Not sure... but whatever it is I wish it was worse!

“Naive” and “Badly advised”... No doubt both of these things are true, but I’d say it’s also pretty indisputable they have also displayed massive amounts of arrogance and incompetence. Ignoring that and blaming everything on Jerome Anderson and absolving Venky’s is ridiculous. Apparently he was persona non grata when Coyle was appointed... although join the dots with the agents of all their managerial appointments since Bowyer and it’s apparent that the “lessons have been learned” line isn’t true. Like Glen and Philip have touched on, there’s nothing much new there for us, and plenty more that could have been said, but obviously it’s for the wider audience.

As a massive critic of his so far, I’m very pleased to admit he’s winning me round more and more. He’s not the most conventional or elegant player, but he’s mastering how to be extremely effective for us. When he picks the ball up and runs at players he seems to frighten the opposition to death. I’m calling these his Forest Gump runs... they really do get us up the pitch. Even if he seems to be running to nowhere that bit of clumsiness means he draws loads of fouls, winning free kicks and panicking opponents into getting carded. That said, we are also seeing some really intelligent end product and some lovely hold up play. Unorthodox is exactly How I’d describe that finish today as well... an easier chance and I’d be watching through my fingers, worried he’s going to put it out for a throw in. Somehow I just knew he was going to convert that chance though. What really impressed me today was his defensive work though. He had improved this facet of his game immensely. I’ve often seen a lack of desire from him, but lately, and no more so than today, he seemed to really relish that side of his game. He was a big help to JRC playing in an unnatural position and took off a big weight defensively. Another MOTM performance, and he (as well as Holtby) seem to have really found their positions in this system. With the nature of that position he’s bound to have the odd quiet game, and while I don’t think he will ever be a prolific scorer, at the moment he’s incredibly effective and a key component of the team. Fair play to him and Mowbray. And I’m utterly delighted I’m being proven wrong.

Stergiakis Magloire Wharton Williams Nyambe JRC Trybull Elliott Holtby Brereton Gallagher

I don’t understand the clamour for them to come back at all. Whether you “choose to forgive” or not, surely there can be no argument that since they have kept out of the way and their mouths shut, things have improved. The last thing I want is them taking any more of an interest and becoming hands on. That would be a disaster.

After reading this I can’t see the back 4 changing... https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/18833297.no-lasting-defensive-tactical-concerns-rovers-boss/

If Nyambe doesn’t start I’ll be thoroughly pissed off. Having said that I fully expect the same back 4 and keeper we saw perform so miserably on Tuesday to start.

I don’t think we will have as much of the ball this evening as we’ve become accustomed to this season. I’d have Dolan in the bench, coming on with half an hour to go ideally.

I hope to see Kaminski Nyambe Ayala Lenihan Bell  Trybull Johnson Holtby Elliott Armstrong JRC I expect to see Kaminski JRC Ayala Lenihan Douglas  Holtby Johnson Evans Gallagher Armstrong Brereton

Kaminski Nyambe Ayala Lenihan Bell Trybull Johnson Holtby JRC Armstrong Elliott Pears, Douglas, Wharton, Evans, Buckley, Dolan, Gallagher

Kaminski - No complaints. Nothing much to do. Nyambe - Good performance. Did will at both ends of the pitch. Ayala - Looks the real deal. Class act. Lenihan - Will benefit from playing alongside Ayala. Did ok today. Bell - Another good performance. Candidate for MOTM Johnson - Please let’s not have a repeat of last year where he started off well and faded badly. Crap today. Buckley - sad to say, but he’s had a nightmare today. Was really excited to see him deputise for Holtby, but it just didn’t happen. Not helped by those around him and well worth persisting with. Evans - Woeful first 45. Slight improvement in the second. Can’t function in the oppositions half. Dolan - his youthful exuberance provided a couple of moments of magic, but a few more naive mistakes. More effective than some though. Armstrong - starved of service. Largely anonymous. Brereton - back to his hopeless worst. Drove through the middle third of the pitch a couple of times, and won a couple of free kicks in nothing positions. Positioning is woeful, touch is horrid, finishing a joke. Chapman - Hopefully seen the last of him with JRC and Elliott as well as everyone who started better bets. Bennett is also more useful on the wing. Gallagher - gave us a brief bit of impetus when he came on. Soon faded. Should only be used as a centre forward, and sparingly at that.

