Horrendously bad is utter hyperbole as per MB.

86th minute. You know how stupid it sounds to read such criticisms when lad was on the pitch for 1/20th of the game.

Jesus, continuation of arguments from November - you do remember that one of the key points in the discussion was a 19 year old was probably on a more “reasonable” wage comparable to our current crop? Remember the “Wagott flex?” I only ask that, because you’re quoting TM as if everything he says is fact, when you’ve done nothing but point out his “guff” for 23 months. Surely nobody thinks we could’ve added 5 or 6 first team players for his initial cost and the same outlay in wages?

Suspect I knew what? You say we have a defensive approach, I say if we did, we’d concede less. Im all for playing Dack deeper or Rothwell next to one sitting midfielder, however not when you’ve got a defence not up to it. Its a similar simple theory for the wings. Better full backs who make better decisions = less work and responsibility for the wide midfielder in front!

Probably true but I guess if the defence isn’t good enough, and the staff feel that way - two more sitting CMs are likely! I think Travis is potentially the one to make it possible for us to play like TM said earlier in week (1 sitting Cm) if he keeps improving

My theory? You mean the quote from the article right?

Ultra defensive approach? If we paid more attention to defence, we wouldn’t be conceding so many goals. Tony deserves criticism for aspects of his approach but being too defensive is something I doubt many would say! More organised and resilience is what I think we need to be. On the original point you made, have arguably 4 players who operate on either flank. Conway, Armstrong, Rothwell and Chapman. From their statistical impact, it’s difficult to argue against Craig and Adam starting - yet its painted here as if the two best aren’t involved.

I very much doubt the that the players are given instructions via the press!

There’s a chance I’m becoming a parody of myself in saying that I genuinely can’t find anything wrong with what TM is saying again... In fact, the “We want to win a game pretty quickly, and if we can get to a point in the last five or six games then maybe we’ll see some more young players getting an opportunity” is pretty much something I’ve heard you say, others here and at games, and a few other mates who watch. Oh and for some balance, Rothwell has 29 apps in all competitions to Conway’s 23 and I bet you don’t know who’s statistically made more impact....!

You never seen the depressed smile meme? I thought it was apt for the current feeling on BRFCS!

This season consolidation next season a playoff challenge? Fair cop that.

I agree - I highlighted the part especially, I mean we’ve conceded all types of soft goals this season from defensive / GK clangers, last minute chaos, set pieces galore, and Ofcourse the individual errors, switching off and giving the ball away in our own half. Thats at home too - although I take your point that the record away is far worse. Perhaps things to add to your list, better quality opposition, lack of depth in key defensive areas, many inexperienced at this level and a lack of sheer grit/anger/nastiness throughout. Another key aspect I agree - I don’t think we’re far off. I think the improvements need to come but I don’t think we are behind (or that far at least) where we should be.

@Don Said I agree in some aspects and I guess the biggest area is the lack of impact recently. I think that’s down to a lack of confidence more than ability or fitness. His performances have included quite a bit of over-playing, trying to hard to force a shot or a dribble. It was always going to be the case he would be isolated by the opposition. I think he has potential to grow into a deeper sitting player, but his finishing is exceptional too. That’s why I’d hope we keep. If there one guarantee with the Rao’s, it’s signing cheques to cover reasonable annual shortfalls in revenue. Since that’s the case, I don’t see why we’d have to sell anyone without it being a huge bid. The wage bill to squad quality is at a better ratio than any point in the time we’ve been out of the premier league in my opinion too. I know that’s not difficult when the parachute splurges happened, but it just means this summer I’d like to think we’re in a position to add as opposed to replace.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/17382796.mowbray-on-whether-rovers-will-add-a-defender-in-january/ Certainly a big mistake letting him go but the silver lining is Tyler has been given opportunities to build his experience. As for the Nov/Dec comparison with last month - another period of poor form undisputededly, but I think it’s an fair point we probably would’ve done better recently had full defence been available. Especially in games like Reading, Rotherham and Sheffield Wednesday.

