I thought similar but could see why Bennett got it today. He’s fast becoming my favourite player. We need a left winger though so that he can go back in the middle. He’s the closest we’ve had to Tugay in terms of his ability to spot, and execute, a pass. Can get any higher praise than that.

You’re right, rev. It’s not a game to be smug after and for people to score points is a bit cheap. It was a very finely balanced match and we edged it. This was largely because of how we started the second half after an extremely boring first half. Mowbray got his tactics right today but I was minded towards the end of the match of Hurst’s comments when we drew with Ipswich about our ‘game management’. Today we got it right. On another given day we could have finished 1-1 and disappointment. The team spirit is about as good as I can remember - probably going back to Mark Hughes’ time with us. We had far better players then though and we punched above our weight as a top half PL side. Mowbray has this side punching above its weight right now in this division. We are the embodiment of Bennett at the minute. If we can impose Dack and Rothwell onto that match ethos we could have a decent season. Our Achilles heel however is that we are not quick. Against teams that are we are going to be playing very deep for much of the game and trying to gain yardage from midfield. This will stretch the game and we will need Evans to continue his fine form and Bennett his energy levels. Not sure if he has been approached yet but there is a ‘danger’ that he gets a new contract in January. This could perversely lead to a drop in his work ethic. He needs to be hungry. Right now that is translating into some excellent performances. With a depleted team, we have got 4 very well deserved but hard fought points out of 6. Long may it continue.

Would anyone drop Bell for Williams?

Well done Tony Mowbray

Well done Tony Mowbray

Looks like someone’s in a bit of difficult in N01. Being stretchered out. Looks like a kid.

Mowbray could do with showing Nuttall videos of Elliott Bennett. His work rate and desire to chase that ball down and put the keeper under a bit of pressure is exactly what he should be doing.

Palmer right where he should be!

Doesn’t look like 454 away...

Bit brighter at the start of the second half.

I think Palmer could potentially do that job but a winger he ain’t. I’ve not been impressed with him so far but I missed the Millwall game so can’t comment.

He told my lad he’s back next week but who knows.

Anyone got any good brain teasers? On the plus side, the shop on the concourse looks like it’s doing a roaring trade. Bet Waggott wishes the new payment card was operating already.

Sam Hart

It’s an error.

Plenty of labore, zero arte. Palmer and Rothwell both wasted out wide. There’s rarely a ball on for Palmer except to play it backward or square, and he isn’t for beating his man. No pace at all in a 5 man midfield, and Nuttall hasn’t any either.

This is really dull.

Rothwell back out wide, Nuttall start. Graham on the bench. So much for Dack’s injury being something and nothing.

Raya Nyambe Lenihan Mulgrew Bell Bennett Evans Smallwood Rothwell Palmer Nuttall

Yeah but he’s only on a deal to the end of the season so I had to exclude him. He’ll be at Real Madrid by that point so he won’t feature for us. Thomas Gravesen MkII. The real concern though is the kit man printing the shirts correctly and Rodwell getting games by accident while Rothwell is down at the slots in town.

Still think it’s a lot of money for yet more potential but at this stage I’d sooner we finished the window with Brereton than without him. On the flip side if he does do well, along with Lenihan, Dack, Armstrong, Rothwell, Nyambe, and Bell. We could have some side in the next couple of years. Proving we are promoted. If not then if Brereton is worth £6m-plus now then most of those would be worth £10m+ by that point. Hopefully that can be used to strengthen. Let’s see if he does sign.

Ironic photo of ‘Jack the Lad’ on the front of today’s LT. Coleman’s original invisible man! Do you think someone dropped the camera?

Agreed. As a statement of intent about our ambitions, we need to make that ‘marquee signing’ though. I.e. one that fans have heard of, at least a couple of good Championship seasons under his belt, a good 2-3 seasons in front of him AND can contribute to out first team immediately. Our signings so far have ticked only one of those boxes only - or none - and seem to be to back up our squad. It’s very possible that Armstrong is already our marquee signing and we are now picking up the best options for what little wages budget we have left. With Whittingham and Caddis departing on deadline day to make room. Maybe both paying for Rodwell’s wage. I just wish we weren’t being led to believe we have pots of cash “for the right signings” if we haven’t - or if those “right signings” are Joe Biz’s unicorns.

Agreed. As a statement of intent about our ambitions, we need to make that ‘marquee signing’ though. I.e. one that fans have heard of, at least a couple of good Championship seasons under his belt, a good 2-3 seasons in front of him AND can contribute to out first team immediately. Our signings so far have ticked only one of those boxes only - or none - and seem to be to back up our squad. It’s very possible that Armstrong is already our marquee signing and we are now picking up the best options for what little wages budget we have left. With Whittingham and Caddis departing on deadline day to make room. Maybe both paying for Rodwell’s wage. I just wish we weren’t being led to believe we have pots of cash “for the right signings” if we haven’t - or if those “right signings” are Joe Biz’s unicorns.

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/16598651.tony-mowbray-speaks-about-new-rovers-signing-jack-rodwell/ ‘Mowbray urges Rodwell to take his chance ‘ ”He’s a good enough footballer and he has to show us, show our supporters and show people that he cares” ”We’ve given him an opportunity and it’s down to him to grab it” Hardly a positive signing. It’s entirely possible that his terminal problems at Sunderland stemmed from being asked to drop his wages post-relegation and maybe being frozen out if/when he refused. However, we are starting from a minus position and hoping that we can turn him back somewhere close to the footballer he was 21. There has been a lot of water under the bridge since then and he’s missed an awful lot of football. This is definitely a stop gap for Rovers and last chance saloon for Rodwell. He cannot make an immediate impact on the first XI, has no potential sell-on (burnt out at 27 and only a short term deal - thankfully), he appears to have little mental strength, no real experience in this division and contributed about as much to his PL winners medal as he did to Sunderland’s relegation. It’s all well and good taking a punt but it’s the kind of gamble-signing a club with very little money makes rather than one with £6-8m in the budget.