He IS a consistent manager getting results... it’s only the last 2 games where we’ve looked crap.

I do agree to an extent, but the winning mentality is more important to us over a season than wins. If we come out fighting it’ll be a sign that we can turn it round. A win will be exceptionally welcome though

I don’t mind a draw, I just want to see the gritty Rovers we saw before the break, not the ones that look like they’re giving up.

I don’t know anymore ????

BUT that cover would allow Reed and Rothwell to get forward in support of the attack. Equally, when the wingers bolt forward, Reed and Rothwell are both defensively capable.

I like that but would swap Bennett and Rothwell’s positions. Bennett and Conway on the wing would provide better defensive support for our full backs. Would also prefer Brereton to start, simply to get him on the pitch. I feel he and Rothwell are itching to kick on at this point, as they’ve both shown they can drive at teams and positively influence our general performances.

Rothwell, I agree needs a ‘sitter’ alongside him, but Reed is a good box-to-box. In some ways, you could argue Rodwell sat behind Reed and Rothwell would work very well as a midfield 3. Would require 2 wingers and a mobile striker, however, essentially rendering Dack somewhat redundant.

I’m going to revise my assertion last month that Rodwell would make a good centre back. I was wrong. He makes an adequate makeshift centre back when desperate, or perhaps a solid option for ‘the composed one’ if playing 3 centre backs. But in reality, he’s shown that he is a sitting midfielder.

I’d swap Rodwell and Lenihan to put Rodwell centre. That way he can nudge forward into midfield for an easy transition into 4-3-1-2

I’m not putting too much emphasis on a result on Sat (would be VERY welcome) but I want to see a team play good, hard football. Make me feel like I did at the Ewood Shrewsbury game last season, lads.

Thanks for that Neal. It’s good BUT highlights a key point that he still hasn’t taken responsibility for his own errors. If we don’t win on Sat, it’s ‘fool me thrice’.

Got to be RDR2 or Spider-Man for me. Both games I couldn’t wait to carry on! Still only at the end of Ch3 in RDR2 but it’s mind-blowingly good.

Feels like Nicko’s 11 O’clockers again! Gwan Neal!

Only grief you’ll get from me is for a crap chant ? Otherwise, we are surely ALL feeling frustrated and pissed off after an almighty bump back to Earth after the last 2 games.

As suggested in the relevant admin thread about a week ago, will it be beneficial to direct member traffic to various Rovers related twitter/news sites THROUGH the home page? Perhaps include Rovers Trust updates on there too?

As I posted in the Wigan thread: Significant adjustments required: Raya Nyambe Lenihan Mulgrew Williams Bennett Reed Rothwell Conway Graham Brereton Bench: Leutweiler (covers gk), Downing (covers cb), Bell (covers lb, lm at a push), Rodwell (covers creative cm, cb at a push), Evans (covers aggressive cm), Dack (playmaking option), Armstrong (pacey option up front, on wing at a push). Square pegs for square holes, play it on the ground through the middle or play it down the wings to cross. Flat back 4 to HOLD THE LINE WHEN DEFENDING. Addition: My plan above is to focus on playing down the wing, aiming to cross to 2 of our tallest players. Two central players who are hard but can both drive forward with the ball if necessary. Full backs to defend and only go forward on the counter or when the defensive line moves forward. When one cm drives forward in support, the other hangs in front of the centre circle, to cut out any counters down the middle and give straight back to our wingers. Hope that makes sense.

It’s strange, as there are plenty who SHOULD be leaders: Mulgrew, Graham, Bennett, Conway. Hell, I’d include Evans and Lenihan in that too tbh

Had my doubts about Rich once upon a time, but kudos. That is a good, thoughtful piece pulling no punches without being scathing.

Significant adjustments required: Raya Nyambe Lenihan Mulgrew Williams Bennett Reed Rothwell Conway Graham Brereton Bench: Leutweiler (covers gk), Downing (covers cb), Bell (covers lb, lm at a push), Rodwell (covers creative cm, cb at a push), Evans (covers aggressive cm), Dack (playmaking option), Armstrong (pacey option up front, on wing at a push). Square pegs for square holes, play it on the ground through the middle or play it down the wings to cross. Flat back 4 to HOLD THE LINE WHEN DEFENDING.

I’d personally play Rodwell in place of Williams, but I do like the intensity of that line-up. Would also put Brereton in Graham’s place, but I’ve no issues with Graham starting.

Another possibility, but I think the same result would be achieved by placing heavy financial incentive on starts. £/start for Forest.

I read that as ‘in goal’ at first. I wasn’t shocked either ?

And yet you regularly affectionately call him ‘Coyle’ on a Rovers forum. Surely you can see how that comes across?

Agreed, just trying to clutch the straw that explains WHY THE HELL IS HE NOT PLAYING MORE OFTEN??? After being the one to ‘score’ at PNE, it should be tonight

One thing Tony’s strikers (Graham) and ‘strikers’ (Dack and Palmer) have in common is all 3 stay on their feet under pressure if they can help it. Brereton allegedly (I’ve only been to the Rotherham game this season) comes with a rep for easily going down. Could the reference to building up his strength be about giving him the big arse he lacks?