Credit to Mowbray and the players today for an excellent performance from first whistle to last. Tactically we were spot on for 90 minutes. No weak links, although Rothwell was stupid to get booked when he was having one of his better games. Sensible substitution to take him off before Wednesday tried to get him booked again. I thought Downing was outstanding and ran the game. His vision and range of passing is a joy to watch - no aimless balls, everything done with purpose. Gallagher had a better game coming in from wide positions and caused Wednesday lots of problems as did Holtby in the Dack Role. Defensively we looked sound and Bell had another good game at left-back. It was good to see both Rankin-Costello and Davenport get a run out in the second half and both looked very comfortable on the ball. Wednesday looked very poor and their fans left in droves after goals three and four.

Agree, that there are plenty of iconic figures you could have on flags - Dougie and Ronnie to name but two. Sadly, I can imagine someone, somewhere at Ewood believing it would be a good idea to have a Kean or Coyle flag if they were the present manager.

Rev, My post was in answer to a post by Stuart who suggested that the fanbase needed to turn against the manager if he was to be encouraged to walkaway. I was merely pointing out that there was little sign of that thus far. I was using the 70s and 80s examples of crowds turning on a manager and how it was clear that those managers had lost the overwhelming support of the fanbase. I would agree that our financial situation is partly - not totally - self inflicted with two significant transfers that have not worked out. I don't have a problem with the likes of Hart, Davenport or Chapman. These were picked up for very little and could - and still might - come off but if they don't we haven't lost a huge amount on them. Rather like the likes of Tallon, Harford, Burnett, Makel, Pelzer etc in the past. The real issue is the amount spent on Gallagher and Brereton and the fact that they haven't, nor do they look likely to deliver what was expected of them. Of course the blame for that rests with the manager. Mowbray is not the first at Ewood to invest heavily in players who simply don't deliver but without Premier League money to fall back on it really holes the club below the financial waterline. It will be these signings that will do for the manager in the long run if they don't improve. Again, I totally agree with you that the goalkeeping situation is a mess of our own making. We've allowed a promising young goalkeeper to leave for next to nothing and replaced him with an inferior one on loan - madness. Fortunately both senior 'keepers will be gone in the summer and we do have two excellent young 'keepers in Fisher and Hilton. At the moment I believe a managerial change is unlikely - I suspect the owners would not be keen on paying up the remaining two years of his contract - but I would expect the owners to be asking serious questions about the transfer activity during their summer meeting.

Personally, I really don't see the issue with the flag. Whoever was the present manager the club would make a flag with their image on. There are two of Jack Walker, one of the badge and one of the manager - linking the club with past and present. I doubt if Mowbray knew anything about the flag and that it was the commercial or community department attempting to do something different on matchdays that probably came up with the idea.

I'm staggered you rate Walton so highly. Undoubtedly the worst regular first choice 'keeper I've seen in the best part of 60 years - only Barton and Butcher run him close and I must admit that I rated them far more highly than Walton - fortunately he'll be back at Brighton in the summer. As you say it's all about opinions.

In fairness, I think we are still some way off the fans turning on the manager in any sizeable numbers. The away support seems firmly behind the manager and team during games despite the fact that there are doubts about certain players and the positions in which they play. Likewise at Ewood, I've not really encountered people who are desperate for a change despite reservations about the present situation. Mowbray is still well-liked by a large number of supporters despite what may be written on here. When fans wanted rid of Iley or Saxton, for example, there was no mistaking the hostility at the ground. I think we are a long way off that sort of situation and I suspect you are right in that it will take something of that magnitude to change things. However, as I said, I don't believe there is that sort of desire for change at the moment. In the past the likes of Lee, Smith and Kendall have been able to use a spell at Ewood as a stepping stone to bigger things in management. I suspect any young and up and coming manager today would be wary of taking on the Rovers. The financial situation means they are likely to have no money to rebuild a squad which is a long way off being a top six outfit, let alone a top two side. At the same time you have a fanbase where memories of the Premier League are still fresh and the desire to return is huge. In the past expectation levels weren't as high because we had spent such a long time away from the top flight. Indeed, if you had offered supporters in the early seventies the League position we are in today we'd have snapped your hand off! I don't believe there are any easy solutions to the plight of the club - the financial situation is now the issue which overrides everything else and colours every decision, including that of the manager.

Excellent performance by the Under-21's last night at St. George's Park - and what an outstanding venue that is. We really ought to have won by more than one and controlled the game for long periods. Joe Hilton was faultless in goal and looks a real prospect. The two young centre-back - Hayden Carter and Sam Barnes were outstanding whilst Brad Lyons ran the show in midfield. Stef Mols worked tirelessly - another impressive display by this lad. Quite how Lyons and Mols can't make the bench I find astonishing at times. It would be a real blow if these two lads end up leaving without being given at least a chance in a Cup game to show what they can do. Finally, what an impressive place St. George's Park is as the centre for our national game. The Hotel, the FA Building the floodlit pitches - indoor and outdoor - are all immaculate. It must cost a fortune to maintain it at that level but I suspect the hotel brings in a huge amount of money with the number of clubs that use it. The pitches were like billiard tables not a blade of grass out of place. An unbelievable place!

