Sticking my neck out, the Rovers squad right now today is stronger than the one which was goal difference away from the play-offs last season. Tronstad or Morton? Sigurddson or Diaz? Ennis or Dack? Potential full seasons of year older Ash and Adam. Carter and JRC now proven talents. Szmodics now fully Rovers acclimatised. 12 months of JDT as opposed to "hello, who are you?"

With that line-up, taking 50 to the Austrian training camp (not counting the three lads leaving the club and the not fit duo) is entirely credible. I wonder if trialists A, B and C etc are in the party and hence only the front line 31 being named? Fans going to the training session and the two games will no doubt confirm or otherwise...

It was still in its box which was why diagonally across the tube train I could see Aston Martin written on the end bit sticking out.

When Neil Warnock was manager at Palace, I remember he and his wife boarding a Northern line tube just before Christmas loaded down with presents in Hamley's wrapping. Warnock was wearing a shell suit - and there was a toy Aston Martin poking out of his pocket. Thanks for confirming what I suspected some 15 years ago!

I am going off memory but the shareholders were quite wide spread. Jack offered to buy them all out but some continued, happy to be massively diluted by Jack's injection and there continues to be a tiny minority interest to this day including I believe at least one share now owned by the Trust. Going back, the largest individual shareholder typically became Chairman so they included Bill Fox, Derek Keighley whom I believe was chairman for 19 days before his sudden death and Bill Bancroft.

You think that's hostile. You should have seen it in Keen/tantric time

Many years ago, it was definitely the case the Raos received summary reports of press coverage in the UK from their staff. Given the continuation of their financial injections I think it unlikely those reports are not prepared and read. For that matter this website and other Rovers fans' were similarly read and summarised. No doubt the Raos are trying butter pies and John Bulls knocked up by their chefs..

New deal signed!

If there is a hint of Mowbray preparing a plan B for Sunderland games, I will be concerned.

Amazed by the disrespect for Mowbray on here. Given what went before Mowbray was a welcome relief and breath of fresh air. That relegation with a close record high points was unfortunate but getting out of League 1 at the first time of asking literally saved the club. Of course he could and should have done better in his last two seasons with us and that is why he wasn't renewed. He probably learned from those blow ups but let's hope not too much. His biggest contribution yet hopefully is his limitations derailing Sunderland this season.

Rovers Academy have a big job to do when the Polish lads get back to Brockhall. I don't know whose bank manager the Polish coach is but he is clueless. I watched 270 minutes and I don't think I saw one Polish triangle. Extraordinary inept second half against an Italian defence and midfield full of mistakes if pressed. Biniek started with intelligent running making space but no ball because nobody was looking to the right and certainly not to the right touchline. Biniek had to go hunting the ball meaning receiving it back to goal but even so had a fantastic outside in run but nobody came short for a lay off and no intelligent off the ball runs to create space.. Nsangou is Gallageresque in going where the ball isn't. He looked totally dejected on the bench in the second half today.

Biniek unused sub. FT 1-1 so Italy progress. Poland horribly under coached.

Nsangou subbed at half time

Fabulous run the length of the pitch by Vignato to set up Italian equaliser. Vignato skied a great chance from the restart. Nsangou has touched it twice now. Three with an insipid attempt which he should have buried.

Italy predictably dirty but Vigato is the best player I have seen in this tournament. Italian first yellow. Nsangou has created a shooting chance. In all fairness the balls forward in his approximate direction have been woeful.

Poland 1-0 after their own goal survived 2 scares. 10 minutes and Nsangou yet to have his first touch.

Nsangou starts. Biniek on bench. Poland have to win to progress. A draw sends Italy through on goals scored.

Automatic promotion. Fits with the three year project. JDT has said he expects us to progress so that is play-offs at least. Ben had a stinker second half of the season while Dack and Ayala were bit part contributors. Morton was better than many give him credit for but is not a loss of something special like Elliott was. Yes we miss them but it is not like the departures of the previous summer when the core of the team virtually had to be replaced. Last year's young squad has become this year's players with 50 games under their belts while Adam Wharton and Ash Phillips are almost certainly not only going to be claiming starting places at Rovers but emerging as stars in the division. No reason why the likes of JRC, Carter, Hyams, Buckley, Dolan and Szmodics shouldn't kick on and the three signings made so far look to have the potential to provide significant progressions.

JDT staying at Ewood despite attempts to lure him away is probably the most significant development this summer. Fantastic news for Rovers!

Oh dear, a Pears howler and we are one down.

Phillips born 26 June 2005 will be first choice by the end of the season with a scrap between the other 4 over who to partner him.

Happy with the two sides picked.

More than ten years ago as sophisticated Asian betting was getting going, a favourite was time of first throw in and the kick off getting "over hit"...

It wasn't me, it was the beer... Should have stuck with Junior. I would be very surprised if either Rovers youngster start against Italy. I wouldn't knock them for their performances here. The Poles look very under coached compared with the Portugese and even Malta had a much better shape and game plan. In both games the Poles seemed to have no sense of where their colleagues were moving to. There was close to no shape or instinctive movement and passing when in the opposition half. Looked terribly ponderous as the player in possession scanned the field for the next pass. Biniek in particular was guilty of under hit passes towards players who instead of looking to receive the simple ball had sprinted away needing a Tugay special to find them. Poland played virtually no triangles all night which is an instant tell that the coaching is not up to scratch.

Pienko got Polish 2nd. Finished 2-0 which means Poland have to beat Italy to progress. Portugal look the strongest outfit here.