For 80 minutes Mowbray got it spot on and the likes of Mulgrew, Lenihan, Travis & Dack were on top form. Evans started the game well off the pace and by dallying on the ball we were almost undone early on but Raya showed off his impressive reflexes. Newcastle play at a ridiculously slow tempo which played into our hands and we deservedly led with a superb Bennett cross and a Dack bullet header. Let's make this clear, he is not a playmaking number 10, he is a second striker and a brilliant one at that! Shelvey made a difference when he came on and some naivity by Evans plus some questionable subs meant we had to settle for a replay. The stars of the show were Dack and Travis but plenty of others impressed in what could have been a difficult game. Travis has the energy that Evans and Smallwood don't have but also more nous, forward thinking and leadership qualities. He was constantly instructing players 5/10 years his senior where to position themselves to help stop Newcastle attacks mounting to anything. Dack was a menace as he often is when he has the stage to impress and he took his header like a prime Tim Cahill. The game proved again, for me, that Evans is just an average Championship midfielder. Sure he will do a job and is effective against lesser teams but if we have any ambition the likes of him and Derrick Williams should be nowhere near the starting 11. It's time for Mowbray to get a bit more ruthless to help us progress further in the next 18 month's. Travis and Reed can become a formidable midfield pairing and I just hope Mowbray can see that. Replay Prediction: 1-0 Mulgrew

The problem is Mowbray doesn't seem to learn from his mistakes and the same problems keep reoccurring. I'm not sure his coaching staff are up to it at this level, we don't have a style of play when we have the ball and seem to rely on the likes of Dack and Graham or even Mulgrew producing a moment of magic. He refuses to accept that the likes of Williams and Evans are quite simply not good enough at this level, I'd even argue they didn't do a great deal in League 1 bar the odd spell of form. We have managed to sign Reed on loan who appears to be a quality central midfield player but Mowbray carries on with other poorer options and plays Reed out of position. Lastly his transfers in the summer look to be a disaster in Brereton and Armstrong so there isn't much hope in January. Worrying times but he deserves more time.

First half I don't know how we survived. The team selection was wrong but thankfully it was rectified and the 2nd half was more even and competitive. The 2 deep lying central midfielders don't seem to have the ability to play football but are purely there to be solid, organised and break up play. I think this needs to change and Reed appears to have more of an all-round game. Also the omission of Rothwell is a mystery when you compare his performances to the likes of Armstrong and Palmer.

Rome wasn't built in a day.

Lithuanian wonderkid?

I'd say it's a strong lineup but not sure what Bell has to do to get a start, he provides an outlet with his pace and attacking intent. I'll be positive and go 1-2 Lenihan and Dack.

This season 8-12 I'd say injury permitting.

https://fantasyfootball.telegraph.co.uk/championship/home I've only just noticed this and it is free to play as long as you aren't also playing The Telegraph version of the Premier League or Champions League game. £50 million budget to pick 11 players. You can choose from a number of different formations. I've created a league if anyone wants to join. League Pin: 8166816 Password: 1875.

It's as open as it's ever been IMO even with the parachute payments for the relegated clubs. Here's my predictions for the league on the whole including Rovers.. https://bobbysblag.com/2018/08/01/efl-championship-preview-18-19/

We have some very good players in Mulgrew, Dack, Lenihan and Raya but need some more attacking options quickly. I think most of our games will be low scoring tight affairs and we will come somewhere between 10th - 18th.

How's Dack playing in the false 9 role? He might be needed there next season...

Signing Maddison would instantly take it from a fairly poor window to a good one. IMO he will be worth north of £10million within 18 months if he avoids injuries. He has vision and creativity that we severely miss. Kent may turn out great but we would only have him for a year and the better he performs the less likely he stays beyond this season. If he is signed on loan in addition to Maddison I'd be happy with that. Striker wise I'd be looking at 2 from Amstrong/Harrison/Gallagher or others not yet mentioned eg hidden gems like Gestede a few years ago.

I don't understand this one. We need to make a permanent signing. Gallagher on loan is just an expensive stop gap and we will have to find someone this time next year. Avoid.

Harrison for the rumoured £875k would be a smart piece of business. He's got all the raw attributes and has far more composure than Samuel will ever have. He is one who would thrive with better players and could be worth 10x more with a breakthrough Championship season. Don't judge him solely on his goal record. Josh Kings was bang average for us but we knew he had something if given the right environment.

Diego Forlan on a free anyone? 39 now but would be a marquee signing and might fancy one last farewell in England? Maybe this sun has gone to my head.

Chris Coleman had a crap CV but got a tune out of Wales. If he can give the players an identity and get rid of the fear factor in tournaments he could surprise a few. I personally wasn't happy at all with his appointment but think he has some useful attributes for international football management.

Yep, no need for goal music. Time to get rid.

He was good at the start of the season but can't get near the starting line-up at the moment because of incredible form of Danny Graham. He's strong and quick but his finishing/composure isn't his strong point. Most strikers need regular game time for them to find their top form so I don't think we can judge him until he gets a proper run in the side. 500k is looking a bit expensive so far but he's still young and could prove to be a bargain in a few years time.

It's been a good year on the whole under Mowbray but the next 12 games will define his reign. Heres my two penniesworth.. https://bobbysblag.com/2018/02/25/a-year-with-tomo/

I'd say Lenihan highly likely and then the others is open to debate. Mowbray has brought a broken fanbase back together and the club feels 10 times more unified than this time last year. Let's hope we can all celebrate together in May.

How do you define 'Joe average player' ? Average for League 1 level that we will be playing next season? 7 goals and 7 assists last season as a bit part player doesn't strike me as average and that is at a higher level than we will be playing next season. I agree he is nearing the end of his career but feel he has plenty in the locker to give us 2 years of good performances, particularly at League 1 level.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

We win , we go above them now that would be great.

Rovers 0 - 0 Chelsea