New Saints are out of the Conference League knocked out by a Luxembourg outfit so Harlock isn't going to benefit from European football. Hamrun and Gzira from Malta are playing in the third qualifying stage of the Conference this evening so keeping fingers crossed. I can only guess the arrangement is so Rovers keep an interest in case Jared dramatically blossoms during his year away.

Daft as It may seem, I would be reasonably OK with playing reasonably similarly to last season provided we convert our chances and cut out the brain dead defending which gifted them their chances and goals. Anyone looking at the overall match stats without knowing the score would never guess the home side had won 4-0. What I am hoping for is some real devilment in Rovers play to go with the improvement in moving the ball around at pace. Stoke showed how it needs to be done against Rotherham on Saturday but even they gifted the Millers a goal.

Watched it back on the Rovers website. A strangely uneventful 7 goal non-thriller! First Walsall goal was incredibly poor to let in but the other two involved exceptional play by Walsall- especially that cross field pinpoint accuracy 40 yard driven pass which set up their second. We should have made more of our 70%+ possession but all 4 goals were exquisitely worked. Glad we are safely through so the same or a similar group of players get a chance to show how they have improved from last night. I wouldn't be writing the prospects of anybody off based on that showing.

There is a distinct advantage of being in the Northern Section. Possible draws for Rovers against 5 rather mediocre Premier League clubs, 4 Championship Clubs, and 12 L1/L2 clubs with two Championship v L1 ties to be settled tonight. Southern Section on paper is tougher including Chelsea and Spuds being rewarded for last season's endeavours by entering the draw at Round 2!

Ward-Prowse also signed. Are Hammers the slowest PL club now?

Visa received so he can now train with the team.

Agreed re Dyche. For all Everton's woes, there are enough troubled clubs around for them to come 17th. I will add Forest to the list of problem children already mentioned. Bournemouth have one heck of a good manager. That said, their losses and goal difference last season were all relegation numbers. They survived by getting an abnormal number of wins- if they draw those this season, they are doomed. Don't be depressed but Burnley could make the top half.

Yes but that run comes after the window has shut and the international break.

Season stats to date 2 games played 2 games won 2 new signings not yet made a debut 22 players started of whom 7 made full senior debuts 12 are academy graduates 6 goals scored 6 different goalscorers of whom 5 scored their first senior goal for the club. Having said all that, my guess is the same eleven who started against West Brom will start at Rotherham although Garrett and Gilsenan will be included on the bench.

For all the failings elsewhere around the club, JDT is exceptional and gives me hope promotion is possible this season. I like the selection head aches he already has and here's hoping GB has made them much worse by 2 September.

Perfect evening. First eleven mostly rested except for battening down at the end. Five full debuts. Three players get their first senior goals for the club Nobody injured as far as we know Exciting game helped me forget there were no pictures, no audio and www.rovers.co.uk minute by minute failed in the 21st minute!

+ 8 minutes

4-3

4-2

We do like scoring within 2 minutes of a kick-off!

Rovers 72% possession first half. Hedges both assists.

Batty badly at fault for the Walsall second. Apparently fortunate not to let in a third.

Ennis 2-2

Just about to write all Rovers but Walsall score again

Very smart move for our goal

Just seen the Walsall goal. Free header and Hilton horribly at fault

Good save from Ennis shot

Blackburn Rovers @Rovers · 3m More on the goal: Ennis slips Hedges through who squares it across the six-yard box for Gilsenan to slot home at the back post on his competitive debut. What a moment for Zak!

Rovers equalise immediately No news about the scorer yet

Very soft goal from a corner