As you say it is all about opinions - the one that frustrates me the most is Rothwell. Without doubt shows easily enough talent in flashes to be a Premiership player - but you need consistency to be a Premiership player - and he has never had that. My hope is Super Atko - nothing more than an average 2nd Division right back - transformed by Dalglish into an effective midfield player, key to us winning the title. A number of our current squad are arguably more talented, but don't have the drive or the right manager behind them.

It all depends on whether you believe players are under performing because of TM or not. Looking at the squad he has assembled - excusing injuries Personally - I think the defence from Saturday (incl GK) have top 6 potential (excl Douglas). Elliott would walk into most teams, as would a fully fit Travis and Dack. Armstrong would obviously get into most teams. You then have a few players that you could argue cases for and against - i.e. Rothwell on his day would get into every team (but those days are in frequent, and rarely maintains his form over a full 90 minutes), post lockdown Brereton might get into some top 6 teams (form has dipped away again, though looked better Saturday), the Evans that plays for NI would get into most teams, Holtby from the first few matches looked excellent but drifted away. IMO this has the potential to be a top 6 squad - though a little unbalanced - IMO what is lacking from most players is consistency and that extra 10% that most have shown at one time or another. The big question - is that down totally to Mowbray ? I think he has to take some of the blame with tactics and playing players out of position etc.

Surely he earns enough as a footballer without having to moonlight as a fitness coach - or have I got hold of the wrong end of the stick 🤣

So strange - reminds me of how he treated Travis - broke into team, was starting to establish himself then dropped. Maybe Buckley hasn't been putting the effort in training - who knows.

If I was a sensitive soul I would find some of this more than a little condescending (which means patronising if you don't know what it means 😆)

I said it before - but reminds me so much of the final weeks when we had Souness. Just wish that Newcastle would take TM off our hands 🤣

I would be interested as to whether Mowbray ever said Travis was injured or not fit - in the context of this latest "reason" it makes all the difference. I would personally agree with TM that Travis looked leggy and wasn't particularly effective when he came back from injury. However - as you point out - a good manager would have spotted that on the training ground (with all the performance stats he keeps bleating on about) prior to putting him back in the team.

L1 here we come 🥺

So it should- for me it wasnt the result that upset me (though that was bad enough) it was how we were outfought by a team which is (on paper) far inferior to ours. TM seems to lack the ability to get the best out of the players- surely a sign he needs to go.

TBH - it was like playing with 10 men - Douglas has to be the biggest disappointment ever - I had such high hopes when he signed. Though they didn't play well - can't blame the strikers too much - as they were feeding off scraps. For me it comes down to one person - we lacked passion and intensity throughout - TM has done so much good for the club, but he really needs to do the decent thing.

IMO Armstrong shooting on sight is more to do with the success he had last season shooting from range. I blame the coaches - he has excellent long range shooting ability - but if a defender knows you are going to shoot you are easier to close down. However if he doesn't know whether you are shooting or laying the ball off - there is then a split second of indecision. Basically he has become too predictable.

I always wondered whether that right winger Gallagher could be converted to a centre forward 🤣

Who would you start ? I thought Johnson was awful mid-week - then you are left with players either injured in eligible.

Amazed at the moans about the team sheet. It was only a few days ago that people were moaning that Mowbray played Dack too much and contributed to his injury.

Interesting the mention of Shearer - personally I thought he lost some pace after his first injury. Without the injury I think he would have gone down as one of the worlds greatest strikers- not just England.

Another good performance last night - he still has a lot to learn, but we are finally starting to see what so many at the club obviously saw. What was pleasing - was him taking a yellow card for the team. Yes it was of his own making - but after three matches in quick succession he showed great determination.

As raised previously - did Raya handle outside the area ? We are getting the rough end of decisions at the moment - no way was it shoulder to shoulder. Raya made a block with his leg - somewhat like Lenihan, with the big difference that Lenihan just stood his ground, whereas Raya made a definite move to block Dack.

Google.co.uk 🤣

I am no doctor - but noted a recent article "These data support recent analyses demonstrating no relationship between player workload in training and competition and the occurrence of ACL injury in sport." Also, I think in TMs defence he does try to protect players. Though personally I would have started with Rothwell or Elliott rather than Dack.

Trying to grasp at positives - thought Buckley had another reasonable match. Referees are an absolute joke - two penalties not given - and yet the one on Dack similar and probably worse than their penalty.

1. Though this idea is from an employee of Venky's - this isnt their idea 2. If you (or your friends) have a spare £200m to cover existing debts - and approx £15m a season spare - go for it In the absence of somebody with very deep pockets coming forward - we are in a bit of a pickle - as without them, I am not certain a club would exist.

Why is it vital ? Not trying to be provocative - but IF Cat 1 status is maintained, and facilities for the 1st team are appropriate - why is it vital for the future of the club ?

There are a couple of reasons why this move would be logical :- 1. There would be significant year on year cost savings for the club 2. No impact on 1st team facilities and Academy status Whichever way you cut it - we have to become more self sufficient. But I worry we can only do this once - and it will be a saleable asset lost forever. I remain to be convinced regarding 2.

Some brilliant spin in there. I would be curious as to the FFP rules around training centres - especially academies. I.e can they spend on the training ground without impacting ffp ? In which case it wouldn't necessarily need to be self funding.

I think if you could combine the attributes of both players we would be fine 🙂