No, couldn’t get tickets! Watching from afar, hoping for the best but fearing the worst.

Agree with this. There wasn't a queue because although the top clubs were well aware of Wharton, they had their doubts about him. Palace took a punt and were the only club to put hard cash on the table. It's like selling a house: it's only worth what someone is willing to pay, not the perceived "market value". Rovers wanted to sell quickly and there was one serious bidder. End of story really

They're going to look silly if Derby win, as will any Rovers' fans chants directed at Eustace during the match This match is one enormous banana skin. Rovers fans should support the team, hope we win and wait till the final whistle. Then give Derby and Eustace as much stick as possible. This does not of course mean they are the real villains

Forgot the Trevor Hockey sending off - I was there that day. Welsh international IIRC. He was a dirty player even by 1960s standards.

Agree. One win, 2 draws and a defeat the most likely outcome

I was chatting to some fellow Rovers fans after the Oxford away defeat about a month ago. We all agreed the Rovers team isn't top 6 material even with the league apart from one of two generally of a lower standard this year. It's astonishing we're still in the mix to be honest, given the poor form of the past few months but I can't see finishing higher than 10th

I can only remember seeing one in the 1960s - the infamous Mike Ferguson elbow against Coventry in 1967 (?). I can’t recall any others. They were so rare across football as a whole it had to be something serious such as violent conduct

Presume Rovers have sold out?