ben_the_beast

Makes no sense whatsoever as we need a centre back. But living in dreamland for a moment Billy Gilmore is looking to leave Chelaea on loan today. Hope he doesn't go to a Championship club as he has the ability to really push a team on.

The longer Jason Tindell stays in the job at Bournemouth the more chance there is of a top 6 spot being available. Not sure on Reading. I think they will get top 6 but I'm not sure there will be a huge gap between them and the chasing pack. Watford are a funny one. Clearly they have the players. Imagine they will be in the playoffs. Every possibility they might sack a manager in the last month of the season then who knows what you might get when they are there. Personally I think Norwich and Swansea will get the auto promotion spots with Brentford chasing hard then to miss out again in the playoffs. Any chance for Rovers. I think there is a lot of dross in the chasing pack with the likes of Boro, Stoke, Bristol etc. I think we've more quality than those sides with a less pragmatic manager. Keep it tight and I think we really should be finishing 7th. A lot depends in our games building up to March. If we are grinding out wins then we have put ourselves in the mix. If we are hearing Mowbray talk about an unbeaten run, half of which are draws then I think not as we've left ourselves a lot to do. I'd be quite optimistic if we can put together a winning run until March then grind out some draws against some of the better sides in the league. Gut feeling says a 7th place finish and continued talk of progression which lead to groundhog day of another decisive transfer window in the summer.

I don't for one second think that there won't be another death spiral. However if the back 4 can stay settled and we are grinding out wins in an ugly fashion. I personally would feel more confident about our chances against sides towards the top than I did when we were blowing hot and cold scoring 5 one week and 0 the next.

I'd keep Benno until the summer. Agree he is a positive influence on the dressing room and should we somehow manage to make something of this season he has value as an older head. On the playing side of things. I wouldn't want to see him in the first team, but I'd far rather see him doing a job at right back than John Buckley. With JRC made of glass there is zero back up there without Bennet. Whom I agree is not adequate back up. But certainly a lot better than the next down the list.

Rather than loaning Pickering back to them why not offer Bell to them on loan. He's not been up to the task for us but he is absolutely a competent league 1 left back. He got team of the season in our promotion year albeit mainly for performances at his previous club. He is poor at championship level but he is better than done on here give him credit for. We could even offer him on a free transfer as opposed to a loan and Crewe have an immediate long term replacement as opposed to a 6 month loan. Even if Pickering isn't playing immediately it gives him a chance to bed in. Something Mowbray loves to do. If Crewe are playing hard ball and it's a case of loan him back or no deal I'd begrudgingly accept it since he seems like a sound piece of long term planning. But its not ideal.

Big game today. Win and we are 3 points off the playoffs. There are signs of a slight change in set up of late (albeit sometimes thrown out the window with confusing changes (Buckley for Johnson)). Mowbray seems to be adding a little more steel to the midfield in Davenport. Him and Travis together might not look spectacular but I do feel it gives us a lot more balance as though we play the game rather than attempting to simply dominate the ball. I think all fans would be happy to trade a bit of possession for steel. Anyway. A win, hopefully a gritty one and we could see a tweaked philosophy prevailing which gives me a little hope moving into the second half of the season.

Really disappointing for the lad. The fact it is a back injury again raises the concern about it too.

I thought Dacky was by far and away the best player on the pitch when he came on today. He oozed class and for the first time since his return I could see a bit of the player he was before his injury. It was class to see.

Thought we were terrible up until 5 minutes before we scored today. The game changed after the Kaminski save and them hitting the post. What did not make sense to me was Buckley coming on. The Tony Tombola joke is a constant one and is born out the inconsistency of our line ups. Sometimes I feel it is justified, sometimes not. But today was Tombola stuff. Johnson, good in the air, strong, bit of a shithouse is injured after 10 minutes. The only other point in the game where we were playing well. Replaced by Buckley, terrible in the air, weak, gets bypassed. One would assume Mowbray picks his players with a plan in mind. Why the complete change in plan after a forced change, 10 minutes in. A key position on the pitch. There were other more like for like replacements. To me, this made no sense whatsoever. Credit to the subs after we scored though. Sealed the game. One has to think that maybe had we not brought Buckley on for Johnson maybe we would have had more of a foothold in the rest of the game...

It makes sense for Mowbray to deny all knowledge. He will be fully aware Douglass has not lived up to his billing. He's probably enquired about Pickering with pretty limited funds. Been knocked back. It makes perfect sense for him to not completely knock the confidence of our already poor first choice left back by issuing a denial.

