I agree completely. What I disagree with is the assertion that people want him to fail. And to say that it must be true because someone thinks it is is just crass. Brereton failing is the worst outcome for this football club. It completely undermines Mowbray’s recruitment ability with the purse holders (if it hasn’t already); it leaves the team without the Graham replacement it needs; and it means no resale value. But even worse, it means that a huge chunk of money set aside for rebuilding the side has been wasted and may even make this Summer’s transfer thread and bit of a non-event.

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/middlesbrough-fc/stewart-downing-set-to-leave-middlesbrough-as-blackburn-rovers-lead-the-chase-1-9795797

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/middlesbrough-fc/stewart-downing-set-to-leave-middlesbrough-as-blackburn-rovers-lead-the-chase-1-9795797 Yorkshire Post: Stewart Downing set to leave Middlesbrough - as Blackburn Rovers lead the chase

Like it says on the tin. Please post the link in here and then also in the transfer discussion thread or vice versa. (Can this be pinned please @K-Hod or @J*B - cheers)

Someone is putting an awful lot of stock in a “scouting network” that has made one and a half decent permanent signings in three years. The half only just about getting into the team towards the end of the season. The thing is, despite your accusations Joe, we all want Brereton to do well. Realistically he has to or will be a huge failure exactly because of the large price tag that you seem to think automatically makes him a player who should start. Far from it, but he does need to replace Graham as soon as he is able to. Right now that looks a long way off. As for ‘slander’, I think you are showing your immaturity. On here you are JoeHarvey, BRFCS poster, and unpopular opinions do get challenged - take my word for it! Just make your unpopular opinions articulate and reasoned and buy yourself a tin hat!! Oh and some of us knew Jason Lowe wasn’t the answer very early on. Keep smiling - and keep posting.

Interesting stats... https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/17673257.the-number-which-show-mowbrays-loyalty-to-rovers-regulars/

The only devil’s advocate argument I can put up is that it used to be top 2, and then top 4 and now top 6. Plus Leicester and Everton both have decent sides now. It’s getting closer to a 10 team division argument than a European Super League, where 2 or 3 English teams might now vote against anyway as they would miss out. Just can’t see an Anglo-Franco-Spanglitalian 20 team league and the German fan-led model sure wouldn’t allow their participation. With the new style TV deals meaning that top teams will get a much bigger share (so I’ve read) maybe that’s the next step. City v Liverpool four times per season anyone?

Let’s see. I don’t remember Mowbray openly talking about selling players, and specifically Dack. More about him having money to spend but also having to convince Desai not to throw the family silver at it and instead build more slowly. It was certainly more encouraging.

While you make good points, it feels a bit different to last Summer. Mowbray’s India trip doesn’t seem to have gone particularly well, with some negative sound bites from TM. However, we DO need to replace Palmer, Reed and Rodwell though (although Mowbray may feel that Chapman has already replaced Palmer).

That’s really nice. Such a shame companies like Umbro don’t listen to fans with this sort of thing. It seems to be all about making things different - especially away kits. There should at least be a set palette and some specific criteria.

Ta

Where has Maher come from? And how are you so certain about Fielding replacing Raya?

Sounds like another Peter Whittingham. Also exactly the same age, 34, as both Whittingham and Conway. Seems an odd link, plus three club rule. However, Mowbray does like old heads in the dressing room.

Match-fixing in football: Spanish police make arrests in top two divisions https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48431483 I think there will be far more examples of this than the football authorities would like to admit. How many shots was that on target against Spurs? When was that cup semi forfeited? Murky stuff but I expect Spanish fans who expressed any concerns at the time will have been estúpidos portadores de sombrero de papel de aluminio.

It’s the modern era, Jim. Standards have slipped.

I feel like there were two or three signed pro papers this season but can’t remember for sure.

Great debate.

An interesting opinion piece on Ben Winterbottom. Possibly agent talk but potentially a top talent that has slipped through our fingers. https://the72.co.uk/132674/why-blackburn-made-a-mistake-letting-talented-young-keeper-go/

Don’t remember Marshall being forced out but I do remember Cairney being sold without consideration for the wishes of the manager or player.

With no player yet signed, I’m going to have to say, 1. Don’t want to set my expectations unrealistically high or I might be disappointed. If I aim low it’s more likely that the return of Jason Lowe will be “a decent signing of Championship experience”.

Hometown Glory...

He was piss poor against us. Made Conway look like Sterling. Honestly, I’ve no idea how Derby made the play-offs while we finished so low fish the table. This division is all about going for it.

Any side with Ashley Cole as a first teamer is going to struggle.

Sounds like a Mowbray project. Wasn’t Dack up for assault?

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