Heck we were playing Premier League opponents so closing down, positioning and mobility were of a different level. Yes Travis had a magnificent pass completion rate v Sheff U and WBA of 85% I think it was. But I'd be very surprised if he was at less than 70% tonight. Oh and Stewart and HowieFiveOh, Raya's kicking and distribution in general are hugely improved this season as is his aerial handling and positioning for catches and punches. I feel very secure with Raya between the sticks and know he is likely to get much better yet.

Word to the travelling support- you were magnificent! Heard you loud and clear out-singing the Newcastle supporters. "Going down with the Dingles"?

He tried me for sure. Woohoo, Google just texted the Newcastle v Rovers game starts soon.

More from Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray on VAR: "I'm for it, as long as they know what's happening. I'm learning as I go and I think everyone else is too. It didn't spoil today's game. "The hardest thing in football is to score a goal and you have to be right. If it goes in then you have to check it." Asked if Charlie Mulgrew is trying to score from corners, Mowbray looked deadly serious when he replied: "He's got an amazing left foot and we've worked hard on Charlie trying to score from corners and free-kicks. He's such a talent and hits the target so often that we say 'why don't you shoot more often?' "It's difficult to stop when you've got a left-footed laser coming in the way it does." Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray told BBC Sport: "We gave an amazing effort. That's what we give every week. There's a camaraderie amongst the players and we worked hard to get a result. "I couldn't see Newcastle scoring so the penalty was a blow. It was soft, and I think it was a penalty, but we live to fight another day. It'll be interesting to see what side they play in the replay now. "It was a great header from Bradley Dack and he worked his socks off. We told the players to test themselves against a Premier League side and Bradley should want to test himself against Premier League footballers. "He took his goal well and worked really hard today. It's his first season in the Championship and he's bedding in well."

From the BBC- we were targeting their keeper????? And they weren't looking to stick it on Raya? 'A replay is bad news' FT: Newcastle 1-1 Blackburn Newcastle United Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez is a fan of VAR, saying 'we need it for every game'. He added: "We have to take some positives. The reaction of the players was good, they were pushing till the last minutes. "Some players haven't had a chance to play 90 minutes so it was an opportunity for them to show what they have and I think they worked hard." Asked if Blackburn targeted goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, he replied: "The referee knows that in the second half, the approach was different. "I think sometimes we forget the rules when the ball goes into the six-yard box. We had to protect him in the second half. "A replay is bad news because we have to play another game but we will try to play in the best way possible."

Late on when it was a case of getting in the way to hold up Newcastle, two blocks and one horrible pass went AWOL but other than that Travis was pretty well immaculate. Great thing about him is his command of the ball, vision and range of passing means that whenever Travis is on the ball there is a calmness about the rest of the players who get into position to keep the move going rather than taking insurance positions in case the ball is lost. Dack is shere class. Yes he doesn't keep every ball and not every pass finds its target but look how far up the field he is playing.

Shelvey is a class player and yes he did make a difference but I thought we handled him well overall. Evans was simply unlucky but it was a penalty. Ball ricocheted luckily back to the Newcastle player and because it was a fluke Evans was clumsy in what he was doing. He tripped the player with left and then right foot and gave the ref an easy decision. Overall Rovers were very good value for at least a draw. Newcastle have a trip to Chelsea for the evening game on Saturday 12th before they come to Ewood for the replay. Dingles play Fulham and Cardiff play Huddersfield in 3 o'clock kick offs the same day so Chances are Newcastle will be down in 17th three points below 16th and two above Southampton in 18th. Newcastle's next game after the replay is Cardiff home in a monster relegation six pointer. So the chances are Benitez will put an even weaker side out for the replay.

Wallsall to win at Bolton. Luton to give a good account of themselves at Hillsborough. Bristol City to beat Huddersfield. Portsmouth to win at Norwich. Dingles will have to be careful with Barnsley and Everton cannot be too gungho picking a side to play Lincoln but those might be half time shocks but not at full time. Only Wallsall let me down. Hope Mercer had money on my tips...

Again draw is a good result but we should have won. Hopefully a good crowd on at Ewood for the replay and we progress.

