Hyam is ill. “I don’t know the reason for that, it could be because it has been a very busy week with a lot of travelling and sitting on the bus with air conditioning.”

Why are Sky interviewing De Zerbi at half time? Get in the bin.

I think Moran would be much better in his natural central attacking role, but he can't because of Szmodics. He looks technically good and linked up well without looking like the type to really cause Plymouth problems. The 2 wide men and Szmodics were all neat and tidy but things fell down in the final third. We needed someone in the window with a bit more pace and flair but what with Venkys pulling the rug from under us, its a case of take what you can borrow. Lots of tidy players but as defenders you wouldn't fear playing them. I find a few selections a little strange, or at least common themes running. Tronstad was a long term target, was hooked on the hour mark on the opening day and (I think) hasn't played a league minute since, even Garrett has moved ahead and put it this way, he doesn't make 100 appearances for Vitesse in 3 years. You look at Markanday, edged out Hedges early doors with the latter unfit, scored one in the league and one the other day, now he can't make a 9 man bench. Now I think he leaves a lot to be desired but Bloxham is clearly miles further off Championship football. Buckley likewise, some players don't seem to fit.

Why does one of our new signings who has only played/spectated at Harrogate avoid this list?

Embarassing defeat. Can play all the pretty passing in the world but nothing in the attacking third due to a lack of quality. Full of slow, tidy players in attack who dont offer a threat. Tomasson has not been backed by the owners, you saw that not only by the team but also the bench. That being said, if he doesn't chuck in the new keeper over the clown that is Pears next time, thats on him. Needs to also chuck in the new striker and if fit, Sigurdsson. Salt in the wounds with the lack of experience seeing Hyam off at half time.

Neat and tidy yet as to be expected, rubbish in the final third. Woeful miss by Hedges. Not much to turn to on the bench either.

Indeed, we might stroll to victory not needing to change a thing. Or more likely, whether chasing the game or to manage it, we will need the bench and there is not much there.

Weak bench for a Championship game. Hill, Rankin Costello, Ennis, Telalovic and Sigurdsson to return but we wont have a clean bill of health most weeks.

I think people somewhat understate comparisons between this and last seasons squad. Firstly, we shouldnt really compare to last season in that like the season before, we fell off a cliff as the end approached. Lack of experience and also using the least players in the league caught up with us. But take Hill, I've seen people compare to Phillips. He has replaced Phillips AND Ayala who played 20 odd games. So we are one player down there and also a hell of a lot of experience lost, replaced with exactly the profile age wise that Broughton said he didnt want to do. Similar with Tronstad. Yes he may be an upgrade on Morton but he is now replacing Morton and Buckley in a shrinking squad. Moran is essentially replacing Dack, again experience replaced by a kid, hopefully he can contribute more although Dack did score a few important goals. Two of the most eye catching additions are Sigurdsson and Wahlstedt but they are obviously replacing our 2 biggest losses. Brereton is not a loss in some peoples eyes but he scored double the goals of anyone else, Sigurdsson will do well to get close. Kaminski was an excellent Championship keeper, the pair have gone on to bigger and better things so again, big shoes to fill. The one area we look deeper is up front with Ennis and Telalovic added and only Vale lost. But there is a lot of expectation in them and one is forever injured and has never played at this level and the other was playing 4th tier football in Germany so its a huge ask.

Wahlstedt Rankin Costello Carter Hyam Pickering Travis Wharton Moran Szmodics Sigurdsson Ennis

