He speaks really well and really clearly, like everything about how he communicates. But in terms of how good he is at the job we dont really know until Ennis, Sigurdsson, Moran, Wahlstedt, Tronstad, Telalovic and Hill have racked up some proper game time. He could be a genius, he could be bang average. We just have no idea.

We've had years of essentially very little happening at all, and a lot of recent changes - budget cut, the seizure of Venkys propoerty and new director joining. I reckon something significant is going on. For me I am happy to see it. I would prefer either more engagement with the club by Venkys or a decision by them to sell the club over the continuing status quo of absentee landlordism.

Not sure tbh, its a big jump to go from a very offensive style to a defensive one. I cant think of many who have done it successfully. Most teams that do well after promotion are solid defensively. But anyway if we even get the chance to try Ill be very happy.

For what it's worth seems a pretty accurate articulation of how we play. We put a lot of players forward when we attack - 6,7,8 in and around the box at a time - and if we turn the ball over and get countered we expect the 2,3,4 players left behind to handle it on their own until we get back into shape. What's interesting about it is you would expect us to concede a lot on the counter, but - Plymouth excepting - we've not been too bad this season and last. We'd get absolutely murdered in the Premier League but in the Championship the quality isn't there to really punish us on the break I think. My one question mark on JDT when he eventually gets a crack at the big time - here or elsewhere - is when he is playing against higher quality can he adapt? Kompany is currently getting torn a new one.

It's not clear to me if Telalovic is expected to come in as a starter or not. On experience it looks like Ennis and Gallagher will be well ahead of him?

We can all get worked up on here, but really we don't know how good or bad we are until we see the new players play. The most important thing is can Ennis, Telalovic, Sigurdsson finish the many chances we are creating.

The one silver lining in the reduction of the operating costs is that it does in the long run make it feasible for a reasonable business person to consider buying the club. Im not really sure though how much further we need to go to get to break even point on income versus costs? Do any of our financial experts have insight? Also I guess what would be interesting is where we comparatively we are on the league table in terms of income ignoring player trading and parachute payments? I would guess around 15th? But not sure? Does anyone have a view?

JDT seems a good egg, also one not keen to walk away from millions of pounds of compensation, so I cant see him quitting, but its clear as soon as someone comes in he's gone. And cant blame him at all. A couple of points 1- when the approach is made Venkys have to accept it right? That itself given Venkys behaviours could be interesting. Are they going to slap a massive compensation fee on him and refuse to allow him to go till met? That will be interesting 2- Presumably Gregg's already well aware the way the wind is blowing and has a short list of candidates to replace JDT

To be fair we have looked better in terms of creating and finishing chances this season until yesterday. Hopefully it's a one off. Other thing to be optimistic about is Ennis, Telalovic, Sigurdsson are all forwards who based on their scoring records at lower levels should bring better finishing. So we need to see whether we improve after the international break. But it is hope rather than expectation given Gallagher is the only player in the squad whose scored more than 10 goals in a Championship season.

Thought we played well to be honest. Just the same old finishing being the issue, and some mistakes in the final 10 minutes. What is more concerning is JDTs press conference. Feels like things may come to a head soon.

Think weve been pretty good, just usual struggles with final ball and finishing. Not really sure Id change much tbh. If Buckley was around Id be tempted to bring him on for Travis. Maybe give Garrett a go?

Great start from us. Interesting we seem to be playing two up top again with Szmodics alongside Gallagher. Its like a 4132.

With Markanday not making the bench with Sigurdsson, Ennis and Telalovic all to return its not looking that promising for Markanday. Would like to see Gilesenan and Garrett get game time today. Bith deserve it I think.

Woohoo, called it.... Though till we start not sure who will be in midfield and who up top out of Moran and Szmodics.

After playing a counter attacking 442 till the subs against Watford think we will go back to a possession based 433. Team for me : Pears Brittain. Carter. Hyam. Pickering Travis. Wharton. Moran Hedges. Gallagher. Szmodics Would bring Moran into midfield to let Szmodics replace Dolan up top.

Yes, we have a strange combination of being very offensive with how many players we commit forward when we attack but dont actually pull the trigger as much as you would expect. I think part of that is we are lacking a proper central striker to get on the end of moves, but also some hesitantcy seems to be intentional. Trying not to shoot unless we have a decent sighting at goal. I guess the thinking is to not turn the ball over cheaply and get done on the counter? Personally I think we should shoot on sight a bit more. Number of times recently weve been in strong positions but elected to pass rather than shoot .

Yeah, totally agree. From my perspective JDT is the most offensive coach we've ever had (watching since 1992), we regularly commit 6 to 8 players to an attack. Travis is regularly getting to the byline with JRC in the box, while Carter and Hyam are on the half way line or even higher etc... Whats interesting is we play in this ultra offenssive way but we dont seem to concede that many guilt edged chances to the opposition. We drop back into shape deep very well.

Missed this game live so just got round to watching the full 90 back on Rovers TV. Sickener to lose at the end but the overall performance was exceptional even before considering going down to ten men so early. Think this performance makes me more optimistic for our season than either the wins against WBA or Watford.

Oh yeah, totally forgot Buckley played right back. Did it okay in a few cameos in 20/21 I think? Could happen if we are short at RB.

Dont see how Dolan plays full back? Poor in air, lacks pace, and his defensive game is all about pressing and closing - not something you can do much at full back where holding good position is paramount.

Buckley will start for sure. Can see Moran starting as well to start integrating him into the team. And probs more 433 that 4231. Reckon it will be Wahlstadt Brittain Gamble. Wharton. Batty Buckley Tronstad. Garrett Markanday. Leonard. Moran

Ah yes youre right, Duff got games before we were relegated. More culpably I totally forgot about Jones. TBH hard to argue Wharton is as good as Jones was as by a year younger than Wharton he completely marked Drogba out of a game and was obviously going to play at the highest level.

What I really like about him is hes also pretty good at tackling and breaking up play. Made quite a few interceptions and got his foot in. While not as aware of danger as Travis hes probably as effective defensively as any midfielder weve had in a long time. I wouldnt be particularly worried if Travis was injured in playing Wharton and Buckley or Wharton and JRC together. Think we're at the point now where we can confidently say hes our best academy product since Duff. Whether hes going to be as good or better than Duff or Dunn is hard to say till he gets to the Premier League. On technical quality he looks a future england international to me, but looking at the frankly ridiculous size and athleticism of prem midfielders today I do wonder if he will be able to mix it with them. Reckon he will get a shot one way or another though.

For me Rhodes was an exception due to his absolutely sensational finishing ability and movement. Even with that plenty (including me) thought his poor all round game was a major issue. After Rhodes I think pretty much every decent striker we have had or I have seen at other clubs is either quick or strong or good enough in the air to worry defenders. If you cant physically compete its really really hard to succeed at #9. It may ultimately be that leonard is more of a #10 than a #9. But the kssue there is we have quite a few #10s already in the squad. I do however absolutely agree we need somone who can make those central runs, just that person also needs to be able to put a cb on his arse either through pace or strength.

BTW with Dolan - is it just me or has he bulked up a lot and while physically stronger seems to have lost a lot of the nimbleness that was his main asset?