Mashed Potatoes

I'm expressing an opinion. In fact I am not saying we "can't" improve on Mowbray, just that (1) I would like to know the facts of what offer would actually be on the table for a new manager with regard to finances and control over transfers and (2) having made 7 managerial appointments in 9 years the owners' track record is that Mowbray is as good as they get. I have to guess as to the answer to (1) - as does everyone else - but my guess is that the offer would not be attractive to many of the more established managers. In the circumstances I stick with Mowbray as at least he is keeping us out of trouble.

I think in some respects you are right in that Hill is the sort of manager that probably would be hired. I think if you look back on the various posts there have been on this issue over the last few months the "Mowbray Out" brigade are assuming that a manager with a more convincing track record or potential than Hill would be hired - whereas I think they would be disappointed.

My answer is that "Mowbray Out" is only part of a sentence. To sensibly address the management issue requires information as to the FFP position that the club is in , the funds if any that the owners want to commit and the process for identifying the mysterious "better manager out there" that so many claim to know of. Only then would anyone be able to say with a reasonable degree of confidence that the next manager attracted to the club will be an improvement. In the meantime I will sit back and watch your one man pitch invasion in protest at the manager.

As you are the man with all the answers I nominate you as the first.

Do you have any knowledge as to how the club think we are placed in relation to FFP ?

I assure you I would not blithely dismiss alternatives. My mindset is that the mediocre Mowbray represents with Bowyer and Lambert the highest calibre of managerial performance we have had with Venky's ownership with their other 4 appointments performing worse. Yes, it is depressing. It is not difficult to rattle off names of people who are better but the problem is (1) can the owners do what we can and identify them (2) will those managers be put off by Venky's reputation and (3) is the club facing FFP constraints which would be a serious deterrent to taking the job.

I don't think Brown ever played for them ? He only seemed to be there about a week. Unfortunately he has issues off the field which is a pity as he is a great player.

You have missed out half of your sentence because you haven't said who comes in to replace him.

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.