I must admit - I would keep him if that is all we could get - but do you think we could get more ? It would be interesting to know how his salary compares - can't imagine he is one of the big wage earners.

Can't disagree with that too much - difficult decision is whether to play Lenihan or not. Would agree from the perspective of helping out a young defence - but leaves us exposed if he gets injured. Buckley is another one I would possibly rest - but then there isn't much to replace him with.

I don't think there is a better midfield player in the league running with the ball at his feet - the guy is like a rolls royce when running from deep. However, as with Saturday, his contribution is limited by inconsistent passing and lack of end product. Even with only a year of his contract left - has to be worth around a couple of million.

Interesting that he did a reverse Shearer - starting at Newcastle, spell at Rovers, then down to Southampton. All the best Adam - could a greedy so and so at times - but also scored some of the best goals scored for Rovers since Shearer.

TBH - when Swansea did come forward they looked quite good - partly down the our nemsis playing against the 5 at the back system. The number of times they overloaded are full backs was unreal - it was only towards the end of the match that we really nullified the threat when we moved to 5 at the back ourselves (after which we looked relatively comfortable against a team pushing for an equalizer).

For me Dolan helps create chances for others with his perpetual movement. Our first came as a result of him pulling the defence out position to leave Diaz room. He was constantly available for a pass, which makes it easier for the rest of the team. On the negative , he was brushed off the ball too easily at times, his passing was hit and miss, and he should have had a couple of goals.

At first glance, looked offside to me - but that linesman has done us few favours in this half

TBH - if we play 5 at back - would prefer 2 up front and 3 in midfield

After years complaining at lack of communication - anything is an improvement. Reading many responses - can't help but feel they are damned either way in some peoples eyes. Personally, as some have stated, lets use this as an opportunity to create a dialogue with the owners and fans representatives, I will admit is has been tried before - but surely better than the constant going back 10 years to ask for an apology (that will never come). Like them or not - we have to somehow move forward.

Amazing isn't it - we complain we don't hear from the owners - and when we do, people pick it to pieces. Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

I don't think you can call them for not spending money - it is more the choice of personnel to spend that money that is in question.

How do you know it is the owners ? On the whole - except for when FFP intervenes - the owners have given TM everything he asked for (his words previously). We have a budget far in excess of our income - partly down to money wasted by TM. So yes - we need them to sign new contracts - but he has to take some of the blame for the whole situation - as does Waggot.

Hopefully not - but you have to give him some credit. If I am totally honest I thought we paid over the odds for Armstrong - whether by luck or good judgement - his transition from winger to an effective central striker has been a transformation (especially as many considered him too small to effectively play that role)

I am sure he would like some 😁

When your team mate is Dack - I think he will want to sort a move out while he can - an injury could totally change everything for him.

It would be really interesting to review how many signings he has made with a Boro connection - out of all the signings he has made. Obvious ones are Pears, Ayala, Chapman and Downing - help me out as there must be more in his 4 years to justify the fixation claims.

Surprised there isn't more focus on the fact that our £7m striker could leave for next to nothing at the end of the season. Though he will be under 24 - if he goes abroad I don't think we would get anything.

What is difficult to really know, are the Venkys withdrawing funding or are we being forced in order to meet FFP rules. What seems certain - the timing of Dacks initial injury prior to a rumoured move to WBA could not have been worse.

More realistic - we sell both 🤪

Who needs Armstrong when we have Brereton on a multi month contract

I think very little, if any will be reinvested - I would imagine most will be used to avoid us running foul of FFP rules.

He wasn’t there - whether that would have made a difference is open to debate.

If we had won 5-0 would you be saying Mowbray is a wonderful manager - or more realistically, it is pre-season and doesn't mean a great deal. I am trying not to read too much into the result as it is all about the first match against Swansea - however todays match day squad does show how short we are in certain positions. It is interesting - as other than Elliott and Harwood Bellis we haven't really lost a lot from the 11 that departed - but we still need at least two or three first team players plus a couple of back ups.

I thought by chance we ended up with a half decent defence - possibly other than left back (even Douglas looked on paper like a good loan at first). We were unlucky with injuries (especially Wharton). But, after collating what should have been a top 6 challenging team - he couldn't get the results. I also think defending isn't just about the defence - but about the team as a whole. So we possibly agree (of sorts) - but for me I would give him time to build - but last season IMO all the pieces were there.

I totally agree - he slowly built a squad finally ready to challenge the top 6. Last season was the killer for me - prior to that I think he did a good job and made us more like a proper football club. But last season we massively underachieved - partly down to his management - but his excuses and cliches became tiresome (and that is with a positive spin). He needs to do what he always said he would - we have stalled, he isn't the man to take us forward, stand aside and let somebody new have a go.