Not read back through the thread and I'm sure he'll have been mentioned but Jagielka would be the perfect player to bring in. The right type of mentor to Lenihan and a proper leader. Sadly I think his wages will be out of reach.

It has to be said that Elliott Bennett has now regressed to little more than a tub thumping cheer leader - like a modern Howard Gayle without the end product. I mean , thst cross yesterday...blimey.

Bell's ball retention is appalling

Bennett...Christ.

Today's game is all about Brereton for me. We need someone to step up and at least be an option for an ageing DG and this is his chance to prove he's got what it takes. Fail today and it's 7 million in the bin as far as I'm concerned.

Anyone know how the overseas scouting is progressing?

Great win yesterday and one I was ultra confident in us achieving within a couple of minutes such was QPR's lack of quality. A couple of points - The selection of Rothwell has been the catalyst for this upturn of form as it does a variety of things. We can give him the ball to travel with at pace to get us up the pitch, it means Armstrong can push up the pitch meaning there is a diagonal 'out' ball over the full back and the opposition now have to worry about 2 creative players and this gives Dack more space. Yesterday, on occasion, we used the long diagonal brilliantly to Armstrong to stretch QPR - it also meant the long punt to Graham was thankfully not used. A shame we have lost Reed as he compliments Travis so well. TM must replace him with a player of similar energy and desire for next season. It's all well and good talking of 'knowing' the position but if you have energy and reasonable nous you can effect the game in both halves - especially working in tandem. So, we're now looking at a good end to the season but my overriding feeling is of an opportunity missed. TM has more stumbled on this winning formula and we really look to have underachieved in the season based on the last few games and the dross that preceded it.

Bolton taking the Blackburn End came just ahead of my time but was a tale I was made very aware of by older lads. I was a young lad when Chelsea followed that up by repeating the feat - they were horrible bstards too. I was always talked out of trips to Burnden as an enthusiastic 9-16 year old by my (wise) old man. I got to understand why as I got older!!

I don't think I'm underplaying this by saying that is right up there with anything Kean came out with.

And....my original comment was hardly a criticism of the team more of the manager stumbling from one idea to another and hoping he has it right for a change. Nice to know you follow me so closely though bud.

The thing is, the manager should get plaudits for team selection and tactics but in reality this is the team he should have been picking for weeks

Superb performance. Completely outplayed Derby.

Absolutely ridiculous that Reed has been overlooked lately. Even if he is to leave at the end of the season Mowbray knows that's the type of player he needs as opposed to an Evans or Smallwood.

This smacks of Mowbray flailing around hoping to stumble upon a winning team. Very reminiscent of Bowyer's tombola.

What is killing his value stone dead at the minute is playing in a lifeless team with a lifeless manager. Ironically by not playing is the only way to keep some sort of value. As for your point on a return for the owners the only way to get a return on their money is promotion to the PL. They won't get that through useless project signings and scrapheap managers on the cheap.

A very credible argument and one I agree with.

So the rider on keeping TM appears to be that 'he deserves the summer to rebuild'. Who is to say he will get decent funds? Who is to say that the powers that be point to the ludicrous contract extensions and £10million spent on ineffective players and pull the purse strings? We all know the only thing predictable about our esteemed owners is their unpredictability. We know we are pretty low on their interest levels over there so I'd be hugely surprised that they are intending a huge spending spree (which is desperately needed). My view is that TM knows there's not much finance available and is just treading water pulling the cash in while he can and hoping to God for a big offer for Dack to give him some wriggle room.

Mowbray has gone full self preservation mode now. He knows he's done but he also knows a few good sound bites and deflection will buy more time to help the uni fund.

Regardless of today's result if that team selection is Mowbray looking to the future then next season will be a major clusterf$#k

When you consider we paid Jason Lowe 1 million a year to get us relegated I'd say that's a snip.

The 'plan' as I see it is to be a decent bloke and to trade on the apathy of the fanbase for as long as possible. There's sod all else that I can see.

Mowbray is done here. He has no answers to the problems we have, he has not given the team a playing identity in 2 years, his selection of underperforming 'nice' lads is baffling and his work in the transfer market is mediicre. If he is the solid bloke I hope he is he will walk before things turn, however I worry that we're a vehicle to supplement his kids' education.

After another defeat I'll be hitting the bar for sure.

Yes, what is this 'plan'? And while we're at it what is this style of play that he has spent 2 years developing? Can anyone enlighten me?

DG goes off and now nothing sticks up front. We're flogging a dead horse with Nuttall, he's never a footballer.