Doesn't stop him asking to leave though if he's pissed off and it wouldn't be the first time these tactics have been used by a club wanting rid. Giving them the benefit of doubt i'm inclined to think JDT is trying to protect him somewhat so he can step in when BBD is sold this window. Either way summat is amiss here.

I think it was another of Shebbys daft idea to get Ali into the club i doubt Venkys ever mentioned his name.

Exactly We finished 8th last season and where in the top few for a lot of it so why not for once just make some smart recruitment. Invest a bit, look at it as a one off and just have a real go on the back of last season ? Can always revert to projects and journeys if it doesn't work.

Going to this for nostalgia purposes remember some good evening trips there back in the day, always a good turnout in the old away end. Always aggro outside some nasty gits followed them then, in fact not even sure they followed them they just spilled out of pubs at full time looking for visiting stragglers. Same team as Hartlepool if possible just replace Wharton with Pickering NOT Ayala. I'd rather get dumped out than loose players to injury.

So easy to implement on one of the strongest teams in the Swedish league but not so easy on a threadbare championship side. I feared this from the off and ignoring the 'bounce' of the first few as things settle down and we see this managers real style implemented i fear even more. You have to fight fire with fire in this division there is no other way.

Someone at the game said BBD in particular was shouting at them to get it going going quicker and signalling to the bench. Nothing unusual in players getting frustrated but the fannying around at the back doesn't suit this team we've been through all this before.

Iv'e heard a few saying BBD and one or two others were very angry at the tactic of rolling it about at the back all the time. Think there'll be an interesting team meeting on Monday.

Nowt much changed on or off the pitch since Mowbray although it will take time to shake that off. Not sure they are bothered about that though it still seems a case of as you were. Signing players from his lists, getting a new director who then quickly does a disappearing act leaving the head coach to bat off the usual questions. Waiting on certain players at the expense of finding others then likely getting knocked back and panicking or doing nothing. Imo Broughton has stepped in and thought easy stuff this i'll just shove another 3 from the academy into the first team and let the head coach deal with it it's his problem then. Still no thinking out of the box they are all just following the ex managers blueprint.

Trying to squeeze Dack out and get him off the payroll ? I'm beginning to wonder.

Szmodics was signed to do a specific job and that is work harder and cover more ground than Dack dropping in the middle. He is doing that, all well and good but he has about a fifth of the quality of Dack so we see nothing going forwards. Can understand the drop back and pack the middle mentality again a footballing side away from home, Swansea being a good example. Against powerhouse teams like today just conceding space to then is utterly pointless and counter productive that's the easiest home game they'll have all season. Sunderland just up from the division below weren't strong enough but did a far better job on them than us.

I'd say tactical naivety and poor application by the players was the biggest difference today just as it was in midweek. If we'd gone toe to toe and lost you can maybe point to the difference in quality because of budget. Not throwing a punch or laying a glove for the second game in succession suggests there is a bit more to it.

Oh FFS we are back to using the budget excuse again already. Turn it in.

New manager bounce at the start obviously and still early days however.... I can confidently say these tactics he's employing will NOT work out well in this league it just plays into opposition hands.

The warning signs were all there the second half of last season with a stronger squad. Swap a perennially confused manager for one who doesn't know this league and a weaker squad and hey presto after the initial 'bounce' reality sets back in.

He's all fur coat he needs to put some knickers on first. I'd rather sell him for ten million now and keep BBD !

Buckley has been a bit overated by us after a decent couple of moths last season if we are being honest.

Quite literally a panic buy imo

Why would anyone care about that it's a dose of reality they've been protected from for far to long. #### em!

I'd say they probably needed a good rest and a good tactical plan for today above all else. Get the sticks out on Monday if they are abysmal again !

An 11 million outlay there with 15 million recouped so far less 40% of c12 mill and 1 top 8 finish in 5 years. Lets drop the 'king' bit.

Knowing how these owners work we are probably going to spend the next decade and another 150 million trying to find out.

This is what i worried about when he first came and as we know from Mowbrays time even with deeper more experienced squads you can't just throw a load in and out randomly. Let alone when you already have glaring weak spots in the team that need protecting. He has to take some responsibility for it although the application across the park was generally piss poor as well. The championship finds you out very quickly so hopefully he has learned, that goes for Greg Broughton as well looking on from the stands.

Tony Mowbray and Steve Waggot

If it's Rovers you're referring to the manager got them all contract extensions on thousands per week so i doubt they were bothered about watches.

With that coming to light it might be better if we leave it alone it'll be better all round if he gets a move closer to home.