Parsonblue

Tomlinson is an energetic tough tackler. Covers the ground, is a ninety minute players and has a terrific shot on him. Butterworth has great potential but has only just moved up to Under-23's. Needs more time to develop at this level. Mols is a dynamic midfield player who gets forward and can create chances. Plays central or can play wide on the right. It's only this season that he has broken into the Under-23's. Fisher has looked a very capable goalkeeper this season and shown plenty of potential. Josh Powell, who impressed in pre-season, has now joined the ranks so we are well served in this department. Joe had a little dip in form whilst there was uncertainty about his contract but now that has been signed he has shown a return to form. Another who will be knocking on the senior squad door next season. Mansell has scored goals and is a hard working lad but it's difficult to know if he will make the grade as so few strikers seem to make it.

To be fair both have looked very good. Travis can play right-back or midfield whilst Doyle, although tried in left-sided midfield roles, is a far better left-back. Travis has, deservedly been in and around the first team this season whilst Doyle is not too far away and certainly a far better bet than Hendrie was ever likely to be. At the moment I would think Williams probably still has the edge over him. There is a pool of very good young players at the club in Raya, Nyambe, Travis, Platt, Wharton, Doyle, Mols, Tomlinson, Hardcastle and Mahoney. There are also a number of younger ones who are beginning to make an impression at Under-18 level.

I don't know why you bother chaddy. Jal is a WUM and nothing more. I no longer get involved in any of his discussions. Makes this board far more enjoyable when you ignore certain posters that you believe are simply WUM.

Neither played today.

Disappointing performance today at a very wet and windy Brockhall by the Under-23 team. A different system - three centre-backs with Henley and Hendrie operating as wing backs - didn't work and ultimately we were beaten by the only goal by the better side. We missed two decent early chances but never got a look in after that. Sunderland looked very impressive and thoroughly deserved their win. Both teams now go into the draw for the knock-out stage.

A very good win and an excellent performance, particularly up to the point when Butterworth came off injured. First twenty minutes or so it was fairly even and Cardiff looked like being tough opponents. Then we started knocking it around with increased confidence and played some lovely pass and move football. Hardcastle and Mols were outstanding in midfield, Mols playing in an unfamiliar position on the right wing. Rankin-Costello took his goals well and Butterworth was a constant threat playing just behind Mansell. Ward and Hoban looked, as you would expect, a class apart and controlled things at the back without breaking sweat. This allowed Travis and Doyle to continually attack down the flanks from full-back. Injuries to Butterworth and Doyle meant we lost momentum in the second half and although we created numerous chances we didn't take them. Cardiff's consolation came with the last kick of the match. This was another very impressive performance from Rovers youngsters considering they were without Nyambe, Tomlinson, Mahoney, Platt and Thomson. Hardcastle is returning to form after a lean time, Mols looks an outstanding attacking prospect, as does Rankin-Costello and in Butterworth we looked to have picked up a real prospect from United. Travis and Doyle were excellent in the full-backs positions - both in defence and going forward. The ideal game for Ward and Hoban as they got 90 minutes in without being overworked.

Both Senior and Mowbray are new to the club so only time will tell if this relationship will work. It works abroad and it works in American sport so there is no reason why it can't work here. Naturally people are suspicious of anyone that the present owners appoint as their track record is one of failure followed by failure. It would seem more clubs are going down this route and even in the Premier League managers are now having to work with directors of football or committees when it comes to buying players. The key to making it work is the relationship between the head coach and the director of football.

The head coach/director of football relationship works well all across Europe so no reason to believe that it can't work in this country.

The majority of supporters will judge him on his abilities to deal with the team. They, like myself, couldn't care less what title he has.

Last time I looked he was manager of Blackburn Rovers. And before you ask Jal, I don't care who his agent may or may not be as long as he does a decent job at this club.

At last!!! We finally agree on something!

I totally agree with your correction. Mowbray's record and approach suggests he could well be the best we have had since Big Sam - we can but hope.

I think you might find Wolves fans disagree at the moment.

Watching him standing on the touchline all game, not only does he sound like a manager he looks and acts like a manager. A welcome change from the past two managers we've had.

Must say I've been impressed with the interviews thus far. Sadly, the timing of the switch was all wrong - giving him four games in a matter of twelve days means he has little time to work on the training ground. It should have happened after the Rotherham game, indeed it should have been after Barnsley. Long term I believe he will be the right man for the job and feel far more optimistic than under Coyle. Only time will tell, and it will be a struggle, but at least we are now in with a fighting chance of staying up.

To be honest Tom I would have liked to have seen Dunny stay with Johnson, although as Under-23 games rarely if ever clash with first team games, I can see him continuing some involvement with the Under-23's. Dunny will bring some much needed passion to the first team. Johnson has done a great job with the Under-23's so it's a real plus that he is staying in that role.

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.