So what rating would people give the summer window out of 10, of course allowing for the limited exposure to the 4 foreign signings? I think in net, that makes sense in regards to the model, albeit Pears shouldnt be first choice. Player sold, player with decent credentials brought in. Defensively, I think we are short. We only have 3 full backs so not only are we light, but we reduce/remove any scope to move Rankin Costello. At centre back, we needed experience, we signed a highly rated loanee, hopefully he will do well but he isnt what we need. So not good there. In midfield, Tronstad gives us experience albeit a slow start. Buckley leaving means we have 3 main options and Garrett pushing. We have gone from being strong there to looking thin again, needlessly. In attacking midfield, Sigurdsson and Moran are exciting additions. We have lost our top scorer from this area though, a blow people underestimate. We also lack a quick winger and behind them 2, Szmodics and Hedges, minimal quality. Up top, we have made a couple of gambles, needs must. The lad today is hopefully an uncut gem although will need to adapt having been playing in the German 4th league. Ennis I like the look of but no use sat on a physio bed. I think the calls were for experience, Tomasson kept mentioning it, and Broughton kept mentioning it, he said we have to maintain the average age and that we cant bring in 21 year olds to replace the likes of Ayala and Dack. Well, we did, so thats a failing that is out of Broughton's control 3 or 4 out of 10 for me.

Is he better than Ayala though? Phillips was 5th choice, we havent replaced him.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/23759013.blackburn-rovers-boss-issues-squad-update-ahead-plymouth/ When asked if he was ready to take part in training games, Tomasson replied: “Not yet. Of course, we have the break after Plymouth and when we get back, I will give three or four days off. “There will be a couple of players who travel away, which is really good for the club. “Hopefully, Arnor can then start training a bit and get some minutes but it is step-by-step. He is going in the right direction which is really positive.” Doesnt sound that close.

The regular England squad announcement is always a signal that interesting football is about to take a hiatus. Maguire and Phillips will make the squad no matter how infrequently they feature or indeed how poor they are.

Rotating to protect players? Understandable. Not caring if we win or lose? Not at all understandable.

I never can grasp why people say such drivel whenever we play in the cups. If the argument was that it isn't as important as other games, fine, but I can't fathom not caring.

Why will the pitch be a leveller? Think if you are referring to the old plastic one, it went upon promotion to the football league.

Some selections are obvious, Wahlstadt, Buckley, Tronstad, Garrett, Scott Wharton and Markanday should all play. Id also be inclined to rest as many of Saturdays potential team as possible with the quick turn around but it could be hard to change everyone due to the lack of backing in the transfer market. Moran and Gallagher should both start on Saturday but would they be better with 60 minutes in their legs or to be saved? And would we want to be throwing in players like Gamble?

He definitely is a breath of fresh air and it would be gutting if our terrible (or within the top 10% in the country) owners left him to leave. But perhaps better than a manager who got us to 6th in the Premier League? Come on.

Really satisfying victory, don't think the performance was particularly good but goals change games, had the result followed their dominance then this thread would be so much different, as it is, it goes down as a great away smash and grab and you need those in a season. Thought Hyam was man of the match and back to his best, Carter was good too and Wharton did well when he came on. Brittain was hopeless last week but aside from one or two losses of concentration to let them in near the end, was much improved too and Rankin Costello was fine. In midfield, Travis again was a leader, dismissing nonsense about Tomasson being not a fan whilst Buckley sat at home. Adam Wharton had a mixed game, classy at times, sloppy at others. Szmodics didn't have the best game either. In attack, worrying signs. We have been waiting for Dolan to push on for years and he is getting worse, absolutely woeful. Leonard is certainly not ready for Championship football yet either and really struggled. Hedges was good, he is a steady player and his goal was excellent. Sub wise, Gallagher for all of his faults is miles ahead of Leonard as you'd expect, Moran's cameo was mixed, but he has only been here a day, kept things safe and secure in the most part. Watford look exactly like a team who post relegation have let key attackers like Sarr and Pedro go. Pears had a couple of decent saves (one he made a meal of) but otherwise was pretty much a bystander as Watford missed the target.

Not enough quality. Dolan is terrible and Leonard is nowhere near ready.

Be tempted to chuck Moran straight in, played 90 minutes midweek and with such poor alternatives, stick him in over Dolan.

Tomasson regularly plays first teamers in games like this to build up minutes when needed. I don't think the game was yesterday. I hope Dolan doesn't start but this doesn't prove anything.

Can only see a home win with the shambles we are left with from only Ennis, Pickering and Sigurdsson being out. Wahlstedt Rankin Costello Carter Hyam Brittain Travis Tronstad Wharton Hedges Gallagher Szmodics

No Gallagher despite his performance at the weekend?