Hmm another window goes by and this may be controversial but am a tad disappointed by it. The plus is the keeper situation seems really sorted with two promising keepers. Given we started with none to have this locked down for years is a big step in the right direction. Would have preferred Tosin to Ayala both stylistically and reliability wise, although appreciate wages may have made Ayala a much more realistic target. That said with a fee of £2 mill surely there was room for a bit of enticement from Rovers, a signing on fee, a low release clause for a premiership club etc. However we do have a dependable centre back which is a positive too. Dolan also looks a steal and an unexpected bonus. He plays wide as well which is also good given our squad balance. Given his age and experience however we can't rely on him too heavily. The negatives for me are still mostly in defence. No first choice left back - and though free agents are available it's a much smaller market. We are still a player away (maybe two) from a top 6 team. We also bemoaned last season having only 3 centre backs and unless Warton' makes a step up that's still the case. Especially given one centre back is also covering left back and all 3 have somewhat sketchy injury records. I've banged on elsewhere about a cm so won't repeat myself except to say I feel it is a need. And up front we have lost Graham and Samuel and haven't improved upon Gally and Bereton, which strikes me as rather risky. Another decent attacking player could have made all the difference, especially as neither Gally or Bereton are high scorers and the Gally on the wing experiment seems set to continue, hampering us. We've had a decent start. When we play well we are a good team. No surprise though imo we had a poor result as soon as we are in the playoffs. And I can't help thinking just one or two extra players, a few different options, could have made all the difference Vs Cardiff. And I suspect that might be the case in many other games this season too.

I brought a car as a long term investment. Doesnt mean I limit its use to once a week. Wrong message imo. Teams always should be looking to improve. Contrast this with what Kenny etc have said - it's a different mentality and a more successful one to be looking for better than you have. Would never have signed Bellamy, Samba, Nelson, heck or the Shearer or Cole with that attitude. That said I think looking for a left back is giving him a bit of a kick up the arae and improving his performances.

Hi no problems with you quoting my post or disagreeing in parts. That said we both hugely agree about the left back and keeper issues. The disagreement centres on a couple of positions. I don't think anyone is saying the squad is wafer thin but needing strengthening in a couple of areas. Bit of a difference. Personally I think the two areas mentioned do need strengthening. You list who is out, and therein lies the problem. Travis is out for a while, months. Evans is out regularly. Therefore there is a significant thinness to the central midfield options. Their being injured supports the point I was making! Especially when you factor in Holtby and Johnson's fitness records. I will admit it's an availability rather than a numbers issue, but the effect is the same - we need another body in there. Of the players you mention I don't know about Butterworth and Vale but neither have really played so perhaps wouldn't be relying on them. The bigger thing for me is how few of those injured, certainly those proven in the squad, can play wide in attack (properly!) Again this suggests that we are thin out wide in attack. I'm not saying there's no depth, that a whole revamp is needed, but rather that certain positions look thin, either due to numbers or the reliability of those to be available.

You are right his distribution was generally woeful. I can remember a range of horror shows from his kicking from slicing it to conceed a corner to cannoning it off strikers resulting in a goal. That said when you have a keeper that poor you tend to remember when they do something right! Like his pass to Emmes. I also recall him having one really good game late on in his time with us (I think) and thinking blimey where did that come from? However it wasnt really repeated.

Not so fair a comparison. One given three years with no sales and a good budget, the other sells his best players with no replacements. Go back a further year for a team of Gestede, Rhodes, Ciarney, Conway, Marshall, Hanley, King and Duffy and you see we have had a strong championship team before (how the hell that team never even got playoffs is a travesty). Progression compared with this team in terms of quality is much less pronounced. That said am I glad we are where we are than under Owen Clueless - too right. Not defending Clueless as a manager at all, just saying it's not a fair comparison. And fair comparison or not I also appreciate that we are in a better position than that year. I also think while Bowyer was better at spotting players TM would have got the Rhodes et al squad into the playoffs. And as another aside from this comparison it's interesting that of Bowyer's unfulfilled potential team Evans is the only one still here (I think).

