Agree entirely &, just to repeat what I said in my previous post, I am absolutely not saying he should be sacked. I just have a different perspective on what the future may hold to many others I read on social media, and see the forum as a safer environment in which to air my view.

He did it early in his managerial career, (with WBA), but we've had other managers who could say the same, (*cough* Lambert and Coyle!) I agree, now isn't the time to judge, but he has previous of results tapering downwards. Coventry being a very good example. What really worries me is his apparent lack of concern with regards to our defending. It's clearly a major problem, but he doesn't even reference it in media interviews. Probably not all Tony's fault, but I do think we missed a trick by not strengthening further in January. We had turned a corner and results / performances were on the up. We needed a bit of quality and cover in certain areas. We didn't get it, and since the deadline have suffered injuries & fatigue to key players, and subsequent poor results. With little or no chance of a play off push, it's quite possible the current dip will continue for a sustained period.

Mowbray absolutely does not deserve to be sacked at this time, and we could certainly end up with someone far worse. I just don't think he will take us any further, and fear we may already be going into reverse, but hope he proves me wrong.

I'm also not at the point where I would want a change of manager. However, I'm far from convinced that Mowbray has the ability to take us forward in the long term. His CV shows initial success at one or two of his previous clubs, then a fade. I would wager the high watermark of his Ewood reign will be the home win against Leeds, and subsequent sixth place in the table. We've lost seven of the last eleven games, and clearly have huge defensive issues. Unfortunately, I'm not sure Mowbray realises these issues exist or has the ability to address them. Tony's done a decent job in getting us back to where we were under Bowyer. I couldn't see Bowyer taking us any further, & I feel the same about Mowbray. I agree with you regarding summer recruitment, and feel next season will be a struggle if we get it wrong, especially if one or two key players move on.

Very easy for Mowbray to say that, much harder to actually achieve. Has he been able to do that at any previous clubs he's managed? I would argue the answer is "no". Fair play to him for getting us back to where we were pre Coyle. I see mid Championship as being our level for the next few years, (at least).

I remember the instagram pic of Chapman having a coffee with Danny Graham during the last transfer window leading to folk jumping to conclusions, (the latter still living up there). Too much smoke this time though, I reckon (& I'm not talking about the coffee).

Perhaps we will take a little more care with him when he's our player, i.e. we will have more invested in his long term fitness.

That's my worry about loaning him out. Might be better to play him in the U23's, have the option of using him as an impact sub for the first team, and keeping on top of his condition. He may not be so well looked after at a League One club.

Bowyer preferred Chris Brown to King, (oh dear!) and when he got an occasional outing in a league game, it was usually out of position on the wing.

Absolutely agree with this summing up. If we're just signing loanees, the gradual improvement Mowbray talks about will never materialise and the best case scenario will only ever be mid table. Just as the case was under Bowyer, if you tread water for too long, you will eventually start to go backwards.

We need a decent back up option, particularly for Graham. He isn't getting any younger and we would struggle if he sustains a medium / long term injury.

I'm not advocating that he's sacked, but he's basically just got us back to where we were before the ridiculous appointment of Coyle. The relegation season was the only one of real catastrophic disaster, (since Kean left). Let's see if he can turn it back around for the remainder of the season, and restore the momentum that's now been lost.

If it's a Cantona tattoo, he must have had it done years ago. Maybe he got disillusioned after his hero left ?

I would say that it is Monsieur Cantona ? Re the game, I think our lot were still on the international break until 15:30. Also, a bit rich for Mowbray to be making excuses re Graham and Mulgrew so soon after handing them new contracts. A bit of reality now setting in, and we will learn a lot more about where we're at by Christmas.

Regardless of modern day boundaries, there is no way in the World that people in Bolton regard themselves as Mancunians. Bolton is a Lancashire town, like Blackburn, Preston, Blackpool etc. Some of us are old enough to remember when Radio Blackburn (now Lancashire) covered Wanderers matches.

I couldn't go today so can look at the result quite dispassionately. I would've taken that result beforehand and would've taken the number of points we have and our league position at this stage. There's lots to work on, (e.g. conceding too many late goals), but the bigger picture looks very healthy indeed.

I have an appointment at Specsavers next week. I'll let that ref have it as a priority case.

I can't help but think that Derek Shaw is in some way responsible for the delay ?

Or, on the other side of the coin, if he has no hunger to play at all, why not take a leaf out of Bentley's book and just retire? Pretty clear he's not going to be on the kind of wages he's used to, so there must be a fair chance he's signed for the right reasons. No fee involved, so worth a punt I reckon.

R.I.P. Jimmy. A very sad day for my adopted home town.

Agreed, and at least some of our promising youngsters may then get a sniff of a first team opportunity.

Manager. It's his team, in the main, and the buck stops with him. There appears to be too many weak links in the squad to be hopeful of anything more than the Play Offs.

My cynical side says we were waiting for the TV fixtures to be announced. Now that they have, and we're not one of them, they will probably stick a few quid on the price.

When we drew them in the FA Cup several years ago when we were top dogs, I was apprehensive. We had everything to lose. Now the roles are reversed, so I'm looking forward to it.

Fair play to Mowbray for fielding a strong side. Winning is a habit and last night's result is a boost to morale. There are only two senior cup competitions in a season and I don't agree with the modern trend of not taking them seriously. Here's to a home draw.