I’d call striking the bar moments after a having a close range drive blocked two perfectly good chances to score. Both from Conway, both in the first 20 minutes, whom I felt performed well yesterday.

Then don’t quote and reply then. My opinion from what I saw, no need for the sarcastic response. Armstrong had plenty of chances first half, punctuated by Conway hitting the bar. They started better but a half is 45 minutes, not 10.

I guess that’s why football can garner so much discussion. Overall for me, a fairly equal game in chances, they took theirs - we didn’t. We had long periods of possession, more dangerous the longer it went on. We also worked hard, matching their intensity. Rothwell/Armstrong could’ve/should’ve equalised and I still think the foul given against Brereton was a penalty. Ofcourse the aspiration was 3 points, but my expectations against one of the league’s form teams was lower than the performance given.

Watched an entirely different game to me.

Thought we played well overall yesterday - made a big difference to have Lenihan back, he is very dominant in the air. Much better finish than start mind. Confidence is low for obvious reasons, Dack is the epitome of the at the minute, however I felt the performance warranted at least a point - and against a good team in form. The soft underbelly conceding from basic mistakes is obviously our main issue this season. Lack of organisation isn’t simply down to young players. Im not convinced Tony will achieve that level of resilience with this lot - he’s no BS/Pulis type, and I think our current first team would only be consistently challenging in this division with a manager of that ilk. With some patience though - this team and squad will grow - the changing of style was apparent again yesterday. (Reed, Brereton, Rothwell on for Dack, Graham and Bennett) We showed some slick movement, Rothwell and Ben particularly looked lively -Joe is crazily one footed but a real threat with the ball at his feet, his effort would’ve been goal of the season the way he beat 3 players. Ben should’ve had a pen at the death although I wouldn’t blame the Ref since he dived minutes earlier in peculiar fashion! Final shout for Conway - other than a few poor final balls, really played well yesterday, looked to turn back the clock with his energy- helped Nyambe and looked a threat at times, particularly in the second half. What better professional to mentor the next youngster into the team, Chapman et al.

Eh? As in they shouldn’t behave like keyboard warriors racially abusing the players in our own strip? I also think it’s quite obvious why the very next line of the article you had a problem is relevant. Course you aren’t racist, but that’s not the point - I only read it because you linked it, and I’m still not sure what is wrong with the article (bar the writer obv!)

If you think that I am being obtuse too - you’re kidding yourself, since the very next line removed from your quote is “A racist minority is still there in crowds at every club. They are mercifully few, but no one can no one can deny they still exist”

What, not be racist?

Over the time they’ve been here, the results have been decent. Not world beating, but we aren’t doing badly in my opinion. I certainly wouldn’t say “we’ve been garbage all season”...

Believe it or not, I am aware that not all young players reach their potential for various reasons, and I also said I think Raya would be helped by a more settled and better quality defence - which is precisely what you point towards the necessity of recruiting in the summer. The same context apply to Eddie Howe? How do you know the “qualities” of the coaching team? ‘Twas the same with Jal/Mercer and the “I hate David Lowe” club. Since I’ve never done one of Bensons (or whatever he is called) sessions, I wouldn’t even attempt to judge his relevant qualities. Edit - would I like to see more competition for that shirt? Potentially, but I don’t think leutwiler is a bad player, and what about Fisher?

Experience and age tends to improve players. I think he’s a better keeper than he was 2 years ago and I think he will be better still in two years. Playing behind a better organised and more confident defence would help! Compared to you? Ha. Now that is funny.

It’s unfound criticism for me. Judge the bloke by what he achieves not what he says. Certain fans still take personally that we played a less than full strength team at Charlton, and in the context of the season - it’s a strange reaction!

Well starting with midfield, you’ve got Travis - who looks the real deal. Behind him, Davenport, Buckley etc In attack, BB, Rankin C, Nuttall, Butterworth, etc In Defence, Magliore, Wharton, Doyle and those already in the first 18, Nyambe, Lenihan etc. Finally - Raya. Still only young, can only get better but despite a few mistakes and slack distribution- I think we’ve got a potential first team stalwart for years to come.