Personally I still think we need 3 or 4 in though with budget restrictions don't think it will happen. Everyone is in agreement about a back up keeper and left back. Left back is our biggest weakness in the first 11, whilst a back up keeper is like breakdown insurance. If you need to call on it, you are very glad you have it. I think CM is a huge priority. How long can Johnson keep his form and fitness up? Even if he does and he and Rothwell are forming a good partnership, after that the cupboard is bare. Travis has a long term injury , Evans is always injured and cannot be relied upon. (Seriously get rid and have someone available for more than half our games.) Davenport I feel TM doesn't rate or trust. So one injury , suspension or drop of form in cm and we are struggling. I also think a wide forward is needed. Perhaps less so with Gally and Dack to come back but both strike me as more central players leaving us a bit short out wide. Sure Armstrong can play there but outside of that it's a bit thin. Again I think TM doesn't rate or trust (and not sure I do either.) That leaves us with issues of natural level with Bereton, that all 3 wide players are young and may have a drop off in confidence/may find the season grueling and we don't want to put too much pressure on them, whilst JRC also is sometimes called to serve as full back. Add in injuries and suspensions and a wide forward seems like an astute addition. That said this is all a wish list and probably won't happen. We can only hope Venkys see the league position, get excited and free up some more funds.

Not TMs biggest fan but my word the last couple of games he's got it bang on. There are worries - the squad is very thin, we have a number of players playing above their usual game and how long can that continue, and the management of the Nayambe situation worries me (he'll be off soon.) Tbh I don't think the table really starts to take any meaning until game 5 but nevertheless it's better to have points on the board than not. TM is famous for his good runs as well as bad so am trying not to get too excited. Those cautions aside there are lots of positives. If having weaker players playing above their ability is a worry it's also most definitely a positive too that we are getting some bang for our bucks. Two clean sheets are nice. Lots of goals- and goals shared about too - is great. Dolan looks very promising and has a long career ahead. (Incidentally the PNE youth network should be shot for letting him go. I mean if they can't see talent there...) Rothwell may provide a long term partner to Travis. Armstrong continues as pinch hitter. They say you can only beat what's in front of you but you still have to do it. And for all Derby's recent form being poor they have been a top half team for a long time with a strong budget and good players. Glad the immoral lot are sinking (here's hoping for relegation for them) but I don't think this this was an easy win by any means. So we'll done TM and the team and long may it continue.

Too darn right it isn't after what's been spent. That said whether it's banged on about or not, it doesn't change the fact that work is needed to finish off the team. And call me cynical but I'm fairly confident part of the reason TM doesn't want it banged on about is because it highlights his weaknesses.

Yes. With you there. Call me a football dinosaur but I prefer my strikers to get or cause goals. I don't even mind if they don't score too many if they cause them for others, for example Roberts unsettling opposing defences (along with unsettling Rovers fans with his shooting but I digress.) Until Ben is involved in and/or scoring a decent number of goals he can only be deemed a failure. At present he's still not meeting that criteria.

Rovers transfer update 24/9: - Good and bad news on the injury front. The bad being that Dack still isn't fit and Travis needs surgery. The good being Gally and Evans are still injured. - Both sets of news however shed a light on how thin the squad is and the need for reinforcements. - On Evans and not really linked to transfers but how the hell can he be injured all the time except around internationals? I mean how is this physically even possible? Can we get Dack and Travis called up into the NI squad as it seems a miracle cure for injuries, albeit a temporary one? - TM said he only wants squad fillers. After all why would we want to improve the squad and improve on a 10th place finish? Why would we actually want better players? - His comments do however shed light on certain signings we have made... - Also in terms of TMs comments during transfer windows never let it be said he doesn't know how to stomp fans expectations into the dust. From the we don't need a new left back (heck of a come down from a 5-0 win) to we don't want better players, to I don't know my budget, it's no wonder Rovers fans hate transfer windows. - in absence of any transfer news debate once again turns to the quality of our owners. I personally don't know why we still have this debate as surely we have run out of adjectives to describe their loathsomeness. Whilst it could be acknowledged their current attitude towards Rovers is positively philanthropic compared to the early years, this is sadly: a) more an indictment of how bad their early behaviour was than an endorsement of now, b) ignores we are still run in a shambolic manner, and c) are reliant on their ministrations because of their past action. Still it's something to do during a transfer window I suppose. - And of course, there are still no transfers.

Now, now, lets not use logic. 4-3-3 does raise questions as to where Dack plays in the system. But you should realise it's apparently wrong to question the club on anything really.

