Stoke City v Blackburn Rovers, Sat, 30 Nov 2019, KO 15:00

[Gibbon]

And yet Gallagher!

[WacoRover]

And yet Gallagher!

Yes!!!

And, Palace giving dingles a whacking at home

[WacoRover]

4 added min

[mcteeth]

4 wins in 5

[WacoRover]

Three points, well-won. First road win in a while. Good show!

[El Sphero]

Can’t remember the last time we won 3 in a row in the championship

[WacoRover]

Brentford, Barnesley and the Wednesday soo big winners today. Man...

[mcteeth]

What has happened to Evans

Playing like a machine.

[WacoRover]

What has happened to Evans

Playing like a machine.

I dunno, but I like it.

We needed this; with our next three toughies (2 on the road), we have to beat the catfish on the schedule.

[RoverthePennines]

What has happened to Evans

Playing like a machine.

I don’t think this is much higher than Evans usual standard, which to clarify, I feel is quite good. The season were relegated we really missed him. Last season his poorer performances came when Smallwood or Travis lost their positional discipline and he was stretched too far. I think the errors naturally left his game when Smallwood was dropped and Travis settles as one of our better players. Admittedly there were errors, but he was never as bad as was made out.

[mcteeth]

That's probably fairer admittedly. I think I've just always found him him frustrating because he has such obvious ability but never seems to fully get it going on the pitch. And you're tight that the partnership with Travis is helping.

Also think we've benefitted from Mowbray keeping things a little simpler. Unchanged XI for 2 games with everyone in a natural position. Then effective like for like subs too.

[WacoRover]

I almost hate to say it, but I will, anyway...
4 pts from playoff places.

If we dream, dream big

[Thorisgodpoo]

Really needed that win to keep us floating. I know we have quality, but trying for playoff push coming into January is an attractive bid for some hungry players on other teams.

Really seemed like it was a good match overall.

[Thorisgodpoo]

The big difference is having 6 shots and 5 on goal. More than Stoke had with 16 shots.

[Darth Rover]

Next three games for Rovers are Derby at home then Swansea and Bristol City away. It wasn't looking too good three games previous but Rovers have ground out three wins. I have been impressed with Rovers one touch passing going forward. A delight to watch when it comes off. Listening to Barnsley and Stoke fans on game reviews reveal a similar story of feeling they were unlucky to lose to Rovers. Rovers haven't played well admittedly but they have took their chances when they came and done better at preventing the other teams from scoring. It has to be said that Bradley Dack plays better with Danny Graham on the pitch. That has took some pressure off Sam Gallagher and with both Dom Samuel and Ben Brereton back in contention that has given Tony Mowbray plenty of options. Rovers shouldn't be too far off having all three first choice centre backs available. Come to think of it there is only Greg Cunningham who will be missing long term from the defensive point of view. Even Ben Gladwin got back on the field of play for the U23s the other day which is fantastic to see. So apart from the left defensive area it is fair to say Rovers are better equiped squad wise than any time in the last twelve months. Hopefully we won't see months like last January were Rovers were seriously caught out by the better teams in this league. In all honesty i don't see Rovers challenging for promotion this season though come May i think we will be happy how the season progressed mostly. Things can change quickly in football though. I keep watching how Middlesboro are fairing and should they require a new manager would they come in for Tony Mowbray. Other clubs keep showing interest in Bradley Dack and if a silly offer came in would Rovers accept it.