There is a lot to unwrap here; let me say as someone who has lived his whole in Texas, and largely ignorant of this game that I now love, and team I love, I chose Rovers as my club 7 years ago and I do not regret it. But I get very discouraged by what I see on the sideline and on the pitch. I can also say England doesn’t have a monopoly on excuse-makers and do-nothings. I do not have a history with the club near as long as most of you. But I am just as eager to see new successes and things to shout about as a Rovers fan. I am glad Tony got us promoted, but I am doubtful he can do it again. More than that, his personnel decisions have cost us dearly in the pocketbook, and could sink the club to League 1 irrelevancy again. I still hope the powers-that-be with Blackburn Rovers wait until the end of the season, but at that time take a good, hard, look at Tony and his staff. He has chose the way this club should go, and all we’ve got to show for it are guys whose best days were 6-8 years ago, or kids whose flitting promise appears to have dried up at this level of competition. Guys like Dack, Travis, Arma, Nyambe & Lenihan deserve better in their future.

I understand an occasional dreadful game, by any club. But two in a row? It’s happened far too often. I agree there’s nothing he can say about losing to two catfish teams.

Show me an unemployed manager right now, we do not want him. I have said all along that Tony deserves the end of the season. At that time, assess his progress (or lack thereof). But, these last two have left a bad taste in my mouth.

Sorry, I don’t enjoy losing. We’ve lost enough. We can still win this.

Sadly I am losing any amount of compassion or understanding that I may have had for Tony. He said in the Telegraph today that he will play Armstrong because he’s our best chance to to score saying “I’m not stupid.” I never really thought Tony was stupid, I just think he’s stubborn. I guess he will show us today

Interesting. Huge opportunity for Tony to show genius tonight.

I think we can pretty much forget about the playoffs. But, I do want to see how Rovers respond when they play the next four, all teams ahead of us on the table. I just read Tony’s comments on Sam G & BB in the Telegraph. Apparently, SG just isn’t selfish enough, lol. He has to justify the expense of these two somehow. I expect he will do so until all three of them are finally shoved out the door.

We haven’t had an answer at left back in awhile. I wish TM would surprise me (& others), and pull a left back out of his hat. Meanwhile, dingles are at Palace today. I hope ol’ Roy’s lads give ‘em a good thrashing.

Chapman has roughly a year left on the contract he signed. He’s played 17 times, scoring once. tony, why not give him another go?

Play the best 11 available. IMO, this means no Bennett, or Gallagher. That’s right, sit the Cap’n on the bench. Play Armstrong & Holtby, for sure. Downing at left back. Williams, if he’s fit. Brereton showed a lot of interest & hustle. I would bring Samuel off the bench before SG, probably before DG, as well. At DF- Nyambe, Lenihan, Tosin, Williams (if fit), or Downing. No need to play Bell, even if he’s fit. Gotta put our best on the pitch this week, and hereafter. However, I believe the playoff dream is over, it’s certainly done if we can’t get all 3 pts at Barnsley.

It’s ironic that the reason for veteran players, is because they ostensibly are tried & true, understand they game better, & make fewer mistakes. Yet, that’s apparently not the case with ours. At least, with Rovers’ Captain. Laughable. I would love to see Rovers commit to youth, with a number of seasoned veterans. if we’re going to have a team that contends for promotion, I believe we need to commit to the future with youth. I think we also need to ultimately find a younger manager, energetic, with fresh ideas, that isn’t tied to players he coached elsewhere, years ago.

If Rovers are to improve in the offseason, it’s not just ditching Bennett & Gallagher. We have about 5 other guys that are age liabilities (DG, Johnson, Mulgrew, Smallwood & yes, even Downing). Recovering from knocks/niggles takes longer. Speed is reduced, & a host of other things. Going forward next season, NONE of these guys should have key roles. Most of ‘em should not even be on the roster. It’s about finding that elusive left back; a decent ‘keeper; someone creative in MF; and somebody that can finish. If Rovers are to make a serious push for promotion, there’s no room for pets or projects anymore.

A point was essential today, three were needed to keep pace. We can’t put it on “must win” at Barnsley. That ship has sailed.

I won’t lie, I am a bit more anxious after seeing our 11 than I was before.

Meanwhile, Rooney scores, Derby up 2-0, so we drop another spot. Gotta get all 3 today to keep pace.

Indeed; when we lost Dack, I thought all was lost. Not to mention Cunningham, Holtby, Evans, et al. But, guys we had to have come through were making plays, and some other guys farther down the depth chart started showing their stuff. Does Tony have weaknesses, and lapses of good sense? I guess he does, who doesn’t. But we’ve got what we needed.... Rovers are in position to make a serious run to the playoffs. That’s all I need to be encouraged. When/if we fall from that, I will have a legitimate gripe. Right now, I’m feeling good about this season.

Teams teetering on the brink of relegation places, with seemingly nothing to play for, often are the hardest games to play. Rovers are approaching being fully fit (sans Dack), but these matches are so hard to pick. Our defending should be improved over what we had vs BC. But I had no gripes with R-C. Going back to old PL days, Rovers were 7-3-4 vs Latics. Rovers have more quality, more to play for; therefore, I say 2-1, Rovers.

Kudos to Tony, his staff, players, cardboard cutouts, LoL, everybody. Great day, all the way around.

I would say that qualifies as massive! ?

Welcome back, Corry!

Meanwhile, Raya looking able & competent for playoffs

I can’t see Bennett on the squad next season; if he is, a greatly reduced role.

Still possible to be in a playoff place by the end of the day; +7 goal diff still staggers the mind

Midfield will need to figure in scoring heavily for us to have a chance to win this. C’mon, you Rovers!

I am excited for the restart to the season. I truly hope Rovers can make a big noise in the run to the playoffs, but even if they don’t, I am content just for the season to conclude. I like the lineup already stated, Williams a shade better. Also, I’m convinced if Bennett is with Rovers next season, it’s in a greatly reduced role.