Bit unfair. Nothing to do with the result wharsoever! Can make a judgement on the squad and be happy about the result. The two are not mutually exclusive. Certainly on first glance it appears we are more than covered there but I've said before quantity over quality and reliability. Two injury prone in Evans and Holtby, Johnson isn't great fitness wise and Buckley and JRC are needed elsewhere. Rothwells emergence there does mitigate things somewhat but even so, we are gambling on a lot of players staying fit, doing ok and not being needed elsewhere. To me that is a big gamble. Incidentally I would say left back and reserve keeper are more pressing issues but that doesn't mean all is ok in midfield.

Who hasn't?

Typical. Just when we are all bouncing off a win Tony brings us back to earth with a thump. Given left back is pressing in terms of quality and numbers you really think getting a good one in is crucial. We also need a reserve keeper and a few other positions look a bit thin but surely free agents could augment that? And a left back is more important than these positions. What I dont get is how he can be ok with Bell but not with Nayambe either.

Not TMs biggest fan but he has to take credit for today. So many positives. We have some young players who look very, very promising. Armstrong continues his fine form. We may have found Rothwells place in the team. Our weaker players all put in solid performances, albeit against weak opposition but still pleasing to see. Of course 5 goals and a clean sheet helps too. The only negative is Nayambe being dropped after a good performance v Bournmouth. That won't endear him to stay whatsoever and we could be adding a right back to our lists of needs. Not ideal. However one negative, a ton of positives and a thumping win, so you can't be unhappy with that. Won't be getting carried away but it's good to know there's some quality there which should ease any worries against relegation. Oh, and it's worth mentioning these are the sorts of game that TM struggles with, when we are heavy favourites. So in this respect as well it's a significant win. Perhaps this formation is what we should use Vs weaker opposition and be a bit more canny and practical Vs tougher opposition? Food for thought. However, at least this time it is very positive food.

Blimey mate.. I mean with me, I point out your inconsistencies most days and probably deserve all I get. However I get the sense that Tyrone has been watching Rovers whilst we were still in pampers! Bit cheeky to ask him if he watches Rovers games. Given 4-3-3 has produced few wins and lots of goals conceded it was hardly an unreasonable question either!

Now come on, one thing most Rovers fans agree on was that Walton was poor. I mean post lockdown alone had more than enough mistakes in a few games then would be acceptable in an entire season. He had a terribly slow and poor start too and the best that those defending him could offer was he wasn't that bad. If we didn't miss a promising young keeper in light of all that, then I don't think we ever would! It is pure revisionism to say Raya wasn't missed. Interesting that his biggest clanger is racked up as him bit being in control. I can see the argument for this as £7 million for Bereton was insane and beyond illogical. That said there's little evidence for this situation too so hard to use as a defence. Do we just say all the bad ones were out of his control and the good ones were his? Not sure it's that simple. Ignoring Bereton there's been plenty of poor transfers - Walton, Johnson, Gally, Whittingham, Caddis, Palmer and Harper all spring to mind so his record isn't that good. Factor in the players we haven't got and needed alongside the short termism of his policy and you think there's plenty of mistakes too. Sure there's been some good stuff as you quote below, but it's a mixed bag. I think this is a misleading question. It's not whether we are happier since TM took over - with our owners and the trash they have appointed as manager it's impossible for things not to be any better. The question is whether it's good enough. To say better than the last 5 years is a very low bar - in fact the bar is buried. This leaves room for a very poor manager to still look comparatively decent. We need better standards than this. To answer your question of course I'm happier, but then that's a relative term, and we are still nowhere near where Rovers should be in terms of professionalism and competence.

Rovers transfer update 17/9/20 Giddy with success of actually signing a defender TM and Rovers fans alike are talking about bringing in a left back. In fact the only person connected with Rovers not talking about or excited about a possible left back is a certain Mr Bell. With Travis's injury there is debate as to whether the midfield can manage without a replacement. Discussion on the quality of our current midfielders is really a tallest dwarf situation and rather depressing given the candidates are: talented but unfit and injury prone (Holtby) highly injury prone and holder of the Vince Grella most time out award (Evans) unfit and untalented (Johnson) and marginalised and unknown (Davenport). It does however start another debate about Rothwell. "He's not played there much but looks really promising when he has, why doesn't TM play him there more." I'm sure we've had this conversation before. In a bid to defend Rovers new formation and the lack of a role for Dack within it, certain posters suggest that Dack won't be ready for first team football until January 2023 and even then might come back as the reincarnation of Chris Brown. One poster raises the question of who will score the goals should Armstrong go/be injured as none of the others look like breaking double figures. Or high single figures for that matter. Another points out our problem is actually keeping goals out. Sadly the two statements are not mutually exclusive suggesting there's still plenty of work to do in the transfer window. There's no new signings today but we've had one this week. Two seems a little greedy for Rovers fans even the squad is still in need of desperate reinforcements. Besides where's the fun (and debate) if we actually had a fully functioning squad?

