I made myself listen to Gary Neville review the City v Arsenal game with Jamie Carragher. Two notable points - they did not mention the Rodri injury (as far as I noticed) and left the red card incident until the end of the review - almost as an afterthought. They both agreed it was a red with only Neville raising some doubts about the apparent new and harsh approach. To hear Carragher and Neville, and SkySports generally, to be hesitant to even address such a key refereeing issue does not surprise me. Carragher was adamant it was a red and had no sympathy for Trossard which is bizarre to hear considering the player Carragher was. The two did a feature, last year, with the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) where they were invited by Howard Webb to have a go at VAR training. Whilst mutual understanding and insight is helpful, there is a clear risk that lobbying and schmoozing will result in media capture and threaten independence of thought. I think the signs are there and with tech corporations allying with the referees, their influence will only grow. The Rodri one is more speculative (and I was sometimes half-listening, so maybe, they mentioned the injury and I missed it). It could just be poor analysis from the two to overlook a key moment in the match. Or, a fear from Sky and the pundits, whose personal interests rely on the mass production of football, to touch on the debate over excessive demands placed on players. Not sure which.

It's not just too many games which the players are complaining about - which is true - but clubs with huge squads insist on playing unfit/struggling players. It strikes me as madness that you play a struggling Wharton when you have in-form Will Hughes and, also Lerma (who came on) on the bench.

I've seen some of those moments and it does seem that he likes to go to ground to make a tackle when trying to retrieve a situation, such as when a player has initially got away from him. I recall that Jake Garrett likes to do that but overall not sure what 'the midfield instruction manual' says. I can imagine Wharton will win quite a few by doing that too, so hard to judge. I do think his positioning may be an issue defensively. sometimes, and notable that his best midfield partner has been Will Hughes who is a very energetic player who, perhaps, compliments Wharton's more languid style. The beauty of Wharton as a player is he is pretty fast and tall, with his technique, he literally has it all, if he avoids injury. There is also a question about his role. Given that he is so creative and technical, some might urge him to play less one-touch and hold the ball a bit, to draw players out and even run with it a little. On the other hand, the one-touch or two-touch player sets a rhythm for the team and urgency - and it's what he's caught the eye with. It'll be interesting to see how he develops.

I think I mentioned him before, but Gary Harkins is one of the obscure former Rovers players that is memorable to me, as he sums up what "finding yourself" as footballer is all about. As a youth/reserve player at Rovers, during the early 2000s, he was a defensive midfielder or centre back. However, he made a career for himself back in native Scotland as a skilful creative midfielder. This is an interesting account of his career in The Herald, from 2020 - though, as always with these kind of celebratory profiles, I'm sure not the whole picture. He says in it: "I got to a point when I’d left Blackburn and went to Grimsby – I had a year at Grimsby and I hated it – and I thought, ‘I’m not playing football this way. If I’m going to play, then I’m going to play the way I want to and enjoy it’. : "Jester, genius, maverick, maestro: Gary Harkins reflects on a career less ordinary" https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/18544195.jester-genius-maverick-maestro-gary-harkins-reflects-career-less-ordinary/

I'd not heard of him before but came across the fact that Bolton's Portuguese defender, Ricardo Santos, has been selected for four teams of the seasons in a row, once in League 2 and rest in League 1. He is 29 years old, which makes me wonder why another club, possibly, in the Champ hasn't signed him. Though this season doesn't look to have started too well.

Dundalk will, it’s reported, go into liquidation today if last minute investors aren’t found.

Regular reminder that Dolan is clearly heading for the exit on a free next year. Will be a loss in more ways than one. Would hope the club have a plan.

It would be interesting to know what influence Tomasson & Co. had on Adam Wharton. He’s a dream player for the minimalist touch possession football and, yet, if I remember rightly, Wharton did get rotated a bit by JDT and wasn’t a guaranteed starter, with Morton preferred at times. I wonder if JDT influenced Wharton’s style positively, as flourishing now at Palace, or conversely, he misunderstood Wharton and didn’t get the most out of him, like, I believe, Mowbray didn’t get the most out of Harvey Elliott - though he still did well. I’m really not sure. I suppose both are possible. Different note, Amari’i Bell captained Luton today. He’s had an unbelievable time there after looking, for much of his time at Rovers, a lower league player. I think he might’ve been behind that very slow Scottish left back, at Rovers, whose name evades me at this moment. Bell got a call-up to Jamaica, had a really good final set of games at Rovers, left the club and has not looked back, defying all expectations to play in the top flight. A costly deal for Rovers, though as I think a few hundred thousand pounds were spent to bring him in when he had only months left on his contract at his previous club.

