I think the unbeaten streak will come to an end this week after an unreal start to the season. 2 very tough away games that (call me negative) I would perhaps take 2 draws from if offered. That said, we really do need to get off the mark away from home and Coventry away seems like a much more likely fixture for us to be able to do that. Not sure what the manager's perspective on Cantwell's fitness is but if he is fit enough it could be a good opportunity to start him. As much as I love Ohashi, big Mac needs to start and probably will start I think. If he can get his first league goal and 3 points then this season will be as perfect as you could hope for at this stage.

A little harsh I think. If you think back to the Bristol game, we created hardly anything for Ohashi, first chance we gave him he battered in the top corner and then he created another for himself out of nothing. We've created little for our forwards but given us a fantastic return on not much supply. We can round and round about it but let's be honest, nothing needs to change at all. Eustace has us set up not to get beat and we're unbeaten and 2nd in the league, keeping clean sheets and scoring goals. It's pointless nit picking about this and that whilst we're picking up points. When the results turn then perhaps it's time to talk about our creativity (or lack of) but right now things are as good as they possibly can be and despite our league position we can still improve.

Of course Gally isn't the benchmark, I'm merely pointing out that they've already surpassed his numbers to improve the team this season. There are a lot to another strikers in the league that cost more and haven't put the numbers our 2 have yet. To be fair, we don't create many clear cut chances from open play and I presume we are going to find it even harder because being 2nd in the league, teams are going to sit even deeper against us and allow us less space to create 1v1 type situations. This is why goals have to come from everywhere and why it was pleasing to see us score a set play today. As far as strikers go, you can spend a feck load of money and get absolutely no guarantees they will find the net. So given how much we spent on ours and the return on goal involvements, if they can keep it up even at a slightly slower pace then it will be an unreal return.

Class today. I was speaking to some mates who thought we were poor in the first half but I think we all need to get used to how Eustace approaches games. He doesn't have us flying out of the traps, unorganised and leaving spaces to get hurt. Seemingly he wants us to set up, have structure, see where the weaknesses are and grow into games, unlike the mess he took over last season, I think a few of us need to remember that and not get too carried away. I personally thought we looked fine in the first half, structured, disciplined and organised, just the same as we did against Bristol and walked away with the same score line and another clean sheet. I know after the Preston game we were all concerned about the lack of chances created but I think we all need to chill out a bit and trust in Eustace. The depth and creativity we have is so much better this season rather than simply trying to find Szmodics all the time, we have a lot more players with different ideas. To add to that we have a lot more graft off the ball aswell. Last season when we lost the ball it was pure panic stations but now we look calm, well drilled and get bodies behind the ball. Travis and Sonny cover really well in there and give us that added protection and it's really starting to show. I felt relaxed at half time that somehow from somewhere we would find the net. Seen a few comments talking about the forwards being poor. Both combined cost less than Gallagher and both individually already have done more than he did all last season. So many seasons we've had a main goal scorer and where has it gotten us? The teams that compete at this level have everyone pulling their weight and this season looks a lot more like that. That said, I think both Gueye and Ohashi will finish the season with a decent amount more goals than Gallagher. Danny Batth has really impressed me so far and I'm not just saying that because of the goal. He seems to have given us that much needed experience and calmness that we've been lacking. Special mention to Dolan, who after a poor display at Preston worked his feckin balls off like he always does and put in another good performance. Some of the comments about him on X are extremely harsh, embarrassing and brainless at times to be honest. He deserves his place in the team and we would miss him if he wasn't available. The subs looked great and we all got a sniff of how good Cantwell could be for us, that's really exciting. I also think that ACD will turn out to be a real live wire for us once he settles in and gets his chance. Another solid 7.5/10 performance. So many positives. Still unbeaten and another clean sheet. Big John Eustace is a proper manager folks, we should all think ourselves lucky this man is at the wheel. RTID!

Agree with all of this but despite ACD showing us nothing, he needs to be given a fair crack to actually show something, not fair to make any assumptions after a scrappy derby day draw coming on as a sub. Cantwell will probably be benched but wouldn't be surprised if he gets chucked in as a sink or swim from Eustace.