Not saying you are imagining things at all - simply goals scored and involved in are good indicators of a striker/attacker's ability! Nice to see a few useful moments when Bereton contributed - it makes a chamgr from nothing. Is it enough improvement? I'm not convinced. I would suggest most decent players would have a much longer list of positives than the 4 moments you mention. Goodness any half decent striker would want much more influence than that. Or alternatively be clinical and do not much bar putting chances away. But he's not that kind of player either. I'm with you on what's expected on a 7 million signing but neither of us are suggesting he is worth that or looking anywhere near justifying his fee. The fee is on TM. The question is whether he is good enough to be one of our front 3 and I honestly don't think he has enough ability to impact games to the level desired. A year on loan would do him.the world of good and be make or break elsewhere without harming Rovers chances.

Oh come on mate your positive PR attempts are overloading the amount of contradictions you are posting. Last season is last season - like prior form doesn't matter? Problem is I've heard you mention TMs past achievements year on year - especially in bad patches - so let's have some consistency. Dack might not return the same player. Possibly but then you have banged on about how much we missed him last season and needed to factor that into our view of how we did. Again you can't have it both ways.

I think goals and goals involved in (rather than the assist stat) are very good measures for assessing our 7 million pound striker. The problem is he doesn't really contribute to either and only has looked decent against lower league opposition. He's not a championship level player.

I thought there was a need for a cm even before Travis was injured! Not number 1 priority that's the defence but it isn't that pretty in centre midfield. For starters I don't think Johnson and Evans are that good. Evans often goes missing and Johnson seems to either have a good game or a shocker. Further evidence of our weak midfield is that throughout we've complained of players getting too much space and not being closed down. Debatable as their ability is, what's less contentious is their fitness. Holtby and Johnson seem gassed after 60 minutes and Holtby and Evans are pretty injury prone. Realistically even with Trav they struggle to make up the numbers for a whole season. Without him we're looking at the unfittest central midfield collection in Rovers history. I guess we have got Bennett and Rothwell who can slot in there but both seem to be needed (or used in Bennet's case as I don't like him as full back) elsewhere. And sure there are other big issues with the squad but if we want to compete for playoffs imo we can't get through a good chunk of the season with such poor quality cm.

Bar Armstrong for Bereton arguably our strongest team available. I worry about us front and back. Up front no proven players albeit 2 talented youngsters. Armstrong could do with another player with experience to help take the burden off him this year (as well as Gally.) At the back half is top 6 championship standard half is league 1 standard. Risky all round and shows a fair bit still needs doing to the squad.

Rovers transfer update 15/9/20 Given there's a match on today TM can be forgiven for not signing any players today. That said Tony has excellently multitasked in the last two games, simultaneously managing the team whilst also sending a compelling message to the owners about our need for defenders. The signing of Ayala is rumoured to be nearing completion. Fans remain cautious as, short of cowboy builders, the phrase nearing completion has never been used so frequently with such little end result as in a Rovers transfer window. That said fans are getting excited about the signing of Ayala. On paper he matches all three essential criteria for this summer's signings for Rovers: 1) he plays in a position we desperate need cover for. 2) he has championship experience and 3) he has played for Boro. Despite being a positive signing fans begin arguing about who was "in the know" and knew this transfer was happening. Fractious lot this BRFCS crowd. Personally I'd settle for our manager and managing director being ITK and not shadowy forces pulling the strings. In light of the three essential criteria necessary to sign for Rovers we are reputedly in for Pears. Concerns are raised about whether he has enough experience albeit when the only other options are youth keepers this becomes something of a moot point. Rovers issue a statement denying the European scouting team haven't been seen since a team bonding day getting pissed in Tyneside. All in all a positive day in the transfer window.

Ayala: Positives - Proven championship experience. A centre back. Decent age. At least a couple of years in him. Negatives Big question marks about fitness. Bit of a reputation for chequered history. Overall thoughts - solid transfer. Fairly pleased. Would I be so enthusiastic if we weren't so desperate, definitely not. But given that's the situation we are in, we really need defenders, and that it could be a lot worse, it's a pretty good deal for the club.