That's an interesting interview with Micky and I wouldn't take issue with anything he says about the current situation. The reality is that the tight defensive approach away from home didn't work in the end, maybe it could have if we'd been able to recruit some defensive alternatives in January to allow some rotation, but all history now. The way we set up to play this season promises to be entertaining.
Onto the game; I thought Rovers played very well in the first half, eventually got the lead through a decent finish from McAlear, but then conceded an equaliser, which was a good finish, but where we'd been unable to get the ball away. The second half saw two errors sandwich a very good goal for the 3 the visitors added. Rovers had 3 very good chances of our own, you have to feel that Hemmings should have converted the excellent delivery from Nevitt and Nolan was given a great opportunity by the trialist, while a late Merrie effort from outside the box tested the keeper. It didn't feel like a 1-4.
Defensively, we need to sort the goalkeeping out. Doohan didn't look very confident and someone needs to look at mixing it up when distributing from the back, there were times when Ross would have been better bowling the ball to the wing-backs rather than playing the ball out on the floor, which allowed the opponents to press. Wasn't sure from Micky's interview whether he was under orders to mainly play it that way. The three central defenders all did ok, but I didn't get the impression that there was a clear leader/organiser amongst them. Both wing-backs played well, although Bristow was a bit raw at times and the obvious talent needs careful nurturing.
McAlear and O'Connor both impressed in midfield, while Hawkes had his moments in a freer role. McAlear has the potential to become a real crowd favourite, chipped in with a decent strike, but battled for everything.
Up front Nevitt had a really good game despite not getting on the score-sheet, with the pick being the chance he created for Hemmings. Think it might have been worth letting him play the full 90 to try and get a pre-season goal. The trialist, was it the lad from Burnley, didn't manage to make much impression aside from setting up Nolan for the spurned chance. Think we'd need to see more before offering him a deal.
Nolan probably the best of the subs, getting into some good positions. Lewis was disappointing. It was a shame the likes of Burton and Taylor didn't feature on the bench, while we seem to have stuck to broadly the same line-ups and tactics during pre-season.