Probably was 10 years ago now.

Remember James Thomas? Scored in league cup.. Then scored in his league debut.. Never to be seen again. Games to give academy a chance? Ha! What chance?

Dont tell me what to do young man! Is this your board? Ideas above your station fella.

Turns 48 Today. Signed for Rovers as a 22 year old from Southampton. Unreal how time moves on. I feel so old I could cry.

Hodgson at the time.. 'There are too many riders on the funds to spend to make it interesting' At the time, these were cryptic words. It is now known JW preferred young talent that would have a resale value. This ruled out players over 25 years old it is believed. RH wanted well known established internationals.

Blame Jack Walker. Hodgson wanted to sign proven experience.

Didn't score too many at brum, but intellegent fans would have noticed other aspects, such as his all round play and seen promise there. A bit like our numpty fans looked at Kevin Davies and saw a dolloper.. Whereas an intelligent football man like Sam allardyce saw something else entirely.

We'd get Gallagher for 3m.. We won't though.. Loan at best.

Been to pride park on a break from work(driver).. Seemed out of the way on a retail estate.. Not somewhere you'd ride past on the way to somewhere.. Maybe my memory is playing tricks though.

Millwalls 2nd against the post they just ambled through.. Didn't even have to work to create the chance.. Shocking.

I genuinely thought the football was awful.. I took the dogs out. Couldn't take any more of it.

My 'Rhetoric' is anti Venkys. Always will be. We will never progress with them as owners. On our way back? You must be joking.

All things being equal.. The simplest explanation is usually the correct one.. TM being fcked about from those on high.

I don't believe for one second any deal will be loan-to-buy.. The picture is becoming clear now and its pointing to the same old story.

So even you are suggesting things haven't gone as hoped? Wonders will never cease!

Not hopeful at all of incomings, and that first half v Millwall is as poor as I've seen us, inc Coyle. Dire stuff.

Wrong thread.

The USA player he wanted? Defensive midfielder. Its how he sees it.

Point being, in our set up, the two in the middle are defensive midfielders. TM will never play a creative player in that role, so you may as well accept it. We played that way all last season, so thought you'd be used to it by now.

Bennett played in the 2 in the middle?

Its a tough championship this year to be expecting that. We've just played two of what you'd expect will be the lesser teams, and been well matched. Against sides you'd think will be top half, it will be very tough.

Baby steps.. Slowly slowly.

They arent there to be creative. Our front 4 are.

If we emulate Bolton last season, that would be success.

That would be great. Overachieving.