I was one of those criticising the then manager for not playing him. Were you? Or did you back everything Bowyer did till he was sacked?

He means he has to control a ball thumped at him, at height, on the wing, beat 2 defenders and get a cross in for someone who isn't there. Oh, and get back to defend when his cross is thumped up-field.

That's the spirit!

Really? Chapman and Rothwell cracking open the champagne as we speak!! Damo your day has come! (or is it a joke?)

A fixture I always dread.

Would you have it?

Worth pointing out that Burnley, from their lofty heights, are as obsessed with us as ever This. He more or less confirms it in his "work in progress" bullshit interview.

I'm not sure I'm entitled to be sure about anything anymore but I'm sure it was away. Possibly!

You're quite right, thinking about it, Hughes couldn't have been manager with Marker/ Atko in the side because Super Atko was sold to Wolves before Hughes joined us as a player. So I've ballsed up the time line alright but remembered the game alright! Getting old! Now where's that video? (And I still love Super Atko!)

Always under-rated. Anyone remember that game at White Hart lane in the season we finished 6th under Hughes? Our entire mid-field was out injured and the two central mid-fielders were Atko and that tough guy we signed from Plymouth (?). No-one gave us a chance. They absolutely ran Spurs ragged, we won 2-1 I think and I'll never forget that sweet through ball from Atko that led directly to our 2nd goal. Worthy of Duggie! I've got this on DVD, must try and find it, need to remember happier Rovers times at the moment to keep me going!

I don't think TM could cope with players of strong character. Some of the changes he makes in terms of selections, substitutions and positioning would not be meekly accepted by the likes of Keeley or Nelsen or Cole or Moran. They would have told him where to go-----and Mowbray would have been on his way. That's why we have a character-less side. Do as they're told and take the dosh.

So what do you think of him as a manager then? Brereton is obviously not the only example is he?

We are always X points off the Play-offs, it gets longer as the season progresses. Just like Bowyer---get close to Top 6 and we freeze. What Burnley did.

That's where we seem to be.

Future centre-back?

I agree, we don't want another Mowbray do we?

Assuming they ever will be!

It helps to tell us why he's never picked, even when fit!

No, not hard at all for me to understand, its the manager you have to convince! Seems to be hard for him to grasp eh? Maybe he has a different point of view? I note that I've asked you twice but you won't refer to him!!

Of course I do! I'm talking about someone we signed over a year ago. I'm not talking about yesterday! You said he scores when he plays in the middle--you weren't talking about yesterday were you? So how about addressing the question I put to you? Is he not good enough to play and therefore TM has it right? Or is he a good central striker who is rarely picked in his best position because of the manager? Which is it?

Ah, so its the mangers' fault! According to you, Brereton scores when he plays as a striker so its a pretty stupid manager who, since we're short of goals, doesn't play him regularly and in his "proper" position. Is that your position?

Seems fine to me. What's wrong with it?

Their likely attitude would most likely be "thank God I didn't have to pay for it"!

Honestly, today was absolutely predictable. Whenever we have a sniff of the Top 6 and/or get a bigger crowd than usual, you just know what will happen. We'll be selling Groundhog Day season tickets at this rate.

Exactly the case but too optimistic Jim! Will we supporters ever learn? Every time we get close to that Top 6, down we go and start up again. Been happening for years.