We’ve all said for a while that he should have a run in the under 23s, should have happened before now but really pleased to see him scoring

Exactly! The much vaunted and over-hyped team spirit seems to go missing at key times. Right now, I don't give a monkey's about players saying all the right things on social media, if there is no heart out on the pitch, where it matters. The PNE and Wigan games were embarrassing for Rovers fans. A trouncing by North End with their previously jealous fans celebrating in the Darwen End would remind many that we have not progressed as far as we hoped from the sorry rabble that went down at Brentford. Let's face it. Both the last two transfer windows have been very disappointing...and we are seeing the cost now. FOV...

Agreed. His comment re the poll bringing "piranhas to the fore" does not equate to the reality of a near 95% poll in support of TM remaining. But there is a pattern here and his essential script is always "I thank, thee, Lord, that I am not like other Rovers fans!" Rovers fans have already suffered the abuse of their club and themselves by the likes of Anderson and all his media tossers, but that was for obvious dodgy financial ends. It irks me that someone, who calls himself Rovers fan, just cannot resist cheap jibes and seeking attention by pursuing his Titus Oates agenda on twitter.

As always, ‘negative brfcs’ ahead of the curve. BB to play in the U23s... https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/17456189.brereton-could-feature-for-rovers-under-23s-at-doncaster/ Though the fans fault according to those below the line...

This agenda driven article lost any remaining credibility with the line "I heavily suspect though that there are some agents provocateurs who would relish further turmoil." Seems that suggesting doubts and worries as to the managers ability in terms of a thus far inability to rectify a terrible defensive record stemming from under the inept Coyle and also questioning an at best mixed record in the transfer record is paramount to wishing the team to fail.

I expect to see a few signings but for me a couple of hugely commanding defenders are what we are missing. If we could have stopped conceding late goals we would be 18 points better off and in an automatic promotion slot.

For that retro feel set your printer to quarter speed ........... Blackburn Rovers ..5..(FIVE)..................

Hes manipulated the results of an admittedly vague poll to use those who have implied they do not want the manager out but want to see more to suggest that he can take us to the next level as evidence of a majority not backing him full stop. As you say, 95% have suggested that they would like Mowbray to stay but with various caveats and time scales on what comes next. Its the nonsensical viewpoint that commonly is used by quite a few that almost implies that the manager shouldnt be judged on results that irks the most. Id like to think that no one doubts his integrity or is ungrateful for promotion but its in no way disrespectful to judge a manager on his ability to progress regardless of his character or previous achievements.

It's comes across as very bitter and classless especially after he has just scored 2 goals against us. Che Adams is none of Mowbray's business anyway and if I was him I'd be focusing on the weaknesses of his own squad rather than those of a player who is better than anyone in our entire squad.

Everything But The Girl - Missing

Yes couldn't agree more. Indeed I'd say the right attitude, game plan and to some extent (it varies these days) round pegs in round holes also all come back to the manager as well. My main point was I'm not sure the whole team needs replacing as there's enough decent material (with all the above "ingredients" thrown in) for us to make a better go at it than we currently are without signing a whole new team.

I'd like to confirm I don't think Lowe is a good measurement of what a good DM is however we do need to improve upon what we had to move forward and Smallwood did that. Think we're in agreement to his level mind. I'm struck by the likes of Kuqi and Dickov who weren't really premiership quality but were key strikers along with Bellamy showing us players of limited quality can still push us up the table. Everyone says Samuel is rubbish bar me, perhaps I only saw his decent matches, absence is making me think he is better or I'm just naffed off with Bereton. Would agree with you though he is not the answer of proven quality back up but wonder if he could be a good squad striker and has potential to develop. Maybe I'm more patient and expect less when they don't cost £7 million!

I'm planning to get my dad a PS4 Pro for his birthday - partially as a thank you for helping me learn to drive at the ripe old age of 31. I might get the Red Dead 2 bundle package and cheekily ask if I can take RD2 not his kind of game really so I think it'd be better off with me!

Rich Sharpe tweeted that their team was largely made up of their under 18s.

Perhaps he’s finally found his level.

Another one for Nutts too. Maybe we need to be dropping Graham and playing these two! Hope that once we are confirmed safe Mowbray picks a load of youngsters.

Number 2 for Brero now ?

