It was somebody else's name used to scaremonger last time TM was getting a bit of stick. Once Brown gets another gig it'll be back to that kids coach bloke who Singh tried to get in. Or Sreve Kean the return, it's Mowbray or No way for that poster.

There needs to be a special branch of that squad dedicated to football investigations. Boxing has always been bad for that sort of thing but football will be 100 times worse.

Is he one of the Agency ?

And every manager is a cloak and dagger off shore 35-1 shot appointment. After a host of other names have allegedly been in the frame. The they go for there is no need whatsoever for the secrecy. Other than maybe keeping the odds long .....

Soccer !!! Long had you down as a crank.

The last 3 managers all have a Prem promotion on their CVs albeit a decade ago or near enough. There'd be another dour 35-1 shot for sure but there'd be no Phil Brown.

The one's i'm on about get their generals in the dressing room and get their allies on side. Those types most of the players will run through brick walls for although some end up detesting them. As a fan who cares as long as you aren't turning in insipid performances all the time. Most of the players clearly play for Tony as they did Gaz hell some even did for King rat but do they run through brick walls for him ? Do they bust a gut every game in pursuit of a goal or target set by the manager and club ? Not that you'd notice. The team reflects the manager - honest triers who follow his instructions but all too often neither party shows the real desire to go that extra yard. When they don't there's a set of rehashable excuses and a casual shrug of the shoulders, a why do today what will wait till tomorrow attitude it strikes me as. Not enough urgency in simple terms.

Was he ever really here for the long haul though ? Very much another of Balajis mates throwing up another cheap name who was on the dung pile but had a promotion on his CV. Verdict was we'll have a look at each other there's nothing to lose we get a few months cheap management again whilst those behind the scenes line up players to sell. He gets his name back in management, a few quid and ready made excuses as to why it didn't work out. That's the way these lot work it would have been exactly the same with Mowbray had we stayed up. He'd probably have got no money and till October the following season then got shunted out in favour of another low end gamble if we were floundering. Relegation put a different more desperate angle on it and promotion straight away gave him untouchable status pretty quickly.

And in recent times that covers the likes of Kean, Berg, Appleton, Bowyer, Coyle and now TM. Most with a nice guy persona and non have really driven us forwards. Sorry but i couldn't care less what staff etc think of a manager he's there to do a job with the first team not pass the time of day with everybody. Lambert comes across as a bit of a twat and his style was pragmatic but show me a nice guy and i'll show you losers or stability at best. Show me an arrogant angry arsehole and often you'll find a very driven winner.

He was promised the Rhodes money and as much again on top i think that's why he did a lot of whinging. The plan he pitched to them would have cost 20 million but apparently that's what they promised him. I don't think he's anything special but we don't know what he'd have done with real backing. In the end though he did the right thing by all parties so he has my respect for that.

Yes i can see all that playing a part but given what he said about the Rovers takeover ( he was right ). Then how he said he'd never put Wigan in a similar situation something must've given in the end. Either that or he or more to the point whoever he left in charge have been right royally turned over. At the heart of it though as usual is the farcical EFL and their show us the money Fit & Proper tick box.

Order ! Orderrrrr ! Let the honorable gentleman have his say ?

Whelan himself must have been desperate to offload in the first place just like the Walkers.

I don't think our squad suits a Pullis or McCarthy at the min to be honest we just aren't physical enough or big enough. If either could bring in a several new defenders and a couple up top, big lad and a reliable goal scorer then maybe we'd move up a notch. That's unlikely in the near future. All this talk of wages now some tables have been produced has distracted some from the transfer pot he's had. Compared to Neil at Preston and some others 15 million to spend on 3 forwards is huge. Yet we still have the same old weak spots and 12 of that 15 appears wasted. What we need is someone who can add a few astute additions. finally free us of the old pals deadwood act and make this squad overachieve. What TM gets out of them is exactly what they are which really is a reflection of him and his approach to it, a plodder plodding along just doing enough and looking after everybody. He won't put his foot on the gas unless he's told to and it doesn't look like anybody will anytime soon. We've said this before but maybe a decent coach next to him to add a bit of venom. Or even a DOF in between him and Waggot, someone not connected to the usual hidden little scenario and who knows what they are doing. Keep an eye on the signings and progress of youngsters and just keep enough pressure on him to put out the best side constantly. He needs a bit of help imo - not that he'd welcome it but free reign at a club needs some scrutiny not a meeting every six months.

Around a dozen interested parties just goes to show there is still an attraction of owning Championship clubs with small gates. A lot of them will just be a passing interest or chancers but a few will be genuine. Just like they would b should Rovers ever be available at a sensible price. It would be hard to find somebody wealthy enough or willing enough to chuck 15 million away every season obviously. Thing is though run properly it wouldn't need that and it wouldn't suffer for it either. These lot for some hidden reason chose to liquidate their spare money through an English football club.

In the hole.....until he gets to our first team then that'll be wide right or left ! Interesting though if he is good in that position as there'll be big boots to fill there soon.

We'll come storming back in this one TM was clearly hacked off the other night probably at himself again as much as his non scoring strikers. I sense one of his lightbuld moments, strong sensible team, front foot, get into em. Rovers 2 Leeds 1

I very much doubt that.

Williams told Mowbray he only wanted to be considered for center half from now on, last summer FACT We started last season with Mulgrew playing it was only after a fall out after another poor performance by him that he went to Wigan FACT Tosin only got his chance because of that and injuries FACT He was a young lad on loan at West Brom last season playing right back. City might have wanted to know he'd get some games but as MOwbray himself pointed out he won't sign loanees whose club insist they are guaranteed starters - again FACT

Tosin appeared to be signed as back up for Mulgrew, Lenihen and Derek Williams if we are being honest here. We found out he was ok only after the hand was forced. Not the first time that's happened nevertheless a good back up signing. Hardly backs up his bold words though as his first choice was to try Mulgrew again and let a converted left back step in.

That's why there is something dodgy about the Wigan thing somebody there is taking a few calculated gambles.

Yeah them Rochdale and Oldham suffer the most. Stockport as well but it is what it is I don't think any of them have been able to draw big crowds though. Maybe back when it really was the working man's game. Bury in particular is a curious one they should have been able to get a few more in. Sadder thing for me is the bright lights of Old Trafford and Anfield have a negative impact on our crowds as well and the likes of Preston.

I think it's more to do with the same thing most of us suffer from. The stupid wages at most levels of football and the snouts in the troughs behind the scenes. How many clubs in the champ / LGE 1 & 2 can cover their wage bills from their own gate/commercial and media income ?

We'll win the last 3 or 4 games and he'll be the messiah again although there'll be no play offs.

Looks to me like it might have been along the lines of Holdsworth and co getting hold of Bolton. Probably plans to punt it on again quickly whilst charging all-sorts of consultancy fees and trying to put a few clauses in for future benefit. Like that one its not worked out so its gone tits up. Somebody will have made a few quid out of it though. That's football.