BigUts

IMHO to achieve a top 6 finish with this squad would be an excellent achievement. The consensus amongst the fanbase at the start of the season seemed to be that a relegation dog-fight is what we were in for this, when in reality (and now somewhat disappointingly) we probably should have been pushing Bournemouth all the way. Does that show how far we have come or a real falling part?! I think Tony rolled the dice a bit in January on the hope that BBD would stay fit for the remainder of the season and keep up his goal scoring form. It was perhaps a lazy decision to make but it appears we had basically zero cash to spend. The signing of Hedges for any fee seems to be a bit of a panic to me due to Markanday's injury taking place. Tony deserves a hell of a lot of credit. From where he picked us up 5 years ago to now is chalk and cheese. It has at times been excruciatingly slow and painful but in the cold light of day I think it's an achievement. If we are able to hit the play-offs this season then I would give him a 12 month rolling contract with perhaps a break clause at the end of each season and see how next season transpires. If we do miss out, its definitely time for a change and some new ideas. Who we would be able to bring in though is a completely different story and would probably require a huge overhaul of lots of staff.

I understand the criticism for the obviously flawed decision and I agree 100%, but similarly I think he deserves credit for making a good decision, however obvious that may seem which is what your original point was trying to say shouldn't happen.

I dont see the point you're making? We basically all say what team we think should be picked each week and what changes we should make, but we don't actually do it.

Unless someone can prove that the players themselves made tactical changes and the relevant substitutions then I think we have to give credit to Tony on last night. He 100% got it wrong with the initial line-up and it literally boggled my mind; but in the end changes were made and the result came good. I'm fairly sure that we can all agree Tony made the change to bring Giles on who crossed a beauty for Gallagher to head home - or are we saying Lenihan and Travis made that change too? The virtue signalling on here and on social media is cringe. I of course would never do that because I'm an amazing supporter...😁

Anybody know the last time we scored from 3 headers in a single game?

The first half was a shambles. Reminded precisely of the 1st half vs. Fulham at Ewood. Lacklustre, lethargic and full of fear. Wharton had a terrible first half giving the ball away cheaply and really struggling with the movement on his side of the 3. JRC was a constant liability defensively and it was zero surprise Lenihan was giving him down the banks. Start of the 2nd half was everything the first half wasn't. We are the most successful when we press so well from the front. vs. QPR is the most recent example that when we do so with pace and intent it generally turns the game in our favour. Every goal was a little bit of class in its own way. Lovely corner and header for the first. Sensational flick from Dack for the 2nd and Giles doing exactly what he does best...along with Gallagher scoring with a thumping ('scuse the language) F*CKING HEADER! Gallagher was f*cking revelation when he came on. I've said this several times previously that this makes the lad even more frustrating to me as we all know and he knows he CAN do it. Put yourself about lad and use that huge frame!! Dack clearly energises the team. The crowd believe in him and so do the players. I'm worried we will get sucked in to playing him too much too early so I think a few more 30 min run outs are whats needed. The panic button was pushed tonight and he delivered which is tremendous but we need to be careful with the lad. Was fantastic to come away having seen some GOOD goals and look up the table again. We've clung on in there and we have our talismanic magic back, with the main man still to return. Another win Saturday vs. the Royals and we will head to the international break with real optimism in the squad and fire in our belly for the run in. Today reminded me so much of Sheff Utd which really kicked us on so let's hope today gives us the same impetus!

Still can't quite believe what happened on Saturday. I was and remain devastated about the result. I am by no means a Gallagher fan but when Dack entered the fray on Saturday he seemed to have more impetus. I'm not sure if that's because he started to playing more centrally with an obvious partner or what it was. I think the team that you've picked here @chaddyrovers is the one I'd go with too.

So pedestrian and side to side it played right in to Millwall's hands. On the rare occasion Rothwell burst forwards with the ball they looked shit scared. The positive for me tonight was Buckley he looked much better after his break out the side but this system only works when we have a speed merchant or two up top. Khedra and Dolan for Gallagher and Giles and I think we win Saturday. Really awful watch tonight but we will have a bumper crowd Saturday and we will win. LETS GO.

A huge week of games for us. 3 back-to-back games that will surely define our season now. We should, on paper, win all 3. Millwall are on a scintillating run but we all know that they end somewhere and we do seem to be able to pull a result out of the bag when playing at Ewood this season. I can really see us turning up here but much will hinge on RB. JRC there definitely isn't the answer for me...maybe its time to throw Brown in at the deep-end...sink or swim, son!

Fancy a result here, rather weirdly. Don't quit fancy a win but a draw at least which would be hugely confidence boosting and keep us well on our way for a play-off berth.

Not good enough sadly. I've been a firm believer we would make the playoffs but its evaporated for me. Think its game over.

Christ sake. Khadra really causing problems now

Got the lacklustre Gallagher tonight.

Just checked out ticket sales on the ticket map and sadly they don't look all that smashing! I find it almost unforgiveable that we are sat 3rd in the table and STILL people don't come. 😪

This version of one-upmanship on "I had an injury that didn't stop me/but still had to..." is riveting, it truly is.

Us playing with 2 in the middle of the park doesn't seem to work. We constantly get overran. Although Buckley plays as a 'false 9' he does drop in the 3 meaning Travis and Rothwell can sit deeper. If Pickering is fully fit he deserves to be in the equation but I can't see that happening. Giles will almost certainly be in. If we need to do so then go for the old switcheroo of bringing Khadra on. His pace frightens teams to death. Kaminski Lenihan Van Hecke Wharton Nyambe Travis Rothwell Giles Buckley Dolan Gallagher

If it resembled Southport beach now you'd be delighted it's mostly green 😁

Not sure if serious...

Thought this myself. Weather looks horrendous all day Friday and equally all Saturday morning. The only saving grace could be the wind. It'll take plenty of the moisture out of the soil if there are periods of no rain.

Rovers 2 - 0 Millwall Jean-Claude Van-Hecke '82 Hedges '88 Two late goals with the roof coming off the BBE and Sweet Caroline ringing in our ears

4th. I'm confident of 7 points over the next 10 days which I think will really define our season. We seemed to have a turning point during the game against West Brom and key players like Buckley suddenly seemed to grow in confidence after looking so lacklustre for the first half and the previous 5 games. Keep the faith and keep believing. Much of our positive run post Fulham was us dragging the team on and that attitude will help the players keep believing too.

I thought we did well in the end. WBA are very one dimensional and you tend to see the same when teams have Andy Carroll. He is such a focal point that he's an easy option. I've heard and seen lots of comments saying he was excellent. He wasn't. Wharton and Van Hecke played very well and the game was exactly what they wanted. See Forest for games they don't want - movement and pace. We really grew in to this one . Buckley looked back to his resplendent best in the 2nd half before coming off. The ball in for BBD's "goal" that was ruled out for offside was top drawer and an absolute nightmare to play against. Hopefully it gives a little more confidence for Saturday. Nyambe was excellent and I think that position really suited him. You see Lenihan step out with the ball a lot in the current system and with Nyambe's pace and directness with the ball, along with ability to defend, will see him cause a lot of problems...however we really do need him in the wingback role if we can. JRC is like a fish out of water. Misjudging the flight of the ball so often when we were trying to hit the diagonal became embarrassing for the lad. I think Gallagher is more and more becoming an impact player from the bench. Playing him from the start doesn't ever really seem to get the best of him. I think we all would have taken a point last night. At least 7 from the next 3 are a must and we will be looking good again.

Gally should score. Great ball from JB AGAIN

What a ball from JB

Out of his depth the lad. Almost feel sorry for him.