I used the word 'sterile' on a previous post with regards to the Premier League. Players diving, VAR nonsense, eyelashes offside...it's spoiled the in-the-moment excitement. I'd rather watch La Liga these days, than the PL. To be fair to Dyche though, at least his players play hard.

Good players who are well drilled and coached, should be able to play different systems. Therein lies the problem.

All managers have a shelf life at any club. Mowbray has generally done a decent job, but after 3 seasons now in the Championship, it's obvious he's not taking us any further. That's no slur on him, it's just the reality of his level of ability.

What a great post. The biggest thing which irked me yesterday was Mowbray bring on the City lad at full back to replace Nyambe. We supposedly have a good prospect - Pike - at right back, so why on earth does Mowbray choose to play a loanee instead, and even worse, play him out of position?

https://www.instagram.com/p/CKrGJNooJSW/

The same situation for me. I was hoping to see the name of a gentleman I used to sit next to in the JW passed last year. I think the club put something on social media somewhere though, with a list of deceased fans, players.

Amazing really considering the size of clubs we're competing with.

Top top top top - top of the league 👌

BBC report on Ben Davies joining Liverpool.. 'Burnley were also interested but it is understood Preston were not keen to sell a local rival.' Delusions of grandeur from the nobbers, or an attempt at putting the Dingles in their place? 🤣

Scrappy game, but we stuck at it and ground the win out. I'll take that over poncy tippy tap any day.

The BBE was rocking that day. As it was in the first PL home game against Arsenal. Great times.

A City supporting mate of mine often mentions that one to me!

Coldest for me ... Roker Park '86. Lost 3-0 to boot IIRC Perishing that place.

I personally wouldn't be keen on Hughes. His success with us was over a decade ago. I'd rather that we looked forwards.

Waggott should be hauled over the coals for this. It's 100% on his watch.

The state of the pitch is obviously an issue. What irks me with Mowbray's comments though, is him publically calling it out as he has on the back of yet another dismal showing, and seemingly laying the blame on it for the result. The pitch didn't stop Rothwell running 30 yards, nor Armstrong latching on and finishing. The pitch wasn't the reason why we gifted yet another goal from a set play. It wasn't the reason why Stoke were the better side.

I don't necessarily agree with the view that the players are all that much. Mowbray has reached his ceiling and has taken us as far as he's capable, but I'm not convinced another manager would get that much more out of this set of players. A better manager would find better players though.

I think we agree! I'd love nothing more that for us to go out and stick 5 past Swansea on Tuesday. That wouldnt change my view though; looking at Mowbray's tenure holistically and realistically, he's run his course, we ain't going anywhere soon, and a change is needed.

Did I say I was happy with the manager? Did I say I was 'happy with any old rubbish' ? Err...no I didn't. My view is quite the contrary, thanks all the same. Mowbray is a busted flush; sooner or later he will be gone. In the meantime, I never want us to lose, whereas some people apparently are.

It really isn't.

Unbelievable wanting us to ever lose. Each to their own I guess.

So you'd prefer Rovers to lose rather than get a point? With 'fans' like you....

I think there's more of a player in Buckley than we are currently seeing. But he needs to start showing it before his career fizzles out. He's definitely not a right back, that's for sure.

The missed chance by Buckley summed it up for me; there's no winners in the side. A winner would have busted a gut to get the ball over the line.

Good spot - you could well be right. Which then begs the question of how many 'free' senior slots we have, and whether we need to move someone out to make room for a defender loan?