I cant disagree with that.
The lead up to the game was treated almost as "this will be no trouble" and "the top 6 here we come"
This reaction over heightens expectations and to be honest it did with me slightly.
Which isn't like me at all.
While it was disappointing not to have found a way of winning last night, think about Stoke. 1 point above the bottom 3. The sides below them are finding ways of winning games, and they are happy with a point last night. Which possibly won't be enough. I can't actually believe they didnt even try and get a win by putting some pressure on. Hopefully that lack of ambition comes back to haunt them considering the millions they have spent in comparison to the likes of us.
I cant disagree with that.
The lead up to the game was treated almost as "this will be no trouble" and "the top 6 here we come"
This reaction over heightens expectations and to be honest it did with me slightly.
Which isn't like me at all.
The biggest let down last night was Lenihan who I thought was stupid getting that yellow. It was inevitable they would target him which they did. We made it too widely known and made too big a deal over the past few games. And while I like him, he's a bit numb at times, and I always felt he was going to get a yellow before these last few games.
Now we miss him for 2 games. I do think William's will be back, despite what TM said about him not training yet.
I'd keep it simple. Move Nyambe next to Tosin. And bring Bennett in at RB.
I also wouldn't keep giving SG a start for now. I feel Samuel does deserve a start again now, or try Brereton.
I seem to be in a bit of a minority with Gallagher. I thought he was our best forward on the night!
Armstrong and Rothwell started as if on fire, but how much did we we see of either from about 30 minutes onward?
SG did actually win a number of headers, but Nyambe was the only one who looked to feed off them.
I don't entirely agree with the argument that he shouldn't be the "wide forward" either.
It was clear that the plan was for Gallagher to move into the area whenever the attack was down our left. Unfortunately, although he had a decent game in other respects, Bell seemed very reluctant to put a cross in. He cut back inside and played a square pass almost every time he moved forward. Three or four times, I saw Gallagher run diagonally into the area in anticipation, but I think the ball only reached him once in that situation.
I've actually become happier about the combination of SG and RN down the right flank now, but I do think Armstrong and Rothwell have to work a bit harder at making Gallagher's efforts worth while. Twice, he made backwards headers, beating two opponents, and he himself was the only one who chased the ball!
On the topic of formations, it looks as if Johnson has been given a very fixed role (in two senses). He clearly is now used to patrol the central area and break up attacks, without moving beyond that very much, thus freeing up Travis and Downing to surge forward in more attacking roles. That's fine, but I think he needs to release the ball more quickly. There's no point the other two going beyond him on a break, if they then have to stop and wait for the pass.
Speaking of passing - ok, two or three went astray, but Downing's range of passes is so much better than anyone else's (with the possible exception of Tosin). Most of our players do not look capable of playing the long switch, for example.
I get the impression that both Buckley and Rankin-Costello are "technical" players, so I am hoping that they will eventually improve the team in this respect.
Don't know why they put Downing on free kicks though, as he isn't very good at them.. no power.
Good lad ::
we desperately need to keep supporting them. It was disappointing the other night, but I just see all of this as a bonus, the simple fact we are up here.
Next season is the one I feel we really have got a chance of having a good go at this promotion lark. Try for the play-offs.
All this is just experience, and bodes well for the future. A decent Rovers side made up largely of our own academy lads. That's something I feel we can all get behind.