I’d go one further and say JDT will be gone by the end of next season if we are not promoted or seriously pushing. The guy was a winner as a player, has been a winner in his short managerial career and will undoubtedly be in a rush to get into the Premier League asap. It wouldn’t surprise me if he has designs on managing one of the super clubs and sees us as a stepping stone! ”Get Rovers promoted asap, make a statement in the PL by keeping them up / mid table and then get a move…” Sure I remember an interview with GB where he described JDT as ‘very ambitious’ whilst saying he ‘hoped’ we could keep him (JDT) happy over the longer term (by meeting his ambitious plans) Hes in a hurry, which is all good for us!

I’ve felt like this about JDT, but have now come to the opinion that he genuinely plays lads who are doing what he demands in training. It’s been described as a meritocracy…I know from a couple of chats with those around the training ground that he’s VERY demanding and VERY specific on what he wants. You get in line or you don’t play…Dack, Buckley, Scott Wharton and now our club captain Travis have all fallen foul. Not a chance any of those would’ve been dropped by Mowbray. The games at Burnley and Preston were baffling from the outside, but maybe he was making a point to the players as ETH and Arteta have done in certain circumstances. Whatever our opinion on JDT, he is the boss down there and in half a season he’s shown to the players that he’s not to be crossed. I think one of the benefits of this style is that it keeps the wider group permanently interested because no one is untouchable. So you get good cup performances when you rotate the team because everyone feels they have a genuine chance!

I think, on the face of it you can probably add Ash Phillips to Markanday and Adam Wharton in the group that appears to have been hard done to…but in context, have they really? Would they have played the games they have under Mowbray, or any other manager this season? The only one of that age group who has broken through is Garrett and that appears to be partially down to necessity, due to Travis poor form, and partially because he seems to be the one who is doing most of the stuff that JDT demands, as per the meritocracy you mentioned. I really wish Vale would prove me wrong and go on a scoring run in the team. Either way, with the lads above, plus Leonard and Batty, our future is bright. Add a forward and CM this window and we’re going nicely. Fwiw, I have no problem with the owners valuation or stance on BBD. As fans, we know we’re better with him…so IF someone takes him then we know we’ve had top dollar. If not then the owners are willing to take the hit. Their money, their prerogative.

I don’t think JDT suffers anything or anyone. Everyone seems to be falling in line… My bet is that he’s had a VERY straight but respectful chat with Hirst and GB. Basically said he wants rid and we’ve gone back to Leicester, told them the craic so they’ve gone out and found him another club.

Looks fine to me. No game since last weekend and no other game until next weekend. Obv wants to give the likes of the whartons, Trav, Markanday and Vale a run out. All lads who need to be ready to play at any time. We’re so light in those forward areas 🙈

Reading the LT article on Dack this morning and hadn’t realised his contract was up in the summer. I think there’s an option to extend it but it’ll be interesting to see if we do…

3 days be reet! Train Thursday, Fri, travel with the lads / rest on Sat and Sunday and then a full week before the Rotherham game. 💪🏽

This would be my team though I’d even be tempted to play Mola for Garrett who will likely have to start the league match the week after with Bucko still suspended. Unless we’ve signed one 👀🤞🏽

Buckley has had a slow start to the season but is without doubt the best midfielder at the club. Buy an experienced CDM who is an 8/10 minimum every week (Think, a CDM version of Hyam) and Buckley would flourish. He needs something me like that in his ear. I actually like Morton and I think he’ll end up a top player in Liverpools first team squad, but not next season. Don’t forget, he’s only just turned 20 and this is his first loan, he’s nowhere near the finished articles but is a mainstay of a team ranked 3rd in the Championship. Wouldn’t surprise me if he’s shipped off to Europe to enhance his development next season. I really hope Travis isn’t finished. He looks a yard off the pace In every game and technically seems to have regressed. He will be better suited to our change towards playing a little more direct, looks all at sea taking the ball on the half turn from a cb. A Wharton and Garrett aren’t ready to play week in, week out yet. Get Travis back to his best and we don’t need any more….

Agreed….never go back! In life, love or football!!

