Gamst

I know it doesn't matter much after Dack's injury, but why were all our attacking players about 5'7 in the second half? I just cannot fathom the logic here. We improved a little for sure but for all the possession and pretty passing in the second half, we created so little.

So dissapointed for Dacky. Going to take a huge deal of determination to get back to fitness. 3 games in 6 days is too much for a player who hasn't looked like he's back to full fitness yet. Especially after being out for so long with such a serious injury. We were chasing the game but the season is pretty much over so keeping him on was unnecessary. In his post-match interview Tony said that player welfare is the priority, but Dack has been mismanaged here.

I've seldom seen any team be this ineffective.

Well at least we've finally found the consistency we all craved.

Or sub him off early. Its not like the injury occurred in the 8th minute!

So much for our footballing journey. Hoofball against Barnsley.

I have always liked TM and still do. We are in a better place than when he took over. He has assembled a very decent squad (on paper). However, we have stagnated and he seems to have totally lost the plot lately. What on earth was going on out there tonight? Its really quite a failing to make such a talented squad look so hopeless. I hope he leaves soon and preserves his good reputation with the fans. It would be a shame for it to go sour. It is testament to the job he has done that the manager job at Rovers is an attractive proposition now. Any replacement manager has a great squad to work with and the club are a lot more stable now.

Huge fan of Tony, but I think he's taken us as far as he can go and should leave now. He's done some sterling work and would leave a new manager with a very decent squad. We are just clearly going nowhere now and he won't get us promoted. Occasional good streaky runs and optimism which takes us to the brink of the playoffs followed by a predictable nosedive when expectation rises. This has happened too many times to suggest that things will change now. Too many false dawns. The style of play is easier on eye and was exciting for a while early in the season, but its really ineffective now teams have figured us out and theres no plan B. The most annoying aspect of all though is the soft underbelly that he mentioned today. It has to be his responsibility and it has been as issue throughout his tenure. The challenge is to find a replacement who can instill this ruthlessness that we need to take us forward and keep the good players who clearly respect Tony.

Really fed up of all the false dawns. We are so streaky. Go on a winning run until we get near the play offs or play a decent team and then loose a few and end up back where we started. Its like groundhog day and we are stagnating.

Fed up of hearing opposition managers and fans complimenting us. Our squad and our style of football are improving and Tony deserves credit for this, but we continue to not be clinical enough and lack the psychological fortitude to beat the top teams and progress beyond 7th place. We are underachieving. Looking like nearly men.

Disjointed display really and looked tired. You could see that their was plenty of quality within the squad, it just didn't click tonight. Opposition defended well but were pretty limited so a draw would have been a fairer result. Quite acceptable to lose the odd match and not perform well every game, how we respond on Saturday is the most important thing and we have the tendency to struggle against good teams and go on streaky runs of good and bad results.

The number of missing players is especially critical given just how many games they have played recently. It wasn't pretty tonight, but it was gutsy and resilient which was good to see. We have conceded far too easily in recent games. The defenders went back to basics, put their bodies on the line and didn't make any errors. Not a game that will live long in the memory, but an important point.

I generally support the manager, but its pretty marginal. He's made slow progress year on year and the squad continues to get stronger (on paper). You do wonder if this decent squad could be completely rejuvenated by a new manager, but what are the odds of them making a good managerial appointment? There are certainly plenty of worse managers out there and at least Tony is a decent bloke unlike some of our previous managers! I'd say amongst his supporters though, most wouldn't be particularly gutted if he left. Apathy has set in.

Tony is coasting and the comfort zone mentality filters down to the players. He needs pressure applying from Pune now, but I somehow doubt its happening.

My thoughts exactly. A really poor interview and the negativity and self pity filtered through to the players. Set up to fail. We are really lacking a ruthless side and the results are becoming worryingly inevitable. .

We can't expect their children to not receive an education in order to keep a football bubble from bursting. Like everyone, footballers should be doing all they can to prevent the spread of the virus, but given the nature of the virus its inevitable that some players will get infected.

You're probably right...but you never know. He has been well backed financially again and talks about having the team he wants now. There was a slight feeling of going for broke on deadline day which might suggest some pressure has been applied.

Oh well.

Been a difficult start to the season and we are clearly underachieving so far. We need to remember that due to COVID and injuries there has been a lot of chopping and changing which hasn't helped matters. We have also had some tough games with last night and next Saturday being examples and played teams at a bad times (fleg forest). It goes without saying though that you have to compete better and deal with adversity more effectively if you want to compete at the top of the league and patience will rightly wear thin if this inconsistency persists. I think there is enough positive stuff there to suggest we stick with Tony to see how it plays out though. We are playing some brilliant football and at times we are unplayable, when was the last time we could say that? We also have the strongest team in years despite a very challenging economic climate and that deserves praise and should offer us some hope that things should improve as teams around us with inferior squads flounder. It feels like we are waiting for something to click to find consistency, be more clinical and challenge against the better teams. The defense is an issue, although I think its more to do with the balance and formation than individuals. There are signs that there's a really good team in there somewhere, but at some point soon this needs to translate into consistent wins!

I know Tony is a purist, but seriously, just get on with it and start Douglas. Its all well and good saying that it takes time for the new players to learn the system, but what does it matter if we lose anyway. We're not Barcelona Tony.

Maybe the late signing of Harvey Elliott shows that TM has realised that Gallagher is a cart horse. Definitely pleased we signed an offensive player given the toothless showing today. I knew they would score and the deflection was inevitable given the new manager curse...not that we challenged enough to prevent it happening though. Oh well.

I now believe that Mowbray doesn't tell the fans the truth when it comes to transfers. He says something different every time he's asked. I wouldn't be surprised if we stumped up a decent transfer fee over the next couple of weeks. He likes to keep his cards close to his chest and there are very few rumours regarding Rovers. Nicko clearly has no contacts at Rovers. I don't mind being completely oblivious to whats happening behind the scenes if we sign decent players!

I don't think its been confirmed that Manning was the LB who nearly signed. The target was supposed to be signing for another club. Manning hasn't signed for anyone yet and there doesn't even appear to be any rumours circulating. Maybe we can revisit that one if he or QPR realise they're not getting a better offer! I think he would be a brilliant signing, but it may require some patience!

A new LB and a better back up keeper and I would be happy with that providing Williams stays. More would be nice clearly, but we have the depth to cover other positions. A quality over quantity approach is very appropriate. A good left back and a bit of luck with injuries and we have a chance I feel. I also feel that Mowbray says something different everytime that he's asked about transfers. He is possibly bluffing or maybe doesnt really know what transfers will come in as he is waiting for sell on fees or approval from Venkys who often decide to flash the cash just before the deadline. I also think he probably wants Manning and is pleading poverty or distracting other potential interested parties. We just need to wait until the deadline closes to see where we are. We are basically all completely clueless.

I wonder whether Tony is waiting for the money from King's sell on clause to buy Whiteman. Think it would be a sound investment.