It is cherry picking because at least 10 of those games are with Coyles team. This is his team now, even if some of the individuals are the same. Their overall records are massively different - if you include his poor spells for us and Wigan. Win percentages aside, Mowbray hasn’t bombed anyone out of this league to my knowledge. Ofcourse things can change quickly - and I can see why anyone would re-visit their opinion and optimism about a team/manager over the summer - but I’m not in that camp. I see real foundations being put into our revival, and it’s exciting tbh - especially compared to 2010-2017!

Disingenuous to cherry pick specific statistics to make a point. Like I said - using the post - Coyle results is like judging him for the entire season. He’s also got one team out of this league and done ok with another. If you wanted to show his true history you’d include those stats. Then to compare the relative achievements of the person responsible for our relegation - as if they’re in the same “league” - it’s a strange thing to think - for me comes across as short memoried... Weve had Mowbray for two years. In that time the overall movement has been forward, and the trajectory looks upward! Things change quickly admittedly, but using the overall picture (context) the bloke has been a good manager for us.

It’s disingenuous to use his rovers championship stats to judge his credentials in this league - for two reasons. 1. He’s managed two other clubs in this league 2. He inherited “coyles rovers” I have to admit. I’m shocked 14% or 30 odd votes want a new manager immediately. To me, those views seem ridiculous.

I agree, couple m more additions like Rodwell, keep the Bennett’s/Graham’s and Mulgrews and watch the others blossom around them.

Why would I judge the manager and team on next seasons results now? Equally - why would I assume that the manager isn’t interested in improving the defence, just because we haven’t as of yet. Would Magliore be on the cusp of the first team if we’d signed a new CB? He is playing them. It takes time to bed senior players in, nevermind youngsters. Look at the development of Travis and Nuttall this season! Im afraid the point about context is just as applicable to your “beef”. You criticise based on specifics, and ignore the big picture (ie the context!) We couldve also been where Wigan or Rotherham are too, despite Preston’s excellent season so far. As for bizarre comments - I couldn’t disagree more. Mowbray talks far more sense than many about football, especially a few on BRFCS

It’s the same in every situation Tom. Doesn’t matter what happens - people will find criticism. The example of last season (that you actually help make) for criticism due to “only” finishing 2nd is a perfect one. If football was ever as simple as most cash = best players = most trophies, none of us would watch it. The minimum expectation was an immediate return. Despite the squad turnover and poor start - this was easily achieved. I simply don’t agree in way in which this achievement is glossed over for criticism, much like being safe this season is. Club/team is well on the right track for me.

Stank of what? Potential.

Well thing is Blue boy, I still don’t think he cost 7m, and I still don’t think the club had that sort of figure to spend on just anyone, of any wage/age. Hence why I’m happy to see us add quality youth players, excited by the amount of prospects we have. If you’d told me 12 months on from last summer, we’d have Armstrong, Brereton and Chapman - I would’ve been surprised. The irony is, Rothwell (a largely unknown free) potentially looks the best out of all of them! Hindsight is great isn’t it

And? Youth is not price, it’s age mate.

He’s 19 mate.

Organised, hard to break down, useful at set pieces and generally an average of 6 foot 3.

For me, it’s been a good season so far. Comfortably competing at this level without too many changes to the first 11, plenty of investment of time and money into youth projects like Travis and Brereton - the trajectory is good in my opinion. Much of that comes down to having a really good manager and an ownership prepared to keep put some money into fees, funding the youth setup and covering the wage gap. I don’t subscribe to the theory it’s now or never. I think our best chance to rebuild to a consistent premier league outfit is through our academy, a long term project - and the signs are good for me. The likes of Butterworth, Chapman, Davenport, Magloire, BB, Rankin Costello, Buckley etc, all look potential stars - we have an absolute plethora of exciting prospects. It’s a really exciting time for me anyway. I know some expect us to be fighting for silverware and promotion every season, but I don’t think that’s realistic. That said. If we had been in the playoffs this season, the criticism would be why aren’t we going for automatic! If you think that’s not true, just remember twelve months ago - people criticised the team for not winning the league...