Haven’t you got memes to create? Blaming Rothwell? Pointing out his amazing abilities AND weaknesses through interviews in some areas isn’t “blaming” ... Don’t be so sensitive. I’d need the same overly critical mindset to even get near agreeing with the idea Rothwell 26 appearances being not enough is a “big hit” or major issue. I think the irony is lost on you that he might be looking a good player because the way he is being used.. you know as an impact sub? I said exactly the same about Chapman last season. I do however think that the inability to get a centreback, and letting Downing go was “an aberration” but as usual, you and the rest of “Echo Crew inc” only interested in the aspects of my posts in which you disagree with!

Also, you will know again, if we had a better set of fullbacks, we’d probably seeing more of Rothwell and co out wide. Equally - the last month or two has seen us resort to full backs and first team debuts at centre half- I’d suggest this had more impact on our ability to defend as opposed to the players in question making little difference!

I know you know, that the two more senior players do the off the ball stuff better, the organisation, keeping shape, making correct decisions in their own half. There’s no way you could argue those two aren’t more proficient at that, although neither good enough at this level long term. Armstrong covers the pitch far more readily than Rothwell. How much of a difference this makes is another matter. As for this “defending recruitment” (I’d just call it having a positive opinion of most of the signings without hindsight) I think we are developing a good squad - and the fact we are lamenting the lack of starts for one of last summers signings suggest he isn’t one of the perennial “duds” TM signs. Definitley work to do in the defensive signing department, no disputing that. The last question is a moot point. We both know it’s impossible to only sign players that work out straight away. If Tony left tomorrow, the championship team he left compared to the one he inherited is a complete different animal. Whilst a few need to kick on, weve a far more exciting and competitive squad outlook - with only one first team player not our own.

There’s loads there I can’t be arsed going into and in just to add in hindsight I think letting Downing go was an aberration too, because for many games in our poor run, Nyambe, Williams, Magliore and even Bell at times have had to play centreback. That’s the biggest factor in our poor form for me, nothing to do with which wingers he’s chosen. Defence needs rectifying ASAP.

Nowhere near as simple as that for me. Neither would be playing in front of a confident or competent full back at present, and like I said yesterday, nobody could argue that makes a difference. Chapman also, it’s like the last 12 months of hardly playing and doing his hammy twice never even happened. Imagine the overreaction if he’d been brought back early and did it again!

If we need to improve defensively because we’re shipping goals and making mistakes, it seems easy understand why TM would be more inclined to stick with the Conway’s and Bennett’s, because they’ll always work hard and experience makes less likely to switch off. Might not agree, or may think it doesn’t stack up - but from my perspective we are limited defensively, especially when Mulgrew, Nyambe and Lenihan are out - whom have all had several weeks off this season. I understand people may be more attacking in there preferred approach, but I think it’s nowhere near as simple as the binary argument/cliche; “play attackers ffs”

I think he’s made a few assists in those spells, if not notched any goals - similar to Ben, I think there is lots of potential for both. Armstrong does get up and down the pitch, I think that’s hard to argue really - though how much he offers covering is a more fair criticism! Bennett another, Conway too - always prepared to cover both offence and defensive duties. A squad needs plenty of options, especially if many are young. Chapman cutting in on the right, Rothwell from the left might have to wait till we improve in a few other areas though! Specifically full back.

For someone who’s played 26 times, it’s weird how “he never plays” isn’t it? How many goals and assists in that time? It’s strange how the occasions that seem to stand out with Joe are the nearly moments, and the giving the ball away in your own half / not covering the full back. I’m sure nobody here could argue that the fullback behind his specific role, wide left cutting onto his right, being Williams or Bell doesn’t help his case either! Nevermind though, he can’t be that good if Tony signed him... he only signs duds ?

I think Hughes would probably be my choice from that list but largely agree with JHR, I’ve still far more confidence in TM finishing the season with better and developing further, than I do in the new “structure” of the club finding someone else who will. Hughes, Bowen and Eddie N (not even attempting to spell that second name) with decent funds with incentives in their deals for promotion would be a statement of ambition.

Out of interest how many shots did we have in total? Not on target, in total. It’s relevant to the point that I felt we created plenty enough to warrant a point. Ofcourse Aston Villa had far better finishing and/or final balls into the box, however it’s a straight up lie to suggest we passed it around the back without going forward. Without any bias - it’s obvious the opposition had higher quality where it mattered, but isn’t that an expectation of teams with generally better squads?