I think Buckley is a product of sanitised football from youth level. He's a lad who can put his foot on the ball and play a pass. And I do think there is the potential for him to be one of these players who plays differently. At a different rhythm. He was the next big thing before he'd played for the first team and I feel like he has been told that too much. He is trying to tick along at that rhythm when what he really needs is some grit. Earn the right to play. He needs to hit the gym and start eating a lot of food. He will never be stacked but he is being bypassed. He needs to run. And he needs to spend some time in changing rooms with frozen pipes, take a few knocks, come back and then see where he is. As right now, rather than being that different player who can make a difference like he's been told. He is just well off the pace and being completely bypassed. He is literally a kid playing with men. Its one thing saying it will come with age. But he also needs to graft to get there and that is what I am not seekng at the moment. He needs to be made aware that football is a game for athletes. And he ain't Tugay. If he doesn't start grafting and bulk up a bit be will not even make championship level.

The challenge by Branthwaite. Probably one of the worst decisions I've seen a ref make. It's a pen. And a red. In terms of the game. There is a pattern. Long balls into their front 3 and they will try and win free kicks. We are obliging. Mowbray..... Today shows me there is no plan. He's started with a midfield of players who will battle more. Then after 10 minutes he's got an injury to Johnson and replaced him with Buckley. The most opposite replacement he could choose. It begs the question. What was the logic in Johnson starting to begin with if there is such a switch so early on. People joke about Tony Tombola. But that change alone suggests it really is. Surely Trybull would have been more similar and in keeping with whatever plan we had made for the game.

That looked bloody painful. Hopefully it's not his actual eye

There has never been a clearer example of Mowbray talking to the owners through his interviews. The excuses were pouring out, unprompted. It annoyed me. I always think Mowbray is a decent bloke. But he is treating them and us with a disrespect by trying to exaggerate the truth so much. Hopefully it means he is feeling the pressure slightly

Beat me to it by 1 minute!

We don't know too much about the Greek keeper. But he seemed to have enough pedigree to be a second level backup. The money spent on Pears is just another example of idiotic priorities. He's made a couple of mistakes. Had a good game against Boro. I don't think he looks great at the moment but he may be able to carve out a decent future in the game. But spending significant money on him considering our budget was a ridiculous decision. His fee and wages, Downings wages. It adds up. And that's not even taking into account the 2/3 month contract extensions to deadwood in the summer. It all adds up. We would be entering this window with a bit in reserve. It's basically like me draining my bank account dry on nights out only to not have a penny when my car breaks down.

What he does in those videos he does very well. Takes up quite a peculiar position when attacking. In that he is far more narrow rather than hugging the touchline. Regardless. I highly doubt we will be bringing him in. We've got no money. We probably scouted him a bit in the summer. Went for the experience of Douglas. Now we are being linked with him by the odd bloke on Twitter. If he were still there in the summer then maybe. And after seeing the Douglas masterclass of terrible defending I'd be very much interested to see how that aspect of his game is before getting excited.

Can the poll thread not be merged with the discussion thread. Just had a look at it from 57 votes 100% are saying he has to go. I like Mowbray for all he has done. But he is lost. It's time to go. There is part of me that wants him to move upstairs into a DOF role. However in could see him sticking his oar in too much with the new manager. Either way. He needs to go. He's lost his way. Tactically this is the about as bad as it gets.

Personally I think in terms of numbers we were fine on centre backs. The mistake was signing Ayala. Lenihan, Wharton, William's and one more competent centre back without a history of injuries would have been fine. We didn't need 5, we just needed 4 with an element of reliability.

Of ones who feel mildly realistic given who we tend to aim for. Pearson would be my top choice. I wouldnt say no to cook. I don't like the bloke. But I think he is a Savage type character who when he's on your team, he could be great. People saying about Hughes. Big no from me. Followed his time at QPR closely. Anyone remember Kia Joorabchian? Of Tevez, Mascherano then Man City fame. Hughes agent and they only signed his players. Big no from me. Others if we aimed higher. Howe... Wilder if sacked... I guess there are possibilities. But I don't see us approaching those types. I don't think we are unattractive. One of few clubs where a manager can be given space and time which is rare. And we do have a good squad. Big fear is who makes the decision. Are we suspect to ill advice still. All hypothetical though. As I'm sure Venkys are aware it's a scarey world out there. And more than anything want Mowbray to turn it around as him doing well makes their lives easier.

