Ewood legend is an exaggeration in the extreme.

We need to get every last minute that he can give us. He is still crucial at his age. Like I said, is there much difference between half an hour at the end or 60 minutes and taking him off, if he cant do any more? So you think 9 players played well and 2 were solely to blame for being outplayed? Fair enough, but Swansea didnt score so im not sure how you can justify replicating their approach. My apologies, brilliant team. And I hope the irony of you pointing out spelling errors isnt lost on you.

He had 2 or 3 moments where he caused blind panic, where I had my heart in my mouth, particularly when he spilt the ball in the first half in a comedy of consecutive errors. His distribution was horrific and a big contributing factor in the wave of attacks for Derby as we struggled for a kick. Hes very, very young for a keeper, but im judging him on his performances, and I wouldnt like to defend in front of him due to his eccentric nature. I am not saying we should play Leutwiler, or that he doesnt have potential, or that he isnt capable of very good saves. There was a lot of last ditch defending because as a team, we failed to maintain possession, we were reckless in our pressing, we failed to manage the game effectively by slowing it down, the ball kept coming back because there was no out ball in attack, and too many individuals were having an off day and not contributing. I dont doubt that Derby are one of the better teams in the division but we made it easy for them to slaughter us for 60 minutes, until they ran out of ideas and we improved. It was an incredibly lucky point but one that as a result, not taking into account performance, is a good one. We didnt play well as a team chaddy, it was along with Bristol City a performance that was far below the standards we have set, which has seen us very competitive in our other games and picking up points in them all. That said, we showed a lot of spirit that I never doubted was there, that was possibly, aside from the result, the only positive. And your Evans comment "seems a little over critical for my view"

I dont have a clue chaddy, and I havnt got the time to look it up for you. If he tires, bring him off sure but he is a crucial player. The aim was to play on the counter attack yesterday and nothing stuck until we brought on our best striker. His introduction made a massive difference. You seem reluctant to admit he is such an important player, ever since last season when you repeatedly wrote him off. I dont want us to cause problems like Swansea did, and not score a single goal! How do you know they caused them such problems? I never said Stoke are a brilliant team but their central midfield is far superior, as was Derbys, and we dont want them to dominate in the same way. We need that out ball.

I dont think we will get near the play offs sadly but neither do I think we will be in significant relegation danger. We definitely have some good players at this level but our squad seems imbalanced and lacking in certain areas. We signed some decent players in the summer but im not sure we did it in a totally balanced fashion, nor do I think that Mowbray knows his best team. There are big questions at the moment about our ability to control and manage games at this level. That said I think we will be fine.

Agree on Armstrong not taking his chance but Graham has to start. If he is knackered after an hour then fine but he was rested yesterday but looked fine throughout. Stoke have Allen, Woods and Etebo in central midfield so I could see a repeat in terms of their midfield dominating so we need Graham to be able to hold things up and to relieve any situations of constant opposition pressure. My worry with Brereton is that he isnt the type of striker who will allow us to take the pressure off like Graham does.

I think you have overstated the impact of Smallwood and Evans tonight. During the first half they failed at any point to try and keep the ball to stunt the momentum that was at times relentless. I do also think however that we missed Mulgrews composure behind them. Also, for all of the commments in regards to their defensive nous, so much of our defence was last ditch, so they werent really struggling to penetrate through our midfield. Evans has had a good season in general and was the pick of the 2 tonight but Smallwood, both defensively and on the ball, is failing to establish himself at this level. Also dont get the praise for Raya. His decision making is as much a contributing factor as any to the shakiness and last ditch element of our defending at times. There were a few times when he was all over the place, spilling things and making poor decisions, added to some woeful kicking and he fails to instil any confidence. Totally agree on the comments on Graham who gets more important with each passing week.

Rothwells problem is that he is competing with Armstrong and Palmer for one spot essentially, with Mowbray favouring one defensive winger and with Dack being a given. That said, he deserves a chance on Saturday. Reed I dont think has earnt the trust yet of Mowbray. He mentioned him charging down the wing on Saturday as a negative even though it led to a goal. He wants discipline from his 2 central midfielders hence his overbearing loyalty towards Smallwood. He knows exactly what his job is, problem is v better midfielders he is outclassed.

But I think Smallwood is as guilty as anyone of giving up possession. The soldier and artist analogy I get to an extent but even if you are one, you need to be a bit of the other. For example, Smallwood is a soldier but he needs to at least be competent on the ball and in possession, same with Lenihan. No good if you win the ball back and give it straight back again. Conversely, our artists need to do at least their fair share of hard work. I dont think the side was more cautious than normal, I just feel that he got his tactics totally wrong, something he as good as admitted with changes that made us improve. Also, no idea why Smallwood is on set piece duty. He is shocking at them.

The problem is, spoiling only gets you so far, you need to then keep the ball otherwise you are in a cycle of attacks for the opposition. Agreed on the 3 you mention at the bottom. I think all 3 were equally poor, Palmer seems to be getting the brunt of the criticism but they were all poor.

