Basically, because Bell apart, it's generally the same back 4 and keeper as under Coyle!

And funnily enough the only 2 we own, that are capable of hitting top 6 both cost decent fees... Perhaps there is a clue to Venkys there...

Have to agree - there is a massive overhaul needed to get a sniff of promotion. Decent GK to at least compete with Raya I'd keep Nyambe and Lennihan in - buy a new CB and LB Midfield depends on whether Travis pushes on next year or fades - but at least 1 quality CM, possibly 2 and a winger. 1 quality centre forward. All need to be first team signings. Not much to ask then. Over to you Tony.

So now we know that Bundesliga 2 is of interest, which players there would be a good fit at Rovers?

It would appear something is in place now, no idea how developed. Though one would assume that hiring a scout in said country, would give you immediate access to said scout's knowledge/database of players. Then they send staff from the club to watch (Venus being the main one).

That's a fair comment to be honest. TM has said all along that he expects players to bed in and learn how we play. Nobody seems to come straight into the side. God knows how long he'll want to get 4 or 5 Johnny foreigners up to speed!

I suppose, at the end of the day, he can't really talk about specific players and who's leaving etc in public. There has to be a degree of professionalism at these things. When talking about the centre backs and getting to Rodwell, he simply said he was a 'project'. Wasn't glowing or damning about him.

Don't know if it was a throwaway comment last night but at one stage he mentioned looking at around 60pts. Think we may struggle to hit that target.

I don't doubt that for a minute. Definitely must be the game he referred to though as he said we won 1-0. Pretty certain he may have also let slip he hadn't been scouted but I may have miss-heard.

Just checked - our left side was Williams at LB and Feeney LM...draw your own conclusions!

That's the one - he said we won 1-0 but the lad gave us the run around playing right wing. Thinking about that, can we assume that Williams was left back? May explain BBs performance...

Glad to know I"m not making it up ?. I agree Rev, on paper it's been a wasted season. He even talked about losing a good signing in summer through his honesty. TM said the player would have to dislodge the current team member. He signed for a team where he was told he'd be straight in. Apparently said player is having a very good season. Thinking it may be the lad from Hibs who went to Villa. That aside, the only logical reason I can see for wasting this season with the same side, is to develop the scouting/player recruitment options. Gambling on the current lot not to get us relegated.

Oh aye, the cynic in me fully expects that. Past history and all that.

I don't think he has hit the heights of last season in terms of all round play. Possibly better opposition but his goals /assists are still impressive. Hand on heart though, I'm not convinced he's Prem quality - certainly not a top half side. £20 mil would be a no-brainer.

I think you and I are on the same page. Those were my thoughts exactly. Tonight clarified that he sees what we see on the pitch (certainly the weaknesses). Team selection is a whole other argument but he did get a laugh when he said that we (the audience), would all have picked a different side and got a win against Boro. Like you, I'm not convinced that he can pull off the transfers we need. If we can't compete financially with the big boys in the division, I'm not sure we will out smart them recruitment wise. Still, It's clear he has a plan. It will be clear to all in 18 months wether it has worked or not. I really hope it does - good luck Tony - you've won me round till then (obviously he will sleep loads better for knowing that ?).

No there wasn't much about the owners, said he had met them 3 times. just that he feels they trust him. They have given him backing for every thing he's asked for to date and he hopes they will back him in summer.

I took the last bit as being foreign so not necessarily players that are household names here but players who are better than we have now. He did keep mentioning Dack and £20mil though.

I must admit that has been a worry of mine. Some things are glaringly obvious, yet he never seems to address them publicly at least. Tonight did indicate he is as aware as the rest of us of certain issues. Did laugh when he talked about Mulgrew having to face statistically the best header in the league on Sat. Said he'd told him he better put his helmet on and compete.

He will do or die by his summer recruitment.

Oh yeah. He also waxed lyrical about Mrs Mowbray's lemon drizzle cake. So to sum up. Wanted to give last year's group this season. Admits that teams have 'found us out a little' and some players are 'feeling the quality' of the league. - to be fair also mentioned the quality of the coaches as well. The changes squad wise should come in summer. Judge the team in another year. Feels he can build a team to get us up. He said he can see where we are weak and is looking to improve all areas of the pitch. *Interesting that he admitted scrapping his tactics after the Oldham game last year as it wasn't working and moving to high intensity running game.

Also talked a about Rothwell. He was going to start against Boro before wife went in hospital. Time will come soon. TM felt that he was weak positionally at first. As he was one of the best players at Oxford he used to roam the pitch. Came with that mentality so would get caught out of position when losing the ball. Wants players to be responsible for their area of the pitch.

Guy asked why we play converted midfielders as CB. When would we sign some proper centre halves. TM basically said watch this space. He talked about not having any big blood and thunder centre backs and they were looking at that. He likes Lennihan, admits that Mulgrew and Rodwell aren't great backs to the wall defenders but bring other attributes. Sounds like he will play Mulgrew against teams that sit back. Another big lad for the more direct teams. -ideally. Also indicated he thinks we are a bit weak mentally. Keeps saying that he will have to make some tough decisions about this core group. Admits they won't get us up as it stands. Better players will arrive in summer. Targeting 25-28 year olds 'men' to go straight in. Definitely looking at a forward. Big, physical and fast (and they are all expensive) As expected - very honest guy. Also mentioned that Brereton will get some games with the 23s when the time is right. Aware of lack of confidence.

Been interesting listening to Mowbray so far. Acknowledged his loyalty to current players may be a bit of a weakness. Wanted to give the the promoted side a go but admitted they are starting to 'feel the quality' of this league. Mentioned again, that players will be replaced and quality added. Talked about Brereton. His signing. On the back of him playing against his side a couple of years ago and having a stormer. Also said he's not blind and acknowledged he's been poor, weak on the ball etc. Asked to give him time as he genuinely believes he will come good ... Talked about wanting to sign 3 or 4 players to go straight in to the first team. Also interesting that he mentioned the lack of leaders on the pitch. Mentioned scouting Germany, and other European teams but kept coming back to Bundesliga...sounded like we were looking at the best players from Bundesliga 2. Also said summer window and maybe, if needed, Jan window to make us top 6 competitive....but hopefully it would be done in summer. Talked hypothetically about selling Dack and investing in 4 or 5 players as this is what they did at WBA. Didn't say that would definitely happen and hoped the owners would support. Mentioned nobody meeting their standards with budget available in Jan so didn't buy for sake of it. Hopes that by not wasting money if he 'asks for £10mil for a player', owners will trust him and say yes. Q&A after interval.

We don't play the long effectively. There is never anyone around to pick up the second ball as the midfield are too deep.

No difference between the poll and a 2 year review of the manager. I think even the most blue and white spectacled of our fan base will admit that TM doesn't seem to want (or is able) to address our most obvious weaknesses. He also makes some strange team/tactical decisions. Flip side is that even the fans that think he's had long enough, would admit he has done a great job at getting the club pulling in one direction. I think the poll highlights a general consensus currently i.e. there needs to be significant improvement on the pitch and squad in the next 18 months. The majority thinking that TM's weaknesses are beginning to outweigh his strengths - yet he should be given time to improve it. If I was Waggott or Venkys, that's exactly how I'd see his two year review.