Tyrone Shoelaces

Our " current style of play ", would you like to describe it for me ?

There are no " shoe ins " for this team !

Peter Dobing played for both Rovers and Stoke. A real class player.

How would you know ?

Our points total suggested we may have had a chance of the playoffs but the way we were playing didn't.

A very elegant and constructive midfield player who could always pop up with a goal or two. Somebody once called him " A poor man's Martin Peters " which give you an idea of his style of play. He'd walk into the current team, he's just what we are short of. I remember him having a wonderful game against Middlesboro in a League Cup tie at Ewood. He got 2 goals that night. Thanks for the memories Barrie.

Yeah, he's quick as well, that's another vital attribute !

That's the issue in a nutshell. Get the ball into your opponents and do all you can to keep it there. Having 4 defensive midfield players will never allow you to do that.

That could easily happen with this lot " in charge ".

One of the things I learnt regarding full back play is that you have to be looking over your shoulder constantly. This means every couple of seconds when the opposition have the ball. That way you don't get ambushed on the back post.

You should always play the system that fits the skill set of your players and not shoe horn the players into a system that doesn't bring out the best in them. Having said that given Mowbray's signings I expect a 1-9-1 formation next season.

From previous experience with the Chicken Chokers it will be somebody so far out in left field they won't be on anybody's list. Who had Mowbray in the frame last time ? My 50p would go on someone like Keith Hill !

I don't say give Johnno the job, I'd give him a go until the end of the season and see how he goes on. I'm well aware of the "successful caretaker syndrome " a la Darren Moore but I can't see how he wouldn't get more out of our existing squad. Knowing these fools they'll sack the whole coaching staff and put Dunny in charge !

To be honest - who would you fancy us to beat at the moment ?

Players can hit the wall all of a sudden. I can remember Bobby Smith playing centre forward for Spurs and England in the early Autumn of one season and playing for Brighton in the old Fourth Division at the end of the same season. One day instead of getting to the ball nice and smoothly most of the time you find yourself sort of " reaching " for the ball. That was my experience anyway. You're just that bit off the pace of the game. It can come on over a close season.

Another one ? He looks to be a tall lad, maybe he can play centre half like Mulgrew, Rodwell, Lenihan etc.

Unless it's Lenihan and Williams ?

There's one or two you could say that about, Hart and the Marquee signing that was Whittingham.

That's two results I wouldn't have predicted.

I thought I'd posted earlier that I'd sack Mowbray and Venus tomorrow morning and give Johnno the job for the next 7 games. If he can't improve things look for a new manager ASAP. Of course I'm talking as though we were being run by sentient people who understand football. As we aren't I may as well save my breath. Anybody know where my earlier post went to ?

Yeah, he was crap. What else do you want to know ?

Who knows ? Did you expect Bolton to win at Reading yesterday ? If I was that smart I'd be typing this from St Tropez instead of Rochdale.

How many of those teams will have the " Nothing to play for " mentality when the games roll around ?

4 points out of a possible 30 ? We'd do well to get to 20 points at that rate next season !

It's a big step up. How Mowbray though last seasons team would be up to the challenge is beyond me.