Last night was like watching a re-run of the Birmingham Cup-tie - dominate possession but unable to score. The highlight for me was the appearance of Luke Brennan as a sub in the second-half. Reminded me of a young Duff the way he dribbled down that left wing. Put in some good crosses as well. What I particularly liked about him was the way the ball was always under his control when running with it. I thought we were unlucky not to take at least a point but, in fairness, Brighton defended well - sometimes with ten men back in the box - although some of their play was rather theatrical when they were tackled.

It's always been like that. The gates, like at other clubs, remain closed until 20 minutes or so after the final whistle to allow pedestrians to clear the area. If you are looking to make a quick exit then the club car parks are not the place to be. Before the Council opened the bus lanes up it wasn't unusual to be sat for the best part of an hour on the car park after the game. I never plan on getting away much before half-five on a matchday. I let the rush go and then have no problems getting away.

Happy New Year Rev ! Apologies, I thought I'd answered your question. I've always thought - from day one - that we were a mid-table squad. A squad that would finish around 10th to 12th place. With a bit of luck, and a fair wind, we might just have been pushing for a play-off place if everything fell right for us. At the moment that seems to be where we are at present. I totally agree that a similar finish to last season would be hugely underwhelming considering the money that has been spent - primarily on two underachieving forwards. At that point I would expect the manager to have serious questions to answer - as any manager should in those circumstances.

Totally agree with your last point about Bowyer. I think Gary and his Dad had a good eye for a player. I think Gary had great potential as a manager. He did a good job at Blackpool, in difficult circumstances, and Bradford City are looking good for promotion. At the moment I really don't believe that changing the manager would bring about any real change in our fortunes. We need some of our highly paid players to start performing on a more consistent basis. Johnson, for example, was outstanding at Bristol and atrocious at Huddersfield. Admittedly we need to look to keep a settled formation and the Dack injury seems to have completely derailed things in that respect. At present we simply don't look like scoring from open play and don't seem to have found an alternative to the creativity that Dack supplied. Ultimately, the manager has to get the players he has paid a fair amount of money for to start delivering. Come the end of the season he will surely be judged on how successful those players have been and if they have delivered a better League position than last season. I totally agree with what arbitro said above about the Bristol game being the template we should have followed. That was the best performance I've seen for a long time and yet now, just a couple of week later, we seem light years away from that level. Injuries have clearly taken their toll but really all it has done is highlight the fact that the squad may have numbers but not the quality required. With the present financial situation, and FFP regulations suggesting a transfer embargo may not be far away, I'm not sure how we are going to solve that problem.

We are a long, long way off top six material in my opinion Stuart and, as you know, I always like to have a positive outlook on life. With the best will in the world we are mid-table and no more. The signings we've made simply haven't delivered what was expected of them - and yes that's down to management as much as the players. The more I see of Brereton the more I wonder about his signing - particularly for £6 million - even if the money is spread over a number of years. I suspect that the plan was to sell Dack in January to make additions to the team - that plan is clearly in ruins. With the financial situation as it is and a possible transfer embargo on the horizon, I'm at a loss as to how we do anything other than survive at Championship level at the moment.

Agree with so much of this. I thought Downing tried to use the ball to get Bell free on the left but he simply doesn't have the ability or confidence to attack the space that was there for him to run into. Downing was the only player who looked anywhere near the level of team looking for a play-off place. Walton looks a panic solution to Raya leaving and is simply one of the worst goalkeepers I've seen as a regular starter for Rovers. The only positive about Walton is that he is not our player and we can get shot as soon as possible - I would much prefer Fisher or Hilton being given a chance at this point, even Leutwiler can't be worse than this guy and I must admit that I don't really rate him. Quite how Rothwell managed to avoid the hook I'll never know. He is well and truly in "headless chicken" mode in terms of running around with no end product. He should have been hauled off after presenting Forest with their third goal. As for Brereton - what can you say? I feel sorry for the lad. He is clearly not up to it and I suspect would struggle to win a place in a League One side. Basically, I thought we looked awful today and the substitution of Travis seemed a strange one to say the least. I believe Mowbray, over the course of a full season, would keep us up but some of his signings have left a lot to be desired. Ultimately, it is on Brereton and Gallagher - the non-scoring duo - that Mowbray will be judged and at the moment they both look dreadful signings. I still believe he will keep us well away from relegation and in mid to lower mid-table. With our present financial situation I'm not sure if we can expect much else. With the financial situation dire, and a transfer embargo no doubt just around the corner I suspect we are in for a few difficult years. Not the first time we have been in this situation but that doesn't make it any easier to take. We can only hope that the Academy can keep producing players we need as I suspect we are not going to be spending much in the near future.

Historically speaking you are correct Vinjay. Darwen were the main rivals - and it was a bitter rivalry - during the early history of the club - long before the Burnley rivalry kicked in. So very true. And an excellent article which was a very enjoyable, if painful, read when one thinks back to our position in 2010.

