Exiled_Rover

Or he really dislikes Dack's mentality and is using him to prove a point. By some accounts Dack sulked when he wasn't made captain. If JDT is trying to send a message to the squad (especially the younger players) that even the most senior pro has to work his bollocks off in training (which I bet he isn't) to get a sniff then this would be the outcome.

If he's desperate to play why would he waste 6 more months of his career sitting on his current contract? He's already missed 2 years.

It'll be about getting his wages off the wage bill too - I bet he's our best paid player. That'll give Broughton and JDT some flexibility - bet they can bring in two very good players for what Dack is on.

I don't think it's a coincidence that we look at our best when we have Hedges dropping into midfield or A. Wharton in there. The way JDT wants to play you need at least 2 CMs who can turn on the ball and pass. Morton is 1 - and seems to have solidified his starting position. Buckley CAN do it, but he's currently learning the lesson that he has to do it more consistently (and be braver with the ball) or he'll be playing for the U21s. As much as I like Travis as a player, he can't do it at this level and hinders us somewhat. It'll take time to get everything clicking - in the meantime we're joint top!

Vale has never offered anything when he's played in the Championship. I'd rather have Hirst on the bench.

We're literally joint top with a rag-tag squad of whatever players Mowbray deigned to offer a new contract to and kids. What more do you people want??!

Neither will QPR.

Just seen the QPR highlights - the referee has ruined that game within 20 minutes. Never a penalty, never a red card. The standard of officiating at this level beggars belief.

We'd need another goal scorer to really push for promotion. I wouldn't be surprised if Brereton goes in January and Gallagher / Dolan / Hirst isn't a consistent source of goals - they'll chip in at best.

I thought their wall played Wharton on and it was never a penalty. Went down too easily - even with multiple replays it's not clear if there was any contact. We absolutely bossed Sunderland and they can have no qualms about the result.

Garrett was much, much better in the second half to be fair to him. He was nowhere near MOTM, but he didn't look too out of place at this level after 90 minutes. He hasn't done his cause any harm.

I think you need to give some more credit to Hedges, he was brilliant tonight. Szmodic was very, very good too.

Yep, we're crying out for another good option upfront. Vale did nothing again when he came on - how far way is Leonard from the first team?

Silence in the first half (he wasn't introduced as a homecoming hero to the crowd and he barely left the dugout). A few mocking chants of "Mowbray, what's the score?" and "Mowbray, sort it out!" when they were down 2-0. Slunk off down the tunnel after the final whistle too.

He's hiding.

Garrett off at half time please, he's way off the pace tonight.

Club legend?! Give over. How far we've fallen to consider a once good Championship striker a club legend.

Well he's dropped Wharton and Phillips because they're young players who who he doesn't think can play 90 minutes at this level yet - especially not 3 days after the last match. Travis is suspended and Pickering is injured.

How so? Again sticking to a formation that has worked - the only real question mark being Hedges ahead of Mola / Edun at LWB, but I guess he thinks we'll be on the front foot tonight so wants a ball player there.

Hedges at LWB do we think?

I'm a fan who attends and it'll take a lot for me not to boo him.

What else is there to do in Middlesbrough?

You mean some of the shit he came out with whilst manager at Rovers, right? He always ran us down as a club.

Middlesbrough? Lots of empty seats there yesterday.

Nah, just hitting their stride unfortunately as their brand new team starts to gel. It just reiterates how moronic the parachute payments are. They've spent an absolute fortune.