I don't think we're in any position to criticise another club's attendances. I find attendance-criticising in general, whether of ours or anybody else's, a pretty tacky and sad thing to do. People have all sorts of reasons as individuals they may not attend, especially in this financial climate, and many clubs outside the top flight have had trouble retaining their fan bases for all sorts of reasons.

We have frequently rotated in the cups though. That's not the usual definition of taking it seriously. The main difference has been the players coming in have been hungry to prove themselves, and the manager isn't a fuckwit.

I'd never forgive the club, or him, if we lost him on a free to Stoke this summer. Or to any other Championship club (with the possible exception of teams who have just come down).

Surprised to see Reading in 7th and above us. They're not in the PL2 side, they're not a Cat 1 academy, and I stand to be corrected but I shouldn't think they've got anywhere near as many academy products in their first team as we do. Have they raised some players into big money sales recently or something?

That's actually the last thing I want to hear.

Yeh - the kind of ambition I want to see.

It's not that odd. People tire after they've been putting in a shift recently.

Are Stoke the first team to do the double on us this season?

Lead in the boots does seem likely. Something I was a bit concerned about after a couple of stellar performances against Leicester and Sheff U. You can pay players whatever you like, but the human body has limits, and isn't capable of 100% every match over an extended period. Those extra midweek games take their toll, no matter how much people like to make out otherwise.

Nah, the first half is when we had our descent.

What's that meant to mean? I've been reading this thread, I've looked at most of the posts...

A great many, in the history of Blackburn Rovers, let alone world football history. But they were poor, as usual. Absolutely suckered by the Stoke players on numerous occasions. Amazed they didn't give them one of those iffy penalty claims.

This post would have been worthwhile if we'd got it back to 3-3.

Too little, too late.

If we get a penalty and hit the bar with it, it would be very reminiscent of a game last season if I'm recalling rightly...but with the opposite outcome.

Really good header. But I still don't believe we are getting owt. Shame we have left it so late to turn up.

Consolation goal reduces the embarrassment at least. First shot on target, against a keeper who will have been nervous tonight. Lovely cross from Brittain.

Ref is a moron. What a dive from Smallbone, took about three quick steps after what I'm not even sure was contact from Morton, still got him booked.

You think we'll concede 10 goals in the next 30 minutes?

Cool, exactly what this game wasn't crying out for - Tyler Morton. (Yes I know it's enforced)

Keeper hasn't played in a while I assume. Need to test him. But we've produced 0 shots on target.

Sorry I don't understand what you mean?

Think Szmodics' shot had a good angle and curl on it too, could have landed top corner if the Stoke lad hadn't clearly swung his arms out. I disagree with most handballs that are given, but that one is a definite hand to ball.

Hyam...more of one than the first one they claimed, but he went down very very easy. Just trying to win one more than genuinely fouled, but seen them given. Very bad half. Those shot stats (10, 4 on target for Stoke, 3, 0 on target for us) and of course the scoreline, sum up how little we deserved.

Zero chance we get a point tonight now. Blatant penalty for us there, didn't see it at the time but the replay makes it a very obvious penalty for handball.