I'm with Chaddy on this one. Despite the throwaway remarks of others since last night, he's clearly not saying we shouldn't aim for a good start and it's unfair to suggest he is, but he is correct in the sense that it's a marathon not a sprint. A good start doesn't guarantee success, nor vice versa. On paper, our opening game is one of, if not the, toughest all season. We won't go up, stay in the Champ or go down depending on whether we win, lose or draw that match. If anything, the Wycombe game is more important in view of past experience, as that's the type of game we historically struggle with. In any event I'm 100% certain the aim is to go into the Bournemouth game with a new LB & CB. The club is clearly not just sitting their twiddling it's thumbs in that respect. Whether it happens or not remains to be seen, but good late arrivals did happen last season (Tosin, Cunningham) which supports Chaddy's premise that clubs on a budget can do their best business later in the window once realism dawns on a few players, agents and their parent clubs that their wage / transfer fee expectations need reining in. Oh and Chaddy, you forgot to mention that it was the much-vaunted Warnock who was in charge at Cardiff during their slow start last season. Just sayin'! ?

If I had a chicken that could reach Darwin, I'd be pretty chuffed. ?

Unfair. Ignores the clear development seen in the likes of Armstrong & Dack, and the tangible advancement of numerous academy graduates past & present during TM's reign. Plus the potential for improvement in several other signings. There's plenty for Mowbray to crow about when trying to sell the club, despite having uninterested owners.

Yet again, the good work being done by Mowbray is being overlooked / selectively ignored or brushed off as being pure good luck, with the less successful work (to date) being Mowbray's fault. The man can't win. If he's going to be hung out to dry for signings, team selections & tactical decisions that go wrong (as managers should be), he should also be credited for what goes well; it's just basic fairness. Yet he's the one who gets criticism for a perceived lack of integrity / decency for continuing to work for Venkys...

So disappointing to be reading again on the transfer thread about Mowbray's lack of integrity / decency / pension pot. Yes I'm sure his salary dwarfs most ours on here but do folk seriously think that's the only reason he's been here for 3+ years? He could get a decent job elsewhere now if he left, he's repaired his reputation in the game (should that have been his original intention, which I doubt) as nearly everyone whose asked about it outside of Ewood thinks that overall he's done a great job in hugely adverse circumstances. So maybe he's staying precisely because he has integrity as he wants to help the club progress further and return to some of its former glories despite the owners for the sake of the club, the fans, and the town; unlike say Lambert, who couldn't wait to leave? I really can't help thinking that were he to leave, we'd be in similar straits to Ipswich following the departure of Mick McCarthy. On here at least, I don't think his contribution to the turnaround at this club will be properly appreciated until he's gone, which is a shame.

But I assume he was asked why, given what Chapman did on Saturday, why didn't he feature more? TM answered the question, he needs more effort from him. He's obviously told Chapman directly time & again, but doesn't feel he's getting results. As for Bennett, TM's said quite publicly that he's not the most skilful of footballers, but likes his work effort & graft. I don't think any one will argue with that assessment? In that respect, Bennett & Chapman are complete opposites. Isn't it often said that fans won't criticise lack of ability, but will criticise lack of effort? Plus Bennett is too old to improve, Chapman isn't. TM clearly likes Chapman's talent, so is probably more frustrated than anyone that he isn't listening. It's another case of TM being damned if he does, damned if he doesn't.

Concur. Could be good for his longevity too. He could watch vids of Tugay & learn his it's done properly, might give him another 6-8 years.

Not sure I'm hearing too much wrong with what TM is saying there TBH; he's looking after the team isn't he? We all talk about needing to defend better as a team, conceding too many goals. If the way Chapman plays, & his lack of effort in tracking back leaves Nyambe or whoever exposed, then that's a massive black mark against him isn't it?

That's the one, cheers! What a great season he had for us in 91/92, there was no doubting his ability or commitment.

Totally agree re Cunningham. For us to challenge for promotion, Bell & Williams both need to be cover not 1st choice, and Evans needs to find consistency or be replaced by Davenport (or Whiteman sounds promising). But they're all 3 solid, if unspectacular, players at this level I think. You could probably say the same of Mowbray. I think he is potentially only 4 good signings away from having a really strong squad. A 1st & 2nd choice keeper, CB and LB can do it, provided we avoid long term injuries such as those that happened to Dack & Cunningham and which can't really be legislated for.

