ben_the_beast

I can't agree with Bell being worse than Douglas. I feel a bit harsh judging him so quickly but he is so far off the pace. He is truly awful. Can't tackle, can't head, no pace, no strength, can't progress us up the pitch, touch actually looks very poor. I'd genuinely be looking at other left back options on loan and look to terminate. Its rare I've seen a player so far out his depth which is even more perplexing considering his reputation. Don't get my wrong, Bell isn't great. No final delivery, gets caught positionally sometimes and when he has a stinker. It really is a stinker. But what he does have is the engine to get up and down and play Mowbrays system. Somebody else said it too. As bad as Bell has been at times. I don't think he has ever been as poor as Douglas was tonight (or some of his other appearances for us for that matter)

Downing made a huge difference. Though I think we were aided by them suddenly dropping off. Overall we were atrocious. Delighted to get the win. As I do believe with the players we have coming back if we are in touching distance in the new year we have a chance at a late push. Back to the game though. Terrible! Losing control of the midfield with lightweight (Buckley), immobile, knackered (Johnson) players. Having 3 players who can all put their foot on the ball helped turn the game in Trybull, Holtby and Downing. Especially Downing. I would like to see the 3 of them together in there for our next game and get Rothwell wide left. Don't want to see Rothwell shifted from his best position but we need more control in the middle and most importantly I can't see Gallagher on the wing any more

In the majority of our games recently we've lost the ability to control possession in midfield. Constantly playing it back to the back line for pointless possession. We just can't seem to maintain that possession higher up the pitch anymore and its costing us. Also Douglas is awful.

I wouldn't say it's completely beyond the realms of possibility to get him back for a second season on loan. I'm sure liverpool are probably pretty pleased on how we are handling him and the game time he's getting. Still don't see him being anywhere near their starting line up. Biggest threat would be a premier league team wanting to loan him next year. Assuming we aren't there.

If Newcastle are interested in having him back it might be the best of both worlds. They would effectively be buying him for less due to their sell on clause. I'd accept £20 million from Newcastle as that would be effectively £30 million from another club. If they were interested in him as a player it would make sense seeing the local boy come back. Something for their moaning fans to cheer about.

I think Holtby needs some time out the side. Earlier in the season he was everywhere, playmaker, late runs into the box, putting his foot in. He hasn't been good for some time now. I think he simply needs a proper rest. We looked good for the time Trybull and Johnson were together against Brentford. Maybe this is the game Davenport finally gets his chance. Midfield 3 of Johnson, Davenport and Rothwell.

Wrote this in the Bristol thread as well. If Arma puts in any more displays like he did yesterday I can see teams being put off him. Put his own self interest ahead of the team last night. It wasn't just a poor game. There is a difference between being single minded and greed. He showed a real poor mentality.

100% agree. It was that bad that I'm pretty sure any clubs monitoring him will have watched that with concern. There may be people sniffing around him in January. But I'm certain the mentality he showed yesterday has the potential to put a David Moyes off signing him. Simply because it was a mentality issue. Putting himself ahead of the team rather than just him having a poor performance. And to be honest. He really pissed me off.

Shows how poor Douglas has been that we are talking about Williams at left back. A real disappointment thus far. Hasn't won a header, lacking pace, positionally suspect. And weirdly the amount of times his first touch seems to pop up to about knee height. I've not been impressed at all. At least Bell has pace.

That's actually huge. I wasn't aware of this.

So disappointed with the loss. But not to worried as we absolutely did not deserve to lose. Set something straight. We would not have lost that were it not for Arma. He needs ripping a new one in the dressing room. Not because of a poor performance but because he put himself before the team tonight. And that's not acceptable.

Think out of the two sides we are the ones capable of going up a gear. Bristol chances have been more when turning over possession whereas we look like creating ourselves. Need to up the tempo second half as it is there for the taking

It is ridiculous. Mowbray talking about negotiations and giving players what they deserve and power with agents/players if phones start ringing. These aren't transfer negotiations where you're juggling a few balls to see which one you get over the line. This is our key assets walking away for free. Even if balancing the books becomes difficult, sell one of them in the summer to pay for the rest. It isn't rocket science. It should be the clubs absolute number 1 priority right now to get these guys tied down. Asap.

It is making me extremely nervous. They are 3 key players. I think Nyambe had made a small step up again this year. Holtby is our playmaker. And Joe Rothwell is fast becoming one of our most valuable players. No longer the myth he once was and if he was tied down to a long contract I'd see him at a minimum £10million asset with the skillset and potential to increase that over the coming years.

If Wharton is out for the season. Or at the very least an extended period it might actually be a very good shout looking at a 6 month loan for Cedric Kipre. Not seen a minute of football at West Brom, only been on the bench once and Bilic has mentioned a loan might be the best solution for him. Additional temporary cover will be vital there come January

It is horrifying how the contract situation at Rovers has been allowed to develop. There is nothing to suggest any of the players are unhappy. Its complete negligence.

Is there any indication we are actually appealing Lenihans red.

Really is. He's been a huge bonus the last month. Such a shame for him and us. Think he had the shirt. It was his to lose and injury has stopped his big break.

To be fair with Wharton looking decent ordinarily 4 would be plenty. Extremely unfortunate with the absentees we have there

Thought Toney grabbed Lenihan as much as Lenihan grabbed Toney. Silly to grapple in the area but it was extremely soft. Referee couldn't wait to give it that's for sure. Ayala is really going to have to Marshall the defense now. Feel for John Buckley in a right back. Gallagher is going to have to give him a hell of a lot of defensive support.

Very pleased to see Wharton given his starting spot back. Think we are much more solid with him in there. Great to see Douglass back in too. Thought we might see Holtby dropped. He's really struggled the last 2 matches. However I would have far rather seen Downing slotting in there as opposed to Trybull. Wouldn't have minded seeing Trybull holding instead of Johnson. But I do think that Downing would have offered more balance and control over midfield.

It's been pretty much the same injury to his back the majority of his time out though hasn't it? Not promising to get a back injury so early in your career but a little harsh to write him off.

It won't happen but I'm a bit worried about Holtby. Thought he was extremely poor our last 2 games. Whereas he was our lynchpin before that. Does he need a rest. Or was it the tactics of Barnsley and Millwall. I actually felt more comfortable with Downing coming on and think he will have a role to play at the weekend. But he seems a good replacement for Holtby if he's struggling. Bad timing that it's their first game in their new stadium with fans. Mowbray and the players will be well aware this is a big test. I hope they go out there to battle and enjoy the occasion. Don't be fearful. It'll be tough but we can compete. I expect to see space in behind for Arma on the counter attack too. Would love to see him in a foot race with Jansson. I think he's rash and could be liable to a last man red. We're good on the counter. We don't need to all out defend. But we do need to be more compact. It will play to our strengths. Lay the trap. We can win

My man of the match last 2 games. This contract situation is becoming urgent. Equally so for Joe Rothwell. 2 huge assets who need tying down. Then theres Holtby and JRC before even looking and the urgency of a few big assets expiring next year.

Given the way we've been playing the last 2 games I feel another Mowbray death spiral coming on. Especially given we are knocking on the door of the promotion spots. Shake up needed in the middle for our next match.