6 minutes ago, rigger said:

Are any of the players this topic has diverted to, signing for the Rovers ?

That's what we were led to believe when Venkys took over!

Carter with a good cross in. Gallacher being a nuisance in the middle shocker! Yet Tony insists on playing Dolan there! 

Ayala has been immense. It was telling that their goal came when he was upfield on a marauding run..

2 minutes ago, oozy said:

Why Rothwell and not Buckley?

 

Seems like some sort of injury, actually

Why Rothwell and not Buckley?

1 minute ago, Cherry Blue said:

Yeah. Doing ok. Tends to come out with a long ball looking for for a tall forward but Dolan no threat.

Been impressed with Carter actually. Looks quite composed on the ball, though shouldn't be surprised as he used to play in the midfield

28 minutes ago, JacknOry said:

But that would put him on similar numbers as AA, so why would Saints bother buying AA if they already had Obafemi?

Obafemi has the potential to do so, Armstrong has proven he can do it. Still, it'd be interesting to see whether he can replicate it in  the Premier League.

19 minutes ago, jim mk2 said:

Why?

He's scored 4 goals in 32 games for Southampton

The majority as a substitute. His minutes to goal involvement ratio is very good actually. Caveat though is the majority of his appearances were from 19/20, as he was injured for a lot of last season.

I remember, after the transfer window and start last year, we had genuine high hopes for promotion. It was just a pity that we had Mowbray as manager and we tailed off with a typically bad run as the season progressed. Add that to the atrocious form towards the end of the season and we were lucky to stay up, and wouldn't have were it not for our start.

This window has been the complete opposite, and I wouldn't be surprised if we ended up in a relegation battle. However, the league in general, bar the top 3 or 4, is pretty average and momentum and team spirit can therefore go a long way. It wouldn't be beyond the realms of possibility that we cobble things together and end up in the playoffs.

Ultimately, we do have a good first XI, though injury-prone, and if the young lads step up (and why not considering their exploits in PL2 last season), the optimist in me isn't ruling out a good season.

1 minute ago, davulsukur said:

I'll be incredibly disappointed if he doesn't.

I'd probably buy that!

Just now, AspRover said:

Christ he actually looks, you know... good

The difference time away from Tony Mowbray makes!

Class cameo this by Big Ben Diaz!

Brereton 'Diaz' on the back of his shirt- Must be his mother's surname.

Imagine he has that on his Rovers shirt next year!

Rather unrelated, but just came across this photo of Mowbray from 1980.

Not quite sure what he's doing there, but does anyone ever?

On a serious note, surely a 'mutual' parting of the ways is the way forward.

If he is genuinely concerned about the way forward and the steps he has supposedly put in place, I might not even mind him moving upstairs and a coach being brought in who has a greater tactical awareness and can motivate the players.

Feel complete apathy towards this, to the extent of not watching!

That says a lot in lockdown when I've more or less watched all other football.

I know this is sacrilege, but I would be okay with us losing if (big if, I know) it meant Mowbray going. The season has gone to pot anyway.

1 minute ago, West Yorks Rover said:

B/mouth 2-1 up.

To be able to draw on WIlshere in the Championship is just a cheat code

A goal and assist today.

BBC correspondent has us dominating. Much improved over the last 15.

Sucker blow time?

Bournemouth and Bristol City losing, with Boro drawing.

Whisper it quietly, but a win would see us in the playoffs as it stands.

13 minutes ago, benhben said:

Raya with a howler at the start of the Brentford game. Got stuck and flapped at a set piece. 

Doesn't sound familiar....

 

Went down as an OG too.

Interesting to see the comments of our new recruits upon signing:

The ambition of the club (Credit has to be given to Mowbray here, he does talk a good game)

Recent history and status (I feel we still have kudos from being one of the few clubs to win the Premier League)

Facilities and youth system

It may well be the line they have been fed, but it does bode well re: the direction of the club. The trust we have developed with the big teams re: their players is also a big plus.

It is such a pity that Mowbray cannot produce the results on the pitch as he has been doing off the pitch. He may well be suited to a Director of Football role. I don't think it will happen, but Mowbray has taken the club in a much better direction than previous managers and it is the results that have been lacking.

As things are, the next few weeks will prove whether this is another false dawn or we genuinely could challenge. Let's hope it is the latter.

How unpredictable is this league?

Watford were 1-0 up at home against QPR, having won 10 of 13 at home, and contrived to lost 2-1 in the last 15 mins.

Whisper it quietly, though we felt the same way at the end of the last window and no doubt this is where our nosebleed occurs, but surely we're not going to get a better opportunity to make the top 6.

Coincidental that everyone form 3rd to 11th are playing each other (8 teams today.

All drawing too, except us.

Team for Saturday (though no point second guessing Tony!)

Walton

Nyambe   Tosin    Williams/Mulgrew  Bell

Travis Downing

Samuel Buckley JRC/Rothwell  

Arma

Mulgrew possibly instead of Williams (if he is even fit). I understand his issues defensively, but set pieces were dire today.

So desperately need creativity, and Swansea are not the bruising side Stoke are. Johnson was pretty poor today anyway.

Bottom 3 all winning too... Everyone from Reading in 16th in significant danger now.

Really hope Wigan can stay up.

What a disappointment.

Looking at it with rose-tinted glassed, Swansea and Milwall lost in the fight for 5th/6th. Because that is the group we are working with, considering our limitations. Leeds, Forest and Fulham (maybe Brentford) are probably a level above.

We just have to hope we can break the glass ceiling, somehow get in and somehow beat them in the playoffs.