Having seen a some players come on loan to Rovers and not excel, only to do well at a higher level, like Branthwaite, it does make me wonder whether higher levels can be easier for some players, alongside better players, having more time on the ball, possibly, with possession football. Conversely, I wonder if a player like Dolan or Buckley would be exceptional at non-league level. They would surely stand out technically but I just wonder how they’d fare given the very different and more physical style.

A concern for Rovers as we are rather dependent on youth players developing and filling out the squad. There’s still some promise in there and time to develop. I wonder if the new PL2 format is negative for Rovers. I don’t follow it closely but my instinct is that not having relegation may lead to reduction in sense of jeopardy and competition. And a risk of complacency? There may be logistical reasons for it but I can’t really see the pros.

I only saw the highlights which showed forward passes leading to chances or goals. It seems that Gomes and TAA were key to them. However, reading the reviews, it sounds as if much of the play was slow and sideways, otherwise, albeit, faced by a defensive Finland side. Harry Kane's first goal was very impressive and helpful reminder that he has some mobility still. If I'm not mistaken, some of the peak heights of tiki taka was the Spain sides under Aragones and then Del Bosque with Xavi, Iniesta and David Silva. Their possession football, as far as I could tell, was varied and attacking. Players made creative forward passes and would shift position, accepting a risk of losing the ball for the opportunity to open up defences. Much of the modern game is a far cry from that, even with the best sides. It's risk-averse and about creating an overload with sideways passing and, often, scoring a cut-back. It's bizarre to see four or five attacking players on the defenders' shoulder, waiting for something to happen, rather than finding spaces, as was the norm for midfielders before.

All the best to Saadi and he seems to have made an interesting career move on loan in Cyprus. However, the decision to contract him and now loan him out looks concerning as to how the club is run. After he was given a new deal, I think the rational thing to have done is to ask Saadi to do a job in the U21s this season to help the youngsters adapt. His versatility, relative experience and French language would've helped a squad somewhat weakened by loans and inevitable injuries. Now that he is off on loan, the contract extension makes even less sense. But, again, best of luck to him and his and his representatives' good fortune. On good fortune (and, no doubt, effort, having recovered from injuries during his time), I noted that recently released LB, Lenni Rae Cirino came of the bench to replace his brother(?), Rafael, for Montserrat in their defeat to Ecuador. As far as I know, he's not found a club but quite a turn up to have a chance to play international football at that level.

The quality is evident with England but the cautious walking football and back passing is really hard to watch. I suppose the players are inevitably going to play within themselves to some extent to avoid injury, but this team could be so exciting to watch.

DIdn’t realise Beck was in the Wales squad. The fact he got into the SPL team of the season last year and at 22 years old, seems not to be in Liverpool’s immediate plans, means he might well have been an astute transfer target for Rovers, after we sold our other left back option. Maybe not feasible - but would’ve been worth a try. It does seem that if he does well at Rovers and for Wales, he’ll be out of the club’s reach - though, you never know. I have a feeling, just based on his recent form and barring injury, he’s going to have a good season. Edit; In my opinion, Rovers should be using some of their loan signing to convert to permanent, as we memorably did with Cairney. Especially, as we are selling players. Loans can patch things up and give a boost but, financially, they are often a sunk cost, with no return (but can add value for the other club). Ayari, Chrisene and Moran’s careers and values seem to be pushing on this season, as they make breakthroughs, but what value did Rovers get out of the deals? To be fair, Chrisene started that last crucial game and Moran might have finished top of our assist charts but they were far from regulars. If we had them this season, I reckon they’d be starting or close to.

Highlights, again, how much international football has devalued. All manner of players pulling out with vague conditions - not to claim that they’re not real, but I’m sure some are precautionary. I don’t blame them as they’re under pressure from their clubs and also face an ever expanding fixture list. I really think international football and domestic cup football faces a serious threat of heading the way of the Olympics football tournament, an afterthought, as players and fans are simply saturated by games. An exciting part of international tournaments was also discovering new players and styles of play. But it’s all becoming rather the same, though, no doubt that being there as a fan is a different matter. Edit: Olympics is overstating it, I think, but the devaluation seems clear.

Been hit and miss with goalie signings. Kaminski the success story, signed from Gent. Early days for Jack Barrett; I think he’s given away two pens in his first few games but he’s only just starting and is 22. Prior to Leo Wahlstedt, there was the young Greek, Antonis Stergiakis, who signed for the U21s but didn’t stay long. Incidentally, if we include the U18s and loaned out players, Rovers could field a goalie eleven. It seems we’ve accumulated more than is quite necessary with the new additions and hanging on to Hilton and Eastham, for now. Pears, Toth, Hilton, Barrett, Goddard, Michalski, Khan, Eastham, Honor and U18s, Thompson and Wolsoncroft.

