It's obviously disappointing to lose, but we played well, I thought. I can't fault any one of the players. We are missing a man to lead the line. Szmodics knows where the goal is, but he can't out-muscle a defence on his own. We are starting to miss Sam Gallagher.
Bit of a damp squib of a review here...
Wahlstedt
Made a good save in the second-half when it deflected off Pickering. One or two risky passes, but I think he's gaining confidence.
Hill
Excellent attacking down the flank. Put in a good few crosses, and put in some good tackles at the back.
Carter
Somewhat quiet. An early booking didn't help.
S Wharton
Man of the Match. A rock at the back. Showing signs of the player that belatedly burst onto the Rovers scene two or three years ago.
Brittain
Got forward well, but too tentative today.
Pickering
Solid. Got forward well on a couple of occasions. Feel as though he is making up for his lack of pace with bits of positional intelligence.
Tronstad
A good showing. Does the defensive job very well, and is good at getting us moving by shifting it onto a more creative player.
A Wharton
Superb. Great range of passing that put us on the front font on many occasions.
Moran
Good neat play all-around. Unlucky to get booked.
Szmodics
One of his quieter games where I think he looked frustrated.
Leonard
Could have done better with his offside header. Worked hard, but nothing really came to him.
As for the subs...
Sigurdsson
Looked a little rusty at first, but grew into the game before it was dead. Has some real quality, but he needs a solid run. Been a bit-part season for him so far.
Garrett
Did OK when he came on. The penalty shout was a nothing because he left his leg out to go over the man, and is a little lucky to not be carded for it.
Ennis
Good to see him get a little run, but didn't amount to anything effective. Feels as though he is returning a little too early.
Markanday
Worked hard, but to no effect.
I'm proud of the players in spite of defeat. Better days will come if we keep going. Today just wasn't meant to be, and I always felt everything was going against us with that lot coming to town in an early kick-off. Farke isn't much cop in my opinon.