2 clean sheets behind us which is really positive so the back 4 picks itself at the moment. What I'm hoping is Eustace doesn't return to cautious ways at home and goes out to win this game. I think this is the right game to start ACD ahead of Hedges. I like Hedges but we need a bit more attacking threat than what he's offering at the moment and Baker needs dropping because he offers absolutely nothing in that attacking midfield area. Perhaps start Weimann there instead. I'd still start Dolan as much as he makes me want to pull my hair out but wouldn't be surprised if Eustace seized the opportunity to start Cantwell instead. I could see this being a tight game with nothing much in it therefore we need to be a lot better from set pieces. Our delivery and lack of quality supply into the box needs to improve, especially if Gueye starts up top which I'm confident he will. Big game for him because he needs to get up and running and get his first league goal but the lads behind him need to help with that.

Rubbish game, we didn't move the ball quick enough and ask enough questions. Fair play to them, they did to us what we did to Burnley. Absolutely awful ref. Up there with one of the worst I've seen. Killed the game for both teams. Lost control completely. Flag looked decent on Sky at least.

We need some new songs. Going to try and get this going on Sunday if anyone fancies giving me their voice... Turning Japanese I think we're turning Japanese I really think so 1 2 3 4! Be even better if we could get people pogoing for it. People will probably look at me like I'm from mars but someone has to try something new FFS... Bit of fun like

Lot of clowns in football who talk a good game but have no business being involved making decisions at the elite levels of football.

Fuck off Southampton https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-southampton-set-sights-on-championship-boss-to-replace-russell-martin/

Would be cool to see a few of these aswell if anyone fancies one... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/253775387097?_trkparms=aid%3D1110002%26rkt%3D12%26algo%3DSPLICE.SOI%26asc%3D20230104190052%26mech%3D1%26algv%3DPromotedSellersOtherItemsV2WithMLR%26pmt%3D1%26amclksrc%3DITM%26sd%3D263385708840%26sid%3DAQAJAAAAED9jVQKWcB2NqRxkxVGHXpc%3D%26itm%3D253775387097%26noa%3D0%26ao%3D1%26rk%3D1%26pid%3D101369%26b%3D1%26mehot%3Dnone%26lsid%3D3%26meid%3D6eea76d7f26c4cf6a9b995dd8113b0c2%26pg%3D3663644%26&_trksid=p3663644.c101369.m2333&amdata=cksum%3A2537753870976eea76d7f26c4cf6a9b995dd8113b0c2|enc%3AAQAJAAABAMHOtQ%2BqYmS3XZ2FvxvjOkrJwwwBB0PDatnLa1WqX1JCwIC51T%2B7pZ%2FQU%2FLXC11X%2BgFKxnGRxGTgKt0nWfG4rgzAi%2F%2FRhS4zSgLd48Yrl9FUmVGGdP9SmsjgIe9qJqvQwbznMA9MA7nI315kRmE23Plp%2F4xSeomHirt%2Fj0tD2rxh1uwhNp2pbBtnokHTcLgk3MUk9fCET4Y3XU%2FUiCuUeILb1BFKvsS5z%2FkZtHK5zNH7TRf5va9TerVnEKtarW0cGLZ8etWP4y5F2i4UH%2BIrOuN0bbkyWgJybHwg630l0kCx1snrb6a%2B8ztmJislKYrna8tVJ9qRpxCplffZWVIRzZ8%3D|ampid%3APL_CLK|clp%3A3663644

Fixed. Sorry

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/24589407.lewis-obrien-opens-failed-blackburn-rovers-move/ Guessing this lad didn't hit his previous highs at Boro that he did for Huddersfield. Regardless, I'd still love to see him here. If he can recapture that form he's unbelievable player at this level.

Will Keane out for them is a big loss. Looking at people's 11's... The only change I would make is Weimann for Baker. He's clearly got an eye for goal and the sort of player you need in a derby. Wouldn't bet against him bagging another against another local rival.

Just bought an 8ft x 5ft Japan flag...

Managed to snag one... Just. Basket kept emptying when trying to purchase so think I got one of the last.

Anyone know if the Preston tickets are on sale on the website and if so, when?

I wouldn't be surprised to see Hedges sit this out. He got a kick in the Bristol game and the manager seems very cautious of him. Could be a good opportunity to get ACD in the 11. This is going to come across negative but I'd take a point away from home to keep the unbeaten run going and then get back to Ewood for QPR. Derby games are of course never easy games and hard fought. They will be bang up for it and be a harder opposition under Heckingbottom, proven with a very decent point away at Boro. We can absolutely smash them of course, we have the ability and great options off the bench with Gueye back from suspension aswell. I can see a tight game where he comes off the bench to score.

