arbitro

There is definitely a case to be made for players 'outgrowing' their age group and it can be a quantum leap from under 21 to senior but after under 21's there is nowhere to go. Jake Batty is a prime example although I have been told he is looking for another club as there is no future for him here which explains his recent absence. Powell is probably getting into those realms as he turned 20 in October.

His versatility could be useful too. He can play anywhere down the left but recently has moved infield with ease. Some would say he is too lightweight but his tenacity and timing of his challenges is really good.

He was outstanding on Friday after his exertions in the international break and only getting back on Thursday. He will have rested up over the weekend so personally I just can't him not playing. If he didn't play who would you have at centre to in his place?

He didn't have treatment at the time and didn't go off. He was on his feet before the physio's had got near him. Had he been concussed the medical staff would have insisted at half time that he comes off and had we done that it would have been a concussion substitution. Only if that had happened would the protocol kick in.

Ismael doesn't seem to do logic at times. Pickering would have been my choice for the Derby game for sure but he seems to be completely our of favour as does Ribeiro.

I believe Litherland would have been the centre half to step up to the first team based on what I have seen of him and Pratt but injury has stopped him progressing. For me he is better equipped to handle all aspects of Championship football. What might have swung things in his favour is the fact he is left footed given Ismael's penchant for left and right footers at centre back. However Pratt got his chance and took it exceptionally well so right now he has the shirt and (in the short term) it's his to lose.

Why?

The plan should be to put Rovers fans in the Darwen End, put the players in the away changing room, play in gold, take the players to Crewe on the coach, then it around to drive back to Ewood and move the technical areas around. Hopefully then it will feel like an away match and we just might nick it. 😂

George was at Chorley this afternoon watching his old club. 😂

West Brom two up at Coventry and deservedly so.

A close friend was at the game last night as the referees coach and as such attends the security briefing before the game. He told me the police had said they were really worried about a group of 40 Zwolle supporters who were over for the game and had a reputation for causing bother. I wasn't aware of any trouble but we parked near the White Hart well away from the town centre. Is anybody else aware of this?

I really don't think that would make any difference. Pratt has played plenty of times in a three in the under 21's so from a system point of view he knows the role.I How would Hedges know the role never having played there before? What would have happened had one of the three centre had got injured in the warm up or in the early stages? I believe Ismael got it completely wrong against Derby.

Ismael's logic for playing Hedges as a centre back in a three was flawed. He cited his height but being tall doesn't mean he is a good header of the ball, in fact I don't believe he is. Surely using someone who can head it should have been picked there. And as demonstrated last night we were further weakened against Derby because our best left sided player was playing at centre half. If Pratt was ready for last night surely he was ready a fortnight ago against Derby.

I don't understand your point.

I actually thought Morishita was getting caught in possession too much in the first half but he seemed to be predominately on the right side. He moved inside in the second half and had a far greater influence on the game. Let's hope last night was a turning point as he appeared to be adapting to the rigours of the Championship. As you say Yuki must be a nightmare to play against. He is relentless in his pressing and last night worked the channels really well. His bravery is commendable too as he is not deterred by some big gorilla of a centre half.