Wing Wizard Windy Miller

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.

And a striker...and keeper

If we lose at home to Preston and Wigan, then TM will be under huge pressure with the fan base. Not that it counts for anything these days

Pretty certain they both played together against Wigan away which was another masterclass in defending.

Exactly, that's either: 1) complete lack of confidence 2) manager's instructions.

Interesting stat that Boro had 13 shots from outside the box, we had 0. Long wondered why we seem afraid to shoot, and prefer to play the ball wide instead.... ...as the team with the worst crossing accuracy in the league.

I would disagree about Rodwell. I thought he was equally as inept as Mulgrew. Not only that, it was a petulant foul that got him booked. He looked very frustrated and could easily have got himself sent off. History tells us he's not a man to have in the trenches.

Bell been best player and only been on 30 mins

Bennett is a waste of space. Kills every good crossing opportunity.

3 changes. Just daft. TM lost it

Agree. Free kick. Never a red. Game had gone well before then.

Can we sack off the Mowbray love in. Absolute dog do this.

Williams off. Another Mulgrew error

Dack finally starting to look like he gives a shit.

Absolute crock. Whole back 4 needs replacing.

Inclined to agree. I think that TM sees Rovers as his last job and wants to leave a legacy, culminating in promotion to the Prem. Obviously, this is what we all want. That said, he isn't tactically astute enough to over-achieve with a team that aren't good enough. The only chance he has of promotion, is through having players that are as good as (or better) than other teams in the division. That will only come (in the relative short term) by upgrading players and paying the associated costs. If Venkys are willing to throw money at it, he should be snapping their hand off, as it's the only way he will succeed here. Oh, and Tony, highlighting how far behind clubs we were miles ahead of ten years ago, isn't a measure of progress.

Absolutely. If anything, he should be telling this bunch that they have to up their game massively over the next 14 games. If they don't look like they can - then they should be out in July and replaced by players who can. That's recruiting for a promotion push surely?

Hardly surprising we have the worst crossing statistics in the league when we haven't played a winger out wide. Horses for courses and all that..

What statistics?

No, I don't either, yet he is close to wrecking all the positivity built last season. Unless we finish strongly or see some kids come flying through from the under 23s. ST sales will plunge again.