Agreed - wouldn’t be surprised if a couple of ex players like Rakip and Berget turn up. Both out of contract in their league, have played for and done well for JDT before so will tow the line and help to flush the old regime out…🤷🏽‍♂️ If they can find a couple more players as good as Hyam and Brittain I’d be delighted 😀

…upwards of £20,000. - Try £60k!!!!! 🙈

You were absolutely bang on the the money. Confirmed by quite a few….for JDT to bring back he’d have to go against the coaches and most influential players wishes.

Rothwell pissed on his chips before he left. Common knowledge that he doesn’t believe that he has any developing to do…but also accepted in the training ground that he completely downed tools after his move broke down in Jan. Mowbray tried publicly to protect him but everyone knew….Prob the reason he hasn’t had a sniff yet this season either. I just can’t see a point where anyone would want him back.

Urgh 🤦🏽‍♂️

Yeah, sorry….I meant we need to find a combination in midfield that works consistently. But the big challenge is to get the front players firing!! 💪🏽

All the forwards are out of touch. Iv watched a couple of games on the Tv over the last week or two and it’s less obvious until you see them live. Today I say the front four trying desperately to spark…Dack was slightly off the pace at times but played some nice passes which weren’t picked up by Gally and BBD who are not making the movement at the right times. The decision making in the final third is absolutely atrocious. They need to play themselves back into form asap and get some fresh blood in there. Dack at full flow would really help as he is the glue and can feed team with assists too…🙏🏽

The truth is that we didn’t spend £6.5m on Szmodics, Hirst and Brittain.

My take on the game.. Back four and keeper Solid. Now a little worried about how serious JRC’s knock is. Midfield - Garrett’s best performance in a Rovers shirt. Broke the play up and range of passing was very impressive. Morton was decent. Trav tried when he came on but was still a little ineffective and rash for me. Little cameo from A.Wharton was good value. He prob should have had a goal at the end when BBD blazed over. Forwards - All out of form. Dack the closest to his game, Hedges decent but BBD and Gally look miles off it. My opinion - if the forwards can get going then we’ll go on a run. We should’ve been 3 up at half time vs Boro and BBD could’ve easily had a hat trick today. We need to find a solution in midfield and get this front quartet firing! New options in both area would help 👍🏼

Wow, don’t let the truth get in the way of a good story eh? Actual spend this summer closer to £3m on Hyam, Szmodics and Brittain with potential to increase to close to £5.5m. Based on how good Hyam is, if they’d spent the full £3m on him it would’ve been fine! The other two have been positive additions too and but for injuries would likely be fans favourites, and the rest were loans 🤷🏽‍♂️ But yes, they need to back him this month. A midfielder and two forwards please…send Mola and Hirst back 👍🏼

Excellent post, finally some balance! Happy new year guys 💙

And just because you don’t understand it doesn’t mean it’s not possible pal. Happy new year 👍🏼

I’ve explained my rationale re 4 of the 6 having a positive impact on our current position, based on the mess we were in when 6 of our first 15 left in the summer. Re The Irish fullback…we don’t have a clue about what went on. So it looks odd, but without the benefit of any context we’re just guessing. Re The Plan - it’s a simple as this. The summer was the first time they’ve appointed a strategic figure AND that party openly talked about ‘a plan’ 👍🏼 The world would be very odd if we all held the same opinions. I’ve provided mine on all of the above points. Judging on the interaction and individuals who’ve contacted me personally to show their agreement, I think it’s fair to say those opinions are shared with some on here. Completely understand that you don’t feel the same. Hope you can respect my opinion and leave it there 👍🏼

Football needs real planning and a formula. I have never seen either from Venkys until the summer. The appointment of GB in theory is their first move towards a strategic approach and we’ve seen some players sign extensions since so fingers crossed 🤞🏽

It’s relevant for sure, one win in 5 is worrying form, but not surprising. Go back to my post on the summer leavers and it’s clear that we were alarmingly short of players and backfilling with U23’s. So it makes sense that even with the incomings, a few injuries and poor form of Travis, BBD and Gallagher (Key players) we’re now struggling.