Can we at least look fucking bothered 

We're getting absolutely bullied, what an embarrassment 

You fucking idiot Garrett 

Absolutely woeful first half, nothing but passing between the back three and they couldn't even do that well. Makes no sense having most of our passing play go through the worst passers in the team. I feel like our forwards and full blacks are all over the shop, not knowing where they're supposed to be and Coventry are taking advantage by doing the basics right

Jesus wept thats one of the worst rovers line ups I've seen 

5 minutes ago, roverstdt said:

I actually rate Pickering i just feel he has been targeted and more often that not gets little defensive support from the wing at least that is what i saw yesterday at Reading. 

I think our right backs have had the benefit in the last few years of having Gallagher on the right who really sticks to his defensive duties, Diaz I feel doesn't drop back nearly as much as Gally which leaves Pickering more exposed I still think he's our best left back in a few years (Though that's an indictment on the rubbish we've had before) 

13 minutes ago, booth said:

Some wonderful trolling by WBA fans today about how quiet Ewood was.

From where I was sitting it was the loudest it’s been for some time. Atmosphere was pretty good fuelled by the current wave of optimism I imagine.

WBA fans did nothing but trot out the same tired unoriginal 4 or 5 chants everybody else does. I would rather sit in silence than give it the "your grounds too big for you" "is this a library" medley they did. Boring shite 

Feel like Hedges looked dynamic at times however he lost the ball way too easily in dangerous positions. Brittain had a fantastic debut bags of energy and refreshingly no nonsense defending. Pickering couldn't pick a pass but I do feel he defended well and isn't deserving of the shit he's getting. Ayala and Wharton I feel are a great partnership and one I think many championship strikers would struggle against. Vale got bullied a little bit but grew into things. All in all iffy first half with a more assured second. Good building block for the season.

1) 13th

2) Buckley

3) Adam Wharton 

4) Watford

5) 4th

Didn't see it but apparently Jack Vale looked quite good, if they're thinking about using him in and around the squad this season maybe we should think about his contract (runs out next year I think)

16 minutes ago, nbdelboy said:

that's one view, sure. or you could look at it as he's getting a completely fresh, unmarked squad of talented youngsters that he can spend a season moulding and consolidation 

pretty sure this is the plan, and is part of why there's more of an appetite to get the right deals in, whether that comes before the season starts or in the weeks after. i know it's bloody frustrating for us as fans, but it makes total sense outside of our biased, tribal gaze wanting us to win win win and kick off on the front foot, always immediately chasing promotion.

I'm definitely not against that to be fair, if we have a transitional but fun season whilst moulding a few youngsters and some dynamic football I'd be well up for it. I just don't want it to go a little too south and be panicking about slumming it in a relegation battle. I'm hopeful but been burned too many times this last 12 years.

I don't see a huge issue using more youth players in places. An 18-19 year old player having a good season at this level will command a good fee, for the aspiring moneyballers at board level. 

However I do worry that we've lost some really good experience from the spine of our team, the likes of an Adam Wharton for example could have a fairly free role and have the occasional rough game it's not a huge deal. But a centre back like Phillips having a bad day at the office means a loss, a catastrophe. 

I hope Tomasson does well for us and im rooting for him, but am worried he's not getting the start he needs, inexperienced squad, lack of creativity in the final third, a stitched up defence. For example he has a bad first month because glaciers move quicker than the shower of shit at board level, players lose confidence and suddenly things look dire and he looks the mug. Then things take a nasty turn and we start nervously looking down. Football is very fickle and having these grand plans in place is fine, but you can't neglect the present.

It's never good to lose 3 starters on a free. But that's the championship, largely the same calibre of players swapping and changing clubs every few years wherever they'll get the highest wages. We don't have the wage structure to compete with that if you look at the obscene wages other clubs in our division have. But I think over the past few years, it's proven with some of the teams who've been promoted you just need to think outside the box a little bit and look at more niche transfers. Worked for Brentford, worked for Norwich, worked for Huddersfield a few years back. 

Average championship teams signing players from other average championship teams ultimately achieves average results. If Broughton and Tomasson can think outside the box a little bit I'm not worried about losing championship calibre players which is what Lenihan, Nyambe and Rothwell are. We can do better.

Elliott Bennett was clearly not up to standard when we got promoted back to the championship. In defense of Bennett, he came in around the time the team was full to the brim with couldn't care less mercenaries. He gave his all and gave a shit around a time very few did. And though I'm sure some would disagree I think he helped cultivate a bit of culture change in the dressing room. I personally won't miss him much but have no ill will towards the guy.

On the Rothwell chat, I was absolutely bewildered for the love he got in his first two seasons (still am). However even though he doesn't have great numbers this year, undeniably he's improved and seems more mature in decision making. This season really he has predominantly played box to box, whereas previous seasons we largely saw him out wide or occasionally attacking mid. I think the positional change has done him well, his range of passing has improved, decision making is still not there but it's far better than it was. Box to box midfield play is not strictly around numbers it's about influencing and dictating. Whilst he still was inconsistent the old Rothwell would be useless when not on the ball, now he's matured in his tracking back and tempo. We absolutely should try and extend his stay.

In defense of Brereton he started the season really well, picked up a two week injury and was inexplicably used as a bit part player whilst we were struggling then picked up again ass end of the season when he was consistently picked again. His numbers from out wide are nothing to be scoffed at and he's got very useful attributes. Under a different manager he'd be even better. I think Brereton largely is one of the players Mowbray has done the dirtiest in his time here with garbage management. The handling of him has been baffling and pathetic.

I typically find myself a 15-20 game a season man, some home some away which just works for me. Frankly the hierarchy at the club does not deserve the level of commitment a season ticket entails. It hasn't for a long time. It won't for a long time. Mowbray is a pressing issue and desperately needs to go. But Mowbray or no Mowbray the hierarchy is still rotten and clueless and will be for a long time. I wouldn't judge anybody either way if they wanted to get a season ticket or not.

Tony Mowbray is truly a magician, every week I ask myself "how could it possibly be worse than that" yet somehow the shower of shite manages to do worse than dismal. I'm in awe.

I've spent a tenner on match passes for every game this season and maybe enjoyed about 4 in total. Get out of this club now Mowbray. Please just fuck off 

Well done boys decent first half, team looks fluid. This ref is a genetically modified turnip 

Gallagher, Dolan, Trybull and the two centre backs all very good. Trybulls best performance for us and he showed a bit of fire for once. Great to see Dack get a much needed goal for his confidence he looked much fitter today as well. Rankin Costello had a good hour. And I'm not his biggest fan by any stretch but I do think we've missed Bradley Johnson. Still though Mowbray needs to go.

Absolute fucking useless tossers our lot, waste of time

Did pick up after the goal but anything at this point is just delaying the inevitable, still playing trash football, picking up the odd result but going nowhere. But a good win nonetheless. Also don’t think that Branthwaite boot was intentional (still a penalty) so Neil Warnock can sod off the daft old goblin 

This last two months has been the worst football we’ve played in years. Absolutely 0 direction and 0 clue. Pathetic, boring, directionless none of our lot have a clue