Trybull looks a good bit of business. Loaning a player in his prime rather than an up and comer says to me we are giving it a real go this season. A good replacement for Travis while he’s out. Debates about starting 11s are beginning to have a bit of a different feel already. We’re spoilt for choice in some areas when everyone is fit. With games coming thick and fast, and the potential issues with testing, squad depth is more important than ever.

Can we stop with the ‘we will be Bury’ bollocks. For one thing, and absolutely no disrespect to Bury, we are a completely different proposition. They have been kicking around the lower leagues for a century, our grounds aren’t comparable... no need to labour the point, but the outcomes of the two clubs in the same position would be massively different. The fact we are bleeding money like we are is down to Venky’s mismanagement. The fact we lost our premier league status and income is down to Venky’s mismanagement. The fact our fanbase has been decimated is down to Venky’s mismanagement. You are right, we are where we are. And that is down to Venky’s mismanagement. You acknowledge the damage they have inflicted, but because they haven’t liquidated us we should be grateful? What the hell is there to thank them for?

Yep. Rather than just getting on and spending a tiny bit of time and money sorting it out.

Their plan pretty much amounts to forming a cartel. The competition and markets authority would have a duty to intervene, let alone authority.

The best scenario would be for these “big 6” to piss off and form a super league with the other “giants” throughout Europe. Make their own league, cut their own deals, have their own governing body, mess about with their own rule changes, make it practically a different sport if they want. Whatever. Scrap the premier league, return to a 4 division football league, regulate it properly and share monies more equally. I can but dream.

Noticed some talk about Willem Tomlinson a few pages back on this thread. He’s turning out for Padiham tonight against Squires Gate.

The brief looks to have changed. In every interview Mowbray or Waggott will still praise the owners, but they now seem to be highlighting the “difficulties“ they are apparently facing. There’s a definite shift.

Don’t forget Rothwell. The rest of his game was a 9/10... a three would be generous for his shooting today.

Not a bad result, but frustrating. Looked really solid at the back, which I like, but for the first time this season we were really poor in front of goal. Not much more to say. Bell MOTM.

Why is Brereton hanging about on the edge of the box when that cross gets put in at the end of the half? Get in there and head it man!

I think a settled back 4 is key. Change only when necessary due to injuries or suspension.

Fake. A pal of mine who is a big short buyer says it’s a growing phenomenon on eBay. Zoom in on the Rovers badge... it’s not right.

This is exactly what Waggott and co are trying to do. The divisive tactics have been employed since the day Venky’s came in. All their minions have tried similar tactics. Sadly some people buy it and allow the deflection from their decade of failings.

If Swag and the Idiots in India have a target of 10,000 season tickets (which they couldn’t get pre global pandemic), they obviously want circa £4 million quid from the fans. If times are as desperate as Waggott is making out, why not try something a bit more radical than begging and emotional blackmail? The initial plan for BRSIT, which later amalgamated with the supporters trust to become Rovers Trust, was for fans to pledge £1000 to attempt to buy the club. It was ambitious, but soft pledges were made. If they need £4 million so much I reckon 4,000 fans would find a grand each for a collective 20% stake in the club EASILY. It’s 2 season tickets, there’s a much more tangible benefit, people might be willing to make more of a sacrifice or sell their Granny’s pearls for something more meaningful than live streams and promises. Considering what Venky’s paid before decimating us they’d be getting a good price. I’ve been trying to get in touch with someone at the trust for a while (unrelated matter) but @mhead - has Waggott been sounded out about something like this? Trust should always be pushing for a stake. Raise the “desperately needed” funds, build some good will and get fans on side, re-engage and prove we are all really in it together.