After being repeatedly baffled/annoyed at mowbrays media confusia/nonsense I no longer read it. After the evening with him the other night it renewed my confidence in him and showed what he says in the media and what he believes are two separate things

Goal Brereton ⚽⚽⚽?

Think Samuel and Smallwood will still be here next season and wouldn't be too disappointed that they were. Samuel was ok-ish last season and after knuckling down in pre season last year deserves a bit of a chance to show what he is made of. Smallwood - I think people forget he was Lowe's replacement and can only be considered an upgrade in that regard. Whilst I don't think he's necessarily a starter I do think he can play a valuable role in the squad. Some games we'll need a scrapper like him, other times will want to bring on a player like him. If the rest of the team didn't lack creativity as much I doubt his limitations would be as much of a problem. Reminds me of Mokoena in some regards - a limited but useful tool to have in your tool kit. Many more issues to sort before these two going imo.

The vidi-printer, those were the days.. ?

I was really excited for the remake when it was announced in 2015, but yeah, now I'm kind of dreading it. All things considered I'm actually fine with the remastered PS4 version of FF7 + Advent Children. That'll do me. No confidence in Square-Enix doing the remake justice at this point, but I guess we'll see. They might surprise us.

Looking forwards to printing the result coming in.

Definitely get it, well worth the purchase. I think it's £12.99 at the moment but does fall under £10 every so often, so it might be worth waiting if you don't need it right now. Yeah you can turn off random battles, which is really useful at certain points. The other feature I really like is x3 speed, which makes battles, climbing ladders, running across the world map, etc a lot more manageable. There is also an option to restore your health and boost limit break at any point in battle, but it goes without saying that doing that pretty much removes any form of challenge. The only way you'd be able to die is if the enemy was able to one shot your entire team - possible at certain points (Midgar Zolom early on, for example) but generally unlikely.

Very classless and bitter comments from Mowbray regarding Che Adams, he'd be better of focusing on his own team rather than something that has nothing to do with him. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/rival-boss-said-che-adams-15877735 Some classic Mowbray nonsense spoken in here about Raya for the second goal. He says 'David has found some form in recent weeks, the last disappointment was the goal Bristol City scored where I thought he could have affected the corner kick'. The Bristol game was two games, I'm not sure that one decent game against Middlesbrough constitutes finding form in recent weeks. https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/17457039.i-dont-want-to-point-fingers-rovers-boss-on-keeper/

Like Leeds, remember seeing some cracking followings there in thowden days. Long gone at those prices.

Interests me how many accents are unable to pronounce the letter r when it’s in the middle of a word, especially Mancs and Yorkshire folk. Car park becomes cah pahk, Mars Bar becomes Mahs Bah etc. Even the inbreds prounounce Ashley Barnes as Ashlah Bawnes.

Coffee all the way..

When he sticks to football, music and nostalgia he is a good read. Not when he behaves like an "agent provocateur" in parts of his blog and around this MB, at times.

Basically, because Bell apart, it's generally the same back 4 and keeper as under Coyle!

Hate to admit my favourite is Tetleys although I’ve splashed out this month for Twinnings breakfast tea.

Best wishes Paul

He's the old Joe Rothwell

This is my current assessment of our situation: The Current Squad (players in natural positions only) Goalkeepers - Raya, Leutwiler and Fisher Fullbacks - Nyambe, Bell and Williams Centre Backs - Lenihan, Mulgrew, Rodwell and Downing Centre Mids - Evans, Travis, Reed, Smallwood and Davenport Wingers - Bennett, Conway and Chapman Number 10’s - Dack, Rothwell and Gladwin Strikers - Graham, Armstrong, Brereton, Nuttall and Samuel Possible contract permutations at the end of the season Out of contract - Leutwiler, Downing, Rodwell, Conway, Gladwin and Reed (loan) Out of those I’d only consider keeping Rodwell if the deal wasn’t crazy and try and get Reed on a permanent deal (if he’ll come?). Surplus to requirements (in my opinion) - Williams and Samuel Both of these are not up to the required standard for where we want to go. Potential Squad players but could loan out to league one - Smallwood and Nuttall Mowbray is the potential snag here as he’ll probably not want to overhaul as much as we want However, if these things occured we’d be left with the following: Goalkeepers - Raya and Fisher Fullbacks - Nyambe and Bell Centre backs - Lenihan, Mulgrew and Rodwell Centre Mids - Evans, Travis, Reed and Davenport wingers - Bennett and Chapman Number 10’s - Dack and Rothwell Strikers - Graham, Armstrong and Brereton Signings That above list leaves us 1 GK, 2 FB’s, 1CB, 1 CM, 2 Wingers and 1 Striker short as a minimum. You could potentially even argue that we could need an extra CB. It also doesn’t take into account the fact that we may not sign Reed and Rodwell and that the ageing process is more than underway with Mulgrew and Graham. That has us looking at potentially needing 8 - 9 decent additions if the culling is as severe as I feel necessary to get us challenging higher up the league. It would then be down to Mowbray and his spectacular recruitment department to find the players, but also Venkys to provide the finances. This summer is shaping up to be one of the most vital in the clubs recent history. It could define the direction of the club for the next few years. It is imperative we get it fairly spot on. Do I think we can do it? Mowbray’s prior recruitment leaves me with my doubts and has me looking anxiously to the next campaign. I hope I’m proved wrong.

