Yup, 1+1 is obviously 3, right? The plan for Cantwell is sound. We just haven’t got all the parts moving yet. On chances created we would’ve had another 4pts (WBA and Watford). As a team focused on defending properly, we aren’t going to create loads of chances. More importantly, the main reason we’ve scored less in the last few matches is because a) we’ve played better teams and b) because we haven’t been as ruthless in front of goal. As for the last sentence, I’ll keep faith in our manager to make that decision. But ta, 👍🏼

Pears Brittain Batth Hyam. Beck Travis. Sonny JRC. Dolan. Cantwell Gueye Subs - Toth, McFadz, Pickering, Buckley, Baker, Hedges, Siggy, Weimann, Ohashi Back 7 picks itself. I would pick Cantwell and JRC on the left and right respectively because they have Beck and Brittain behind them who will push forward and allow them to invert and be completely free. To those arguing about Cantwell. He’s EXACTLY where he should be. The role he has gives him the greatest freedom and opportunity to find space. The #10 role under JE is often picked up by the defensive midfielder and does more defensive work than Cantwells on the left. Rovers 1 - 0 Sheff Utd

I like your ‘three at the back’ line up and I reckon it’s a good formation when we’re away at hard to beat teams. Dig in, keep it tight and then try and Nick one. For the 4231, I would play the same team as you, other than Brittain for Weimann and Dolan rotated with Cantwell to protect the fullbacks. Watford 0 - 1 Rovers

Eh!?

I would play: Pears Carter. Batth. Hyam. Beck Trav. Sonny Hedges. Cantwell. Dolan Gueye Subs - Toth, JRC, Pickering, Buckley, Baker, Weimann, Siggy, Ohashi Rationale - WBA are a big, physical side so I want to get some bigger, more physical players on the pitch to match them at set plays. Hence the nod for Batth, Hedges and Gueye over JRC, Weimann and Ohashi. I’ve seen the debate about Cantwell. I’m torn, because in JE’s team, with Beck at LB, Cantwell essentially has a free role coming in off the left and is much more likely to be left unmarked. However, having watched the matches, I think he ends up doing much more defending than we want him to and I would prefer him more central and further up the pitch / closer to the striker because I feel he’s much more likely to find a killer pass than Dolan. I also think Dolans work rate is perfect for that left mid spot and he will still get into the #10 position when Beck pushes on. Rovers 2 - 0 WBA

My team for today…. Toth Carter. Batth. Hyam. Beck Travis. Sonny ACD. Dolan. Cantwell Gueye Subs - Pears, Mcfadz, Pickering, JRC, Buckley, Weimann, Baker, Hedges, Ohashi. Rationale Rotating the keepers is hard, unlike outfield player, you can’t sub them for that 15 mins to see how they do. But after a couple of poor team performances and losses, this game feels like the one to see Toth. The back four picks itself based on Brittain not being fit, and Beck being far superior to Pickering. Travis and Sonny as they were. Cantwell is perfect, tucking in, off the left with Beck pushing forwards. Him or Dolan can do that. I would give ACD a start and Big Mak up top, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see Hedges or Weimann, and Ohashi in front of them. Rover 3 - 1 Swansea…back in the goals!

An absolute waste of talent. Had near enough every PL club looking at him when he broke through….I remember being in a lounge and there were 11 (ELEVEN) PL scouts in there to watch Buckley. Seems to sink back and regress with every year that goes by…

Very Un-Eustace like performance. Weak as piss, and as bad as we played, we gave them the first two goals. Wtf Dolan was doing with that second goal, I’ll never know. What an absolute wet wipe! 🙈🤣 However, as a fully grown man, I refuse to lose my shit over one (very) bad performance. I also refuse to get involved in the dismantling of every player. We were dog shit, to a man tonight. Dust yourselves off lads, and make sure you put it right on Saturday.

I like the idea of Hedges at left back with Hyam, Batth and Carter next to him. In my opinion, he’s physically and technically better suited to Lb than midfield. Plus, him pushing into midfield when we’re in possession will free up the left side attacking player (A certain Mr Cantwell) to roam…I would start him at LB over Pickering when Carter is on the right. I saw that Trav is now one booking away from a suspension. Be good to have him for the next two away games before he serves his one game ban. Carter is only two away… Be hard to guess the team for Tuesday, most ‘surprise’ changes will be related to niggles and injuries, is my guess. My one hope is that he gives Mak a start. We look better with his physical presence up front and he needs a confidence boost.

Pears Carter Batth. Hyam. Pickering Travis. Sonny Weimann Dolan. Hedges Mak Subs - Toth, Brittain, Mcfadz, Buckley, JRC, Baker, Cantwell, ACD, Ohashi Cov 1 - 2 Rovers. The back six pick themselves as long as everyone is fit after Saturday. I think Big Mak is due a start and we may freshen up one of the three attacking midfielders depending on tiredness and any niggles, but all being well, I reckon we’ll start like this.

