Bit of a kick in the teeth for Hyam, mind! Gone from being captain under JDT and then Eustace to behind Buckley (who can't even get a start) in the captaincy pecking order. For what it's worth, I think Hyam has had a decent start to the season and their #12 was in his pocket today, but he doesn't quite have the edge of a captain.

I'm coming off Ewood happy and relaxed week after week. It's disconcerting. Every player putting an absolute shift in for this team. The work rate off the ball is phenomenal. Thought Dolan was outstanding. Trav looks revitalised and loving life. Cantwell brings a real touch of class. Odd to see Buckley get the nod for the armband over Hyam when Trav went off.

And virtually gave him away to fund a move for GALLAGHER at that.

Well, Pears finally having some competition seems to have fired a rocket up his arse so that's something to take from a pretty dire performance. So laborious.

Anyone spotted Melvyn this season? Riverside isn't the same without him doing the rounds in his array of masks.

Fantastic, wasn't it? First thing we clocked after the shocked delight at Yuki's finishing had sunk in.

When he gets into a goalscoring position, Yuki just has that extra second on the ball to make the right decision. Two perfectly struck goals today. Not one single poor performance today (even Pears!), the work rate off the ball was immense. Shout-out to Travis for not just his goal, but his shithouse game management too. Going down in their box to earn a foul and then staying down to take the bite out of their pressure. Also made a big show of dragging Dolan away and then continued to rile the City player up from a safe distance.

Cheers 👍

Does anyone know if there'll be tickets available for the PL Cup matches played at Stanley? I've had a look on both the Rovers and Stanley website and can't see anything.

While things did become incredibly toxic in JDT's last six months, him obviously wanting out and passive aggressively slamming the club (justifiably) with that cheeky chappy smile, it wasn't all idyllic in his first season. The losses to Burnley away (the Mola call smacks of arrogance, especially in light of what Scott Wharton has said since JDT left) and Preston at home were massive lows and then the insistence on sticking with Pears even when the cracks started showing cost us a play off place imo.

Because the Venky's tenure has instilled us all with a deep-rooted pessimism.

Didn't Eustace come out and say JRC is carrying an injury after the Derby match? Is the idea for JRC to play himself back to fitness? It's not working.

The bench is the real difference this season. Rather than vaguely hoping Markanday will come good and pop up with something, we've got actual players who can make an impact.

Two matches in a row too.

Just watched Eustace's pre-match presser and a big chunk of it is focused on Trav, how much he's admired him, felt he was missed last season and that they were in contact while Trav was out on loan. Seems unlikely that Trav'll leave now, even with the speculation. The club have made a considered PR effort this week to celebrate his return as captain.

Where does it end? We're gradually whittling away ALL of our saleable assets and plugging the holes with the likes of Batth and Fadz, holes that'll need replugging in 12 months. Amazed we've kept Dolan tbh with his contract up in 12 months, not that I massively rate him.

The goalkeeping situation would be laughable if it wasn't so alarming. It's got to be our absolute top priority this window.

Knew it was coming, but hard not to hold on to that bit of hope with him coming on and then starting for us. One positive is that we've started the season with other players popping up with goals and chances. That wasn't the case at the end of last season when it felt like we were dependent on Sammy for every single goal. He deserves his crack at the PL, a dream for every footballer. Wish him all the best.

Back with (League 2) Gillingham. Another missed pre-season, but he must want to make the most of what remains of his career to drop down 2 leagues when they could probably live off the missus' earnings comfortably.

A non-answer if ever I saw one.

I might be mistaken, but last night was the first time I heard the fans singing Eustace's name.

How good is it to have so many players already getting their first of the season after being so dependent on one player for goals over the past few season though? Especially the new lads.

I really relate to this. Another strange transfer window, walking on with my dad and us agreeing that it barely felt like 2 minutes since the stress of last season... And then the joy of those goals in the second half and the incredible reception that Szmodics received when he was subbed on. Goosebumps. This club is a part of me, through all of the pain and uncertainty.

I'm not convinced that the club that Sammy supports is going to be a massively deciding factor in whether he goes to a Premier League club while his stock's at its highest value and our financial situation is precarious, I must admit.

Putting aside the fact we spaffed 5 million on him, getting 1.5 million for an injury-prone player who has all the attributes but none of the ability to use them was not too shabby at all.