I can believe it - and it possibly came down to loyalty to existing players, or not wanting to disrupt the team spirit that took us so far. Whatever the reason, was obviously the wrong call. By all accounts he called the Rothwell situation right - though he wasn't awful ,he wasn't the same player in the second half of the season. So he was possibly right to say sell to invest - which we can all agree with the benefit of hindsight.

Lets be honest - re Rothwell - did he not run his contract down at Oxford as well ? Nyambe was in and out of favour with Mowbray - so possibly that had an impact. Lenihan is the strange one - with many on this board thinking he would re-sign. One thing you can't ignore - is with the absence of a transfer fee, opposing teams can give appropriate signing on fees that make the whole package probably more than Rovers were offering. Which ever way you look at it - keeping a sustainable wage bill with our crowds is always going to be a challenge - especially against the better supported clubs, or those with parachute payments. Luton showed it can be done - whether they maintain the same level next season will be interesting.

Surely, especially for a new manager, you have to assess what you already have. Also, listening to our DOF he talks about loan players being a temporary solution while youth team players break through. Only time will tell what transfer budget we actually have, but I think a bigger challenge will be keeping within the wage structure.

I agree - but I am sure he would point to the owners refusal to sell Rothwell at Christmas as being one of the reasons we didn't get any money. However, personally I feel we shouldn't have been in that position in the first place.

To lose three 1st team players at the end of their contracts is a shocking reflection on our CEO. There is some mitigation with Pandemic, and the owners refusal to sell last transfer window - but due to poor contract handling we have lost millions in player assets.

To lose one player would be unfortunate, but to lose three first team players is a sad reflection on our CEO

I agree, as we paid over the odds in the first place. All comes down to how thick a slice of the profit we have been daft enough to sign up to - 10% is usually more standard than Armstrongs 40%

I agree it is best for all concerned for him to go for the right money. However, I would argue he is a £20m player in todays market - but whoever buys him is taking a risk - if he kicks on as he did last season - he will be a snip at £20m however there is always the risk that last season was a bit of an anomaly and they will end up with an improved version of Brereton rather than the full Diaz

Looking at his playing career - a strange one if true - especially for 500k. Carter looks a better bet based on his success at Portsmouth.

This does smell of an agent at work. However, I do think he has potential, early season we pressed as a team and he had options to pass to (and rarely gave the ball away). As the season progressed he became more and more isolated - being forced into taking players on in the wrong areas and often losing the ball. His work rate is first class, he is a real handful in the penalty area, reasonable (rather than lightening) pace and given the right opportunity he does have an eye for a pass. His finishing can be weak at times. £3m .... I would say £5m plus hefty sell on clause would be good business for both parties. However, based on press snippets - it does sound like he fits into the new tactics, and how much would it cost to replace him (as whoever comes in will be on higher wages.

Maybe he meant considering Mowbrays ability - he over achieved 🤔 I thought the party line was to become a sustainable Premier League club ? I am sure I have seen more than one reference from Broughton to that effect ? Which obviously includes promotion at some point.

I am sure I read somewhere that Lowes contract was up ?

Obviously you can't divulge names, but in your opinion, good or bad candidates ?

TBH he deserves a big move. His transformation has been remarkable - but what has struck me more than anything has been his work ethic and teamwork. Let's hope he gets his dream move - and Rovers our dream transfer fee 🙏

Totally agree - in the two play off matches he disappeared for long spells - we need a physical player with good height (if we dont play three centre halves the team looks to be lacking in height).

He did, but also went on to say ( when asked if there was anyway he could be persuaded to stay ) - never say never, blah, blah, more funds, changes to the way things run etc etc. Usual mixed messages from TM, leaving the door ajar just in case.

Reading his latest interview - what frightens me is he is still open to staying, providing he gets funds. When does his contract actually finish ?

His acting skills are getting worse with age 🤪

Hedges rather than Dack for me (why risk him for full game now ?). I would play Lenihan while still doubts whether he will re-sign or not. Looking at that team - with a couple of loan additions, not too bad (possibly avoid relegation) - but real lack of depth after 5 years of TM building the club. A lot rests on how much money we get for Diaz, how we spend it - plus who is manager doing that spending. I think TM has left us in a slightly better position than he found us(we were in a mess when he took over), but not too much to show for 5 years developing the club.

I do agree about TM not taking us down in the short term - but feel it may be a death of a thousand cuts if he were to continue in charge. You can see how the fan base is dwindling - and I fear if TM continued in charge, even more apathy would set in. I personally think he has done a good job in many ways - but has possibly over stayed his welcome.

Sorry too many examples of ones that dont make it - still getting over Kidd 😉

Interesting how things work out - imagine we had a more consistent season (i.e. not feast and famine) - TM would be able to go to the owners and say - look we are 13 (possibly 16 if we beat Brum) points better than last season and we only just missed out on the play-offs. Then spout usual guff about being on a journey - then out comes a new 3 year contract. At least our flirtation with automatic promotion followed by the death spiral may at least bring an end to TM's tenure. I am grateful for a lot of things he has done at Rovers - but the last couple of seasons reminded me of the final days of Souness (strange tactically decisions, blaming everyone but themselves, players out of favour being dropped - but dragged out far longer than it should have been. Even the most ardent fan has to admit that TM isn't tactically that great - every now and then he gets it spot on - but you can't help but feel it is more luck than judgement or intense planning on the training field.

When I initially read the interview he had my sympathy - then I thought a little deeper - we have an important match today and he made the press conference about himself rather than the team - with a thinly veiled attack at the owners . Not defending how they have handled this - but the time for recriminations was after our final chance had gone. Unfortunately it seems to be a pattern where he will seemingly throw players, owners and fans under the bus to justify his position.

I don't think last nights result changes too much (obviously would have been better if they lost)- we always probably needed to win both matches, because of the other chasing teams. Depending on today's results - the Championship could have its best final day for years. With potentially second spot to fight for and two play off positions.

I would argue he hasn't been a bad manager. He has got some things right, some wrong - though I feel we have blown a huge opportunity this season, I think most would have take a chance of top 6 with two games to go at the start of the season.