When Lenihan passes the ball to an opponent that is down to Lenihan. The reason players misplace passes is because that aren't Premier League standard. Every team does the same in this League - Birmingham gave the ball away continually, as did Wigan and Bristol last week. There is a reason Rothwell, for example, was plying his trade at Oxford United and not Manchester United when we signed him. As for Dack, you can't not play a player because you believe he might be sold in a few weeks time. You'd be the first to be up in arms about the manager doing that! Personally, I was delighted to see Buckley get a start today because I think the lad has a huge amount of potential. Ultimately, Stuart, you don't care for the manager - which is fair enough. Personally, I don't mind him and think he's done a decent job overall during his time at the club. Clearly the manager is something we will have to agree to disagree on. The only people who can change the manager are the owners and from what one hears he has their full support.

Ultimately you have to pay up the remainder of their contracts - until June 2020. So we don't save anything by releasing players at this stage. No agent is going to recommend to a player that they walk away without being paid in full, particularly if dropping down a division means a huge pay cut in the future.

Surprisingly it's the players on the pitch making the poor decisions and the poor passes. Not sure how Mowbray is to blame if a player makes a poor pass. I thought the system today was fairly clear - a basic 4-4-2, similar to what we played at Bristol. As for selling Dack, it's been no secret that the plan has revolved around selling to strengthen. It's not the first time we have adopted this approach - sometimes it works and other times it hasn't - Gordon Lee and Howard Kendall were particularly good using money from sales to rebuild a stronger team. I think that approach has been mentioned at virtually every consultation meeting with supporters. I would agree that Gallagher and Brereton have been disappointing and, as yet, certainly not lived up to their price tags. If Mowbray can't spend then he will have to improve the players we have and look to integrate the Under-23 players over the remainder of this season.

I suspect everything depended on selling Dack to raise funds. With us sailing close to the wind with regard to FFP I really don't expect much being spent in January unless we can shift a few out. As for the game today I had no problem with the team selected - those players ought to have been good enough to beat a very poor Birmingham side. The truth is many of our players flatter to deceive. We are what we are at the moment - a mid-table team who on their day can give most a game but, on another day, are capable of losing to anyone. Without Dack I'm not sure who is going to score the goals we need. Without reinforcements, which I'm not really expecting, I suspect we will finish in the top half but some way off the top six.

Gallagher and Brereton are not going to get enough goals to cover Dack. Rothwell doesn't score and Armstrong blows hot and cold. Graham doesn't work as well with the others as he does with Dack. For me, a Dack replacement should be the number one priority in this window.

The game needed a stronger referee who was wise to the gamesmanship of Wigan. Typical Cook team of spoilers who did what they had to do to get a point. Too many of our players were not at their best and that inconsistency really confirms what I've always thought - we are far too good to go down but not quite good enough to get into the top six. The performances at Swansea and Bristol were completely different from tonight. However, the window presents an opportunity and if Dack is out for any length of time - and it could well be a season ending injury - we will need strengthen in attack - Gallacher and/or Brereton aren't going to get the goals we need. A point wasn't the worst result after our recent run but with only a couple of days to the Birmingham game, and with a few carrying knocks after tonight, it's going to be a real test on Thursday.

Being at Turf Moor 1977. Nothing has come close to eclipsing that one for me. Terrific game and terrific atmosphere - and we all got there under our own stream without it being a military operation! Other end of the scale was turning up at Ewood a couple of days after the Boxing Day 8-2 win at Upton Park and expecting to see double figures only for West Ham to win 3-1 - the joys of following Rovers!.

He rested players who were injured or carrying knocks. That's fair enough. Maybe you feel you should have been reimbursed on the day for travelling down to London and not seeing a win, but those I went with and everyone around me at the Valley had a great day out. The main objective was to get promoted and we did. We dropped points over the course of the season that's life. We had a great time travelling around the grounds in League One - just for a season - and I think you'll find the travelling support really enjoyed those trips, including the Charlton one.

If TM got us to the Premier League in the next couple of years then he would fully deserve the opportunity to build a team for that level. He has another two seasons on his contract to achieve that. I would agree that the likes of Brereton and Chapman have been very disappointing signings but I still believe he should be given money in January and next summer to continue the building of the squad.

Ultimately the manager, who many, including myself, questioned some of his decisions, has shown that an experienced football man does indeed know what he is doing and has a long term plan which seems to be heading in the right direction. Hopefully, a top half finish this season will provide a platform for a promotion push - although if we continue like this the play-offs may well be within reach this campaign. Mowbray, despite my own doubts a few weeks ago, is showing that he is exactly the right man to take the team forward and has had the strength of character to come through a difficult period and still retained the full support of the players and, if anything, improved the spirit within the camp. In adversity the manager has stood up to the pressure and the players seem to have an excellent relationship with him. That bond between manager and players is vital for any club to make progress. Let's just enjoy the moment Stuart.

Excellent piece by Jim who captured the period and Jim Smith brilliantly. They were happy days following Smith's team. He delivered an exciting brand of football with a mixture of youth and experience and was probably just a centre-forward short of achieving a return to the top flight.