I sincerely hope as JH Rover points out that people don't fall for the hard luck line. No doubt Sharpe is drafting one for Mowbray right now though which will be gobbled up by the deaf and blind. It's piss poor planning of the highest order.

Just lambasted him in the Cunningham thread but he's surely plotted his own downfall with the lack of defensive acquisitions. A backline of Bennett-Tosin-Williams-Bell is bang average for League One (I'd say that's being kind to a couple of them), while Tosin/Williams have never played consistently at centre half - let alone at Championship level. How the feck could we all see this but Mowbray? Infuriating.

I'm actually fuming with Mowbray over this. We all knew Lenihan would get a fairly extensive injury at some point this season - he's always prone to them. We're now left with just Tosin/Williams as our centre half pairing, realistically, until the new year. These two have never played together before AND have never had consistent runs at centre half before - let alone at this level. "Defenders are coming". It's all so obvious to everyone but Tony. With Bell back in now too, I foresee a relegation battle looming. Take a brave Rovers fan to suggest otherwise with that backline.

Huddersfield to obviously turn us over at Ewood next weekend then Merce, yeah?

I’d like Hughton, Chris but know you don’t. For me he ticks the ‘genuine guy’ box - like Mowbray (we need that at our club with so many shysters taking us for a ride over the years ) but has had success at this level much more recently than Tony has. Would be happy to take a punt on Johnson too as I think he’d bring some more of our talent through, is a modern day football man and deserves a chance. None of the others on the list get my pulse going.

Yeah I think if they came in for him at some point he would. I can see them going for a ‘stable’ pair of hands after Woodgate, so could see it happening. He still lives there too, doesn’t he?

I’ll have 3 and a half Ben Brereton’s please Balaji.

I know I’ve said it countless times, but I feel Boro are our only chance of salvation.

You forgot David Pleat.

Jesus fecking Christ. We’re now left with one of the worst left backs I’ve ever laid eyes on. Dack aside, probably the worst player this could have happened to given our lack of depth in this position. I’m hoping that Tony’s ar*e hole is doing some serious worrying right now.

Yep, we're now a Tosin/Williams injury away from Grayson(?) being thrown in. Neither of those has played centre half at this level much at all either. All very amateur from the club once again.

He’s a boro legend. Why would he go there? Personally think Boro are our best bet if Woodgate goes.

Tony doesn’t like this.

One of Southend’s players of the year last year wasn’t he?

Not a bad shout. He's obviously a fit lad but that's the most demanding position on the pitch - big ask for a 35(?) year old.

Who is playing left wing back? Bell? He's utter sh*te. I'd prefer we give Hart a go - he really cannot be any worse. Bell is one of the most ponderous footballers I have ever seen.

Agreed and surprised anyone sees it any other way. He wins a lot because he's playing against midget left backs. Put him in the box and he doesn't attack headers whatsoever.

Good point re credit in the bank. I’ve no doubt they’ll put at least a couple past us. Difficult to see where the next win is coming from. A resurgent Hudds at home then Brum and PNE away. Can see 1 point out of that lot. I would hope the fan base would get restless at that point but I won’t hold my breath.

We got tonked there 4-1 last season and it did nothing. Didn’t we follow it up with that Wigan embarrassment too?

Aye. Lenihan always has an injury in him. Which leaves us with Tosin and Williams - guys who have never played together. Also, a youngster who has never played CB at this level and the other who has only just transitioned to be a centre half (and that’s being kind to Del after yesterday). As you say, many of us called this and it’s going to bite Tony on the arse big time. Don’t worry though, defenders are coming.

We’re an ‘attacking team’ lads, Mowbray said as much yesterday. Maybe he’s referring to the under 23s as I haven’t seen much evidence of if at first team level!

Yep. Cue build up to Huddersfield, ‘despite our poor run if we can’t beat this lot then they all need flogging, and I think we will win by 4 goals to 1.’

Never going to make it as anything more than a squad player in this league. Never a first ‘11’ man for a team aspiring for promotion. Not big enough, not strong enough and not quick enough. End of.

Watching the goals again and I was going to liken Lenihan and Williams to Peacock and Dailly - but that’d be harsh to our 90s boys! Williams for their second, Jesus Christ. Seen more strength in a kitten.

Absolutely bang on - especially the last part. I feel like I need a summer break from Rovers and it’s only bloody October! I personally feel our only chance of ridding ourselves of Mowbray is if he walks. Rovers have improved his reputation in the game ten fold after his Cov debacle. He’d clearly be loathe to say goodbye to a decent pay day, but probably knows if we nosedive he’s goosed in the game. Go soon, with his reputation intact and he could still be in with a shout of the Boro job (as an example).