TruRover

What I will say about BB is that everyone in this message board at some point has had huge doubts about him and the fee we laid out for his services. However not once do I feel the fan base has turned on him and made him a scapegoat, he’s an extremely likeable figure who every fan has wanted to do well. At this point you wouldn’t even think the 6million we spent is unreasonable. His performances in the Copa America against big international teams have been very decent, seemingly making himself a key part of chiles squad and more importantly focal to their future. If all goes well he will end up being there main attacker at the World Cup if they qualify. His confidence looks sky high atm and I can’t wait to see him next season. We need to get him signed to a long term contract ASAP. On another note, this represents an extremely poor reflection on TM. He has failed to get these kind of performances from Ben regularly in 3 years.

I think a major thing to consider with young players is that they need regular games for them to really show their value. Wharton is a perfect example of this, when he first broke into the team last season he looked shaky and unconvincing, within a couple of games of playing consistently he looked like our best defender. For me Buckley hasn’t had that 5-6 game spell where he’s in the team every week, and if he did I have no doubt he would prove his doubters wrong. For me, there is no doubt he has tons of ability. The only thing that could stop him becoming a crucial player for us is Mowbray who has habit of mishandling players (Nyambe).

While I can defo respect the opinion of sterling > rashford imo rashford is streets ahead of Sterling. He’s more powerful, direct and quick and importantly hits the ball a lot more cleanly than sterling. While there’s no doubt sterling is a talented player I don’t think he has hit the heights of a couple years ago in the previous seasons. The real issue with Sterling is when he comes up against quality defensive opposition, he goes missing and often lacks the composure to put crucial chances away. Rashford is far from the finished article but he’s above sterling in the pecking order, esp if we are looking to hit on the counter. I think there’s a case for playing sterling against teams that will sit back as I think he’s better at playing in tight spaces, however in those kinds of games I’d rather Grealish or Sancho. it’s also worth nothing that sterling has been in his prime the last couple of season while rashford has just been breaking into becoming a focal part of United attack. In that time Sterling has played a lot of games upfront while rashford has been on the wing, which may affect the appearance of their stats.

I’m so surprised that people have sterling over rashford. Sterling is incredibly overrated. My starting xi would be: 4-3-3 Henderson Walker Stones Maguire Shaw Mount Rice Bellingham/Grealish (depending on opposition) Foden Kane Rashford

In all honesty I think any team we line up under Mowbray next season will have a chance of getting us relegated. Especially without the goals of Armstrong. But I do believe under a proper manager, under that set up, we would be a dangerous team.

Can’t help but be buzzing about this. Hopefully they can qualify for the World Cup with Big Ben as their main man!

In relation to the debate about what system we should play next season. I would argue that 3511 (Sheffield Uniteds formation of past few seasons) would get the best out of our current players. With the assumption that Armstrong will leave, and that everyone is fit, other than Wharton and Dack, we could have a line up looking like: GK: Kaminski CB: Nymabe CB: Lenihan CB: Carter (Wharton) RM: JRC CDM: Travis CM:Buckley CM: Rothwell LM: Pickering CF: Dolan/Chapman (Dack) ST: Brereton/Gally I think defensively it leaves us in good shape. A physical back 3 who are good in the air and not avoid of pace (nymabe is rapid and Wharton and lenihan are no slouches as CBs go). In travis they would have one of the best anchor mans in the division shielding them and two wide players who have shown (In terms of Pickering what has been gathered from reviews and reports on him) that they have the energy to get up and down the touch line constantly, an important trait in this system to support both the defence and attack. In fact I think it would be the role which could get the best out of them both, particularly JRC who I really rate as a player. Both have the ability to put the ball in the box with real quality, giving us a real threat from wide areas. In central midfield, we would have Buckley and Rothwell to the left and right of Travis. Between those two we should have the ability to not only keep hold of the ball, but to play through the lines and open up defences. With Travis anchoring, both players would have a bit more freedom to roam and get on the ball. If we needed abit more defensively solidarity then you could always replace one for Johnson or davenport and have two out of the 3 anchoring. A big worry amongst this forum is seemingly goals, as without Arma we may seem to struggle. However I don’t see this as such an issue as some do. In Bradley Dack we have a player who is capable of getting 20 a season quite easily if fit. And this formation, with him playing just off a focal striker would suit him to a tee. I really think we need to build our team around him if we are to have any hopes next season. Yes I know it probably won’t be until 2022 until we see him fit again, however I’d argue that the role off the striker would play to the strengths of Dolan and Chapman aswell. Neither players imo has the pace or aggression to play out wide, however both have the ability to take it past a few players and open the game up. The most dangerous place to that from is in this role, just off the striker where they have to play in tight spaces and don’t need to rely on pace to get past a quick full back. Finally we come to the big money strikers. Neither have impressed me enough here, but I still hold hopes for both of them. Brereton in particular I think can have a big role for us. At times this past season he has been unplayable, worked his socks off, held the ball up, and showed a knack for being able to carry it up the pitch. All attributes essential to this role. His finishing needs work no doubt, I don’t believe he will ever be a natural one, but confidence could do him wonders. On the other hand we have Gally. A player I believe is a bit of a donkey. Yet he has played nearly all of the past 2 seasons out wide and due to that I feel that I and others have judged him too harshly. Once again he is strong, decently quick and at times shown to be a decent finishing, especially from crosses, from inside the box, something he is not able to do from the wings. Once again I reckon this role would get the best out of them, especially with a link man playing off them. I would argue than a new CB and CM and wide man( preferably with genuine pace) would make us a stronger outfit, but I do reckon the line up I have recommended could do damage in the league next season. Ofc, this is all irrelevant under TM, as we will go nowhere with him in charge, but if we were to bring a 3 at the back specialist as manager *ahem Wilder ahem* then I would genuinely back us for the play offs.