Well... What a day out today. That's as comfortable a performance I've seen from us for a long time. We looked extremely well organised and well drilled and for that we have to give the manager buckets of credit. I've been saying it for a little while now that I really like the way this guy operates, he's a very astute tactician and seems to know the league extremely well. We should give criticism where it's due and we should also give credit... Aynsley Pears didn't have much to do but kept them out with one brilliant save and another few good blocks aswell. Came off his line a few times and cleared his lines. A really solid performance from him today. Not sure what else I can say about Owen Beck other than he's premier league class. Quick, aggressive, disciplined, everything you want in a full back really. I was in the Riverside and 30 minutes into the game I could see he had already mentally defeated Sykes. I thought Danny Batth looked really good. Very calm, well organised, experienced, tidy and personally should keep his place based on that performance. Still not sold on Hyam, first half he made a few mistakes and I could just generally feel that if they were to get back into the game it would be because of him. That said, a clean sheet and did some positive things in the game aswell so fair play. Carter at right back didn't look out of place at all. He might even be a better shout than Brittain based on that performance because he gets forwards well and is also better defensively. You can't change a back 4 that gets a clean sheet so this should be it for the foreseeable. Name me a better holding mid than Sondre Trosntad in the championship (I'll wait)... I'm a little surprised a German club or some other European side hasn't come in for him but I could definitely see him attracting some attention. So industrious, so tidy, so clever, a player who to me looks capable of higher levels. Lewis Travis has shown us what we were lacking last season. Many of us have given him stick and he's making us eat our words at the moment. He does tend to have good early season form and then taper off, hopefully he can keep these levels up because he and Sonny are dominant in there. Dolan is another that gets his fair share of stick but he needs to be given credit for the sheer amount of graft he gets through. It goes to show how you need to defend from the front to keep clean sheets because that's exactly what he does. His tracking back and high pressing shouldn't go unnoticed. As frustrating as he can be, he turns up every week and earns his place. Hedges and Baker gave similar performances to be honest. Nothing spectacular but disciplined and aggressive when necessary and both steady on the ball without anything in particular standing out. Yuki Ohashi... Words seem pointless to be honest. Earlier in the thread I said it was a big game for him to take the spotlight whilst Big Mac was out and... Wow. Has any other player made an impact for us like this in such a short space of time than this man? Shearer perhaps? 2 absolutely world class finishes. He reminds me of so many other great forwards we've had almost rolled into one. He didn't actually have that much to feed off really but has managed to batter in 2 unreal goals which is the sign of a top class striker. His finishing in both the air and floor really is impressive and comes across like he has buckets of self belief. We signed him for 100k, what's he worth now? Like many of our signings this summer... What an absolute gem! Little bit on the subs, Cantwell didn't really have much to do so not going to judge, probably say the same for Weimann. ACD showed glimpses of what he will have to offer when he decided to skin them a few times in added time, I'm sure he will be an exciting player to come in for when Hedges inevitably needs either a rest or gets injured. Overall, one of the most enjoyable days I've had at Ewood for a long time but I was a little disappointed with the lack of atmosphere and appreciation for the players at the end of the game. The supporters need to do better, I personally stayed and clapped till they walked down the tunnel. The stadium emptied really quickly before the final whistle and the lads had just put in an unbelievable performance... I thought they deserved a lot more from the fans all things considered. Took my 7 year old lad with me today who so far isn't really into football but I keep trying and managed to persuade him to come with me. He wore my shirt and hat from when I was a kid. Just put him to bed and he said "Today was the best" I said "oh yeah, which part was your favourite?" And he said... "When Rovers won". Absolutely made up. RTID! (He didn't drink it)

Fully expecting a draw in this one. They have some very talented players in midfield e.g. Twine, Mehmeti, Bird. The lad up top Mayulu has a couple of goals this season aswell... So they can hurt us but they are a seemingly young and inexperienced side. Eustace has made us a lot more experienced this season so hopefully that can show for something. Winning the midfield battle will be massive in this game because that's where all their creativity is. Their back 4 can be got at and looks like a weak point but the suspension of Gueye will be a big miss for us, had he been starting i'd have expected us to win as he's been involved in so many of our goals. Without him they might find it easier to defend against us. Big game for Ohashi. An opportunity to shine whilst big Mac is out, so he will have all the spotlight. Like many of you, desperate for him to keep scoring form up and keep the excitement about him going. I'm also expecting ACD to start. I think the desperation of the manager to bring in pace will mean he goes straight into the side. Cantwell I imagine will come off the bench in the 2nd half, probably last 20 minutes. A very winnable game but a very tricky opposition and we don't keep clean sheets so... 2-2

