SOBS: BRFC

The Lads, in the middle of an indifferent run as we teeter towards the inevitability of the playoffs, welcomed Blackburn (including Danny Batth) to Wearside and dutifully continued the teetering with a narrow defeat. Another different/ unusual lineup worked hard but lost out to the visitors' only shot on target - out of two they managed all afternoon.

Naturally, the chat on the way through was mainly about Friday's ref, who'd fill in for Hume, and the number of footballers sporting bandaged wrists. We came to the conclusion that they're not bandages but the feet they've cut off their socks - and if it gets cold, they can pop them back on their feet. Simple. It was also Judith's first game since Quinny was playing - but her winning performance in the heads or tails game at Brandon Cricket Club made us guests of Mr Horswill. Which was nice, even if it did cost me a new scarf, but we did get to have a few pints with Davey Corner and see Paul Atkinson's photo of our Gary on his knee in the Isle of Man in '84. 

An expected mix-up of a team lined up…

Patterson 

Browne O'Nien (c) Mepham Anderson 

Bellingham Samed

Watson Aleksic Jones 

Isidor 

....and a bench of Moore, Roberts, Mayenda, Neil, Hjelde, Middlemas, Bainbridge, Rigg, and Le Fee.

After a lovely minute's applause for Carlton Fairweather, we faced south and Rovers kicked off, conceding a corner immediately.  We followed that up with another three but couldn't really trouble their keeper. It was all us in the opening stages as we set up a sort of back three, with Browne spending most of the time pushing up on the right. He helped set up Harrison Jones to make space and feed Isidor, but the shot was straight at the keeper, who made a bit of a meal of holding on to it. We pressed forward quite impressively but for all that didn't really test the keeper's apparently wobbly hands. 

Lots of pretty stuff up to, and indeed inside, their box, but not enough actual shots, although Issy did hit a spectacular (ish) volley on the run from the left that flew across and wide. Surely, we thought, there would be a breakthrough soon.

There was - but at the wrong end. A Rovers break saw the ball move across our box and find one of theirs in enough space to whack it high past Patto, who stood no chance. Bloody typical - even from my unaccustomed viewing position, it looked like they should never have got that amount of space. 

The remaining fifteen of the first half, including the single added minute, were more of the same - possession mostly with us, producing lots of forward play without hitting the target, and the visitors' play foundering on our solid, if unusual, back line.

There were no changes for the second half, which you probably guessed, and the game continued in the same manner, with Jones's industry being impressive and Samed moving the ball well. Watson upped his game after his recent lacklustre showings and gave the visiting defence a few things to worry about, including a great cross that Issy could only put wide - ha'way Lads, they're not up to much, get them beaten!

On 63, on came Rigg, Mayenda, and Le Fee for Jones, Aleksic, and Samed - I don't think any of those three had really deserved removal, but something had to change. Or more minutes had to be given to those coming on.

Ten minutes later, Rovers made three changes but managed to do it individually, much to the irritation of the home fans. Bellingham, who'd carried the ball about nicely, hit a decent shot that was saved as we continued to press, but the lack of a cutting edge was frustrating today the least. 

On 82, there was a bit of a set-to in front of the dugouts, and Rigg was close to thumping an opponent in that melee but thankfully held his fist in the "locked and loaded" position when many others would have let fly. Sensible, but only just. I'd have lamped the bugger.

The remaining minutes, including the extra five, saw Le Fee pulling strings but not quite in the right directions, and Mayenda muscling down the left on several occasions, but our total of 31 touches in their box brought sixteen shots, which should have been enough to find one that would beat the keeper - but didn't. Another home loss, after so long being unbeatable, is disappointing in the extreme, but with so many changes every week (seven this time) it's becoming almost expected.

Other results, including those that confirmed the promotion of Leeds and Burnley, absolutely confirmed our fourth place, so now we have worry about who we get in the playoffs. Chat in the former players' lounge included the theory that the remaining two games will see Reg field his strongest side to get them up to speed for the two (hopefully three) big games that will finish our season. I'd like to think so, and he's also had a good look at those on the periphery. 

Man of the Match? I thought Samed did well, and Watson looked like the player Brighton have paid all that money for, while Bellingham showed why we've missed him. For me, though, young Jones gets my nod for a mature performance.

Not that any of it matters, really. The really important stuff starts after the "regular" season is over- in, hopefully, three extra games.