By the summer we will have two central defenders fit again

I know you can't - but if you exclude the money spent on Gallagher and Brereton - his transfer record isn't too bad. No manager ever has a 100% successful transfer record - but TMs record is heavily tainted by 2 players transfer fees.

IMO it is the club publicising our wage expectations for future loans - and possibly to set Crewe's expectations.

I think the problem is he decided to spend £12m on two forwards ,(probably worth, at best half that - and even less now,) rather than spending money on defence. Beyond Bell, struggle to think of defenders he has spent money on.

The Venkys get criticism - but they have really backed Mowbray both with funds and not selling players. Irrespective of whether you think TM should still be at Rovers - you have to give the owners some credit for the way they have backed him.

Or that they are desperate for revenue because of covid impact.

Depends on quality of arrivals - two decent centre backs on loan and a new left back and we could still get promoted in spite of TM. This season will see all teams having to rotate players - so TM will be in his element.

I think you will find that most supporters thought Douglas was a good signing (myself included). Hindsight is a wonderful thing - and personally I don't blame TM for this one.

I to am curious as to how much confidence you have in this link to Neil. For me I would get rid of TM now - but with huge regret and forever grateful for what he has done for the club. So what confidence do you have in this link ?

Personally I could understand why some fans think we should stick with TM. Even though I think we should change - I don't think it is black and white. I can easily see a scenario where we get top 6 - but personally I am not 100% TM can change the current trajectory.

Really - even when we had Williams, he hung onto managers far longer than some fans would have done.

Watching the match yesterday, only confirmed what I said a few matches ago - Mowbray has taken us as far as he can. He deserves full credit for the squad he has assembled (and criticism for money wasted on certain players when we haven't ever addressed our biggest issue in defence) - but given the players at our disposal we are massively under achieving. Taking yesterdays game in isolation - we played ok - and were on the balance of play unlucky to get beat - but that has been a common theme for far too long. Yesterday wasn't as much about the defence, as it was the attack for not making the best of several good opportunities. We are playing attractive football - but against packed defences we have no answer - and this has become our achilles heal. At this moment in time I would look back on TM's time in charge with great gratitude. I think many underestimate the job he did taking us straight back up, stabilising the club and pulling together our best squad for some time. If he carries on, he will be remembered more for days like yesterday than the really good job he has done for us.

First time I saw it thought he might have done better - the replays showed what an awful mistake it really was

You blame defence - but where was our midfield ?

And there was me thinking Pears was doing ok

TBH - given our need for defenders, I am not certain why he is even being discussed. Even if he is as good as some think, from a PNE perspective they will (at best) be standing still considering the players they are potentially losing.

He should be left back - I will leave it to others to fill in the rest 🤣

I am mixed - let's hope he doesn't pick up another injury because not 100% match fit.

I am a huge Travis fan - but he can't possibly be 100% match fit. TM comments also won't have helped - soft under belly, missing Travis etc. will just encourage daft challenges which won't be helped by his lack of match sharpness. Nice to see Davenport given a start - he has shown a bit of bite in his odd cameos. Rothwell dropped to bench ? hopefully just keeping him fit. Defence is a huge worry - unfortunately picks itself due to injuries.

Gotta say fair play to Huddersfield- they fouled when they had to etc. Ultimately they should have been the sort of team that we should beat. But we didnt - perhaps if we had taken our chances - but ultimately TMs total blind side with central defence killed us again. We need to change now to give the new manager chance to get some decent injury free defenders in.

TM Out !

Lack of spectators probably increase chances of match going ahead - whats the forecast for the rest of the day ?

Disagree regarding BB - he has been one of our most effective players since lockdown - for me he would be in the team. IMO 4-2-3-1 is the way forward when Travis and Dack are both fully fit. Travis and Rothwell have the legs to play the two in midfield - with both capable of breaking from deep. It would leave the full backs exposed at times.

Tis the season to be jolly - so the positives - Rothwell goal was absolute class, Dack looked sharp, Brereton adds a different dimension to Gallagher (could have been a penalty for shove in back). Armstrong looked sharp and unlucky not to score. Overall we deserved to win - but (ignoring Ayala giving him so much space) they did score a very good goal.

Interesting to see so many views on where Dack should play. IMO - getting this right is key to us getting promoted (may even be his best position is on the bench) It is likely that Dack will have lost an edge of pace, which may be an issue. I would try the false 9 again - and move Armstrong to wide forward. With the interchanging we often see - can't see this being an issue. My biggest issue is where do we play BB if Dack plays up front - as since lockdown he has been one of our most effective forwards - and prior to injury was starting to score again (didn't think I would ever write that sentence 😁). As good as it is that Dack is getting to fitness - more excited about Travis returning.