Not many players do to be fair.

Wharton is a different class though. I saw a few people say he was a special talent and I see what they mean.

Going off the first half we probably didn't deserve it, Stoke could have been 3 up only for Kaminski. However in the second half if the referee hadn't been so inept it could have ended 3-1 to us.

It's been 8 games with an injury crisis and a loss of 10 players from the squad. Do I believe he's a good manager? At this point I haven't a clue.

He can have Gallagher for £6m ,bargain for a 7 goal a season winger/full back/getting splinters in his arse on the bench.

Reading were certainly playing for a 1-0 result but I also think Wharton and Hedges made a massive difference in them not getting out of their own half. Both were very impressive and Dack and Brereton were much improved thanks to their involvement.

I'd say the second half was the best attacking I've seen under JDT, minus goals obviously. Relentless at some points. I wish the club would sign a feckin' goalscorer. But if I was JDT I'd be making Wharton at home in that midfield spot. The kid can spot a pass, can tackle, dictate tempo and he covers every area of the pitch. He outshone the Liverpool lad. And Dack needs to be in the position he ended the game in. Hedges was brilliant.

The difference was no goalscorer, a defence addled with injuries and players like Buckley strolling about. Dolan tries with little end product but did cause them problems - he shouldn't be up top though. Dack should be behind the main goal threat, not be the main goal threat. I thought he was very good in the second half. Someone said if Gallagher had been in the middle instead of Dolan things may have gone better with those balls that Wharton was threading through. When Smodics went off we were basically last years team, with a Liverpool loanee, minus 10 players from the squad.

Pickering wasn't great today, he did a few things right but a lot wrong. Ayala had to keep covering for him.

We deserved something from the second half. Nothing from the first.

The crowd around us was livid at that. Stoke were time wasting within five minutes of the second half kicking off. But those free kicks awarded when we had the ball in the box denying goalscoring opportunities. I say opportunities, the ball was in the net seconds after he blew up. Twice.

I didn't entirely lay the blame at TM's door. Also, isn't Wharton is from the academy? I can blame him (and Waggott) for his business in the January transfer window and the lack of a plan in place for the mass exodus of players. After 8 games, a lack of bodies through the door and pretty much an injury crisis I can't blame JDT for that first half. I will blame him if he chooses to use Costelloe at fullback again, and Dack as centre forward. He got it right in the second half which at least shows he's learning what this team can and can't do. I hope by next season the likes of Pickering and JRC are plying their trade elsewhere.

Hopefully he's in the team asap.

By the way, the referee was a massive f****** dick. Twice he blew up to give a free kick when we were in possession in the box. Stokes timewasting and dirty play off the ball went unchallenged. Where do they get them from?

Superkid, he should replace Buckley for the forseeable.

I didn't say they would do that, I'm saying what needs to be done. The first half was the worst I've seen Rovers play, the second half it was clear to see what we were lacking today. I wouldn't look to replace BBD, I'd get a good wide man/crosser in that spot and buy a decent strong centre forward to play where Dolan did today. Adebayo or similar.

Buckley was a massive let down. Even off the ball he wasn't moving and looked completely disinterested. His play affected the other players. Adam Wharton looked like a massive upgrade.

Players like Buckley aren't blameless as well. That's the worst performance I've seen from the guy. Wharton showed what a proper midfielder should do. I don't know how you can possibly blame JDT for the shambles of yesteryear. We're reaping what TM and co have sown, as well as terrible leadership in the boardroom. Some positives are that Adam Wharton looks a fantastic player, he didn't put a foot wrong. If he'd only been on from the beginning. Hedges looks as if he's continuing his form from the first few games. The penny seemed to have finally dropped with JDT that Rankin Costelloe, Buckley and Pickering either aren't pulling their weight or aren't cut out for the team. All three rightly subbed. Also that Dack is better playing behind the front man. I hope the penny has also dropped now that Wharton is an excellent player. He was everywhere. Supporting the wide players, defending, challenging in midfield and putting some nice balls through for the attackers. More of this please. Sell Brereton asap, spend the money on a good centre forward to replace Armstrong, a good winger to replace BBD, a defender and a fullback. We don't need any more central midfielders. In the second half I thought Rovers were brilliant. We were just missing a goalscorer in front of Dack. We need Scott Wharton back. Phillips did well but Ayala was was immense today and at times was covering for both fullbacks.

So now we're a club where the bloke in charge of getting results has no choice over the players he has to work with. Could work.

Then he's a wanker.

If Brereton doesn't want to sign a new contract then sell him and move on.

Poor kids sticker album.

Still not signed anyone yet? After the disaster that was last week? Oh dear. Second place, sign fuck all. First place, sign fuck all. Venkys really couldn't give a flying one could they.

The director of football and head coach being appointed very late didn't help, when they knew Mowbray was going well in advance.