6 hours ago, S8 & Blue said:

Time will tell.

But I’m not up for turning the card table over just in case the next hand has an (overhyped) Jokanovic.

Think he's got promoted to the premier league twice in recent years, Fulham and Watford I think so he's an upgrade on what we have at the moment.

2 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

I agree With @S8 & Blue that Jokanovic is overhyped. Seem more obsess with his wage pocket then owt. Hasnt got the WBA job due to wage demands. Was reported at 1.5 mil I think. 

I'd give the guy 5 million a year if he got us up. You don't get out of this league by cutting corners. If he's overhyped then what is our current manager? 

Some on here really can't see the bowyer effect has kicked in and been here from the start. Just wait till the better players leave, Mowbray gets sacked and we hire another coyle and go down because that's the route it's heading.

I think they'll back him for one more season and then cut ties. Said in January it was go big or go bust and he's picked the go bust option.

That was the one and only chance to sneak 6th and try and win the lottery but he wanted to build slowly slowly. Unfortunately it's in the backwards direction though.

21 minutes ago, bluebruce said:

It seems that either way though, you're loose. I'd recommend a visit to your GP. Perhaps a less active night life.

It's more realism of the current situation and zero confidence in the management. I'd rather win anyway but going off recent form and our shit defence and lack of tactics manager, that doesn't look likely.

I'd rather let the younger players give it a go and possibly stumble on a potential first teamer or two than play the "tried and failed" usuals.

Anyone who expects Smallwood and the like to improve are bloody insane.

Heavy loss here and the same old dull players used and the manager should be sacked for me.

I'd rather loose and play Chapman, Buckley and the likes than loose and play Smallwood, Evans and Bennet.

Think I'd even have Conway on the wing before Bennet which says a lot about Bennet. Brilliant marathon runner. Poor football player.

Just now, chaddyrovers said:

I dont agree. 

Why? Why are they not easier to get rid of now?

I can understand the club dishing a contract out to a Dack or a Graham, your better players because they have options. Where was Smallwood, Williams and Bennet going to go in the summer better than Rovers? 

Rotherham ditched Smallwood. That should tell anyone everything about his level of ability.

Just now, chaddyrovers said:

All footballers/missus do now..its the modern times. 

I used to see McCarthy and Samba out in Manchester after a game drinking and dancing but no comment about that

I think it's more because they seem to care more about going out and flashing it about in public than they care about application and effort on the pitch.

I couldn't give a toss what they do in their own time but when performances on the pitch are pathetic which includes the likes of Dack, Mulgrew, Travis and the like the  it's more than understandable that supporters get pissed off.

You earn your wage by performing regularly. Not having a spell of 4 games being won then 2 months off, rinse and repeat. 

They should have clauses in their contracts that state you don't perform you don't get your full £15k or £20k wage. Watch how many turn into prime players then.

2 hours ago, Pedro said:

He gets the chances to easily be a twenty odd goal a year striker. Like I said, I like him but he has massive flaws to his game.

Better career and player than Jordan Rhodes. 

5 hours ago, old darwen blue said:

Incorrect. 

This is the correct answer. 

Unless another billionaire owner comes along then this club and not many in the championship will survive over the course of a few years. We could be losing £20 million plus each year which adds up quickly.

If you were a local wealthy person, why would you buy into Rovers besides from being a fan? We've no worldwide exposure or the premier league. Venkys would want their £130 million back so it could cost a crazy amount to get the club.

And there would need to be a heavy investment into player staff to dream of promotion. You could easily be looking at £150-£160 million before even looking into yearly costs. 

Rovers are 100% reliant on Venkys and their money. We are probably still shelling money out in the millions. There isn't likely to be another billionaire who would randomly be interested in Rovers so if they left we would be fucked well and truly.

I'm no fan of them but they are needed at the moment. That's why promotion is more important than anything else at the moment. 

Just now, chaddyrovers said:

Off the out of contract players I would released Luetwiler, Downing, Gladwin. Undecided on Rodwell depending on his fitness and where he will play and how we are going to play, Conway undecided as his experience would be good and I would see him here as a coach aswell working with the under 23's with Johnson

I would also sell Williams, Smallwood, Samuel. 

I would deffo keep Bennett here 

Possible sell Nuttall if we get a good deal or if he wants more 1st team football and depending whether we get a new striker in. 

Not sure if we will be able to sign Reed up next season and also depends how Southampton want for him and what our budget is

Would I sell Dack? nope. not even for 20 million pounds. 

so next season squad

Keeper - Raya, new keeper, Fisher(depending if he given the chance to play 1st team football at league 2 club)

defender - Nyambe, Lenihan, Mulgrew, Bell, Possible Rodwell who could play both positions CB and CM), New Right back, centre back(maybe 2 if Wharton or Grayson leaves) new left back

Centre Midfielder- Travis, Evans, Davenport, Buckley, New Centre midfielder

Wide Players - Bennett, Rothwell, Chapman, Armstrong, new wide player

Striker - Graham, Dack, Brereton, new striker

 

So basically a full new team? Hope we start off early then. In all honesty I think we'll be lucky to get 4 new players that the manager deems good enough quality to be first team starters.

