But he's injured. I'm not suggesting we buy another GK. Maybe an experienced loan in Jan.

Another area of concern is the current lack of goalkeeper cover. Never thought we'd all be praying Pears stays fit!!!

Wise to point this out. Two differences this time I think. 1. Squad has more depth. 2. We have a manager prepared to adapt his way of playing. Sometimes hasn't worked but (unlike JDT) he seems prepared to learn and change things to suit. However the lack of a goalscorer WILL come back to bite us at some point unless addressed in Jan.

If you'd have told me that after 20 games we would only be 1 point behind that team from a small town in Yorkshire - I'd have asked for whatever you're drinking/smoking/taking! Up the Rovers 😄 Really does have the feeling of the Kendall era! A team not greatly talented compared to those around them but all putting in a shift and fighting together. Amazing the difference a bit of experience and organisation can make At some point the defence will falter so we must get a goalscorer in. Shame that Venkys past showing suggests that won't happen and so, until we see the outcome of the Jan window, I'm enjoying the ride but not getting my hopes up.

Generally one of the worst weekends for attendances. Lots of games over Christmas, some people forced(!) to go shopping, not v attractive opposition. Still disappointing considering our recent form.

Great night. Remember the Trav sending off - Not a difficult one for the referee to be fair!

I'm not a fan of all these internationals BUT plenty of people are. I also really don't like what has been done to the FA Cup - when I started following football it was possibly more important than the league, at least to fans and even I suspect some of the players. But aren't phrases like 'absolute shit' and 'total disgrace' a bit over the top for a discussion on the merits of international football Vs FA cup replays? Roverandout is clearly a passionate supporter of both Rovers and England. I don't think other people should be so disrespectful of his views. Except Harry Kane and many other players do seem to care. And hundreds of thousands of fans - if they moved the internationals around the country I think that would be more obvious than a half-empty Wembley. I guess most Coaches don't care (and never have done tbh even when they weren't nearly all non-English!) as they get sacked if results are bad and they don't see a benefit to them of their players playing for England. Liverpool and Man United in the 70's had a reputation for players withdrawing and the miraculously recovering the following week.

To be fair to him later on he started to come and claim the crosses. Penalty saves always a lottery but maybe could have done better? Difficult to see from other enc of the ground.

Only been to 3 games in last 5 years due to COVID and other life circumstances. 2-1 away at Stoke in 2019. 3-1 away at Swansea and now today! Feels like I'm the opposite of JimMk2 😀. Think I should approach the club for free tickets as a lucky mascot? I'm sure Waggott would be up for it 😬

There's the famous one in Rawtenstall - Fitzpatricks. Used to go there with my mum for Dandelion & Burdock. Still going although it's changed a bit since then! Mr Fitzpatrick's Vintage Cordials - Mr Fitzpatrick's Vintage Cordial

I am - but only from Bath! Do I still get a medal?

Be interesting to see Chaddy's comments tomorrow!

I'll have some of what you've been drinking / smoking 😉

Love the typically English understatement 🙂

That goal sums it up very nicely!

Can't remember my first Rovers away game but suspect it was either Bolton or Oldham in the 75/76 season.

A few years ago I lived in Newcastle-under-Lyme - on the park in front of my house a lad in a Port Vale kit was crying because he was getting loads of stick from his 'mates' in their various Utd / Liverpool,etc. kits. When I asked him if he went to Vale Park he said he went with his dad. Told him not to worry about what the others were saying - he was the lucky one going to the matches with his dad - he'd remember that for ever! Hope your lad enjoys it - going to matches with my dad was still great whether I was 7 or 35!!

Tbf we are not alone in having highly regarded youth players who don't develop. Saw this article today about youth players at Premier League clubs identified in 2019 (and links to earlier years) and how few have gone on to make it at that level. Next Generation 2019: 20 of the best talents at Premier League clubs | Football | The Guardian

Solanke now deemed good enough. Amazing as he clearly wasn't good enough for England when scoring for fun at Bournemouth. Big club bias strikes again!

Not in Rossendale! If they have currants in they're currant teacakes 😉

Swansea a couple of seasons ago didn't. Living in Pembrokeshire wasn't originally able to go but could at last minute. Phoned Swansea but they said no tickets on the day so had to go in with the Swansea fans. Trying not to look too smug as the third goal went in!

Born and brought up in Rossendale in the 70's and early 80's there was never any question that Burnley were the only true rivals. At school there were a few Bolton fans due to the catchment area of the school but Burnley fans outnumbered everyone else at the time. I don't remember many Utd or City fans - although I guess there were some. I think it was probably a bit too early for the TV ' glory hunter' supporters to have appeared.

It seems a lot of people can't separate the player from the person. There are lots of players who have been heroes as players despite being not a great person. The classic has to be Bellamy! If a player is giving their all but isn't good enough my issue is with the manager not the player - Keith Andrews is a good example. The opposite would be Barry Ferguson who, on the odd occasion when he looked like he could give a fuck, was a good player but those occasions were very rare. That sort of player I can dislike - Dwight Yorke is another example - and what a contrast with Andrew Cole

Surely it's about him as a person not his ability as a player. It's not 'hero worship' FFS. Recognising that someone gave their all for the club whilst they were here - particularly in contrast to some of the wasters who rocked up like Murphy, Orr, Good Willie, etc - seems fine by me.

One of the best written articles I've seen in a long time. Someone should make Waggott and the rest read this and tell us what isn't accurate!. Also some of the BLT comment makers on the LT.