A solid performance of 7/10’s…. Special mentions: * Danny Batth - Excellent throughout. A solid, reliable partner for Hyam. * Ty Dolan - His best game for Rovers in my opinion. Had some end product and ran tirelessly. * TravStadt - A formidable duo. * Cantwell - Everything about him is top class. The assist was beautiful and he was constantly looking to punish QPR We are now a very well coached team. We don’t let games open up and become end to end. I’d liken Eustace’s style to a Boa Constrictor in that we wear teams down by restricting them for 60 mins, tightening our grip tactically before we get to the last third, bring a glut of technical players on to add the bite, and teams just buckle. The strikers do look a little lost at times but honestly, I think it’s our game plan that hinders them, because I don’t think it’s in our minds to get on top of teams until 60 mins. In boxing terms, we jab away for 8 rounds, keeping our defence up and tiring our opponent. The strikers (Both Gueye and Ohashi) have only ever imposed themselves in the final third of games because in the main, we don’t actually go after teams until this point. I think the criticism of them on here is a little unfair. They’re both making runs and getting into areas they need to be. We don’t find them regularly enough. Had Yuki got that reverse right and swept the ball in having cushioned the ball into Ty on the half way line, in the first half, we would all be gushing (and rightly so). For the record, he showed a great turn of pace. Gueye did look a little flat when he came on, but again looked far more dangerous than Gally did in 5yrs. I hope he starts at Coventry. Finally - I think that left side wide player, inverted when the left back (Beck) attacks is PERFECT for Cantwell. Basically makes him the ‘free man’ every time we attack! 😍

Good summary mate. tbf to the manager, he brought on Gueye at half time, and a couple of other forwards / creative players in the second half. It just didn’t work out. Hecky has them defending properly and as soon as they go down to 10 men, then there’s no pressure for them to win the match. The home crowd aren’t going to get restless.

I don’t think you’re far off here. I personally would’ve given ACD a start but I can see JE playing two strikers to counter the imbalance of the team with two defensive fullbacks starting.

You make a good point about Carter, Batth and Hyam being ‘undroppable’ after two clean sheets, especially when you consider QPR’s physical presence. Maybe he will start with your back four and see if Carter (who’s pretty good going forwards) or Pickering can be an attacking outlet out wide. I can’t see Cantwell starting, but I do think it would be good to freshen up those front four positions..eg ACD. Dolan. Siggy Gueye

Pears Brittain. Carter. Hyam. Pickering Trav. Sonny ACD. Dolan. Hedges Gueye Subs - Toth, Batth, Mcfadz, Buckley, JRC, Baker, Cantwell, Ohashi Rovers 3-0 The only conundrum I see is dropping Batth with QPR being so strong in the air. But a back 4 with Batth and no Brittain hugely limits our forward play.

My team for today…. Pears Brittain Carter. Hyam. Beck Trav. Sonny Hedges. Dolan. Weimann Gueye Subs - Toth, JRC, Batth, Pickering, Buckley, Baker, ACD, Cantwell, Yuki Yuki really unlucky not to start but Mak is better suited to the lone striker role, especially away from home. I think other than Pickering who cannot take Becks spot, a lot of the team selection will rely on ‘how fit’ those returning are. How fit are Brittain and Weimann to start? I wouldn’t be against starting with the same team as last week. Yuki to come on at 60 mins and score the winner. Cantwell and ACD on from 70 mins. PNE 1-2 Rovers

That would be my pick, and have us looking like this in possession… Pears Carter Batth Hyam Hedges Travis Sonny Beck Dolan Gueye Yuki Appreciate this is a slight deviation from Eustace’s two #10’s but I’m dying to see what Gueye and Yuki could do as a big man, little man combo…🙌🏽

Swag is the monkey, Suhail is the Organ Grinder!

Hmmm…yeah maybe. The big one, is when Brittain is fit and we have the option to play him in the right and Beck on the left. Do we then choose phases of the game to unlock the right or left side and the other one tucks in?

I guess it will come down to who is fit and trains this week. Doesn’t sound like Brittain will make it but Pickering and Weimann might. Flip of a coin on Mak and Ohashi. I’ve gone for Mak because I think he leads the line better but that would be incredibly harsh on Ohashi. Will accept the managers take on it. Would love to see them together I reckon… Pears Carter. Batth. Hyam. Beck Travis. Sonny Weimann Dolan Hedges Mak Subs - Toth, JRC, Mcfadz, Pick, Buckley, Baker, Cantwell, ACD, Ohashi PNE 1 - 2 Rovers Note - Elliot’s article in the LT, about tactics on Tuesday was brilliant in explaining our in possession and out of possession tactics and formations. Explains how the choice of fullback dictates the players roles further up the pitch. With one of the wide players inverting into a second #10 in behind Yuki. Makes me think, Dolan will take that spot in the team (on either side) once Cantwell is fit to start as a #10.

Swag has no power. Everything is decided by Suhail.

One thing is for sure, if we stay in the top 6 with the 16th biggest budget in the league, after losing the Championship top scorer and spending the square root of nothing, there will be a queue of clubs wanting Eustace from November onwards. Fingers crossed the financial thing gets sorted in November and they give him some money in January to kick on for a top six charge!!?

Any club with a solid grounding who are willing to follow through on what they say and offer him an opportunity to get out of the league…🤷🏽‍♂️

I would be very worried about someone coming to take JE from us. 🙈

i guess it will come down to who is fit and trains this week. Doesn’t sound like Brittain will make it but Pickering and Weimann might. Flip of a coin on Mak and Ohashi. I’ve gone for Mak because I think he leads the line better but that would be incredibly harsh on Ohashi. Will accept the managers take on it. Would love to see them together I reckon… Pears Carter. Batth. Hyam. Beck Travis. Sonny Weimann Dolan Hedges Mak Subs - Toth, JRC, Mcfadz, Pick, Buckley, Baker, Cantwell, ACD, Ohashi PNE 1 - 2 Rovers