I also think Rothwell will leave in the summer due to a lack of playing time.

45 minutes ago, Ossydave said:

Hell fire people STILL harping on about the big money we've spent when you don't actually know the terms of the deal! 

What I do know is that Rovers were never in a position to spend one of their larger fees on an unproven teenager whose become the main issue and talking point among the fans because of the managers piss poor excuse for recruitment and tactical setup.

It was all about balance in the summer. Yes we needed a forward but we needed defenders as well. Instead we got 101 inverted wingers and a team full of central midfielders and utility players. 

You made a point earlier as well about players in this league starting regularly and doing well. 

Leeds have two young lads below 20, Middlesbrough have a lad called wing. West Brom have been playing field and Harper (who ironically was shit under this manager)

Brentford had merpham I think his name is for the first half of the season who went to bournmouth. They also play Konsa at centre back.

Tyler Roberts up front for Leeds is 20/21? Plays in near enough every game either starting or 30 minute cameos.

So I'll ask you the question. Is it normal to commit one of your larger figures to a teenager and play him for very little minutes if at all?

And can you honestly say he's the managers signing because I don't know anymore. If he is he should fall on his sword for negligence of financial funds. If he isn't he should have walked and stated why. His stock was on the up and he would have had offers.

He's also doing the same with Chapman but that's another story on it's own. Fit for pulis, unfit for Mowbray. Why?

16 minutes ago, Biz said:

Well starting with midfield, you’ve got Travis - who looks the real deal. Behind him, Davenport, Buckley etc

In attack, BB, Rankin C, Nuttall, Butterworth, etc

In Defence, Magliore, Wharton, Doyle and those already in the first 18, Nyambe, Lenihan etc.

Finally - Raya. Still only young, can only get better but despite a few mistakes and slack distribution- I think we’ve got a potential first team stalwart for years to come.

 

Travis got in the team because the dynamic duo in Smallwood and Evans wasn't available. It was an accident who was going to league 1 before we ended up on low numbers. 

Davenport hasn't kicked a ball for the first team and seems to be giving gladwin a run for the most injured player of the season award.

Besides from the magloire lad every other player hasn't kicked a ball in anger for us so can't pin any hopes on them. I think a few are also getting carried away with him. He's played 1 game. Let's judge after 10 or 20.

Weren't you saying in January that Brereton was a waste of money and that we needed to buy a new forward?

All you've got to look at is in two full years. We conceded just as much as we did under coyle and if not for the good start would be in a very similar situation to him this season.

Raya is still under dispute. Has he really improved since last year? 

Nuttal is a BTEC Jason Roberts

3 minutes ago, Biz said:

It’s the same in every situation Tom.

Doesn’t matter what happens - people will find criticism. The example of last season (that you actually help make) for criticism due to “only” finishing 2nd is a perfect one. If football was ever as simple as most cash = best players = most trophies, none of us would watch it.

The minimum expectation was an immediate return. Despite the squad turnover and poor start - this was easily achieved. I simply don’t agree in way in which this achievement is glossed over for criticism, much like being safe this season is.

Club/team is well on the right track for me.

How do we assess any manager that we have then? Either now or in the future. Last season's target was promotion. This seasons was getting a foothold in the championship. But next season or the one after that? If we are still between 15th and 10th after that are we hitting targets?

That's the only reason I get on his back because we need to improve every year but he's been here two years and hasn't sorted the defence as an example. Why would that change in another two years? If you understand my point.

1 hour ago, Biz said:

That said. If we had been in the playoffs this season, the criticism would be why aren’t we going for automatic!

If you think that’s not true, just remember twelve months ago - people criticised the team for not winning the league...

You had me up till this point. A manager and his team should be able to adapt to changing situations. To be on the edge of the playoffs and not go for it was criminal because it's taking for granted that we will improve next season. I don't know if you were around during the bowyer time but it's very similar. Close to playoffs. Don't achieve them. A season or two of averageness and then mass selling. 

I also think your trying to dig at people who wanted us to go for the playoffs by saying "oh you would have wanted automatics next". No one mentioned that but let's look at it this way. Everyone and their dog wanted the defence strengthened in January. It didn't happen and look at results afterwards. It validated that worry ten fold. 

Also he should have won the league 1 cup. He had the most funds. The best team and the best three individuals in the league in Mulgrew, Dack and Graham. When your centre half scores more than most strikers do you SHOULD win the league.

42 minutes ago, Bigdoggsteel said:

Yes, I know the stats, was asking if he had watched them 

Their proper good at defending crosses and set pieces with a good structured back line but slow. In other words. They've not conceded in 7/8 games.

It's like asking if Rovers have played well recently even though the stats say we only had 1 point from 20+ before the Wigan game.