Selling a generational talent not seen since Damien Duff, the league’s best goal scorer and our star academy talent (‘losing’ rather than selling in latter case) all in a calendar year for c.£30 million(?) and spending, at a wild guess, no more than £5/6 million(?) in new signings and also an unknown amount of signing on and loan fees taking that figure towards £8/9 million(?). Could well be off with the figures and certainly the new signings seem promising but understandably, our expectations have fallen. There’s certainly no need for impulsive, rushed expenditure, However, older players and loans will help us stay alive in the league, hopefully, but real investment is needed to be sustainable long-term. I would hope we can sign a Cozier-Duberry or Beck permanently in Jan, if they’re doing well. Would be saleable talents in future or players we could build the team around but have no expectations that this club will do so.

England youth call puts him more prominently on the radar of the oligarch clubs (and some others). Will be hard but, perhaps, with incentives and possibly, release clause, could be persuaded. It's easy to say and basically every clubs loses promising talents but our back line could include Ashley Phillips, Flavien Boyomo (recently signed by Osasuna) as well as, our star defender, Hayden Carter, now that Scott Wharton has succumbed to injuries, in an alternate universe. On Boggan, it seems as if it's one of those youth loans, similar to work experience, where the idea is to be around a first team and probably, Macclesfield treat it as a trial to see if he's good enough for a longer term loan and games. Meanwhile, he can play for the Rovers U18s. Just a guess.

I noticed that Sunderland signed three overseas players on deadline day, from France, Belgium and Serbia. With Rovers signing Gueye, Ohashi and Toth, it does seem as if the Championship clubs have stepped up in signing foreign nationals for their first teams. I don't have the stats, so not sure if there has been a significant change in recent times but if it is the case, perhaps, reflects a dearth in quality coming through within the country? It seems to go in cycles at times. Finances and Premier league stockpiling might be factors too.

Dolan’s a worry for potentially leaving on a free. The club should be planning a succession as it seems he’s going to do wind down his contract. He’s not a star player, either.

Shouldn’t really be surprised any more but no Saadi again. Also no Eastham.

Reviving this thread as I had a random and vague memory of defender Gordon Greer scoring a goal in a friendly win over Barcelona. Couldn’t find that game (if it exists) but did rediscover this 3-2 friendly win over Barcelona, in 2001: https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/hughes-volley-sinks-barcelona-9272889.html Blackburn Rovers (4-4-2): Friedel; Curtis, Berg (Taylor, 79), Short, Bjornebye; Gillespie (Hignett, 82), Dunn, Flitcroft (Mahon, h-t), Duff; Blake (Bent, 62), Grabbi (Hughes, 79). Substitutes not used: Filan (gk), Greer. Barcelona (4-3-3): Bonano; De la Torre (Puyol, h-t), Christanval, Andersson (Anderson, h-t), Reiziger; Luis Enrique (Rochemback, h-t), Xavi, Cocu; Geovanni (Saviola, h-t), Kluivert, Overmars (Trashorras, 60). Substitutes not used: Sergi, Reina (gk).

Have to say that Nyambe did establish himself as a regular at Derby last season and then got injured, I believe, at or after the African Cup of Nations. This season he seems to be a sub. A limited player for Rovers but had his moments when he felt confident. Someone mentioned the CM position. There is no U21 defensive midfielder close to breaking through, so we're extremely light. I don't expect much from Travis, despite his useful start to the season. I fear that his best is behind him as a result of injuries. JRC questionable, though, hopefully, he'll regain form and fitness. Generally, speaking, aside from Duru, the youth promotion project is looking unpromising, partly due to the injuries to the likes of Gilsenan, Leonard and others. The next 'hope' is Bloxham, it seems but he doesn't seem close. It might be a problem as we increasingly rely on youth to fill out the squad - with five academy graduates, I believe, starting against Blackpool in Carter, Duru, JRC, Buckley and Vale. Finally, proposed new goalie signing of Toth will hopefully lead to exits to one or two of the reserve keepers. Jordan Eastham seems to have been demoted in favour of Jack Barrett from Everton, and really should be allowed to go to. Edit: To add, Todd Cantwell seems a promising signing and am surprised that we could attract someone like him, despite his contractual struggles at Rangers. Though I am wary of the 'baggage' that seems to follow him. I don't know if it's justified but I believe he left Norwich under acrimonious circumstances. Hopefully, nothing to be concerned about. I'd prefer Ianis Hagi, if we're going for out-of-favour players but, not sure if we could afford him.

The decision to loan out Garrett was always a terrible move unless he was going to be replaced. We’re desperately short in DM. In theory, as a left footer, he could’ve covered LB. The club’s forward signings look promising but elsewhere, a lot to be desired. Beck looks promising albeit, late in the day. We do have a lot of goalkeepers & ambling centre backs though.

Can’t see why they went 3 at the back. McFadzean doesn’t need crowbarring into the team.