Wing Wizard Windy Miller

Sharpe guesses most things. Not a scooby doo that lad. Good at towing the club line though.

Was in two minds this morning whether to go as full of a cold. Team selection has helped the decision.

What kind of gate are we expecting for this? Probably mentioned but haven't got the energy to plough threw 17 pages?

Riddle me this... According to TM we worked all week on defending these high balls into the box... How exactly? We are a team crammed with midgets and the one or 2 that are a decent height, can't head. Who are they marking during these practices, Dack? Armstrong? Brereton? No wonder they can't cope when a couple of strong 6ft 4 lads turn up in the box. They haven't trained against that threat. It's non sensical. Rant over. Another crap result and predictable defending.

No swearing thanks Don

It's like we almost know what we are talking about!

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.