garnersfags

We all agree that there was some committed, brave defending from us tonight. Also, we ALL agree that our absentees, on and off the pitch, have negatively impacted our prospects and performances, BUT what a lot of us are frustrated about is TM's inability to organise what we had left to ensure we didn't allow an essentially defensive, robust team, to pour forward almost unchallenged for 80 minutes, to the point where we couldn't even briefly regain the ball to allow us to launch the odd pass up to our £12m, 6ft plus strikers to chase. I give credit for the Evans substitution (tho we should have been at least 2 down by then), as that did stem the tide somewhat, but a better strikeforce wouldn't have allowed us make as many blocks and clearances. Descriptions such as 'fantastic' are both fantastic and incredible in the true meaning of both words. Our play, and decision-making was poor. The point gained was more due to luck than good defending. We gave the ball away at will, and made repeated, suicidal rash challenges throughout our half. With better organisation and planning (starting with the team that finished tonight?), we can grind out 3 points on Saturday.

He said the same thing before the game, how we just needed to get to the break, not that it was a chance to pick up valuable points. I think this desperate approach was reflected on the pitch.

That's harsh. Many of us are struggling to to remember a game where we showed poorer control and distribution over 95 minutes. Even when under little or no pressure. Millionaire players have to take responsibility for individual performances like that, but yes, I know, it is also down to Mowbray's lack of organisational capability. The only reason we didn't get spanked is Boro's woeful finishing, and some decent last ditch defending. Again, I've rarely seen us give the ball away, and then fail to win it back, as regularly as tonight. That's indisputable, sorry.

I'm really beginning to think that Brereton doesn't want to score. A psychological block. That miss isn't just down to a lack of talent, so what else can it be. He really has no more idea how to play the game, when it matters, than I do.

I really can't remember poorer retention and distribution than we have displayed tonight....

Only prob with those substitutions is that we have two less last ditch blockers...

Very clever by Warnock. Elliott man marked. Brereton n Gallacher left alone to trip themselves up. Still cant see who will put their foot on the ball, it won't be Rothwell. Fingers crossed and hope is not a winning management style. I'm praying....

Brilliant, last ditch defending, Boro just not clinical. Our midfield can't regain or retain the ball. We are not organised. Our front two can't hold the ball on the odd occasion it reaches them. Trybull n Holtby not influencing the play in any way. We are soooo easy to play against. Hard to watch..

Not one of our players has had control of the ball for the last 15 minutes. Making boro look good. And they're not.

Really not a booking for Trybull. Unlucky.

Good, patient possession. Need to keep it up, as will have to give our strikers a couple (or three) very simple chances tonight. Lookin shaky at the back, even more reason to keep posession. COYB

....but we WILL win games when we have our 1st 11 fit....

We're finding it much more difficult to score when it's 0 -0, than when we are 2 nil up. That's down to quality and temperament. This is difficult when we need to score 3 or 4 to win games with our 2016 defence. Sigh...

I'd be very happy with a point looking at that line-up. All down to whether we can manage to score as many as we concede. As always. COYB!!!

Unfortunately, when analysed without emotion, we have been unable to match, dominate or beat anyone in the top half. When this changes consistently, we can talk about a top 6 challenge. Regardless of recent form, we will not be promoted with Williams in the team. I know this is currently a controversial statement, but nobody has EVER suggested he would be the answer to our defensive inadequacies, either in our relegation season, or today. We will contunue to be an entertaining team that ships goals. This is heartbraking, as just like everyone else, I have been swept along on the tide of emotion as we have soundly beaten the struggling teams, and made some positive signings. The Forest result showed more or less where we sit in the division.

We all agree about Gallagher being played out wide, but just as relevant is how many times he lost, or was unable to control the ball tonight. Every time it came to him? More or less. If we play him in the middle, he will score 3 or 4 more goals, but will break our attacks up single-handedly just as much as he did tonight. It. Is. Not. The. Answer. Having said that, BB was equally guilty of elephant-like ball control until a month ago, but we have been watching SG for 5 years. It's a long apprenticeship, and it will be a lot longer, I'm afraid. What is TM seeing to keep persevering???

Regardless of current form, I don't think we'll make the top 6 if we build our defence around Derek Williams & JRC. Regardless of their limitations, I think we should go with Nyambe, Ayala, Lenihan & Douglas, and stick with them til xmas. As always, we will need an Aderabaiyo in Jan if we are to make the top 6. We need to tactically match the top teams, which may be our downfall. The earlier point about having the same central defensive partnership as 4 years ago, says it all at for me, and only Tosun's loan spell has papered over the cracks. How a single game can change your total mood and outlook is worrying. For me, anyway. Feel better now I've shared.... Will be back with undying optimism by the weekend.

Ooops, sorry. I'm way behind, cheers.

I would take Douglas off, as he needs a run in the side which an unlucky 2nd yellow would delay. No more bookings today should be the advice. I really think this squad will now challege the better sides, there aren't many, and not just the cannon fodder. COYB

Like every Rovers fan, I'm desperate to be proved wrong, but the fact that our £12 million strikeforce will both be on the bench when everyone is fit, is all I need to say on this.

When the 200 million is written off, and we are in the 18 team Premier League, we will begin to recover, but we will never 'get over it'....

I think the point about this untimely Venkys debate is that when someone criticises them in any way, most Rovers fans, after 10 years of pain and depression, accept and understand this sentiment, and when one of us points out any positives from their reign, most Rovers fans cringe, wince, and try not to respond negatively to such premature naivety. Anyone that continues to forget, forgive, or appease will continue to attract derision and consternation. Sorry.

Our surprising (but definite) starting line up this season: Kaminski Nyambe Lenihan Ayala Douglas Holtby Trybull Johnson/Travis Armstrong Dack/Brereton Elliott When fit, Dack will play a No 10 role behind Elliot and Armstrong, or in a flat front 3, with Holtby pushing forward, if Elliott plays more traditional winger role.

Sounds crazy, but as well as quality defenders, we need a 15-20 a season goalscorer by 16 Oct. (to be more assured of a play-off spot). Around 13 million should get us one. Oh...