briansol

He's had at least half a season ruined by two injuries picked up at away at England U17. Think he's just being eased in after being injured for a long time. He'll be a starter for sure when fit.

Thought Mowbray carried himself very well in this interview. Decent bloke, wish him well for the future. Just hope that they at least has someone lined up, but you can see up limping into the summer without a plan and staff. https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/blackburn-rovers-leaving-tony-mowbray-23834189

That's a decent comparison.

I'm a big fan as well. Very intelligent player who links up play and decent finisher as well. Since he doesn't have explosive pace, it might take some time to bulk up to be effective at senior level as a striker.

Think a few of them will get new deals. Whitehall has been injured all season, but more than enough potential to deserve an extension. Gilsenan similar with injury, but has a lot of ability and I'd like to see him given a year at U23 level to see how he adapts. Harlock as well, as he has shown good progress this year. The rest I'm more uncertain about.

Think Mowbray on a whole has done a good job. Not great, but better than average. 5 years is a decent run, he survived a couple of really poor spells. But also deserves credits for this season on a whole. While the latter part has been a big let down, still being in a play-off race with two games two go is far better then expected when starting the season. He's managed to get a young group of players playing for each other. While it might be time for a new pair of hands, the handling from the club is awful. He's a honest and honourable bloke that deserves to be told, not like this. Ridicoulous. They have a very bad track record, so I fear for the next appointment. It's far easier to find someone worse, than better..

Think he was so pissed and embarrased by the first half he couldn't enjoy anything after. When was the last time he made two subs at half time?

There just seem to be a collective lack of confidence in front of goal. When even our best finisher Dack takes a penalty like that you really can't see where a goal is coming from. With the exception of Khadra, the players seem scared to get into the box and have a try, and it's hard to see where the next goal is coming from.

Watched the game. Very poor performance against a bottom team in their own league, who they beat 3-1 last time. Lacked desire and confidence. Credit to Forest who game with a game plan and was deadly on the counter against some really poor defending. Highlighted by Pratt who had 40 yards to cover for the second goal, but kept jogging in the middle. Everybody was far below their usual standard. You also wondering why the management team didn't change up the tactics earlier. 4 straight losses now as the season is faltering badly. Without Ash Phillips the team looks without any leaders as well.

Isn't Buckley also from that group?

Never in a million years he'll go for 500k, which is not a good result at all. Even in League One we had a similar case with Callum Wright to Leicester which went for 1 mill. Jude Bellingham was on a pre-contract being only 16 and got sold for 20-30 mill. Granted Phillips will not be as much, but given his England credentials, pre-contract, U23 captaincy the club should have no problem arguing a case.

Can't be helpful for the confidence being knocked out at home vs non-league.

Bmout with a truly awful first half againt Non-league Boreham in the FA Cup. Trailing 0-1 and had their first attempt in the 45th minute (pot shot outside goal). Looks like money can't buy confidence. Wonder how long Parker will last if this continues.

Thought Wharton was a lot better tonight. It was more that the team played so well and the ball was moved around by everybody. Agree with Durrant (Dolan junior), also think Brennan had his best game for a long time at the other flank.

Another great performance by the U23 today, winning 6-0 and moving them outside the relegation zone. Hard to single out anybody since everybody played well. All eyes were on Dack who enjoyed himself for 60 minutes. Showed his class with a well-taken goal and some good approach play. However some caution needed as he still looks well short of physical condition to play high intensity Championship football. As Mowbray has suggested it sounds wise to take a bit slowly and have him on the bench as an impact sub. Probably going to be a pre-season and next season that he'll be back to his old fitness. Probably expected given that he's been out for more or less two years. It's also a clear trend that the U18 players are starting to impact the games more at this level. 3 of the back four was made up of U18 and passmaster Wharton was gliding around the midfield with his rolled-down socks and keeping the ball ticking. Hard not to hype up Ash Phillips. A 16-year old kid in a man's body. Given the captain's armband again and looks like a leader. Had a chuckle when he patted Dack on the back of the head after one of the goals. You have to be a bit caution considering his age, but very hard to not see him making it to the top level. The club's going to have a fight when the top clubs are going to throw money around to get him.

Probably means that both Breo and Khadra are fit and have travelled. With Hedges being able to play as a forward there is probably enough bodies.

Looked decent last game, and impressed tonight. Even though not biggest, he was a man playing against kids. Bombed down the flank from his right-back and got another assist. Looks fit and can handle the ball. Think he could do a job if called upon. Suddenly the right-back is well covered.

Always been a fan of Vale. Not many better strikers at this level when he is on form. Really is a well-rounded striker with pace, good feet, great link-up play. Can finish with both feet and gets some headers as well. He's a decent size and looks a little more bulked up now as well. I think his only downside is that he's not natural confident, and it shows in his body language at times. Needs to be built up and could be really decent player. At this form he could easily be on the bench and be a useful squad player. A better prospect than Butterworth and couple of years younger as well.

Not for me. Excellent manager for Barnsley and maximized their potential with his direct playing style. However failed to adapt use West Brom's strength with better players. Persisted with long throws and direct football, which the fans hated. Would be a bad fit here. Imagine watching a game where half the time is spent drying the ball with a towel and trying to hurl a ball onto Gallagher's head in the box. Don't even think we have somebody who can hurl the ball into the box. The one thing you'd give Mowbray credit for this season is applying a formation and style that suits the players we have.

Very much agree, especially with the bloated squad point. I think outside the parachut teams, I think the wage level is quite similar. Can't compete with the parachute teams though, who can offer 30-40k wages.

Phillips will have many admirers. Probably the biggest talent for this club at that age in decades. Only 16, capped at England u17, singled out by Mowbray on multiple occasions. Thinks he's training with seniors on permanent basis as well. Was captain for the U23! last match. Has height, power, pace and composure which is everything you need in a centre-back. It's reported that he has a "pre-contract" or what you call it, similar to what Bellingham had at Bham, since you can't sign professional terms untill 17. However if he continues his development I suspect he's not long for this club, even on a contract.

I was probably poor at expressing my opinion. Agree with FFP cannot be used as an excuse if the players demands are somewhat reasonable. And yes, even under financial restrictions it seems like the contract situation has been handled poorly.

While it's not uncommon for a CEO to have bonus tied into cost-saving measures, I'm not sure if that is the case here. The contracts is about protecting your assets, and no company likes to loose their investments for free. At the same time it's clear that FFP is a major obstacle, and this club does not run in a healty economicly way. The solution to all is of course promotion which would solve all problems...

You make a good case regarding the obvious success of the U23 last term and progressing them to senior football. I did watch quite a few games, and I would probably say that team was a better then the individual parts. Unlike Buckley, who was a standout player in each game, it was more team effort with some good individual performances. McBride did well, but has regressed a bit this season, although finding some form lately. He need some senior experience, but doesn't look ready for the Championship yet. Jack Vale is in a similar situation. Equally with Sam Burns who is on loan at Scunthorpe. Jake Garrett is the obvious candidate from last season who I think we'll see more of this season. Mowbray recently mentioned that there was no point in bloating the squad when he Phillips, Garrett and Adam Wharton he could fill the bench with and save 5 mill quid.

Not sure it would've been so different around another manager. He was a big talent for Boro, but they had no problem getting rid of him either. Naturally gifted, but there seems to be something lacking when it comes to application and attitude. Those personality traits are hard to improve. If you've ever played football at any level, you'd met a Harry Chapman type, lot's of ability but no desire.