On Toth... For those thinking the manager isn't ruthless enough to drop Pears need to think again. After the Oxford game, Eustace was singing JRC's praises about his general play (goal aside I thought he was awful personally), next game against Blackpool, made a shocker of a mistake and was out of the team for Burnley. I can totally see Eustace saying something like... "Listen Aynsley, you've been good but I need clean sheets and I need us to be better defensively so I'm giving the new lad a go, it's nothing personal, I need you to be ready to go straight back in the team if he's not up to your standards". Professional football at this level is cut throat and having played at a decent standard personally, conversations like this are just part and parcel of it and you have to accept the competition like a man else things can turn to shit.

Strikes me as the sort of player who won't score for ages but then can bag a hat trick out of nowhere, then not score for a while again. All the while chipping in with assists. What will be really interesting is if ACD comes in with the pace we're all hoping for and is able to beat the full back... His cut backs and crosses will create chances and give him the service he hasn't really had yet. Our attacking mids don't often have the beating of the full backs and Gueye has been feeding off scraps really. So with players around him that can use him properly (which we haven't done yet) and get crosses in the box... He could surprise and bag a few.

Not sure if this has been pointed out but... Makhtar Gueye now has 3 assists in 4 games, that's as many as Sam Gallagher had IN THE WHOLE OF LAST SEASON.

My thoughts... Really proud of the lads to come away with a point with absolutely everything against them. I'm not going to go on like I'm celebrating a draw because we have more pride than that. I predicted a 1-1 draw on here I believe and happy to take it even though we were absolutely robbed. That goal could've changed everything and given us the momentum. That ref was the biggest c*nt I've experienced in a long time. He was absolutely desperate to give them a penalty and was twitching to blow his whistle for them on every occasion. No flow to the game at all, just stop start wanting to hear the sound of his own voice and make decisions instead of just letting tackles be tackles. Absolute dickhead. Really disappointed with Britain, he has to improve defensively and stop allowing crosses into the box. I'm a fan of his but he was poor both defensively and in possession. Could say the same for Carter too, sloppy in possession, got himself booked with an awful first touch. Beck had a rough start but grew into it. I thought he did a solid job in the 2nd half, did require Hedges to double up but it was a fair performance given he was thrown in at the deep end. Centre midfield didn't get hold of the game in the first half and I thought we stood off way too deep and gave them too much respect. Once we pressed higher they panicked and looked vulnerable. Feel it was a missed opportunity to not step on the gas and put them under some sustained pressure. As limited and sometimes frustrating he is, you can tell Travis has been a big miss for us, he was at it all game today, arguing, in people's ear, winding players up, just generally being an absolute w*nker and in games like this you really need that. Dolan worked unbelievably hard, he's frustrating but you can't fault his effort, Hedges exactly the same. Andy Weimann... What a signing & what a finish! Best Derby goal I've seen, shown buckets of experience for us so far, giving us goals from midfield, just a proper classy operator and looks to be a real pickup on a free. Many of you predicted how important he'd be and you've been proven right already. There's been a lot of discussion about the JDT performance and I have to agree with many saying we wouldn't have dug in like we did today under him. We'd have folded and comfortably lost that game no doubt. I'm starting to really like John Eustace, he's proactive on the touch line, gets his subs right at the right time with the right players. With many other of our managers I hardly agreed with when they where and who they were... Often too late. Today he showed plenty of passion, went toe to toe with Parker and put him in his place. We went down to 10, still put a striker on, didn't wave the white flag, kept us organised and threatening on the counter. I really respect his methods, he's happy to mix up the play, play out when there's space and hit the big man when there isn't. After finishing 19th last season, to start with 8 points from a possible 12 going into the international break is superb. It gives him a real chance of bedding in the new lads and pushing everyone to raise expectations. For all their huff and puff we had the better chances and deserved the point. We can have that lot later this season if we can keep it together and keep improving. Last thing, we make fun of their 6 fingers, did any notice the 4 fingers on show at one point? It gave me a bit of childish chuckle. 50 million spent was it? Every bit championship team... John Eustace blue and white army!

Absolutely fuckin robbed. Been 2nd best but but doesn't matter, should be in front. Hedges and Brittain been absolutely awful. Brittain can't stop a cross to save his life and needs dropping on his recent performances and I really rate him aswell. Get cosier Dubbery on for Hedges.