philipl

Derby couldn't even put the good kids out because the ones training with the first team squad were also in the first team bubble. The average age of their side was just over 19.

It has reached the point where watching Rovers yesterday, I concluded I could fix that based on the tiny bit of football coaching I did 35 years ago.

At least there will be nobody saying Mowbray shouldn't go after that.

Abysmal keeping. Rovers look like they have never seen a coach. Just a bunch of individuals.

ifollow gone audio only

Would have preferred to see Pike and Davenport starting but otherwise OK. Hopefully Pears doesn't treat the ball like a bar of soap again...

108 was numerically the first of the 12 Leyland PD1As delivered in 1948 and was withdrawn from service in 1970. Hiding behind the X66 bus stop is the roof of a Ribble Marshall bodied Leopard which means the picture cannot be any earlier than 1963. The road signage also dates it in the '60s.

That bus was new in late 78/early 79.

Richard Guy the Wimbledon goalkeeper who produced heroics that day. I met him cleaning his car in the Constituency I was fighting a few years later. I shook him warmly by the hand and told him I didn't mind in the least that he was a lifelong Tory...

My ifollow is showing this afternoon's match as being available to watch. I am actually really looking forward to seeing whatever emerges from the tombola this afternoon in blue and white. I think I am right in saying Mowbray has never won an FA Cup third round tie with Rovers..

Chorley warmed up with a 4-0 thrashing by Fylde.

My Everton supporting stepson is convinced Branthwaite is coming to us and that we are getting an absolute gem. Let's see...

Two weeks after Doncaster Rovers covid diagnoses so it will go ahead provided other players haven't gone down with it in the meantime.

Last I heard was that was going to trial.

Great listen. Thanks.

Weird at first. Got used to it now. In fact it will seem strange watching again without the pitch side microphones picking up the yelled instructions and the screams when players are wanting free kicks awarded. I much prefer the games without the piped crowd sounds. Some grounds have people who are really good at selecting the sounds but others are rubbish.

Sitting outside the UK, PL games have become much more accessible and the league and teams vastly more interesting this season. Staggered kick off times means football fits around me and not vice versa and very few games are abysmal switch offs. What's not to like? Except for Sheffield United...

Spell checker automatically inserted the name of the great painter.

We have signed central defenders in the past who have taken a grip and organised without being supreme athletes themselves. Reducing goals let in by 1 in 4 in the second half of the season lifts us into the top 6 and by a half could even bring automatic promotion in range in the second half of the season. I was going to write all other things being equal but fingers crossed we keep Kandinsky,Dack Travis and Armstrong fit and average only 6 absences per game in the rest of the squad as opposed to the 8 we clocked up in the first half of the season.

Have to ask. Is Kipre the man if Sam sees no place for him at Baggies after leaking 9 in 180 minutes... ?

Not sure about this. Isn't Chapman under 23 so isn't counted in the 25 senior slots? Genuine question.

So many ways of reading that. It means Arma gets/makes nearly 1.5 big chances per game and takes close to two thirds of them. Could also mean opposition managers see him as sufficiently flawed to allow him to run in behind them as they prefer to commit resources further up field. Or Armstrong is so quick at this level there is no point countering him one on one. I would tell Armstrong to stick in the centre circle when Rovers are defending and train at hitting balls blind to land centrally 10 to 20 yards inside the opposition half...

On reflection, Kaminsky's save was stunning. Loved the fluidity and tenacity of Travis and Davenport- I'd give them a run together with the other midfielders contesting the third spot. Brilliant goal from Dack but again no indication of how Mowbray sees him fitting in, let alone making the most out of him. I thought Dolan was fantastic when he came on. It was needing 3 from Brum to stop/disrupt him. I'd really like Dolan to get more game time. The level of technical proficiency from Rovers when he and Dack were on the park soared.

Superb hold up play by Dolan and such a sweet strike by Dack. Really pleased for Travis and Davenport in midfield. Douglas put in a great shift at right back.

Gavin Ward gavin warding the game- total rubbish. Rovers looking rusty and out of confidence have persuaded a totally rubbish Brum they are a football team after all. Travis rusty, Johnson no centre half, Bell dozy, Brereton going backwards, Elliott not at the races, Gallagher showing moments, Armstrong couldn't have so many gilt opportunities without scoring. Made for Dack but I am afraid Mowbray won't be in their ears enough and Brum will come out charged up. Not won by any means when we should be well ahead.