garnersfags

I haven't heard anyone ask Mowbray why he was unable to strengthen central defence after shipping so many goals last season. One inexperienced central defender (who has hardly played in central defence) in, and one experienced, aging, 12 goal a season, central defender out. We conceded 2 or 3 goals per game last season, and we will do the same this season. If Lenihan & Williams were his 1st choice partnership, why didn't he play them last season? I know a lot of the top six, play offs comments are ironic but quite a number on here, before the Luton game, were predicting we would continue an upward curve. What planet are you on? Were you absent last season? Were you unaware of the weakening of our defensive unit? Anyway, with a weaker defence, we will have a weaker, or at best similar, season. So sad.

Reasonable point. Holtby will be the player of the season, but his class will be cancelled out by Mowbray's misguided desperation to mould Gallacher and Samuel into the next SAS or Gestede & Rhodes. Stubborn n clueless. But at least we're not going down...

I also genuinely questioned whether I could keep watching a group of players who really aren't reaching their individual or collective potential.... I'll not be chucking the towel in yet, but it feels harder to keep watching than last season, for some reason.

I think Downing's only really effective performances have been his fleeting moments on the left of midfield, such as the 2nd half against Charlton. Unfortunately, his job is to create and score goals, not to protect the back 4, that's Travis & Johnson's job. If he plays on the left, we will create more real chances. Square pegs, round holes. I'm sad.

That 100% posession resulted in zero efforts on goal. We passed and played in front of them. This will hopefully improve when Holtby replaces Johnson, who obv needs his season to be kick started every 8 games by being left out. Or sold (ok, I know that is being extreme to make a point, but the point stands). It is almost impossible for a striker to score playing the way we did in the 1st half. We didn't, in fact, have a goalscoring striker on the pitch until the 70th min. £13m anyone.....?

Talk about hitting the nail on the head. I agree entirely. The only difference is that Bowyer assembled a squad that we all thought should have been in the play offs, but was scuppered by Gary's total lack of confidence and courage. Whereas Tony's ambition is to get to 8th, then take his foot off the pedal to ensure we don't get relegated. I'm so happy....

Good post...

Has anyone ever heard Mowbray being asked to justify these 2 signings? Also, please could I ask anyone on here to justify or explain the permanent £5m signing of Gallacher, another striker who hasn't scored goals at any, I repeat, any level.

I feel so genuinely sorry for you....

Wow. Always dangerous posting emotionally just after a disappointing defeat, but here goes. Gallacher isn't a footballer, in my opinion. Still. But TM has committed to playing him come what may. Another huff and puffer. No quality when it matters. Samuel. As above. Unfair to judge him on today, but another big, strong, talentless option favoured by TM. If TM had been determined to continue to concede 2 or more goals per game, his recruitment plan would have been exactly what we have seen this summer. Can anyone tell me why we bypass Dack at every opportunity? Our forward pass to the edge of the box is practically non-existent. Our one plan, to pass wide to a full back, generally results in the end of the attack. We dominated posession for 90 minutes, but didn't test their keeper. I repeat, we take the easy option to pass to a full back, rather than take on the trickier, riskier, pass to a forward who is more likely to create a shot on target. Our quest still seems to be keep it tight til 60 minutes, hopefully not be more than one goal down, then switch to an attacking line-up to hopefully equalise, or sometimes even win. I really like Bennett, but he is not effective at this level, and is our safest option. If any of the above was consitently resulting in creative football and/or victories, I suppose the play it safe approach might be justified.... There was a total lack of quality when it mattered. 2 shots on target, neither of which tested the keeper. Pitiful, and a carbon copy of last season, but without the opportunity to enjoy Dack or Mulgrew's entertaining contributions. Pitiful.

On what evidence? Gally hardly had sniff of a chance on Saturday. At no point did you feel that he wanted to control the ball, turn, and head towards goal. Or beat a man. Or muscle past a defender to get to a header. I maintain that neither Gally or Ben are natural footballers. They don't hit the target, create anything for themselves or naturally arrive in the box at the right time. 13 mill was more or less our budget for the last 12 months and we've spent it on 2 players from the reserves. They need to score 25 goals between them. At least. In addition to Rothwell, Armstrong, Dack & Graham's goals. I predict this won't happen. We treat them as if they are willing free transfers with potential. They are the reason we havent bewn able to offer 5+ mill for a proper CB. I really think our most productive front 2 will be Dack & Graham. Please prove me wrong, Gally & Ben...

That may be a wind up, but I really think we have forgotten those numerous white flag, where's the defence gone, heads down debacles from January (and before) onwards. That was with these defenders, plus a young lad who had never played at CB. How is that stronger defensively? Hands up if you think the squad is stronger defensively than at the end of last season? Awaits stampede.....

....not sure if everyone quite gets the 5pm deadline idea.

.....just waiting for someone to announce the 10 o'clock deadline, brought in last season, to allow the quill ink to dry....

It's 7.05.....

I didn't realise we had signed Cunningham, that's a relief.

Surely it's only official when either club announces it....

Sky announced we had signed Cunningham, but we haven't. Who's the blond boy modelling the new blue n white kit btw....?

....all this talk of Meltdown.....any details? What meltdown?

....absolutely NO info or rumours. Anyone?

Have either club announced Charlie? Superb signing for them. As we know, he is an inspiration, he is a top sweeper in a relegation battle.

TM has his head in the sand following our dismal away performances last season. We needed to double the strength of our defence, to start even drawing some of the games we were conceding 3 or 4. The Telegraph and R Lancs journalists have not directly put this point to him. I genuinely feel those capitulating performances didn't hurt him as much as they hurt and humiliated us. He really doesn't believe that's where our problems are, he stated as much after the Charlton game. I am hoping beyond hope......

It's ten past 6....

If we have done the deal, but just waiting for the admin, we would be able to announce or leak it. No one can steal at that point. So that means Charlie hasn't gone either. Doesn't it? I feel 90% of us believe we are about to announce 2 new decent signings. Is that naive?

There's not been a sniff on Cunningham for hours. It could be a total punt from Sky. Not one of our ITK-ers have heard a dickiebird. How sad.....