14 minutes ago, Bigdoggsteel said:

Have you watched Wednesday since we beat them? How would you say they have improved? 

Dont think they have conceded in 6/7 games? That would be my guess.

I don't think you get the chance to build slowly in the championship. Let's look at next season. We are going to need 7/8 players to either go in the team or strengthen the squad.

Norwich for example have had a handful come through the youth and brought 3/4 in by very good business. So even they haven't built slowly.

It depends what is meant by building slowly though. Is it 2 players a window? Or 3/4 million spent per window? You don't get the chance to build slowly and like someone else has said. Reed most likely won't be here next season.

Mulgrew is looking busted at this level. Dack may decide to leave and Graham can't keep defying the odds every year. The chance for me was this season as the manager hasn't shown he's a transfer guru, he's more a get 1 good player then get 4 bad players. 

Or he'll sign players and not use them, like now, if the season is near enough secured then get a few younger players in as well as your Rothwells, Chapmans and Breretons and see if they can handle it for next season.

We've got to identify and address whose good enough, who isn't so that once the summer kicks in we can be quick off the mark and get positions dealt with with good business. Qualify over quantity.

By the way I'm sure you were backing the bolonga rumour even though myself and a few others said it was crazy, money should go elsewhere. Could be wrong though?

2 hours ago, blueboy3333 said:

Fantasy to think well be signing Villa and Bristol City's 1st teamers in the summer or that we'll be looking to go above them next season. 

And your reasoning is? If Rovers intend to push on then they need to challenge teams in the market as well as the league.

The two lads are on loan. If Rovers want to lift the place and set a tone for the players and fans to follow then it has to be more quality and less quantity.

Many on here would claim we can sign Reed which to me is even more fantasy than them two.

2 hours ago, blueboy3333 said:

Never thought I'd advocate a back 3  but that's maybe the way to go considering our use of wingers is a joke. We put the lowest number of crosses in the box in the league, or close to the lowest. Rothwell and Dack behind Graham might be more productive. 

Again this worked once against a Wigan team that literally give us the game. When you look at the potential team next season you've got players like Armstrong and Chapman to get into the team along with Dack or Rothwell. 

We only ever play one up front so the thought of Chapman and/or Armstrong having a defensive duty with no one behind them is suicide. For me it's got to be 4231 to allow Dack as much freedom as possible. Have two wide players and two fallbacks.

Simple and effective as the manager can't do anything complex well. It failed in league 1 and will fail in the championship unless we signed top top quality in this league who would drag the formation to success.

To sort out the defence I'd go for the following.

Patrick Bauer 

Axel tuanzebe

Jay da silva

Players out would be

Mulgrew or Downing 

Williams

Can't see why that would be unreasonable. Tuanzebe and Da Silva are meant to be having good individual seasons and I'd hope teams like Villa and Bristol city are who we are aiming to get above next season.

33 minutes ago, JacknOry said:

TM has done this a few times before in the past, answering the supporters calls to actually setup the team to go at the oppo - and it usually works. Just wish he did it more often rather than just as a throw of the dice to get us out of a bad run. I had absolutely no complaints with that lineup considering the players we had available.

Reed and Travis finally in CM together like many of us have been calling for. Two up top with Dack behind as well. Could this 3-5-2 finally be a formation that could work for us? If it is, we need to get BB alongside DG for some games as we really need to start seeing some return on that investment now and he might just suit being in a front two.

Was it bravery selecting Magloire or little other choice? Either way, sink or swim and the lad definitely swam. To be a young lad making your debut at the best of times can be a nervy and tough affair but this lad did it in our worst run of results in quite some time and in a position where mistakes are often punished. He grabbed the opportunity with both hands, got in Garners face, was very vocal on the pitch and showed that he was big, strong, fast and athletic. He can be very proud of himself for his performance.

So, this means we're safe from relegation - no chance we're going down now. I would be using the remaining games to blood Magloire in more to see if he can develop and potentially be one less CB that we will need to purchase in the summer. I would also keep working on this formation for the remainder of the season and go at teams more - nothing to lose now. 

Would add players like Buckley and Butterworth to that list as well. 

7 hours ago, Mercer said:

Didn't think Travis and Reed made the most of their opportunity and I was a bit disappointed with both.  I felt that for most of the match they played too deep. 

Odd how people can see a game differently. I thought there was a few occasions where they were to far up the pitch at the same time.

A few Wigan attacks I was wondering where the midfield was as they walked through the middle with the ball. Luckily they wouldn't have scored if we played all night.

8 hours ago, neophox said:

Great win and Nice for Tyler! We should try and get Powell in next season playing with Dack?

Might be a delusion of grandeur from me but I genuinely think Rothwell can be a better player than him.

Hooooooldddddddd 

Hope Mowbray isn't taking defensive tips from Cook and this Wigan team.

Just now, blueboy3333 said:

Is this humour?

Well if he's playing for us in disguise can it be considered an over hit back pass? 

Corry Evans just scored for Wigan.