2020/2021 Season

[mcteeth]

We've been drawn at home to Doncaster Rovers in Round 1 of the Carabao Cup, due to be played Saturday 5th September.

Pre-season Friendlies also announced against Fleetwood, Blackpool, Bolton and Everton.

[mcteeth]

Fixtures released today, little bit of a tricky start and seldom do we win on opening day.

Bournemouth away
Wycombe home
Derby away
Cardiff home
Forest home
Watford away

Away trip to 2 of the relegated Prem teams in the opening 6. Curve ball first home game against promoted Wycombe. Then Cardiff, Forest and Derby are all strong sides in this division.

[WacoRover]

It appears Rovers had a nice start to preseason, er, friendlies, 4-1 over Fleetwood. Two different 11’s, Fisher started. Brereton missed a penalty. Looking for more details, some think Dolan was impressive.

I missed the start, waking up here in Texas. Looking forward to watching it on Rovers youtube, in its entirety.

[Gibbon]

Youtube of it here.

[Gibbon]

So what I took away from that is that Fisher needs to be loaned out, while Eastham in the second half looked much better. He didn’t have too much to do, but he had confidence and composure. I’d play him again in the next match, because at the moment he looks our best keeper.

Wharton looked pretty good, Chapman had a good game, Dolan was excellent. Williams kept playing Eastham into danger, and Armstrong is still our number one Striker.

Armstrong up front with an attacking midfield of Rothwell, Dack and Dolan will be just right. Chapman and Holtby to play big parts also.

[stillgrowling]

Chapman was a match winner for us a couple of seasons ago. At his best he could be an excellent addition to our attack. The left back position still needs attention. Williams has been a good servant but he's playing a division above his ability.

[WacoRover]

BB with a brace today. Does that surprise anyone, or is that his standard fare vs League 1 side?
Whatever it is, I’m thrilled to see it. 2nd half coming up...

[WacoRover]

Dolan continues to be impressive. Nice takeaway job for a goal.

It’s over, 3-1 Rovers. I don’t know what conclusions can be drawn from 4-1 and 3-1 friendlies, vs League 1 sides, but it’s def better than losing. It appears Mowbray has found a player in Dolan, & Fisher had a better game than vs Fleetwood. No Nyambe, Or SG, but Wharton hasn’t been bad, and BB made the most of his chances.

[mcteeth]

BB with a brace today. Does that surprise anyone, or is that his standard fare vs League 1 side?
Whatever it is, I’m thrilled to see it. 2nd half coming up...

Doesn't surprise at all. I've never quite fully understood why he has received so much flack from some sections of fans, aside from his petulant red card against Barnsley (which wasn't a red card).

He has generally had little game time compared with others, often comes on as a sub, is played wide out of position and is also very young. Even then although he has lacked goals and had the odd bad miss there is often a lot of good in his overall performance. He offers height and physicality as both a target man and in the box for headers. He's also pretty quick and dribbles with the ball well taking on defenders creating space and chances. His finishing will improve the more time he spends on the pitch trying to take chances, but he looked on point last night.

Much like last season Brereton was good in pre-season then only Mowbray will know why Gallagher then started the first 10/11 games and did little to nothing. Brereton is again looking good in pre-season so hopefully starts this season as a main striker supported by Armstrong who is better suited in a wide attacking position.

[stillgrowling]

So - September 19 v Wycombe with a bit of luck. Don't care where they want me to sit - I'll go othe roof if necessary!

[WacoRover]

About to hit the sack here in Texas; wondering who will be in our starting 11 at King Power. Not many options at the back, I’m afraid. I expect a proper shellacking, about 5-1 in our final warmup before the season starts. No surprise, really. Also, No Kaminski; no Dack or Gallagher. And, still no left back, & needing a centre back. Also, Nyambe in the final year of his contract. I have no doubt Rovers will eventually be approached for services of Armstrong, lenihan, & Travis.

Lots of questions need to be answered, and soon. I fear three more loaners at the back, same as last year. That does not address questions, or long-term Answers at the club, any more than last-second decisions last year. We’re a make-do, hard scrabble, temporary, mid table outfit.

I believe Mowbray when he says he wants long-term answers in these positions. Sadly, other than Kaminski, he won’t get what he needs to move the team up the table from 11th to challenging for a playoff place. I felt we were so close heading into the offseason, when just three acquisitions, would put us in the running with other playoff challengers. It’s not happening in ‘20-‘21. The Struggle for Championship survival continues, for the 9th straight year.

I hope I’m wrong.

[mcteeth]

Seem very pessimistic Waco, we did well against Leicester.

I don't think there can be too much doom and gloom about the transfer window, not many sides in the Championship are doing that much business as it's a difficult window regarding timescales and finances in the current situation.

We had to sign a goalkeeper and we landed our main target which is good. If we have to use Bell and JRC at left back all season then there is nothing wrong with that at all, Bell is a good player and JRC looked more than comfortable there at the end of the season.

In terms of midfield and attack I don't think we need any new personnel in, we've got plenty of options both defensively and in attack with the added bonus of Holtby looking good in a holding playmaker role and Dack to return.

Ideally we would get a centre back in and there's plenty of time still for that to happen. Had we got Kipre that would have been an excellent piece of business but he's gone to the Premier League which is understandable.

We'll be fine this coming season and I suspect better than last year.

[EwoodElite]

We have an excellent crop of youngsters. If TM can't bring in a CB we have 2 prospects in Wharton and Magloire that I would be happy to see given a chance.

That being said, I think we will see at least one CB, LB and No.2 GK come in on permanent deals but will go to the wire.

Dolan and Chapman have really boosted or attacking options almost out of nowhere! The return of Dack, ever improving JRC and a resurgent Holtby makes us look pretty strong going forward

[mcteeth]

Travis seeing a specialist but sounds like it will be a few months

Dack with a couple of setbacks as well

[Gibbon]

So Rothwell JRC or Davenport in for Travis I guess.