The Axe

Absolutely sums him up. The feet were so fast that he never needed pace to go round an opponent. Only player anywhere near him for speed of foot was Eddie Crossan and sometimes I glimpsed it with Berkovic.

Side lining into a less visible job does. If you honestly believe that promotion is given to those who merit it you must have been fortunate with your employment.

First I got this from a reliable source and no I'm not going to name him since then he would not be a source anymore. Secondly if you have spent any time on the corporate ladder of major companies you would know that side lining rising stars is part of the job preservation technique. Its also common among solicitors and chartered accountants which are areas I know and I believe it is rife among salesmen. Do you think that football is any different ?

Roseacre Primary, Blackpool

Have you thought that if the club have another 4 from 33 run even Venky's might want a change. So Johnson would be a possibility for at least caretaker. Now by bringing Johnson in the fold Mowbray knows that if things are going well he will be alright. If they are going badly Johnson might not look as obvious for the role and this might give Mowbray more time. On the other hand if Johnson had another season with the U 23s punching above their weight then his credentials would be improving all the time.

No he was an ambulance driver, one step off being a para medic.

Looks like we are in a Big Bang Sheldon situation where irony should clearly be flagged so that people would not misinterpret comments.

And presumably defines what standard of a goalkeeper we bring in.

A specialist coach is unusual and the nearest comparison is in the NFL. There, usually annually, the coach is held accountable for the achievements and improvements of his charges. Benefit of the doubt is seldom given since that could produce another wasted year. In the last year at the Rovers Raya and Winterbottom have left for clubs where they think their game will improve. Albinson, Byrne and Dillon have been let go because they have not improved. Which means that either Leutwiler and Fisher must have improved dramatically of that the standards of quality control for Rovers' coaches does not exist. I'm not saying that this is evidence that Benson is a bad coach but on the other hand he's certainly not a successful coach.

Give me proof and I'll believe you but try as I might I can't recall public criticism. Can remember Dally Duncan refusing to utter a word against Dougan after the Cup Final. Also know Butcher drove Jim Smith wild but he never said a word that could be reported.

I never depicted him as a tyrant. Just commenting that in the 67 years I've watched the Rovers I can never remember a manager openly criticising a player.

I'm really struggling to recall any Rovers' manager, even the bad ones, singling out individuals for adverse comment. Certainly can't ever remember a young player getting this treatment.

Or he just didn't fancy being the scapegoat again for a shambles of a defence.

Suspect you are right on all counts and that Raya might be the main beneficiary. My interpretation is that some people with inside knowledge believe that the Rovers have not got the best out of Raya and that they blame them more than the keeper.

All I'm pointing out is that an eminently qualified expert has a contrary view.