because of boxing day

We were outmanoeuvred at Swansea by an understandably inspired Lewis O’Brien and by 10 others who were set up with new 4 at the back tactics to positively attack our predictable pressure absorbing pedestrian lineup with pace in and between the lines and into the wide channels that neutralised Britain and Ribeiro attacking urges. We were simply outcoached on the day by a switched on temporary coach. It was painful to watch barring Weimann’s 2 early efforts.

Will the BBE rendition of "Allez les Bleus" match the Parc de Princes?

Norwich playing style is similar to but better than Swansea. Our lot, apart from the two Weimann efforts early doors never laid a glove on Swansea. I fear even with new coach good vibes that Norwich relentless attacking style will tear into us relatively unopposed. Norwich however do have one Shane Duffy at the heart of their defence and if he's not on it Gueye could have an impact. I foresee a ferocious battle between those two.

With respect JHR you may be being unnecessarily negative there. Bristol City asked for an additional allocation to the standard first award 9 days before their match at end of August and got a further 464 tickets. As with all BRFC issues atm time will tell!

It would appear that the typical standard away fan allocation at Pride Park is around 2700 (via the Away Fans Guide).

"Madame" was so moronically ignorant of the system that she actually used the expression "lease" rather than "borrow"!! Immediate warning bells were ringing from day one with the "Venky lot"!!

Clearly Sky don't rate our chances vs Wolves!

Really looking forward to the initial exchanges between Batth and Osjamic in light of the Beck incident at Dumpdale. Batth slowed down the quick strong and dangerous Sinclair Armstrong at Aston Gate last Saturday albeit the "quieter" tackle resulted in a yellow and Twine's free kick goal. Armstrong definitely wasn't the same threat after that and was subbed in 2nd half. I wouldn't be surprised if there weren't some pantomime moments for the skipper involving Osjamic too.

Pompey's feisty no 49 Callum Lang has a season stat count of 21 matches and 9 goals 1 assist and 7 yellows. He was a danger man clearly last night and in his intriguing duel with Beck came out second but impressed. At 26 years old.1.83 m tall, "second striker", "Scouser" having came through Liverpool youth ranks he might just tick a few boxes for the recruitment team. Joined Pompey in Jan 24 on 2.5yr contact with 1 year option.

Rovers full allocation for this was sold out 5 days ago!! I guess it must have been relatively small and unextendable but another excellent show of away day support.

Hedges (leaving aside his PNE aberration) that may be at the front of the minds of his detractors) has, when fit proved to be reliable and trusted by Mowbray JDT and Eustace. He’s versatile and adaptable and has been used at RB LB RWB LWB & LW over his time here. Honest reliable journeyman with decent touch, game management and acceptable goal involvement is how I’d describe him. A new deal is unlikely to break the bank so a view to extend & keep him should not be objectionable.

I’ll raise you a JohnO’Mara and or Frank Lord!!

Buckley could be the answer rather than Baker. Buckley played the forward pressing position very well on numerous occasions last season. His lack of pace is what holds him back from being the full box to box midfielder package but doesn’t limit him in the more advanced Cantwell role.

No……. Boxing Day is THE traditional day for going to the football.

There’s a hint of faux pessimism about this game on the board No sound reason why we shouldn’t come back with a positive result though we’ll miss Travis’s defensive industry and his renewed forward drive. The reliable Baker could well come in to the Travis position and perform adequately. Got to be content with Hull’s pricing structure on this one TICKET PRICE Adult £23 Senior (65+) £15.50 Young Adult (16-22) £11.50 Under-16s £8 Under-11s £3.50 The initial allocation for this fixture is 1,271 tickets but presumably can be extended if demand exceeds that supply. Looking forward to this one!!

What’s with the unusual 1.30pm kick off?

Gueye is in some ways similar to Gestede who was not a brilliant all round footballer but was a robust “old style” centre forward thriving on crosses and early balls into the box. Gestede must have seen a bit of himself in Gueye and ought to be in a position to assist the head coach to get the best out of him if not in terms of tactics but with personnel in the next transfer window. Gueye must be crying out for a MK2 Craig Conway.

Fair do’s to the Club on this one!! The Club appears to have kept to the script in this. I got a £26 partial refund of my senior Riverside ST cost in mid July. The Club emailed me confirming my random selection in the ballot. The refund pays for my Plymouth away seat on Saturday.

Harking back to last season and hoping we get a similar reaction from this group to the way that the team immediately reacted to the desolate midweek 5-0 loss at Bristol City last season…. the 1-0 win at Leeds!! Making the trip to Plymouth this weekend hoping for a positive outcome. Last time there was 32 years ago for the Speedie inspired 3-1 win that catapulted us to promotion under Dalglish. Fingers and toes all crossed.

Has the penny dropped? The above was my view about him on Boxing Day last year. I didn’t see much over the rest of last season to suggest he had overcome what I perceived as a lack of desire to run the hard yards. This season following his recovery from injury last season he’s had a full pre-season and looks like he may just have cottoned on. He may just prove to be the player we thought we were getting. Yesterday’s goal had so many positive elements to the product. Finding space in midfield good early forward pass to Gueye in space outpacing all around him into space decent control in taking possession tenacity to brush off his immediate opponent and the power and precision and placement of the shot. Then there was the passionate reaction to being the goal scorer with the fans on BBE and other players. One swallow doesn’t make a summer but fingers crossed. 🤞

1. Winners of the Championship Leeds 2. Runners-up in the Championship Watford 3. Championship Play-off final winners Burnley 4. Where will Rovers finish the season? 18th 5. Which 3 clubs will be relegated from the Championship? Oxford Portsmouth Plymouth 6. Who will be the first club in the Championship to change manager? (For whatever reason) Plymouth 7. Who will be the BRFCS Player of the Season? (As voted for in the Match Centre on BRFCS) Maktar Gueye 8. A wildcard prediction for something (possibly quite mad) that will happen to or at Rovers during this coming season Rovers beat Burnley in FA Cup 3rd round

Let’s not forget how Palace out-waggotted Waggott in refusing the supposedly agreed loan back arrangement for rest of season at the last minute and gave him a take it or leave it revised low cash offer!! Still makes my blood boil (though obviously Adam Wharton has thrived as a result).

I was there. It was not a day for faint hearts. My profile name is a homage to that game!!

Bazza. A trip to Specsavers needed if you think that description fits!! (Joking Merce!!)

He hasn't shown any great pace trickery or consistent desire to get past his immediate defender. As such defenders find him easy to play against. But he has bought into the JDT way. If he added a committed progressive dimension to his decent finishing ability he would be more threatening.