It was a long journey back yesterday to reflect on what I'd witnessed in the afternoon. Without doubt it was the worst performance of the season but, in many ways, it was a perfect reflection of where we are as a club. I've never really believed that we are a top six squad. Granted, there have been times this season when a few good results, strung together, have led to me hope that me might creep into the play-offs, almost by default - the inconsistences of others being our best chance to get there. However, yesterday was the perfect illustration of our own inconsistences. Players who had excelled in the previous two games suddenly found it difficult to do the basics even moderately well. Stray passes, missed tackles, poor positional play and glaring errors were there for all too see. I remarked after the first five minutes about how we were lacking the intensity in our play of the previous two games and so it turned out. Individual players make errors all the time so I don't put the blame for yesterday's defeat on any particular player. They all under performed - for me Forshaw and Ribeiro were the best of a poor bunch. We are what we are, a fairly solid Championship side but I'm not convinced we are more than that. As we approach the business end of the season the foot should be firmly down on the accelerator - look at Coventry and Bristol City - we seem to build momentum for a couple of games and then stall and go into reverse for a couple of games. I fear this is another season when the top six will remain tantalisingly out of reach. Whether a new head coach can change that remains to be seen but on the evidence of yesterday he'll have his work cut out to deliver the consistency that is required at this point.

Coming away from the Hawthorns last night it felt so good to be a Rover. The spirit amongst this group of players is unbelievable. Every player works for each other and supports each other. There also seems an excellent relationship with the longstanding coaching staff who took charge last night. Lowey seemed to have made a slight change in that we got forward more and the link up play between Dolan and Makhtar was great to see. These two seem to have a special bond and that was the best that Dolan has played in months. He got forward more, and released the ball at the right times. We certainly got forward a lot more than at Loftus Road last week. Travis gave a real captain's performance - he really is the heart and soul of this team whilst Buckley is starting to show the form I thought I'd never see again from him. The 'keeper and defence were excellent and in Ribeiro I think we may have stumbled on a real find at left-back. I think once he gets fully up to speed he will be a real asset. He looks like a proper old fashioned full-back who is a defender first and foremost. A special word for the likes of Lowe, Benson and Johnson, who often get stick but clearly have a good relationship with the players who work with them on a daily basis down at Brockhall. The fans were brilliant in their support of the team whilst also voicing their displeasure the management off the pitch. Just when you feel like giving up because of the off the field antics, night's like this remind me why I'm still going home and away, week in and week out to follow the team I've supported for 60 odd years.

A poor performance in so many ways. Sadly in the introduction of Duberry and Cantwell proved a mistake as we lost control of the game at this point. We badly miss Tronstad and Yuki. Their energy and application has been badly missed these past few wereks.

Clubs award these things to descendants of the players. It's something that seems to be growing within football - a recognition of past players who have all made a contribution to the history of a football club.

This is something that the club are working on at the moment. A number of clubs are now doing this - some award a special shirt, others framed certificates. These are awarded to players who have featured in a competitive first team fixture. In our case it would start with the 1879-80 season with the first F.A. Cup games.

Really proud of the performance today by the players and the manager and his staff. They can do no more than they are. Players are giving everything for the club and so is the manager. Today, everyone put in a shift but some tired after 70 minutes or so because the the demands put upon them. Rotation and rest isn't an option for our decimated squad and thanks to our owners that doesn't appear likely to change anytime soon. We have a week to bring in the three QUALITY players that the manager is demanding. Not squad players but players who will make a difference. It's now up to the owners to provide Steve Waggott and Gestede with the resources that are required. Gestede can identify as many players as he likes but if the owners aren't prepared to fund their purchase then there really is no point in the work the recruitment department is employed to do.

I feel sorry for the players and the manager tonight. A 46 game Championship requires a decent sized squad to enable players to be rotated and rested. The teams around us have those squads. We are asking to same handful of players to turn out all the time. It's not surprising that their bodies are now showing the strain. They are human beings not robots. Some of the players are struggling for form, some are struggling with the standard required in the Championship. I can't fault them for effort but to succeed at this level you need a little more. We have the effort and organisation but we are lacking in quality in certain areas. Unfortunately, that little bit of quality costs money and that seems to be something we don't have - despite claims to the contrary. I'm travelling to Bristol on Saturday and dread to think what sort of team we will be able to assemble from the walking wounded. We needed to start bringing quality in at the start of January. We didn't and winnable games have been lost. I fully expect us to drop out of the race for the play-offs unless something remarkable happens in the next couple of weeks. Sadly, I don't expect that to happen and another season will drift by with us being further away from the top flight than ever before.

