Parsonblue

At least its better than some clubs. Stockport refuse to let you take any food and drink into their ground. Their prices made ours look a real bargain!

Apologies Matty, I worded that very clumsily and no offence was intended and please accept my sincere apologies. The point I was trying to make is that in the world of cut-throat professional sport I've always found Mowbray's 'old fashioned' ethics to be admirable. In terms of the owners he based his opinions of them on actually meeting them. Which to me, is fair enough. Again, apologies for any offence I may have caused and I've removed the post.

Absolutely right. He agreed a budget with the owners and gave his word that he wouldn't come back asking for more. That's one of the reasons I admire the guy. I know old fashioned principles like keeping your word isn't something you expect in football but I find it an admirable quality. Like all managers he made mistakes, they all do, but on the whole I think history will record his tenure at Ewood Park kindly.

Loved that episode with Mowbray. A top class guy who, for me, did a fantastic job for this club at a time when we were in a mess. His love of football is there for all to see and you can see why he is so loved by players and fans alike. A principled man in an industry where principles are often cast aside all too often.

Sad to see Buckley leave us but, in terms of his career, he needs to move away. I've always thought that he was a more than decent midfield player, one who had an eye for a pass in the final third. Sadly, I think only Tony Mowbray was actually able to integrate him into the team and get the best out of him. He's lost his way over the past few seasons and a fresh start will hopefully kick-start his career again. Like Dolan, I wish nothing but the best for the lad.

I honestly can't remember when I last saw the Under-18's play as well as they did today. The first half was as good as it gets. The passing, movement and clinical finishing was a joy to watch. Fulham had no answer and seemed very disorganised in comparison to our lads. It will be interesting to see how these lads develop but there were some stand out performances today,

Games like today make you realise why you still keep doing away games every other week. This was a superb performance, a real team effort with everyone making a contribution. For the first time this season we started on the front foot and with a high press and what a difference it makes. The new players are slowly bedding in and doubts I had about Alebiosu and Tavares were swept aside today. Both looked very comfortable at this level. McLoughlin looks a very good signing, younger than Batth but just as good in the centre of defence. He looks a real bargain. I must admit I had my doubts about Cantwell as a captain, but he rose to the occasion and gave his best display so far for the club. He was unplayable at times today and took his goal very well. Hedges showed why Ismael continues pick him. He worked hard throughout, scored a goal with an exquisite finish and played an important part in the second. The bonus was the return to form of Tronstad. He was simply outstanding from first to last and completely bossed the midfield, particularly in the second-half when Rovers took complete control of the game. We still need to strengthen, although I was pleased that Montgomery put the Bradford game behind him and looked the part when he came on in centre-midfield - his proper position. One or two more performances like this and I might start revising my view of a bottom half finish.

Totally agree arbitro. I thought there was a huge gulf between the two teams. As you say, Brighton were big, strong and quick but all seemed to have the ability to control the ball, pass the ball and looked to be well organised in terms of shape and movement. Sadly, I couldn't see one player in that team who I would be happy to put in the first team squad - and if we get any sort of injuries and suspensions we will be relying upon them to make up the numbers. Like the first team, there is no threat in front of goal. Two big home games for the Under-18's coming up - Burnley today and Fulham in the Cup on Tuesday. They will be interesting tests for our youngsters.

At Michalski's young age he shouldn't be sat on the bench every week. He is just starting to learn his trade as a professional footballer. If you look at the stats over the past few seasons, the number 2 goalkeeper plays very little football during the course of the season. As for the mistake, I've seen him do the same thing at Under-21 level, but there he can get away with it. He needs to follow the same path as Raya. Go out on loan and learn your trade playing every week in games that matter. I think Michalski could be an outstanding goalkeeper from what I have seen of him. However, he won't be if he spends the next twelve months sat on the bench every week. If Pears isn't going to fill the number 2 role, then we need to go out and bring in another experienced 'keeper who will challenge Toth.

There were protests about Jim Iley in the 70s. Remember everyone shouting outside the Boardroom on Nuttall Street. Difference then was they were local businessmen who had customers in the town, so protests could have a direct influence on their business. Today, clubs are owned by global enterprises whose owners are often based on a different continent!

Sky is totally reliant of the Premier League and the Premier League is totally reliant on TV money from Sky, TNT Sports and foreign broadcasters. Meanwhile, clubs like United can make people on minimum wage redundant whilst paying players millions of pounds every year. Football in this country is a mess. Look at Morecambe, look at Sheffield Wednesday, look at what happened to famous old club like Bury. The authorities don't care as long as the money keeps rolling in. Eventually, I suspect, there will come a point when it will all implode.

Damien Johnson was stood on the touchline watching the warm-up whereas previously he was involved in it. I think Johnson was involved at the Hawthorns.

I must admit, NFL, Premier League, Cricket and F1 are all worth my subscription. Already looking forward to a new NFL season.

But we didn't win chaddy. We lost - three in a row now. I love your optimism and wholehearted support for the club through thick and thin - that's how it should be. But sometimes, a touch of realism is needed. What I saw today was, in my opinion, a dour affair with little free flowing attractive football to admire. Birmingham weren't much better, although when the chance came to put us to the sword they did so. We simply didn't create enough chances and when we do create the odd chance we don't take it. The three games I've seen this week have done little to alter my opinion that this is going to be a difficult season. There simply aren't enough goals in this team and defensively we are always likely to concede. We have lost a lot of Championship experience over the summer and, in my view, haven't replaced it. Ismael talked about game management and that's something that experienced players are able give you. Today we were totally naive at the end and it cost us a point. A 1-1 draw is no disgrace - the old adage - "if you can't win a game, don't lose it" still stands. In my opinion, we need a couple of old heads, who know what the game is about at this level, before the window closes. At the moment our squad is wafer thin and injuries and suspensions could see us in real trouble. Despite my reservations I have my ticket for Hull next week, but defeat there and the alarm bells will be ringing.

Disappointing result after having taken the lead. Sadly, a lack of Championship 'know-how' doesn't help. With players like Batth, Brittain, Weimann, Dolan and Travis the game would have been won, once we'd got our noses in front. As yet, and it's still early days, most of the new signings don't look anywhere near as good as the players they have replaced. Ismael was right when he said the game management was poor, but I also think some to the substitutions were not the best. Tronstad hasn't found last season's form and Tavares doesn't strike me as a defensive midfield player. McLoughlin looks decent, but he's come from a Championship team and knows what this league is about. The ref was poor, of course he was, but that one usually is. Nonetheless, we gave him the opportunity to give the penalty and the second goal was just plain embarrassing. To allow the opposition to score from YOUR corner takes some doing. The corner kick from Tavares was simply shocking - particularly as he could have slipped it to an unmarked Ribeiro to whip it over from a different angle. But having lost possession, the attempts to get back and stop the breakaway were less than impressive. I thought Cantwell looked good and, for all his critics, I thought Hedges put in a shift before he was replaced. The bench looks very thin and without some additions I suspect this might be a long old season. Onwards to Hull City next week for a game that we badly need to get a result from.