What was meant was that shouting "you are to blame" at whoever comes in to sight gets nobody anywhere .

Doesn't matter now, does it ? We have to deal with where we are, not with where we would like to be.

Yes, strange that it is difficult for the manager to upgrade in defensive positions.

Maybe injury was an issue for us ?

No I don't think he came here for nothing. My evidence regarding the club's transfer dealings is based on the incomings that have actually incurred over the last 7 years. Incidentally I also have a theory that there are rules laid down by the owners regarding the acceptable age of players for whom transfer fees are paid and may bore you all rigid by posting about that as well.

OK understood but I promise it was meant in a friendly way

I've no idea what went on with Bauer. Is he that good ? Preston have conceded just 2 goals less than us this season. We'll get some idea on Saturday.

Where is the evidence for this £1m loan fee ?

It wasn't smarmy; I liked Oaksey and intended the reference to come over as a friendly gesture. I think if you look at where the money has been spent in the transfer market over the last seven years it is overwhelmingly on forwards and midfielders and very little on defence. I think the reality is that the only managers that will be appointed or at least stay at the club for any length of time are those who are prepared to be leaned on by the owners.

It is certainly not the case that I think Mowbray does no wrong. I have described him as an average manager at Championship level; in his time with us he has a points per game return in this division of just under 1.36 a game which over a season would be about 62 points normally around 13th or so in the league. I agree with you and others that the constant tinkering in team selection does not help; Bennett seems to be at right back now because Nyambe has not been available. You may well be right about Lambert; I would say working for people who don't keep their promises can fairly be described as difficult working conditions.

I don't like the word "liar" because I think all football managers will be diplomatic over certain things that they say in public. However I do think you rightly point to one issue at the club, namely that there will be plenty of managers who would not be attracted to the job here when the owners create such difficult working conditions - that was why Lambert walked.

He got injured early on in the season.

Was it at the manager's instigation that Brereton was signed ? Some of us think not. Your post backs up the point that I was making. All the players that you refer to who on whom a significant financial commitment is made are forwards and midfielders. The evidence points to a club policy that the manager - be it Tony Mowbray or anyone else - has to play around in the bargain basement for defenders and goalkeepers even if their professional judgement is that we would fare better with a more even handed approach.

According to the LET he signed a contract through to June 2021.

Yes entirely possible (you must have been a fan of the late John Oaksey on Channel 4 Racing to be keen on that phrase) is a way of describing it. The evidence is in the club's transfer record.

Not sure of the date he said that but Tosin and Cunningham did come; is it really necessary to use an aggressive phrase like bare faced lies.

Agreed but as I have pointed out it seems pretty likely that the manager - whether it be Tony Mowbray or anyone else - is operating according to a club transfer policy that does not permit him to spend any significant sums on defenders; hence players in other positions are converted.

According to the club's website Damian Johnson is First Team Technical Coach and Head of Player Development. Many on here want him as manager.

Mate, if you think you are being stalked you should see what I get on here. I was up early to put the bins out - back to bed very shortly. Only a few games that have been enjoyable in the last 9 years by the sound of things; you can get less than that for murder these days.

Which manager do you think has served up football worth £28 ?

Didn't they lose to Stoke at home 5-2 last time ?

Yes, I agree

The managers like Paul Lambert who can expect to get another decent job will do as you suggest - the problem is that we are left not being able to get anyone who is not so well enough regarded in the game.

I think you have misread what I said. I have not for one second suggested that there is something wrong with a man crying. What I would say is that we sympathise - whilst not all men who cry will commit suicide but I would surmise that most men who commit suicide will have been crying. I don't want to take this on any further because myself and the poster with whom I initially disagreed have agreed that this is now closed.

I think Brereton's name will have been put to him after the owners and their representatives came up with the idea and asked him for his opinion. I agree he probably then did something along the lines of what you say and ok'd it having been told there was no alternative signing lined up.