I get the impression Reed is losing enthusiasm for playing out of position wide right. Waste of a decent looking talent and even if we could afford him I guess he'd take quite some persuading his future lies here.

In 4 transfer windows Mowbray has signed only 4 players who have really impacted the first eleven - Dack , Armstrong, Smallwood and the fading Reed. Not an impressive record that bodes ill for what is needed this summer.

Have to agree - there is a massive overhaul needed to get a sniff of promotion. Decent GK to at least compete with Raya I'd keep Nyambe and Lennihan in - buy a new CB and LB Midfield depends on whether Travis pushes on next year or fades - but at least 1 quality CM, possibly 2 and a winger. 1 quality centre forward. All need to be first team signings. Not much to ask then. Over to you Tony.

Tea is shit. Coffee all day. If the s/oon stands up on its own it's just about strong enough

At the very most, Graham should be an option for half an hour off the bench or the occasional start in case of injuries next season . He should be able to cope with and play at 100% doing that. Evans is a shocking player in my book, not that much of an upgrade on Lowe. You might be able to make a case for giving Mulgrew another 12 months as back up, however there's no value at all in keeping Bennett around, he's simply not good enough either.

All the best pal. Nothing worse than being stopped from enjoying the basics through health!

Ah best wishes Paul, hope you're soon up and running again

Stone Roses - Elephant Stone.

Although I struggle anyway due to Saturday morning commitments, I honestly don’t enjoy going to away games because of certain elements of our away fanbase. Even at the generally well behaved Newcastle cup game I witnessed a drunken “Rovers fan” kick a seat until it broke - and not even in temper, just because he could. Even on a good day, if you don’t get there early you’ll likely struggle to sit in your ticketed seat. It’s the “we’ll do what we want” culture sickness that has pervaded football since organised fighting became more risky. And since parenting/teaching became the much maligned undertaking that it is today. “You can’t do/say that to my child”. But I digress. I’m not convinced this translates into poor performances or results though. Seems an easy excuse (and not one you’ve made, Tony) to take the heat off a hapless, but eminently likeable, manager.

Sly and the Family Stone - Everyday People

Highlights from the u-18s 2-2 draw if you can stand to give Manure any web traffic: https://www.manutd.com/en/videos/detail/under-18s-highlights-blackburn-rovers-2-man-united-2-23-february-2019

I don't think the club could do anything to tempt most rovers fans to go. And I'm sick of debating it. I know at least 10 plus fans who have bought a fire stick and iptv. Yet have an opinion on what the club should or shouldnt do. I genuinely believe at least half wouldn't attend if it was free.

63 mins - Rovers pull one back , puliukatis? nice cut in from wing plays across box , Zimba scores 79 mins - Sam Durrant equalises F-T 2-2

Half-time, no further score. Sorry have to leave it there!

Watched Zak Gilsenan play for the U-16s vs Aston Villa on Saturday, i actually went to watch the 18s but thought id see what all the fuss is about. He started in the 10 role then due to a player getting injured moved to the left wing and finished on the right. Was told he is regularly training with the 18s now and got a run out vs Everton a few weeks back. Still only 15 so one to watch in the coming years.

Only needs 1 question for east Lancs folk, the one that we all answered with ‘teacake!’