I think yesterday's performance has been coming for some time. The frugal approach to building a decent squad came back to bite us yesterday. Many of these players are being asked to play every game whilst other clubs are rotating and resting players. It's no surprise that we are now picking up injuries. Trav and Tronstad have been outstanding all season but ultimately their bodies have paid the price of the demands put upon them. After the opening few minutes yesterday is was obvious that this was a game too far. Oxford had a couple of lively wingers who who caused us major problems. It's the first time I've seen Beck taken apart so easily by a winger with genuine pace. Brittain also struggled to contain his winger until the second-half when he got to grips with him. Cantwell continues to be an enigma. So laid back, when a bit of blood and thunder is needed. There's no doubt that he's a clever footballer but he loses the ball in dangerous positions far too much for me. He doesn't score nor does he create too much in the penalty area. I can see why other clubs have opted to move him on as he definitely a luxury player. I had hoped he would be what Duncan McKenzie was during our promotion season but so far I've been very disappointed in what I've seen. Our attack looked shocking yesterday. Makhtar was lucky not to be booked in the opening minutes for a blatant elbow when jumping with a defender. I don't think it was intentional on his part but he is just so clumsy with arms and legs going in every direction at the same time! Cozier-Durberry looked like a little boy lost and once Weimann went off we never really had anything to offer. I don't blame the players or the manager for yesterday. We have reached a point where the players have given their all over the course of the season and need help. Unfortunately, we don't appear to have the resources which are require to keep us competitive. We need reinforcements or the season will fall away. At the end of the day the owners aren't leaving so whatever budget we have we need to make the best of it. It's not easy and I don't envy the job that Gestede and his team have to do.

I think it depends on the player. Waggy was excellent for us and we had a great season from McKenzie. Likewise Moran and Cowans did very good jobs for us and I think McFadzean made all the difference last season. Like all signings - some work out well whilst others are a disaster. Mind you, we've signed some younger players who've not worked out too well.

Thoroughly enjoyed the trip today. As arbitro has said, we looked so assured once we went in front. Baath and Hyam have formed a really impressive partnership whilst Brittain and Beck are solid defensively and cause problems going forward. In midfield, Tronstad was outstanding, yet again. Toth looks a decent back-up 'keeper for Pears although some of passing with his feet is questionable. Nonetheless, a definite upgrade on the previous back-up to Pears. We could have had more goals - Leonard played well in terms of movement but was lacking with his finishing. He's young and had a long spell out with injury and I feel the goals will come because he gets in the right positions. I thought Weimann again proved what a useful acquisition he has been. It really is incredible what Eustace is getting out of this team. The spirit amongst them is outstanding.

After watching the policing operation today I couldn't help reflect on my first experiences of this derby. Rovers and Burnley fans mingling peacefully together on the Longside at the Turf. Fans from both sides enjoying a laugh and a joke without a hint of violence between fans and just the odd policeman here and there. But above all, everyone enjoying a game of football and the players - the likes of Dougie, Clayton McIlroy, Adamson, etc competitive and the field and friends off it. Today it's a military operation and the game and atmosphere not an enjoyable experience. Looking at the numbers of police deployed all over town today it was hard to believe that this was all due to 90 minutes of football. I feel that somewhere along the line we've lost all sense of proportion when it comes to this fixture. I thought today's game was awful - two side terrified of losing - with little creative football being played by either side.

For me, Tronstad has been our player of the season thus far. As a defensive midfield player I don't think I've seen many better in this League this season. He and Travis had a wonderful partnership and, in fairness, I don't think Baker has done too badly since he came in although doesn't have the same drive as Trav. For me Tronstad is one player who deserves an extension to his contract. Never get less than an 8 out of 10 every game from that guy. His job is guard that back four and he does it wonderfully well. Of course, he'll make the odd mistake, all players, even the greatest, do, but for me he is the first name on the team sheet every game.

We didn't really seem an ambitious club when the likes of Pickering, England, Newton, Fergie, Hole, Knighton were all sold without adequate replacements coming in. Fortunately, we appointed astute managers, like the present one, who could make do and mend. But in the end Furphy, Lee, Smith and Kendall all left to join more ambitious clubs. My fear is that Eustace will become another manager we lose if we don't support him. As for the game tomorrow, I'll be going hoping for the best but fearing the worst. I'd happily settle for a boring 0-0.

All the best to you Rev for the New Year. My point was that having followed Rovers for 60 odd years, post Christmas collapses are nothing new. I think this January the owners have to back the manager or the consequences will be felt when trying to flog season tickets in the summer. New signings won't guarantee us a top six spot but it will give us a fighting chance. This is arguably the best manager we have had since we came out of the Premier League. If we don't back him then I'm sure it won't be long before more ambitious clubs come along and take him from us. We have seen it all too often before.

To be fair, I remember going through similar experiences in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Top or thereabouts at Christmas and then fall away immediately after for a variety of reasons including a lack of funds.