Nooo Williams on for Dack

Evans clumsy- was a penalty

Rovers slightly shading possession but this one is wide open. Travis is clearly showing Premier League class as is Dack even though he is not playing at his best. Hope Nyambe is fit enough to come on in place of Bennett.

That is one heck of a bench for Newcastle!

I could put up with getting Hudson-Odoi on a loan swap.

Eight changes by Rafa. Probably full strength from players available picked by Mowbray.

Did anyone predict Gillingham to beat Cardiff?

A Blackpool fan has climbed onto the roof of the Arsenal team bus to protest against the Oystons. BBC saying kick off potentially delayed. Can't they get another bus or taxis or hitch a lift with the Old Bill? Walk?

Gates of 75K at Old Triffid and 55K at the Olympic Stadium but the dingles only manage 11K and I bet half of those were from Barnsley. Attendance today is anyone's guess.

Thanks- a lovely read.

Condolences to Mark Venus.

Pulis obviously changed his mind but it was a no on transfer deadline day. Harry Chapman poised for Blackburn return as Middlesbrough prepare to let midfielder leave on loan Blackburn are hoping to tie up a deal for Harry Chapman from Middlesbrough The England Under-20 international also spent last season on loan at Ewood Park He missed the second half of last season with a hamstring problem By SIMON JONES FOR MAILONLINE PUBLISHED: 13:11 GMT, 28 August 2018 | UPDATED: 14:15 GMT, 28 August 2018 e-mail 115shares View comments Middlesbrough midfielder Harry Chapman is poised to leave on loan with Blackburn Rovers leading the chase. The England Under-20 World Cup winner was the subject of a failed bid from Rovers prior to the August 9 transfer deadline but Tony Mowbray remains keen on striking a deal with an initial loan. Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis is prepared to let Chapman go providing he can land his own transfer targets with Millwall's George Saville his prime objective. +2 Blackburn are keen to complete a loan for Middlesbrough midfielder Harry Chapman (right) Chapman spent part of last season on loan at Ewood Park helping them gain promotion from League One and is keen to reunite with Mowbray. He scored once in 12 appearances for Rovers, adding three assists as he helped them reach the Championship. However, his season was cut short by a hamstring injury, which he sustained in November before aggravating it on his comeback to action in an Under-23s clash. Mowbray is also hoping to complete the signing of Nottingham Forest forward Ben Brereton this week in a deal that could be worth up to £7million.

Wallsall to win at Bolton. Luton to give a good account of themselves at Hillsborough. Bristol City to beat Huddersfield. Portsmouth to win at Norwich. Dingles will have to be careful with Barnsley and Everton cannot be too gungho picking a side to play Lincoln but those might be half time shocks but not at full time. If I were Karanka, I'd have a full strength side out at Stamford Bridge- Chelsea are vulnerable. However, I expect Forest will also be fielding a weakened side which is why Chelsea v Forest is not my tip for an upset.

So iFollow very helpfully is showing: Next match 05 Jan 2019 17:30 (UK) Newcastle United v Blackburn Rovers There is not a match pass available for this match. €6.00 Pricing and availability may vary

Woken up and feeling stupidly optimistic about this one. Having said that, we will probably see a Premier League/Championship gulf and Rovers lose 5-0, four of the goals in the last 20 minutes... Dingles and Southampton picking up away points put Newcastle right back in relegation trouble so might have an effect on Benitez's selection. Do they have any youngsters of talent itching to show they should be first choices?- if so beware. On the basis I'd like to see younger players measured against Premier League opposition, I will break my embargo and pick the team: Raya Nyambe Lenihan Mulgrew Bell (assuming all are fit and don't have a day flu) Evans Reed Travis Rothwell Dack (Evans holding, Dack pushing on) Brereton In old days I would have been anticipating this one from the moment of the draw. Now it is an interruption to the main business but have a cup tie tingle this morning. Be safe everyone who is going.

Not had the pleasure of meeting him in person other than a couple of phone calls but he has been consistently fair about Rovers. I bet his file of not published because spiked/legally embargoed would open some eyes...