I’m surprised that people are not more keen on Ryan Guald. I’ve followed his career loosely albeit from a far since he shot onto the scene at Dundee way back when. He struggled at Sporting but even then showed glimpses of what he could do. He’s come into his own at Farenese and think has 10 goals and 7 assists in a team that has struggled all season. A player who I would compare him too is Rochina. A player I believe this club grossly misused. We should of built our entire team around him. The one issue was for rochina was his consistency, which he seems to have found after he left rovers, and grew with experience. Gauld now seems to be at that stage where he has the consistency to match his talent. I’ve no doubts he would be one of the best creative players in the championship, as a wide man or and attacking midfield. I very much doubt we will get him. There is prem and champ interest and I can’t see us being able to match the wages others are offering. But don’t get it twisted. He’d be a massive coup.

Would personally love Ryan Gauld. Can’t see it tho

I’ll say this now. Rothwell is hugely talented and in the right team and under the right manager has the potential to be one of the best players in this league. When he goes, and he will if a decent enough bid comes in, we will see what TM has wasted. I have no doubt about that.

Good letter but dissapointing that nothing about the manager situation was included.Would of like to seen something along the lines of ‘fans have been greatly frustrated at the lack of action taken over the shockingly poor 2nd half of the season and massive underachievement of the management team’

Unfortunately, now the season is over, and we’re still hearing no noises whatsoever about TM leaving for me clearly shows that we are stuck with him. Disaster.

Under what notion would you be surprised? Ofc we all know he should be sacked, however every noise and interview coming out of the club points to him being here next season. Have you heard something ? Give me some hope please.

After reading the LT interview the other day I felt nothing but dread for next season, however seems like you and Mani have given me a little bit of hope that we will have a team and management next season that I believe in and can get behind. If you are right and he’s going, and that it’s been in the pipeline for months, surely they will have a manger lined up? If it is that it can’t be Ainsworth as the way he’s been talking about the future and next season recently in interviews for Wycombe would indicate that he’s not had any offers from Rovers. What worries me is that TM talks about players and contracts like it’s his decision, which indicates to me that he’s staying. As surely who gets offered a contract is dependent on the views of the one who will actually manage the team next season. I also struggle to believe if he is going, that we haven’t heard a sniff of a rumour of a potential new manager lined up.

If you’re right and he goes. I will be sending a pint your way. I just can’t see it with our mockery of owners/board.

I genuinely don’t believe they are the ones behind decisions at the moment. Rather they are advised by people who they deemed trustworthy. Unfortunately Waggot seems to fit in to that profile, and he is very chummy with Mowbray. Of course they deserve critism for their lack of backbone and spine to take control and take action. But sadly I think it’s pretty clear that they don’t care that much to invest the level of thought required into it. In relation to that, it is evident that the power of the running of the club is held by the people who sit below Venkys in the pecking order. I do believe they have put themselves in with a chance of making strides to bridge the relationship with the fans. The club is much more stable than what is was. Our academy has been fantastically run in recent years. And their continued financial backing has been impressive, and very much needed. But their reluctance to engage with the fans and take more of a focal involvement in the running of the club completely casts those positives aside. Us as fans just want our voices heard, listened to, considered and acted upon. We want an impact on how our club is run and until Venkys engage with the views of the fan base they will never be able to bridge our relationship with them.