I hope that's not whoever our new 'keeper is gonna be...

Just, wonderful. What's the phrase? Better to have loved & lost than never to have loved at all? Sigh.

I do think many of our players are vastly undervalued on this site sometimes, just like Mowbray himself is. eg Bell is frustrating at times, but not without ability, and he was looking much improved last season until his injury. eg Williams is an Eire international; that doesn't happen without having ability, and the manager who gave him his debut for them followed by subsequent caps in qualifying matches is one whom many on here would swap Mowbray for in a heartbeat. eg Evans is a fulcrum of NI's success. He has his limits & has also been frustrating during his tenure, but again is a good quality player at this level and probably played his best football for us last season. They're players other managers will want. They're not irreplaceable and should be improved upon if we are to have a realistic chance of top 6, but to suggest that we are relegation fodder if we start the season with a back 4 of Nyambe, Lenihan, Williams / Wharton & Bell, with Travis & Evans in front of them, is a bit far fetched IMO.

They're both lemons.

There's surely only one isn't there? "Bouncebackability." Wonderful. Take a bow Iain Dowie.

This thread was showing "hot" when I switched on to read whilst I was having my tea. Turns out it wasn't even lukewarm... ☹

It does seem rather draconian, but then maybe that's what's needed to give a chance for most clubs at that level to survive until crowds can return. I think, in these extraordinary circumstances, the top PL clubs & the PL itself should be doing more with their colossal TV& global sponsorship money to support these lower league clubs and show some solidarity until "normality" returns. But of course there's a fat cat's chance of that; some would rather pay 6 figure weekly salaries to 31 year old inconsistent free agents... (Arsenal/ Willian springing to mind).

I looked him up on wiki, it looks like he only played 63 games in his whole career across 11 seasons. Theres also something in the MEN about him conceding 15 goal in 4 games for Rochdale whilst on loan from us. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/what-the-dickens-was-matt-doing-as-rochdales-1127141.amp He could actually quite possibly be Rovers worst signing ever, literally; certainly the worst one signed in the modern era, and by King Kenny of all people!!

I don't remember Stuart Metcalfe personally as I think he played before my time as a supporter, but I certainly know his name as someone who is part of the fabric of the club. My dad talks highly of him as do all those who've commented above. Such a shame when news like this is announced, albeit it revives find memories for so many. It sounds like no-one had a bad word to say about him. RIP sir.

Matt Dickins anyone? Signed as cover for Bobby Mimms, played just 1 game for us though (v Wolves I think) and let a long range speculative shot from distance flap through his limp wrists and drop over the line near the end of the match. Think it cost us a draw iirc.

Maybe he's looking to return home; I doubt he's likely to get a Prem move having looked at his stats on wiki. He does seem to tick many of our boxes and appears the sort we should be looking at, being a free agent.

Does anyone know much about Mike van der Hoorn, who's just been released by Swansea? He's a 27 y/o CB, signed from Ajax 4 years ago; been a regular for them in the last 2 seasons besides a spell out last season with a knee injury. Came back to start in their play off semis. Seems a good age, and will probably have to accept a wage cut. Not sure why Swansea aren't renewing his deal though. Edit: Mike Adrianus Wilhelmus van der Hoorn - what's not to like about a guy with a name like that?!

We did get one though, Cunningham, who most agree was a very good signing but sadly got a season ending injury half a dozen games or so after signing. So of course the extra year in Bell's contract would be triggered. Even if a new LB was signed in January, Bell would still have been needed as cover.

I like JRC and think he is an exciting prospect. He certainly appears to have natural ability and a forward thinking attitude, and doesn't seem afraid of getting into dangerous positions and taking responsibility for a shot. However I don't think I've seen much to indicate creativity. His pass for Gallagher at Sheff Wed was sublime though. I'm hoping to see more of him in a more naturally attacking role next season and all power to him; he seems like a swashbuckling up n downer type to me rather than someone blessed with creative wizardry.