I don't believe he'll go in January. I think Venkys are backing TM to achieve promotion.(not necessarily this season!). January window will be quite illuminating. Will TM get the opportunity to develop a promotion squad over 3 or 4 windows? Its been a good start.

That was Gav!

OK!

Guardian article on Ben Thornley today, a Manu youngster in the early 90's. Its claimed that he was the best of his generation---better than Giggs or Scholes or Beckham. His career was ended by an horrendous tackle by Marker in a reserve game at Ewood Park. His knee was apparently utterly shattered and he never recovered. He did sue Rovers and Marker later and received compensation. Don't remember hearing about this at the time. I remember that generally Marker was an excellent back-up in midfield. When we played Spurs at White Hart Lane they were totally confident of winning easily as we our usual central midfielders were out with injury. In fact, Marker and Atkins ran the game and we won comfortably! However, Marker was a dirty sod and ended Ardilles' season when he played against us for Plymouth. Can't give a link but its easily found on the Guardian site.

I disagree with the title of this thread, how is Jason Lowe "enigmatic"? Isn't he nearly always the same?

Smith will probably go back to Brentford and buy the players he rates most. That's the usual thing isn't it?

Read somewhere that West Ham have sold 53000 season tickets!! Along with massive TV income you'd think that was a passport to Heaven. Yet, as you say, Bournemouth are mixing with the best. So could we!

So why isn't he playing then?

Well, imo Brereton is no replacement at all! I can only hope you are wrong.

We are linked with Livingston's centre-back and captain Craig Halkett (Scottish Sun).

Bloody hell, you're back!! While you are here---what's the plan? Get promoted and sell? Please!

Love the attitude of those West From fans! They simply assume that Dack is their's so long as they cough up the right money. Like Dack doesn't have a contract wit another club! If I were Dack I'd stay where I was until a much bigger team came along.

Eh? How did you work that one out? I could just as well say you'd be the one complaining on here if we signed him for 6 years and it started to not work after 3! Anyway I've given you my opinion above and I'll stand by it.

6 years? An eternity in football! Daft idea. He's not Sir Alex you know!

He's got another year if Rovers want it, I'd give him another 2 on top of that. By that time he ought to have got us promoted or he never will. If he does he will deserve the chance to manage us in the Premier League. Its a Venky contract remember, let's hope there are no bonuses for relegation!

Yes but many of those were away spectators. Aways the case with the Premier League.

That's because he's not considered ready to start, That's a comment in itself isn't it?

Attacking Mercer won't make Brereton play any better! The lad won't be reading this (if he's any sense) and he hasn't been the subject of crowd abuse when he's played. That would harm his confidence and would be poor form. Its not just about him and waiting to see if/when he comes good. Its also about what players we might have got if we hadn't signed him. Like strengthening that defence.without late fade-outs we would be in the 6 now. If we just mark time in the Championship we will lose Dack. Its an odd transfer alright in our situation, the Academy is for long-term development.

He won the home games though eh Gav?

Good job the lineman was awake eh? They aren't always!

And we are good at that are we?

Ha! Look again! I wrote "we can't EXPECT to hold on to a 1-0 lead for 65 minutes"! Quite different eh? Based on our experiences this season, and last, we cannot expect to hold on to a narrow lead can we? Or do we not concede a lot of late goals after all? Clearly you have misunderstood my post!

No I didn't.....

Speaking of the Straw Man, I've not read one post which doubts that the players gave everything.

Yes, we came within a gnat's balls of drawing that game from 3-0 up! How can we possibly expect to hold on to a 1-0 lead for 65 minutes? As it was we came within inches of yet another debacle.