Its a chance for a memorable highlight of a an otherwise dire season and to get into the quarter finals of the FA Cup. It wouldnt be a good look so soon into the Eustace era if he does anything but treats that game seriously.

We cant start writing off games especially considering the fact that you could throw a blanket over the majority of Championship teams in terms of quality and how poor our squad is beyond the first 11. We just have be cautious with subbing off our better/most important players whenever we can when the game allows.

Eustace said "it offers another opportunity to someone or maybe someone playing slightly out of position." Perhaps he has realised that Garrett is not up to it but I cant think of anyone who could feasibly slot in.

Hopefully he makes a quick recovery.

To be fair, that last bit does surely imply that younger fans than yourself are inferior.

He told was it a scout that, I certainly have no recollection of him actively telling his players to leave.

That was definitely the weakness in his game, but he was really good in that team at nicking the ball high up and he was good at through balls to players into space on the counter attack. That was definitely his best spell of form and I felt he struggled last season being expected to sit deeper, in theory it made sense but (unlike Wharton) he struggled taking the ball deep as he often got caught out. His form meant that he couldnt sustain his place in the team, even when we werent as possession focused as we went on to become. I do agree that we are in need of central midfielders over number 10s, so I guess he will be seen in that role. Im just unconvinced by him there. His last year and a half in general have not seen him kick on so I am unsure that he is the answer full stop, and Id rather see him in central midfield over Garrett, but I do wonder if he would be better suited playing behind Gallagher and Szmodics and ahead of (and at times helping) 2 other midfielders in a similar syste to that team he thrived in before his form fell away like the teams did.

I think Buckley's best spell by far came playing really high up in that Mowbray counter attacking side, where he was useful in winning the ball back and playing through Brereton and Khadra often into space. That was 3 seasons ago now though. I felt like he struggled when expected to play deeper under Tomasson and often didnt start, fell out of favour to the point where we sent him to the 2nd worst team in the league for whom he still could barely get a game. His reputation definitely is increasing whilst absent because the alternatives in that position notably Garrett arent up to it or are injury prone. When he gets fit enough he is definitely worth a go in midfield because he has more talent than Garrett but I am not particularly optimistic of him excelling because hes had a long spell of not doing much and im not convinced that he is a deeper central midfielder, athough there is an obvious vacancy there next to Tronstad. Maybe considering that Eustace favours a more pragmatic style, that Buckley behind Szmodics and Gallagher could help to get back to those levels he hit a couple of years ago? But then you still have that void next to Tronstad.

Yeah thats the issue and not the owners refusing to sell for big fees in favour of letting them leave for free.

Typical Bell. Not a very good player.

Well yeah, we have signed a lot of below par players this season and subsequently have gone 10 places further down the table after a horror run, so you will tend to find people questioning the players we now have. Hardly unjust, unnecessary negativity specific to Rovers fans.

Even under Tomasson, our defensive woes were considerably weighted towards set pieces. So conceded 2 from them but none from open play doesnt necessarily signify improvment.

Its in this 2 game a week run where the lack of quality in the squad really becomes blatantly clear and hinders any chance to rotate. Pears obviously continues despite not covering himself in glory for their second and having a shaky game midweek. You would think the back 3 will continue for the forseeable, O'Riordan is the alternative with Koumetio seemingly a waste of time. Neither wing back is particularly strong defensively but only the iffy Chrisene is an alternative. The midfield is the main concern, Tronstad is a given but his form has tailed off since Wharton left. Garrett isnt good enough and Ayari is probably the only alternative with Fleck already injured and Buckley not yet fit himself. In attack, Gallagher and Szmodics are obvious picks but the worry is potentially running them into the ground, especially the former with his fitness issues. Dolan has been ineffective in the last 2 but has to play because we have absolutely no options to rotate or affect games from the bench. Sigurdsson and Moran have not been successful signings and are too soft, Leonard isnt ready and Markanday and especially Telalovic are nowhere near. I would probably reluctantly just make one change, Ayari for Fleck.

Why do you think he (as part of a caretaker duo with Lowe getting no credit) do you give him the sole credit for that win? Tomasson did training Wednesday, they were off Thursday so those 2 only did the Friday and then had a long meeting with Eustace who clearly outlined how to play hence why weve continued to do that since.

Absolutely. Fleck is seemingly a write off, JRC is both needed at right wing back and also has another injury, so we are left with a player who has been out long term after failing to get into the side who are 2nd bottom, and Garrett who is nowhere near up to it. It was our strongest position until we sold Wharton and let Travis leave. The squad is full of below par players unfortunately, quite a few have been added this season and it is little wonder we are where we are.

Gallagher has 3 goals and apparently 4 assists since his return from injury. Hopefully we can come to some sort of agreement on a new deal because contrary to what some say, he would leave a huge hole as he does when he is missing.

Definitely not Travis. A regular in sides that finished 7th and 8th. Ipswich wouldnt have been interested in Garrett, put it that way.

I cant see today as anything other than a huge disappointment. We were 2 nil up, a draw is not a positive when that is the case.

Didnt he also say it about Jansen?

Would calling him a gentleman boost his confidence?

Weve made 13 signings this season and only one so far is a definite success in Tronstad. Wahlstedt and Telalovic are beyond terrible, Hill was decent, Moran poor, Sigurdsson has scored a few but in general he is underwhelming and Ennis was shocking. Then have come Chrisene who im unsure about, McFadzean could provide some useful short term experience, Fleck isnt fit and Ayari and Koumetio dont seem close to the first team. O'Riordan is a squad option. Weve added some right dross all in all. Mind you, the main issue is the budget cuts from the owners.

Whilst it may be more likely that it was Waggott at least behind the Eustace appointment. A detailed well researched post highlighting a considerable lack of crossover in their times at Coventry is still valid in ruling out the lazy link that they are assumed to have met there.

Is he done? Absolutely nothing to suggest he is. He may well lose a power struggle with Waggott in time but nothing to suggest he is done at the moment. Damien Johnson moving from coach up above the manager to DOF would be a bizarre move.

I think you overstate the influence of Damien Johnson. He had one day coupled with Lowe who doesnt get a mention coaching the side, and afterwards a long meeting with Eustace who clearly had a big influence. In both games the tactics were quite similar. Goal kicks long, the same team and new formation, set pieces more direct etc. Maybe it was a mixture of Stoke being so bad, we were at home, a bit of a bounce and things falling for us. Not often even for an effective direct side will someone get put through via one good flick on from a goal kick. I wonder if Eustace is just prioritising not losing in away games. Both he and Hyam implied it post match, Hyam mentioned getting a result (and 4 or 6 points he said this week) at Preston rather than a win.

Proof in the pudding will be in how we play rather than soundbites in interviews. He has a reputation for pragmatic, direct football and we certainly played long ball on Tuesday, it ws horrendous to watch. Its all about results but I think he needs to find a balance as he gets used to the players because aimless punts wont work.