Rovers v Millwall. Wed 2nd Dec 7.45pm

[tomphil]

Some forums allow that and are like that there's nothing to say some of those are actually Millwall regulars.  Their type of rep is always going to attract that more than others but like everywhere else on SM a lot of them will be playing the big'un from their bedroom at their mums.

Really wouldn't bother about it if it was allowed on here we'd have a few of the similar. 

[BigBar]

8 hours ago, RevidgeBlue said:

I think it's quite negative to be trying to break into the top 6, we should be aiming for the top 2 then we have the playoffs as a fall back if we fail to make it.

On that basis the manager should be trying to drum into the players that  sooner rather than later we need a run of six consecutive wins to get up to the two points per game mark.

He won't be of course. He'll be trying to eke it out and convince everyone that being in contention for a play off place by the end of next season is acceptable.

Agree 100%. Did you see Nyambe's post match interview on Saturday? Was very refreshing that he pointed out how many points we were off top and not the top 6. I love a bitta Ryan anyway but more so now. Huge fan.

[Ossydave]

Looks like Pike will make the bench tonight ?

[superniko]

A bit disappointed to see Rothwell drop to the bench, but glad it’s not a negative holding midfield replacement. Elliott and Holtby should link up well, and we’ve 2 games a week until Xmas. Johnson for Trybull the right move in this game too. 
Assume Wharton is still not recovered as he’s not made the bench. Not too worried defensively given how poor Millwall are going forward, just hope we can break them down early on. 

Edited December 2, 2020 by superniko

[Admiral Nelsen]

No Cooper for them - big loss

[Feed the Yak]

Rothwell doesn't deserve to be dropped on merit but it's a long season and he'll be great off the bench. Shame for Wharton to be out through injury, but a chance for Ayala to show us what he is about. All in all, strong lineup and looking forward to the match. 

[G Somerset Rover]

Really don’t understand the dropping of Rothwell. If he’s on the bench, he’s fit enough. Key player in this side. 
Need the 3 points tonight.

[roversfan99]

Not sure the balance is quite right or indeed that Elliott is a central player but it is a very attacking line up. Bell always a worry at left back. Should be enough to put Millwall away.

Big boost for us that Cooper misses out for them.

[Ossydave]

Midfield battle will be interesting tonight looking at that line up, hope they don't bully Elliot and Holtby too much! It could go either way I guess but hopefully skill gets the better of brute force on this occasion.

[Cherry Blue]

Why drop Rothwell?? Maybe TM is thinking of the number of games coming up but history shows the lad needs to play consistently to produce the goods, 

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

Just now, Gavlar Somerset Rover! said:

Really don’t understand the dropping of Rothwell. If he’s on the bench, he’s fit enough. Key player in this side. 
Need the 3 points tonight.

I am sure this is only due to the number of matches.

[davulsukur]

Not great seeing Rothwell on the bench and not in the starting 11.

[Tugay-is-God]

Rothwell a casualty of the Elliott deal, I imagine.

Seems pretty clear there's must be some sort of quota/strong pressure on the amount of games he starts.

[rigger]

Just now, Tugay-is-God said:

Rothwell a casualty of the Elliott deal, I imagine.

Seems pretty clear there's must be some sort of quota/strong pressure on the amount of games he starts.

If Elliot plays well I don't care how many games he plays

[WacoRover]

Rovers with 17 points in the 7 games Rothwell has started; I sure hope it works, whatever Tony has up his sleeve today. 

[Elvis Biro]

10 hours ago, WIR Second Coming said:

Yes, quite measured in their analysis. Tactically there may be a few flaws in their plan, such as snapping opposition legs (tends to lead to those sendings off they draw attention to) although I did like the idea of them knocking 4000 holes in our defence

A damp cold evening on Ewood Park. Got to be up for this, as a game that has 'barometer for season's intent' written all over it.

COYB. JFDI

 

'Barometer for season's intent' is probably my favourite sentence ever on this board. Or anywhere else, for that matter.

[Doug]

Poor decision to drop Rothwell unless it's based on 'the science' of how many minutes a player should play.

Elliot needs to turn up as does Bell.

Blend doesn't sit well, we could get over run in midfield again, just like Barnsley.

Hope I'm proved wrong.

Come on Rovers

[bazza]

Rothwell may have picked up a knock in training and only be 90% fit. We don't know.

[only2garners]

Surely Rothwell is being rested rather than dropped isn't he? Just like Elliott was at Preston.

[ben_the_beast]

Predictable Douglas and Wharton would miss out. 

[rovers11]

I think it’s obvious from our line up that TM doesn’t expect Millwall to do much attacking tonight. I think they will have 11 men behind the ball and try and nick a goal from a set piece. 

I think he’s picked Elliot over Rothwell because he’s more likely to play a killer pass. 

[philipl]

I would never have anticipated that line-up.

There are signs of Holtby and Elliott really clicking together so we will find out if they do tonight. Elliott gives us more buzz energy and creativity but cannot run through the entire opposition the way Rothwell can.

Interesting.

[CrouchingNunhiddenCucumber]

How is Rothwell not starting?

I suspect Elliot has a minimum quota when Liverpool loaned him to us and Mowbray's self confessed negotiating skills came to the fore and he agreed immediately 

[Exiled in Toronto]

Elliott instead of Rothwell in the left-sided midfield role is a no brainer for me given Mowbray has loaded up on forwards 

[Admiral Nelsen]

With the possible exception of Armstrong, I think Mowbray will be looking to rotate our entire midfield and attack before the new year. Think having Rothwell on the bench for this one if anything recognises how much of a key player he's been for us this year, given our tough week coming up.