First Impressions

We're reportedly looking at bringing in Billy Sharp on a loan deal because of DJ's and Ruben's injuries.

Haven't seen that rumour anywhere?

I think I may be one of the few Rovers fans not worrying too much about Lowe losing possession of the ball a few times when he should have done better. Perhaps because I saw every player on the pitch doing it as well at Derby and also due to the same happening in every Rovers game I have ever seen.

To apply a bit of context to his performance;

Marrow and Lowe were in that team to provide a defensive platform from which to protect the back four, deny space to the home team whilst solidifying midfield and to obtain and give possession to progress up the pitch with our more attacking players. Considering that we would have kept a clean sheet without the stupidity of Marrow and that Derby created little in open play, I think defensively we did ok and that was Lowe's primary function in this game.

The problem for me 2nd half when chasing the game, was the fact that Dann, Hanley or Lowe became our free-man and were expected to bring the ball out and dictate play. None are equipped for that role, hence Dann and Hanley searching hopefully for Best in the air, whilst Lowe at least tried to keep it on the deck, albeit with limited success.

I think people better get used to Lowe being in and around the squad. A lot he does goes unseen and expecting him to suddenly morphe into a ball playing, creative, goal-scoring centre midfielder is a tad unrealistic. The kid is young, improving all the time, gives 100% in every game, brings a lot of energy and enthuisiasm to proceedings, is not frightened to get stuck in, does a lot of the running for others and for me is in the team on merit, until other older, more experienced, revered and supposedly better players make the shirt their own.

On topic of the game, pleasantly suprised by the spirit shown, the will to win, the fact we kept pushing till the end and the fact we had the quality to eventually equalise. Home games are vital at all levels and I hope we can remain solid at the back, score a few goals and get some early momentum going in these fixtures. Our back four looked good at weekend, but Derby looked bang average to me and stiffer tests will follow.

COYB.

I liked the look of our attacking options, we just need a midfielder capable of facilitating them.

In my opinion, the type of midfielder Lowe is (not Lowe personally) sums up a lot of what is wrong with British football. Other countries don't deploy a technically poor ball winner in midfield with the sole objective of protecting the defence. At lot of Lowe's coaching has cleary been focused on strength and aggression rather than technique.

Our back four looked good at weekend, but Derby looked bang average to me and stiffer tests will follow.

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I think the division will be even tougher this year. I'd say the 3 that have come down are better than the 3 that went up.

I think the division will be even tougher this year. I'd say the 3 that have come down are better than the 3 that went up.

Agreed SKL. Wigan look to have signed some good players, QPR remain strong and I fully expect Reading to be in the shake up at the end of the season.

All stellar points so far and I am liking the sense of cautious optimism on the forum right now. Our next tie will be tough but I think we can come away with a win which would give the team a massive boost.

However, in less optimistic news, it seems that Rochina's injury may well rule him out for up to 3 months.

Have we totally given up on Pedersen then. I think he should be playing in the centre now and he always used to work hard and track back with more defensive graft than others whilst also having the vision and technical ability to fashion something. I know real footballing people are the ones making these decisions and I respect Bowyer but I cannot believe that Pedersen has faded so much - seems more like a loss of his responsibilities having not played him over the last couple of seasons than anything else. For a player I used to love to watch, happy for him if he moves on to a payday elsewhere but sad to see his Rovers career whimpering out (unlike say Tugay).

Wigan and QPR straight back up for me - this ties in with what OOJW used to say about us. We can underestimate the damage that Venkys did so quickly by taking an established Premiership side and pulling it apart. You look at Wigan and know they have the players and the mentality to escape. QPR will buy their way out, keeping enough of a good squad together (although Barton could be a big big loss for them if he goes). Thats what we've lost - if we had had enough of a team left and a good manager at the helm we would never be here. The loss of a squad and a mentality means that we're also-rans with so many other ex-Prem teams. Not confident in the slightest.

MGP is seemingly on his way out, probably due to financial and playing clauses in his contract.

A big fan of MGP over the years, still feel he could have a role to play this season, but I think the dye is cast and finances are key.

A loyal and proud servant to the club and it appears a genuine and decent person.

SKL summed it up RTHAFA. The three teams coming down look stronger than Hull and Palace especially, and I think the division is stronger than before.

Looks like Wigan are signing McLean from Sunderland. Saw that we'd been linked with him, shame we couldn't follow it up as I think he'll be excellent in this division and just the type of player we need to supply Rhodes.