Good post. Completely agree. Good managers play the game. Try and get their teams to be competitive in the mini battles all over the pitch. Go with the ebb and flows. We on the other hand under Mowbray focus on what we want to do. And it totally neglects parts of the team. Primarily the defence. Our midfield is also easy to just saunter through when we lose possession. We need to win battles and earn the right to play. That means balance on the pitch. Just because our possession stats are generally high, it doesnt mean that we are dominating. Teams are happy to let us have it. They know there is a neglect in other areas. And inevitably they will get chances in the rare times they get possession. Zero balance to our team. And zero structure to our attack. Mowbray is out of ideas. The team has no plan and is so lacking in structure there is zero resilience. I like Mowbray as a person. I think he has done wonders for the club. I wont give it a f*** off Mowbray because I'm grateful of the good. But unfortunately he has taken us as far as his ability can and it is time for a change. As fans we would just have to hope Waggot firstly has the authority to act, secondly will put the future of the club above his mate and thirdly earns his wage by recruiting a proper replacement. It's a scarey thought. Agents would be out like vultures. However we know the alternative of sticking with Mowbray is not going to take is where we want and where the budget requires.

If you were to say Buckley would be getting played in a defensive position prior to Brentford you would have laughed. Frankly its ridiculous

I think it is going to take a large slice of luck for us to progress in terms of results under Mowbray. Mowbray pros - 1. Overall he has done well in the transfer market. In my mind the only major black mark is Gallagher. And it think that is in part down to Mowbrays use of him. We now have a squad which I think is outstanding in comparison to where we were a few years ago. 2. Some don't think he don't think he does it enough but I think he has done a great job bringing through youth players. This has led to the squad being as strong as it is. 3. Trust. The club is a club I can support again. Previously it was difficult watching people there for a payday and not caring about the club. I can support Rovers passionately again and there is understandably a huge fear in the hole which would be left in our infrastructure if Mowbray were to leave. Chaos is a ladder. If Mowbray left you can guarantee there would agents etc looking to make a quick buck coming out the woodwork. He is the stability. Who would make the decisions on the next manage. Nobody knows. Mowbray cons - 1. Tactically he has not shown himself to be astute. The possession football isn't working because there is a lack of substance behind it. If merely keeping possession isn't working, saying things such as up the tempo, play less touches, get it into so and so's feet is not enough because it is intangible. At those moments the players are struggling for creativity and all those words are doing are placing more responsibility on them. We need something tangible such as working it to a player centrally, then wide, a cross played to a specific area where the striker already knows to be running. Something which is easy and takes the emphasis away from a player needing to do something special. That is the managers job. I don't think it happens because I see no pattern to our play. 2. Defence. I think it is clear Mowbray does not know how to set it up. It's never improved. And i don't think this is purely down to personnel. We lack balance. We either sit right back and dig in (rare but we can do it), or we are trying to control to many aspects of the game by taking it to the opposition and getting caught out. There is no balance. We need a slice of luck one of two ways. If he was to go that proper football people are left to appoint the best manager available and it to be done efficiently. Or Mowbray sees that what we are doing isn't working, switches things up and stumbles across a formation that does. If we had the players available I wouldn't mind 3 at the back. As there is nothing to lose as the current set up isn't working. As it is I think we are going to continue treading water. We'll go on a run when players come back to fitness. But it won't be enough. Groundhog day strikes again.

My hope is that this at least shows negotiations are under way when previous signs were not encouraging going off of Mowbrays comments. It could also coincide with contact from the owners. Reports stating they have been contacted regarding the desperate need for a new centre back so maybe we've been given the green light... Others, Nyambe most of all seriously need to follow. Possibly a chance though that Dack was an easier deal to secure given his injury as he may not have been receiving a pay rise. Either way. Great he's signed. Fingers crossed we've got the go-ahead and more are to come.

They've scored 4 goals in the last 7 games. They were scoring early in the season but conceding. Now they are not conceding but not scoring. They are currently zero threat going forwards. I'm sure the same would have applied for the remaining 83 minutes of the game with or without the early goal. We just gifted them an early one and it shot us in the foot. They are well organized. Full of stoppers. Exactly like Northern Ireland were. They aren't a great team. Yes i and every other fan would love to see a bit of resilience and a few shut outs. But stoke were and are crap. We'll finish in similar positions, with dramatically different styles of play.