Exiled_Rover

I don't think Leonard is seen as the next big thing, but if we're trialling Academy players upfront we might as well give him a shot next match. Vale was awful again tonight.

Technically it's the lack of athleticism we have at FB that is hindering the system - well that and not having a #9. The FBs are meant to provide the width, but neither JRC or Pickering can do the job properly as if they go they can't get back (e.g. today where they adapted the system when in possession so JRC could roam upfield).

How do any of them relate to McLean?

Gallagher looks like he's a different species to Vale. I mean he still can't trap a ball, or anticipate a pass, but bloody hell he's 15 times the athlete Vale is.

Yep, Cardiff wanted £700k. Desperation stuff on the final day of the window after we'd missed out on all our other targets.

Just one look at the attendances will tell you something is wrong.

So basically you just literally want an absolute tosser in the starting XI for... reasons?

As I keep on saying, that contract extension for Gallagher was pure spite from Mowbray once he realised his own contract wasn't being extended.

Pickering, JRC, Carter, Pears (miraculously), Hedges, Dolan - all better than they were last season. Travis today was fantastic, but one swallow doesn't make a summer. Who has got worse? S. Wharton is looking like he can only play in a Back 3 at this level - caught out far too often. Brereton-Diaz's head has gone. Buckley is Buckley.

For the last bloody time, he's not left Champions League football and titles in Sweden to come here and languish in mid table. He's clearly absolutely furious that we didn't bring in a striker in January. He's absolutely bang on the money that this isn't a promotion winning side - far too many passengers. I'd be shocked if he doesn't walk in the summer for the first half decent job that becomes available.

Don't mistake McLean for a hard man because he's got sleeve tattoos. He couldn't fight his way out of a paper bag - anyone can put a foot in late, which is all he did all match.

Sorba put it on a plate 6 yards out and he missed the ball. My agenda is Blackburn Rovers winning football matches, what's yours?

I've been a vocal proponent of JDT and Broughton, but the lack of a striker signing in January is criminal. If the money is there to pay O'Brien's wages for six months then there had to be a striker option after Undav and Konte - there has to be. We've dropped 8 points now in January / early Feb because we can't finish the chances we create. Should have beaten Boro, Rotherham and Wigan on the balance of play. It's maddening and I feel really sorry for JDT.

Dack missed a sitter. He was fine today, but that's inexcusable.

Pace, power, direct and puts in a good ball. More of those please, Broughton.

Is Ainsworth bringing his boots too?

Goals change games. Brereton-Diaz, JRC and Dack are all guilty of missing great chances tonight - same as it ever was since the World Cup break. We were completely untroubled by Wigan, but we share the spoils because we don't have a striker on the books.

Nothing to do with balls. Here's the cold, hard, truth - Mowbray has walked into a better squad in Sunderland than the one he spent five years building at Ewood. We desperately needed a striker, preferably one with pace, and Broughton failed to deliver. We're playing out the string now.

Pickering has played for it, but the defender has fallen into him. That's given against us, guaranteed.

That's a penalty.

Did you watch Vale in the first half? Did you see Gallagher fail to get on the end of a great cross, two lovely through balls and just shank that cross into row Z? He has no bloody strikers.

And McLean is still on the pitch because....? He's been kicking players all match.

You might want to check your stats, I can think of at least 3 off the top of my head.

McClean is a horrible player and person.

Hedges and Szmodics on for Brereton-Diaz and Dack for mine.