Under the circumstances it seems a decent appointment. Plenty of experience and both Lowe and Dunny know the players he is going to be working with which should help. I feel we have at least have given ourselves a chance of avoiding relegation with this appointment. Only time will tell but wish him all the luck in the world.

This is where we differ. I only see footballers and not nationalities. In the three lads I mentioned I can only see huge promise and I don't have a problem with footballers having agents. So hopefully, Nyambe, Raya, Tomlinson and many more will come through and claim regular positions in the team. I'm assuming the likes of Stefan Mols and Ben Paton wouldn't meet with your approval either.

Whatever league we are in next season we want to keep producing good young players like Ryan Nyambe, David Raya, Willem Tomlinson and the rest!

I've seen huge improvements in the lad this season so he is clearly learning from someone. Everyone who I sit with at Ewood, who never go to the Under-23 or Under-18's, have been hugely impressed with him. He looks the real deal at the moment but obviously, we need to see if he can deliver over a number of seasons with the same level of consistency that he is showing now.

Last night's game at Southport wasn't the best. A bitterly cold night and an awful playing surface but a good win for the young lads against a Southport team playing in front of their new manager. Southport had the better of the first half but the Rovers finished the stronger of the two sides with Mansell scoring a cracking goal. Andy Fisher was the star of the night - good saves during the game and brilliant in the penalty shoot-out. Fleetwood at home in the semi-finals is the reward for a winning a really tough game.

He played very well on Saturday Jal, just as he has done so in the past few games. He's finding his feet at this level and learning very quickly. So far he looks quite at home playing at Championship level.

Wharton and Platt have been together for a number of years coming through the ranks together. I think the only way you find out about them Tyrone is by giving them game time with the seniors. Nyambe seems to have made the step up, although I've no doubt he'll make errors as he's still young and learning, but he doesn't seem out of place at that level. I'm sure there are others in the Under-23's who could do the same but throwing them into a relegation struggle, particularly with the present manager, would be asking a huge amount of them.

Travis is better in midfield but is a solid full-back when asked to play in that position. Doyle is developing into a decent left-back but untried at senior level. One you have missed is Matty Platt, who is captain of the Under-23's and every bit as good as Wharton.

Different types of player Jal which is why they compliment each other in the Under-23's. Mahoney is the more creative who can deliver a spectacular goal or wonderful cross whilst Thomson is the workhorse who gets up and down for ninety minutes.

A 2-1 win - our third win on the run - and an absolutely brilliant game of football. As far as I'm aware Category 1 status is reviewed every three years and as we were reviewed last year we should have another two years at that level before we are due another review. Of course you can opt to leave Category 1 if you wish - which is what Bolton did a couple of years ago to cut costs.

A cracking game of football tonight at Leyland. Two teams playing attacking football and giving one hundred per cent. Everyone in a Blue & White shirt tonight was good, not a weak link in the team against an excellent West Ham team. Tomlinson, Travis and Thomson in particular caught the eye going forward.

He was awful Rev. He had a purple patch when he was about 17 - played for England at that level - got a long contract and has done nothing since. For the past two seasons he has struggled to make the bench for the Under21/Under23's. When he went to Chorley on loan he couldn't get a regular slot in their team.

Don't know when you last watched Mols but he is nothing like Lowe at the moment. Plays any number of forward passes and runs at defenders with the ball. Thomson reminds me at bit of Brett Emerton in that he can play wide midfield or full-back. Strong lad who can run at defenders and deliver decent balls into the box. In truth he has been moved around a bit in terms of positions and it's really only this season that they seem to have settled on the wide midfield position (usually left midfield) for him. Somewhat inconsistent and for me is a lad who needs to go out on loan to a League One or Two team to get some first team experience. I can see why they have given him another contract as he does have potential but I'm not convinced as to how far he might go. The jury is out for me which is why I would like to see him loaned out to see if he can do it at a level higher than Under-23's.

Connor Thomson is the lad that Eric picked up from Carlisle when he was released. Plays wide midfield most of the time. Travis is playing right-back at the moment because Nyambe has moved up to the senior team. Travis is far better in the midfield role that he has occupied for most the season. Hopefully Travis will be the next youngster to be given a contract, certainly deserves one for the progress he has made this season. Travis and Tomlinson make a formidable partnership in the centre of midfield. Keep an eye out for Stefan Mols who is just starting to move up to the Under-23's as he is a really talented attacking midfield player. Not the biggest striker, similar in style really to Joe Garner but not quite as aggressive. He is quick and confident with the ball at his feet. Has an eye for goal and finishes well. Just starting to get some games with the Under-23's. Certainly played well tonight and took his goal extremely well.

Poor night all round to be honest. First half it was fairly even with Tomlinson hitting the post and then the 'keeper making a brilliant save from him. Second half Wolves took control. Travis was literally kicked out of the game. I think three yellow cards were shown for tackles on him alone. Wolves capitalised on individual errors whereas we missed chances. We do lack a quality striker at this level. Never been convinced by Mansell.

Sorry Jal, I was talking about Tre. Agree with you about Alex

From what I've seen he seems to be progressing nicely. Needs to be given a run in the Under-23's at some stage to see if he can do it at a higher level. I like the fact that he's not afraid to get a tackle in and gives as good as he gets. Despite not being the biggest he's not the type to be bullied out of it. As wingers go he's got most of the attributes you want - quick, good at crossing and has an eye for goal.

He's been out on loan at Fleetwood and I have heard he has had a trial with another club but is back in the fold now. Haven't really seen much of him. He had a nasty injury last season and I thought they might give him an extra year - as they usually do with lads who have a bad injury - but haven't heard anything as yet. What I saw of him early season looked quite promising but he seems to have been edged out and as the Under-18's are having a decent season I'm not sure how he will force his way back in.

We are in agreement at last Jal - long may it continue! Chaddy, Jal is absolutely correct in saying that Joe has worked mainly with Billy Barr prior to this season.

Good attacking midfield player, or playing just off the main striker. Can score spectacular goals. He's better in the middle than out wide which is when he tends to drift out of games. The contract delay certainly impacted on his form prior to Christmas but he looked much better on Monday having settled his future for the next few years. Not the finished product by a long way but certainly one who would appear to have a bright future in the game. It would have been criminal to allow this lad to walk away so at least Senior has pulled one good deal off.

Good to see Joe Rankin-Costello signed up on a pro contract.

At the end of the day Jal nobody knows if any young player will make it or not. The only way you find out is by playing them and giving them a decent run of games to see if they sink or swim. Thus far both Nyambe and Raya have impressed when given the chance. Both now need a run of games to see if they can sustain that improvement over the longer period. Where we differ is that you want to get rid before they are given a chance and that I don't understand. As Tyrone said earlier in this thread, there have been numerous youngsters who we might have thought didn't stand a chance of making it and they went on to enjoy very successful careers. Likewise, I've seen youngsters who I thought would make it and they haven't for whatever reason. In the past the Rovers have paid big money to bring the likes of Watt and Fitzgerald into the Academy - long before Venkys - and they have failed to make it. You only have to look back at team sheets from Academy games over the last ten years to see how few players actually make the grade at any club.

You clearly don't watch them.

Well that's one good thing that SEM Kentaro have done if they have brought us these two promising young players.