Agree on Palmer and Rothwell. They are both really skillful players, but they have some glaring weaknesses playing on the flanks. Rothwell does pretty well tracking back, but takes too many risks that don't come off. Palmer on the hand takes slightly less risks, but doesn't track back as well. The issue is they are best suited to playing in the number 10 position where they can take more risks and not have to perform their defensive duties as much, but obviously TM is not playing them in that position, as that's Dack's spot. If TM does insist on playing them on the flanks then they will have to make a lot of improvement to be more reliable. Of the 2, I have more faith that Rothwell will get there in the end.

Travis is just a ball of energy, he's got the makings of an excellent box to box midfielder. Brereton's fluffed chance was pretty horrendous, but tbf he has been doing well coming in deep to get and retain the ball and keep possession since then. Hopefully he keeps growing more into this game and has a few more chances. So far we are matching Sheffield pretty well and this game looks winnable. All of Sheffield's attacks seem to be coming down the left, so we might need to look to shore up that side of the pitch in the second half.

What a dreadful performance. We never play well at Wigan Away, but this is the worst I’ve seen us play in a while. Passing has been Conference level, and the whole team look half asleep. They all look so off the pace, even Armstrong looks lethargic and slow today. Defensively we have been in complete disarray, especially on the left hand side. Mowbray needs to absolutely blast them at half time and make at least 1 change at half time. Either Smallwood or Evans off for Rothwell, and maybe Brereton off for Graham or Armstrong. Graham hasn’t done much wrong though, we just need to try something new.

Frustrating first half. We’ve been well on top especially at the start and end of the half, but haven’t been able to make a breakthrough. Two great chances for Graham but he has been unable to make the most of them. This referee is horrendous. Worst one I’ve seen in a while.

Honestly, after the game I think we do have the best side in the league. Maybe not in terms of ability, but certainly in terms of heart and character. These players and manager give it their all. I don’t feel envious of any side in the world right now. I welled up a little after the game when the whole side went over to applaud the travelling supporters, and I’m not even from Blackburn. It was just nice to see a group of good human beings and it felt good to be a Rovers supporter in that moment. When you think where we were only a couple of years back, it seems like another world. I get the moaning about the weird substitutions and selections from TM, as they make little sense to me as well. It does feel at times that we are winning points IN SPITE OF the team selections rather than because of them, but what do I know. At the end of the day, if we keep having days like last night I am not going to be one to complain.

Fantastic win today! Bennett and Armstrong impressed the most imo. Thought Brereton was improved but it still baffles me that TM won’t play him up front. He came on for Graham today, but was still shafted out wide. Is TM just trying to keep the opposition managers guessing? It must be hard to plan against Rovers. You have no idea who will play and in what position.

I agree, he stands out by a mile and he’s not even at 100% yet.

I actually liked the look of him today. First time that I thought he’s done well. Still don’t think he’s a wide man, but he showed some good movement and hold up play today. Can’t say I’m a big fan of all the time wasting antics though, but can’t really complain considering we still took the 3 points at the end of the day.

I like the look of that side. I am glad Rothwell has finally been given a well-deserved start. I’ve put some money on him to score tonight.

Crouch on the bench is a worry. I see them hurting us from set pieces if we give them the opportunity.

Fantastic first half. Everyone is performing to the best of their abilities. Stoke look very poor and slow. Their defence is big but not very mobile, if we play through them and use our pace we can make this a big win. Feels like a perfect game for the likes of Armstrong and Palmer, even Rothwell. Their central midfielder that was supposed to be man marking Dack got a yellow very early on, so I think that will continue to work to our advantage. Dack should be afforded more space. Both finishes were superbly taken by Dack and Graham. Smallwood has really turned my opinion around in the last few games. He struggled early on but he’s back to being the King again.

5-3-2 or is Reed playing out wide?

Have only seen BB play in the Villa game so far, but thought his performance was dreadful. For most of the time he was on he was running around like a headless chicken contributing nothing in either attack or defence. The few times he tried to take on some Villa players he was easily dispossessed. The only thing I saw him do okay with was win a couple of aerial challenges and hold up the ball fairly well. Given the above, surely he needs to be played and given a chance in the centre in place of Graham. I just can’t see him as a decent option out of wide. Looking at his his history at Forest, he seemed to have the better performances when played up front rather than on the wing as well. I was expecting more from him so I hope it’s just early days (lack of fitness, lack of confidence). You would hope that TM plans on giving him a chance up front sometime soon though, otherwise what was the point of spending so much money on a makeshift wide man?

I was predicting a high scoring draw, but we actually have a pretty good record at home against Villa, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we knicked the win. Either way, I’m expecting an exciting game. Hoping to see more of our new signings tonight... in particular Reed and Brereton.

They’ve been comparing him to Cafu

I thought Graham was past it at the start of last season, but he went on to prove me very wrong with 12 goals in 35 league starts!

Tbf it was our first choice team last season minus Dack and Armstrong. It was the bench that was scary. This season is all about securing a comfortable finish in the Championship, but you can’t help dream of a push for a play off spot. Looking at our team, we have a combination of highly rated young players (Rothwell, Palmer, Armstrong, Davenport), Rovers academy graduates who look like they can make it at the top level (Raya, Nyambe, Lenihan), recently capped internationals (Mulgrew, Williams, Evans) and experienced leaders (Bennett, Graham, Conway, even Smallwood). Not to mention the best left back in League One last season (Bell) and the best player in League One last season (Dack). On top of that we have decent cover in Downing, Rodwell and Samuel and some decent young players coming through the academy (although I expect players like Nuttall and Travis to go out on loan. Looks like we are bringing in 2 more highly rated young players in Brereton and Reed. That looks like a really promising and exciting team to me... especially given our start.

Opened up my regular football app to check the lineup and saw this. Obviously a mistake but gave me a heart attack for a second! I thought we truly have reached list Z for transfer targets.

Not sure how to feel about this one. Back when he was at Everton he had such a bright future ahead and was an incredible player at a very young age. He’s won the Premier League with Manchester City and has tons of experience at the top level. But obviously he has gone astray in recent years due to injuries and big money. Reminds me of a certain David Bentley, who went for his big money move to Spurs and then saw it all fall apart. We took a punt on bringing him back for half a season as well, but it didn’t quite work out for him and he retired not long after that. That said, I think Bentley came back at what was probably the worst period of the club and I’m sure it didn’t help him regain his confidence or passion for the game. You feel that Rodwell may have a bit more luck in that, being part of a side full of confidence and ambition, and being managed by Mowbray. Good luck to him anyway! If he does manage to regain even a fraction of the quality he had at Everton and Man City, we have a tremendous signing on our hands.

Brereton and Reed would make us firm playoff contenders, assuming we don’t have days like today where half the team gets injured.

Nuttall has tried hard tonight, but he’s not ready for the Championship.

Cmon Rovers!! 1 more please... Modou Barrow on for Reading

Samuel down now...

Our midfield 3 of Bennett, Evans and Rothwell has been fantastic. They’re all over the pitch and controlling the game. Our attacks are breaking down with Samuel and Conway unfortunately.

Penalty!! Come on!!