What an utter catastrophe. Not only have results and performances been shocking with our best squad in years, we have many talented players who clearly want out (eg Nymabe and Rothwell) due to the managers misuse of them. He’s spent serious money on players who look miles away from it, and has continued to persist with a tactic of playing tall 6ft plus strikers on the wing, a tactic which has never worked, never made sense and has seen players, in particular Gallagher, unable to properly express themselves. He completely misuses players and fails to develop them. Players such as lenihan, Dolan, nymabe, travis, Brereton, Buckley are players that I beilive would be miles ahead of where they are now if we had a decent, tactically aware manager. Honestly all TM seems to care about is character and attitude and I’m sorry that just isn’t good enough. The idea that we should stick with Mowbray due to the unique circumstances is utter BS. Every team has faced the struggles we have, and many have had less facilities and financial resources. How can venkys look at seasons that Barnsley, Swansea and Millwall have undergone in comparison to ours and believe TM deserves another crack. It’s beyond me it really is. As a relatively young rovers fans I was never able to enjoy our glory days, we’ve always been pretty poor with no real hope of success. Despite that I have always remained extremely passionate, watched and travelled to every game possible and had the happiness of my weekend depend on our result. This season and even the last that has completely changed and it’s heartbreaking for me. I no longer read every article the Lancashire telegraph post. I no longer follow matchdays minute by minute. I no longer read this forum persistently through the day. That is down to the manager and the board. I have no faith in them whatsoever. If we win, it means nothing, because I know that it will never amount to anything. I honestly feel my passion has been stripped away from me by the manager and the board who fail to taking any action against him. I struggle to blame venkys. I have been impressed with how they have stuck by the club financially, I don’t even want to know where we would be during the coronavirus if it weren’t for them. But they are clearly naive and too trusting of the people who advise them. With a summer rebuild imminent, it offers a fantastic opportunity for a new manger to come in and implement his ideas, bring in the players he wants, and give the club a new lease of life. There is no reason why we can’t get someone like wilder, jockanvic or Ainsworth. All who would bring something different and new. As fans I really feel we need to make our true feelings known. Before it’s too late and more fans like me begin to lose interest in the club we love so much. How do we do that? I’m not so sure. A protest outside Ewood seems the most logical. But whatever as fans we decide to do, we need to do it properly to the point where the club will take notice.

I’m watching this game and I’m realising i just don’t care. I’m have no emotion whatsoever. We are never getting back into this game, I would bet my life on us not scoring. TM you have ruined supporting this club for me. Well done. We are going down. Edit: your welcome

Genuine question. If you were offered a scenario where we got relegated this season with TM leaving the club vs staying up this season but having to endure TM for another full season what would you prefer? For me no doubt I would take league one with no TM. He, along with Waggot, have genuinely nearly made me lose all interest in the club. I can’t remember the last time I had any true faith in the club. It’s heartbreaking.

HOW DOES HE STILL HAVE A JOB

Going foreign is the right move. Only British manager who I would be truly excited to see appointed would be Howe, but he will near certainly get a prem job. My dream appointment would be Jokanvic. Class manager on and off the field, had Fulham playing some of the best football the championship has ever seen. Has promotion experience with both Watford and Fulham. Major stumbling block will be his wages. Either way I find it promising that replacements are a least ‘supposedly’ being discussed.

While I agree with you in regards to loans signings, I don’t believe we are in that situation. Let’s break down our loans: - Trybull. Clearly a decent player and a upgrade on Evans, but has been far from integral to our season and I doubt he will be missed when his loan comes to an end. Along with this we have a significant amount of central midfielders at the club - Douglas. Finally starting to show a bit of form and hopefully can carry that into the 2nd half of the season. However he has been relatively poor for us so far, and we seemed to have signed a long term replacement for the beginning of next season in Pickering. Him leaving will not be an issue. - Braithwaith and Harwood Bells. Both seem to be great prospects and should give us some really good depth in that position, which we have lacked this season. For sure when they go back to their parent clubs next season we will need to sign proper first team centre back, but even then we will have 3 very decent centre backs in Wharton, lenihan, and Ayala. And who knows, we may be able to get one of them back on loan next season. - Harvey Elliot. Surely no one can complain about this loan. Has been one of our best players this season and will surely end up winning young player of the year. Unless we get promoted I can’t see us getting him back, which will leave us a little short in the winger department. However by next season Dolan will have had a full season of first team football in the bank and should be able to step up. He certainly looks like he has the ability. Either way though I would imagine we would go out and get a winger. Overall, when our loans go back we won’t be left too short, with Pickering signing for next season, we will only really need 1 centre back and 1 winger to cover the loans of this season. Having 5 loans this season isn’t ideal, and it’s a trap we mustn’t fall into, but in the case of our loans this season I can’t see them leaving us with the need of an overhaul. This seasons we have been massively hit by injuries, and loans are the best way to cover that. At least we seem to be bringing in quality. one thing I have say is very pleasing, is how venkys have been so supportive in terms of transfer dealings. I’m far from there biggest fan, and I don’t think I’ll ever forgive them for everything, but their financial support through the pandemic has been outstanding. If only we had a top tier manager to make the most of it... let’s hope that we get these deals over the line and continue our push towards the playoffs.

Seems like a very astute signing, one which will give us stability at left back in the long term, aswell as providing us with a player who has premier league potential. Personally I would want him here for the rest of the season, I haven’t been personally impressed with Douglas, albeit the last couple of games aside, and would like to see this lad given a go there. However it may be a case that sending him back on loan will reduce the fee we need to fork out to get him, hence making him affordable in this window, which is something I would be on board with. He is a player who seemingly has significant interest in him and if we wait until the summer we run the risk of missing out.

Normally I would agree with you but he played for Crewe today, which seems to question how close the deal is. If he does come in you would imagine that bell is leaving, especially with him not in the squad today. One possibility could be that we loan him back to Crewe until the end of the season.

Whose the 3rd commentator?