Preston New Rd? Now that brings back memories. Fox and Grapes, good snooker team. Chippy across the road. Happy times.

We absolutely need an experienced centre back. If this lad from Liverpool isn’t coming then we must look for a quality defender. Pickering will be OK but we need decent back up. If Brereton goes and we don’t get an adequate replacement then we are definitely snookered.

I have to say I wasn't expecting much from Sheffield but we were comprehensively outplayed, outfought, outmuscled and outscored by a team that will be playing Premier League football next season. Having said that, we needed better than that from the players on the pitch several of whom are not good enough for this level of football. Only Kaminski and Ayala stood between us and a cricket score. The misfield was non exsitent in the first half with Buckley and Travis unable to compete. Wharton is being missed big time but then how long have we had to sign another CB that we knew was needed. Taking nothing away from Philips who will be a good player at a higher level. What a difference a week makes?

Dolan has at least shown that he can be a threat to defences albeit a blunt one. To be fair JDT is giving the squad a chance to show that they can feature long term but the point has surely come where none of the current U23 lads are ready for Championship football. That includes Phillips.

We really shouldn’t be worrying about transfer fees. Thats for the owners to bother about. For me get as many quality players in as quickly as possible and worry about where they are going to play later. Can any of these centre backs play left full back?

Best case scenario if Philips won’t sign a new contract. He sees out his contract this season. Signs for a Premier League club next summer. We get compensation then he is loaned back to us.

We either pay Phillips the going rate or we lose him to a club that will. If I were Phillips I would make my decision based on where he is likely to play first team football over the next 2/3 seasons. He has a much better chance of that at Rovers so we need to make that happen.

Saw some of the Bradford game last night and they looked well organised with Harry Chapman doing what we know he can do. Should be a challenge for some of our younger players

Watching West Brom tonight and we are going to need two left backs against them. Hope JDT reinforces that area on Sunday as Furlong and Wallace are causing Watford all sorts of problems

The season is long and we will definitely need Dack (unless we sign a shedful of strikers). If I was Dack I’d be wanting to show the boss that he is wrong, but then maybe there’s more to it?

Facetious = flippant. One of the few words in the dictionary with all the vowels in the right order. COYB

I don’t think he’s any less likely to get his car nicked in Lancashire or Yorkshire. Had ours nicked off the drive, broke into house for keys. Glad we were asleep

Surely JDT can find a way to get the best out of Dack if he is fit to play? We don’t have such a glut of quality players that we can afford to freeze him out. We know that Dack can score goals so lets ensure he gets adequate opportunities. OK he didn’t get on the pitch in the first game but then neither did most of the other subs. No big deal. They will get their chance to prove the manager wrong in due course given the lack of depth in the squad.

Linguist now Barry? See you on the half way line tomorrow

Apart from the early goal we weren’t at the races in the first half. Celtic were class, their wide players tore us apart with Carter and Pickering at full back struggling. Midfield was light but most noticeably we couldn’t get out of our own half. We did that to them in the second but the pressing game clearly pays dividends when done well. JDT is asking for intensity from the players and generally they responded. A long season ahead if we don’t strengthen in defence and midfield

A link to the full match the last time we played Celtic. Was lucky enough to be there.

That’s great but another youngster who hopefully will make the first team in the near future. Unfortunately we lack quality experienced pro’s who can hit the ground running and maybe one or two who can hit the opposition too. Our squad is very lightweight

Will be very interesting to see what kind of influence JDT will have on players such as Gallagher, Markanday and Butterworth. Plus any new striker, assuming of course that Brereton will be sold.

So how do assistant managers get to be managers? They get there because they have the knowledge and skills required. They have usually picked up experience as a No 2 to a highly respected manager who can recommend them if required. For example Carlos Corberan at Huddersfield was previously No 2 to Bielsa at Leeds. Huddersfield clearly thought he was good enough and gave him a chance which nearly paid off. Apparently he kept in touch with Bielsa who no doubt gave him good advice.

Giles isn’t our player. We definitely need to strengthen in all areas. Brereton would need replacing and the midfield is light.

We need a replacement for Van Hecke!

Rankin Costello will surely play is Markanday still injured?

Definitely should have been in the squad but clearly the contract situation has made it easy for Mowbray to leave him out. Maybe we should have left out Lenihan and Rothwell and given others a game. Joke management again.

Would it be too much to ask to try and sign this type of midfielder?

But he hasn’t had all kids and loans at Rovers. Several of the ‘kids’ are now established first team players. As far as loans are concerned then yes, we have taken on kids from the Premier League which has generally worked out well.