If we're to ever get near the prem again in the next 10 years we quite simply need to utilise the loan market. Forest would have been nowhere near promotion last season without their loanees. We've had a few good ones in the past few seasons but still fell way short. Which ultimately means Greg needs to shape up, his first few loan signings have been garbage for the most part. Mola and Hirst both struck me as being panic signings late on and neither has inspired whatsoever. Morton in fairness shows spells of looking quality but it's usually when we're on top in games, otherwise he has a tendency to go missing. The type of player I'd say we miss above anything else is a bit of a prick in the Joey Barton mould, we're far too nicey nicey. Nobody immediately springs to mind but I'm not paid handsomely to think of such players like our DOF is. Over to you Greg.

Well we'll still be in the top 6 (just) regardless tonight, so the stock response of "look where we are in the league" despite the tripe being served up will live on a bit longer yet. It really is baffling how we're 3rd as things stand, you'd imagine not for much longer though as others pick up the pace for the business end of the season. If BBD is carrying a knock as reported then he won't play, inclined to think he just wants a bit of time out of the limelight though. I suppose one things we have in our favour is our recent head to head record with Boro, they must have playing us. On the flip side Sam Gallagher loves playing against then. Based on this I'm going for a 1 nil home win, Gallagher the scorer from the edge of the box.

I think the only good thing about yesterday was the fact they sold whisky in the bar, a rare treat at a football ground. Utter crap served up again by the team, they were equally as bad which made losing even worse. Sky must surely realise they've fucked up keep showing our games, I'm struggling to watch them so god help any neutrals who tune in.

There's around 2k of us making the trip, that's excellent given the circumstances. Had it been a 3pm kick off I've no doubts it would have been sold out. It is what it is though, at least we'll be back on home soil a bit earlier, albeit half cut 🥴

A lot of us are taking it easy on Xmas Day because we've got an early start boxing day (thanks again Sky). Now that won't be so bad if we put in a shift and get a win. If we roll over again though you're gonna have one hell of a pissed off away end! As always the brief is obvious, score first.

JDT's comments alluded to his lack of game time being down to fitness, which I find hard to believe really with Dolan as he always seems a bundle of energy. He looked a lot more confident and ultimately productive last night and should definitely start boxing day. I've always maintained I'd absolutely hate to play against Dolan and it was clearly how Hanley felt as he gripped him at one point and also another of their players fumed at him late on.

It was Hyam

We were all saying the same about dack, now he's getting a go.

He's never had anything right since he's been on here

Why lie? Very odd behaviour

Hell of a lot better. Basically did what the fans have been asking for. And THAT is exactly why we've been so fucking mad, the stubbornness to not do so. Travis I'm afraid shouldn't be anywhere near the armband again, questionable about the pitch. He at least needs some time out. JRC deserves a special mention. Above all else PASSION today, where the hell was it in the derby games though? I'd like to think it's been highlighted to the team how pissed off we were at the lack of it lately, or maybe it came naturally I don't know.

Hyam

Really quite tragic those sales figures, surely the worst EVER sales for the league cup? I can't say anything BTW, I've no intention of going unless we buck our ideas up massively at weekend........

Massive pfttttttttttt about this one. I wanted him to put things right after the dingle debacle, he failed in THE worst possible fashion. All I can say is its a good job me and my pals filled our boxing day coach to Sunderland before the dingle game or we'd probably be struggling! Not one to hold grudges and most instances can forgive people but if he doesn't change things up, again, there's a good chance of something being thrown through the TV.

Chaddy get over the 3rd in the league bollocks we won't be there in May, when it actually means something. After the next 2 games, playing like we are its almost certain we won't even be in the top 6. Losing to Burnley in the manner we did was utterly disgraceful, admittedly you can't pin full blame on the manager as the players were awful and must share some of the blame. In fairness Burnley are looking decent now and should go up. Preston aren't even a good team though so to get battered off them doesn't bode well at all for the remainder of the season. Norwich next up, almost certain defeat then Sunderland who are more than capable of banging a few in. I can take losing football games, it's inevitable. What I can't take is the manner of the defeats in the last 2 games. If he hasn't got the players to play how he wants to he should alter the fucking tactics! He's most certainly got a squad of players capable of beating Preston at his disposal.

You're largely basing this opinion on the Mowbray tenure though, which yes was baffling. We've no way of knowing if JDT will be viewed in the same light as him with these crackpot owners. Most likely outcome is that he might walk, he's an ambitious man and he's doing his career no favours at present. It's reminiscent of Cocu at Derby, his stubborn insistence on playing style was nothing short of a disaster but he stuck to it. Landed another job in Holland because of his exploits at PSV. JDT still maintains a good spell in Sweden and as a coach for the Danes so would find work...

You said when did they quickly sack a manager after taking away Coyle...

Berg was sacked after 57 days Matty

Because its a JDT thread for people's opinions on the manager? TM aside, they haven't had any issues potting previous managers?

Please can you leave?

Get rid now. It's literally the definition of insanity being served up, doing the same shit time after time but expecting a different outcome. He's too stubborn to deviate from his 'project' too.

We've played well about 2 games all season. Our position is absolutely going to change, we're incredibly lucky to be even near the top 6. Rolling over against Burnley was unforgivable, repeating it against P N fucking E with half a team out injured is the final straw for me. Go Tomorrow

I think I want him gone. This ain't working out.

It's surely got to be on. Still remember well playing Bolton away on boxing day one year when all the surrounding car parks etc were sheer black ice and nobody batted an eyelid! Surrounding areas my arse.

I should really be excited for the return of the championship, being brutally honest though I still don't think I'm completely over that shitshow at the turf. Nothing more than a Preston pasting is acceptable here to get me back on side. There's gonna be some random results this weekend that's for sure, hopefully our excellent home form can help us to a win. That's if Ewood can handle the cold snowy weather.....