Bell did well in the last half hour but to be honest its a flip of a coin decision. Not much in it. Evans has had a far better season than Smallwood. You keep saying he cant play x and he cant play y but he has played 90 minutes quite a few times. His fitness is seemingly a bit better than we give him credit for, hes always been slow but it doesnt stop him being effective. He was excellent when he came on again. Ask Dack who he wants to play with and I bet I can guess the answer. Lets play Graham rather than picking someone solely based on the logic of Swansea apparently causing Stoke problems in a game you didnt see and one in which they failed to score. Brereton should be next in line with Armstrong not taking his chance.

2 questions: I know you wrote off Graham for a lot of last season, but surely you now appreciate that he has to be first choice at the moment? His hold up is a crucial out ball and we look lost without him. You were staunchly in defence of giving Conway a new deal. Surely you think that maybe that was a mistake? Hes never a Championship player nowadays.

Very poor performance, especially the first 60 minutes. Wave after wave of attack, we stole a point which is a bonus. The lack of control in central midfield was startling and it needs changing in there. Smallwood is no more than a squad player for me and if we have signed 3 central midfielders and none can threaten his place, we have a problem. Evans has dipped slightly but was better than Smallwood for me. When we are under the cosh we seem unable to get our foot on it and manage the game. Mowbray got his team selection and tactics totally wrong, theres no dressing that up. He shouldnt have picked Conway but I was at least impressed that he realised that and didnt wait to change it. Raya was at times embarrassing. Some of his handling, decision making and kicking would have been hilarious had I not been a Rovers fan. Graham my man of the match, he has to start every game he is fit at the moment. Some terrific hold up and should have an assist but from a rare sitter by Dack. Armstrong doesnt look like a Championship striker by any means. Dack was not in the game at all, and Palmer likewise. Nyambe was decent, but offered nothing again going forward. Bell was as shaky as anyone up until the last half hour when he was much improved. Williams was fine, Lenihan is really poor on the ball but you cant fault his committment. Mulgrew, Reed, Rothwell, Bennett and Graham should come in for Bell, Smallwood, Palmer, Conway and Armstrong I think at Stoke. Derby were poor too, they ran out of ideas and a better side would have scored a hatful tonight.

The whole team has chaddy. We are lucky not to be 3 or 4 down.

Because you are obsessed in singling Palmer out. Dack and Armstrong have been equally ineffective, and the whole team have been poor.

Horrrendous performance and Ive no idea how we are still level. Massive worry how unable we are to even remotely stop a team with any sort of momentum. Wave after wave without any of our players unable to get hold of the ball, with our players at times aiding them in their attacks with stupid mistakes. We need to be able to control and manage games far better. We are also so worryingly reliant on 33 year old Danny Graham. Armstrong doesnt look like a striker. No wonder we look at sixes and sevens at times with that clown behind them. Some of Rayas goalkeeping has been laughable. Mowbray got his selection wrong but at least he tried to change it up early. For me Conway has essentially retired himself. Armstrong and Dack may as well have not come out and Palmer hasnt been much better.

Williams is never a centre back, @chaddyrovers says he has played there before and I know he did in a 3 at Bristol City but when played in a central 2 last season he really struggled I felt, when we had a bit of a wobble around the time of the Plymouth defeat. That said, I dont think that Downing is going to be good enough at this level either, so I appreciate that its a tough choice, in an area where we really needed to strengthen in the summer. Understand what you are saying in terms of hypocrisy but Conway isnt a competent Championship winger. Hes been chosen to protect his full back but Rothwell has shown his ability to graft and also unlike Conway, who should never be starting games at this level anymore, he can also add something going forward. I think Palmer and Dack are superior set piece takers too. Based on my personal expectations, I wouldnt say that the team is performing ABOVE expectations. Based on the results and the fixtures so far, we are about on par.

Worrying side. Mulgrew a huge blow and playing Williams out of position seems a strange choice, as does Conway over Rothwell. That said, im not convinced that the Derby line up is as bas as it could have been.

Agree totally. Think they are underrated as silly as that sounds. I also think Mulgrews defensive capabilities are somewhat underappreciated due to his style. I think with Graham, his brilliant partnership with Dack is something that we lack when one is not in the team. They show how intelligent they are at times when they play together. The younger Armstrong and Brereton should watch and learn. That said, Armstrong himself linked very well with them last season coming from wide positions and exploiting space.

Wouldnt say fickle. Dont think they have ever been totally enamoured with the owner. David Healy is still their record signing and after 3 seasons in the top half with a well built talented squad I can understand why after selling 2 key players and spending a pittance in return, that their fans are frustrated at a time when they could have pushed on towards the Prem.

It says "I have to assume its Mowbrays call" quite the opposite of saying its someone elses call. 100% agree. Graham should have the shirt for the time being. He doesnt fit the mantra of a vibrant attacking team, nor does Mulgrew, but the pair not only bring experience but unparalled quality in their positions. Grahams hold up and knock downs are the perfect platform for Dack in particular to thrive off. For me, our 2 most underrated players are our 2 most experienced.

Oh god. Replacement bus it is!

Travel arrangements?

Bennett surely wont play as a 10 again though with Dack back. Im sure player unavailability was part of the thinking v Brentford. We need to allow Dack and co to try and prey on mistakes from Derby overplaying at the back.

Its important for us to go there looking to press and attack. They like to play it out at times naively from the back and with players like Keogh they can often be caught in dangerous areas.