Haha fair enough. I do wonder how much of that is down to preconceptions though. I don't rate Brereton, but I have to say I do see some of our fans being overly critical and refusing to give him credit for things he does, on the infrequent occasions he does them. Maybe an observer from elsewhere is better placed to say how he did in a single game, without preconceptions. Or maybe the journo really doesn't like Kalas and is doing the same thing.

That's what I was suggesting too. But the original point from Pete was that Graham is going to struggle with 3 games in 6 days.

In fairness, depth is precisely what he's talking about adding. But we need someone as good or better than Tosin and Lenihan. Not that they're not good enough, but one is injury prone and one will be gone in the summer. Aiming for 'depth' instead of quality, and telling the potential signings they will struggle to get game time is exactly how you end up with either nobody, or someone who isn't good enough and sucks up a wage to sit on the bench at best. It's exactly how you end up not winning promotion. Our need for a quality goalie is the absolute most pressing one though.

Anyone else surprised to see Rodwell supposedly in with a chance of a move to Sheff U? His even more surprising Roma move broke down this summer, for those who missed it (like me).

Oh ffs. He's still at it. Learnt nothing from Bauer.

He's not going go drop Dack when he's available. Can't say I blame him.

He's more likely to play two of those games if he plays the two either side of it though. The first and last. The middle and last would be the bigger ask. Agree that Gally should be enough threat to Wigan though.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/was-poor-much-bristol-city-3644454.amp I didn't see the game, but the Bristol paper's rating of Kalas says he was 'bullied by Brereton' in the first half at times. Not a description of BB I ever expected to see.

If he's of similar quality to Raya, too, I don't see why. As far as we know, TM didn't have it in for Raya. He just thought the money would help him trade. This guy will be far cheaper. He can still buy another in summer, as is meant to be the plan.

Because training is less physical than competitive Championship games? And no I'm not one of the 'snipers'. I just think he doesn't look ready yet and could do with a few months out on loan to prepare him for trying again next season.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/the72.co.uk/151927/blackburn-rovers-poised-to-snap-up-19-year-old-irish-starlet/amp/ Underwhelming and hardly a concrete source, but here it is anyway. Even for the youth team, a 19 year old with a single first team appearance for the mighty Waterford is less than exciting.

I think someone posted stats that they have done slightly better with him in the team than without though.

Doesn't really change anything I said if he is. All the more reason he can jump from conference (presumably when he was 17?) to Championship bench, whereas you're asking for Buckley to jump from Championship to conference north. I just can't see why we should or would do that. You obviously don't rate Buckley, and that's fine, I'm not at all bowled over yet. But if we are gonna send him to that level we might as well say to him 'you're not gonna make it' and terminate his contract.

18 is very different to 20 in terms of youth development. I'm certain a League Two manager would be interested. Sam Hart has been to League One on loan (twice?) and doesn't get near the team for our weakest position. There is this misconception that the lower down the leagues you go, the more the players automatically become big brutes. It's not true, they're just less technically talented so the games are more kick and rush. One player with more technique and the ability to thread a killer pass can make a real difference. All of this aside though, I'm amazed how thin we've let Buckley continue to be at 20. The sports science and nutrition should be all over bulking him up. Maybe his body just isn't taking to any of that until his metabolism slows.

History suggests this is the game the wheels fall off. A point from the playoffs, on an excellent run, playing one of the worst teams in the league at our own ground. In theory it should be a Mercer-style 'home banker'. But all the above plus it being a local game, I find it hard to ignore the weight of history since we got relegated. It all spells nosebleed time to me. If we do manage to win the next two games and not immediately start collapsing afterwards, I'll start to have real hope and belief that we have shaken off our historic issues and may make the playoffs. But like I say, it's hard to bring myself to predict any such thing. My head (or perhaps some combination of head and heart) thinks this one will be a draw.

Two, I'd say.

Glad you're not in charge of our loan policy. Conference North!! What an utter waste of time that would be. The lad has several Championship appearances now and is very highly rated by the senior staff. He might be lightweight, but if we can't get him at the very very least a League Two loan then serious questions need to be asked. I'd say a lower half League One side shouldn't be a problem. Players who drop from our level to Conference North at 20 years old are never seen again.

Dunno, but I don't like the part about him being error-prone.

The other thing with that is I fear it would mean we don't strengthen at LB in Jan. Which we need to do. Permanently signing a decent player who we know won't play again this season doesn't seem the best expenditure of 1.5 million. I'd absolutely pay that for the Cunningham we had before the injury though, if he was available to play.

It goes without saying that Dack will be back in for Brereton. He has earned it much more. After that, it's hard to predict what TM will do with the rest. I suspect Rothwell won't start though.

It's surely between Rhodes and Dack (with honourable mentions for the likes of Conway, Gestede, Mulgrew briefly). Has to be Dack for me, as he has a similarly impressive goals record but is an all-round better player. I don't think he has quite the same talent around him as Rhodes did either, with Cairney, Gestede, and a peak Conway. Just been him and Graham mostly.

With TM, I feel like a lot of options is almost a bad thing...

Huge test for Mowbray this, how he sets up without Dack. Given that is something we will have to start doing every week in the fairly near future (after this summer I think)

African Nations already happened this summer I think? They've moved it from January now. Unless something is very wrong with my memory.

Jesus christ. Just what we need. Someone worse than Walton!