This game is there for the taking and must win. Newcastle have just slipped into the relegation places. The last thing they need is this game or a cup run. Their fans would probably disagree with me, but practically speaking what I am saying it correct. If we were in a relegation battle, I wouldn't care less about a cup. A trip to Ewood on a Tuesday night. I would say Rafa hates it. He would certainly prefer to have the team in training all week for the game against Fulham. A 6 pointer

Ya and once you get through an area , you realize it wasn't actually as difficult as it seemed.

I won't say this again. Go to the prediction thread. From fans expectations, we are over achieving. Gloss it up or spin it however you want, that is a fact. Their expectations may have changed, but that was down to our good start. Under Mowbray, with his squad.

I said he improved the squad, which he did. Calamitous? Man, give over.

This is a local board, for local people

Inside he is probably thinking "what a substitution, boom, ToMo = tactical genius"

Sounds like a dream. To be honest, it was best he didn't. He should come back as a coach when we are again an established Premier league club. Anything else would be beneath the maestro.

Who?

When did we ever stop a player moving when a top club came in for them? The 2 scenarios are very different. Bellamy was still a pretty highly sought after player. It seems Rodwell didn't have too many options. His last few seasons have been a disaster. Anyway, maybe it is just a shop window scenario , where hopefully it's a win/win with us and him benefiting. I just dont think mowbray is unofficially bigging him up to other clubs, in the hope of earning him a move. You need to stop with that crazy talk, next thing the crackpots will be picking up on what you have said and the line will be "Mowbray has the same agent as Rodwell and he is only palying him so that he gets a move!!!!!!!!! ARRGAGHHGGHGGG............"

No, remind me

I don't think Mowbray was doing that. If Rodwell does well, I am sure we will be keen to keep him. Mowbray isn't playing him so he can earn himself a move, let alone doing PR for him. We aren't a charity

It's the new no nonsense and ruthless ToMo

The first sentence is

That's not how contracts work. What are actually talking about? Graham is one of our best players. What nonsense.

Has Mowbray improved the squad he inherited?

That's rubbish and I think most fans will agree with me. Mowbray has improved the squad since he took over. The thing is he is doing it the right way. Slash and burn will get you nowhere.

Do we need a new striker though with Graham, Nuttall ,Brereton and even Armstrong? There is one position. Persoanlly I don't think we do. I would like to see Nuttall given his chance now, he has done enough to deserve it.

Candlin being sent back https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/17356272.mitchel-candlin-returns-to-walsall-after-rovers-loan-spell/

Well I can imagine them saying that if he asked for more money for a striker alright. At the end of the day, Wigan and Preston games aside, we are very competitive this season and are over achieving. So Mowbray is doing a great job building the squad and working with who is at his disposal. I think we have a good squad, so hopefully we can have a good end to the season,. I'm not too bothered about transfers this month to be honest.

And isn't it great the new contacts were offered and signed in such a timely manner? Shows things are becoming more organised behind the scenes and that players have no hesitation signing on to stay here.

That's a new one ?

After being subjected to the last few years of his management of the national team, I would say poor Forrest fans. They thought they were getting Jokonovic. O'Neill is a dinosaur, makes Mowbray look like a young go getter and tactically expansive. I know we don't have the best team we have had in the last 20-30 years (probably the worst in fact) but I have no doubt Mich McCarthy will do far better with the players at his disposal. O'Neill was constantly falling out with players. I would have had no faith in him talking Declan Rice into committing to Ireland. A cranky man I thought. Add Keane into the mix as his assistant and things could get very interesting there. They might get Forrest going this season all the same. Both being such club legends.

Ya, but as it stands I don't see him as a first choice starter, maybe Mowbray is just putting a bit of pressure on him to deliver more. He certainly has it in his locker. He looks classy at times.

Ya, rated highly there though it would appear

I agree I was a bit taken aback by the comments , but then when I think about it, isn't Mowbray just being honest? As things stand Mulgrew and Lenihan are our 1st choice centre back pairing. In midfield then I would say we have a few ahead of Rodwell in the pecking order, Travis, Evans, Smallwood and Reed to name but 4. So unless we have 12 players on the field, where will he play?