Got a result right at last. Such a pity this drive and team selection has been missing recently a few more points on the bored could've made for a really exciting end to the season. He really needs to stop holding these lively players back next season just sort that defence then let them off the leash. That style of play suits these lot so much better just as it did last season.

These games can be a bit misleading when players in all teams start thinking about the beach but there does remain the possibility Mowbray could yet turn out to be a football genius. Getting best out of Rothwell now, finally seeing through Mulgrew and only starting with one defensive mid, oh and blooding Williams as a centre back. Did he chuck Rodwell in the middle as well ? He's just slow to catch on to what we already knew that's all !

I fear that will be our new striker for next season. TM - saving owners money since summer 2018 - apparently.

So many times we've gone to pot this season when DG has inevitably gone off and yet Mowbrays answer was shove Dack there on his own umpteen times, ridiculous really. Then he gave Nuttall a bit of a shout and he did ok a time or two then he got hooked. If they are going to insist on still playing that way which is probable if Dack isn't sold they need a tall guy to come on and just put himself about up top for the last 20 mins. If Samuel can't do that there's no point in him at all but we all know he'll probably end up starting on the right again ?

True but a rather odd comparison they are a universe apart and one was already a quality young footballer sharpening his already considerable skills, the other..er...... I do think however a bit of the type of training that turned Kevin Davies into an effective target man who could literally force and plunder a few goals might help. An Aldi version of Davies would be handy to have around and Doms got the size.

That's because it'll be what whoever recommended this deal will have told the owners, a lot of speaking to them via the press is going on now again by the looks of it.

It's likely to be limited funds but if it's something similar to what they initially outlayed on Armstrong & Brereton then it could be put to good use. Strengthen that defence even if it's only one good centre half, remould the midfield - get Reed back on loan if possible and get rid of one of the sittters out on loan or sell- then add a striker from somewhere. Any back up freebies should again be concentrated on defence. That is doable and not major changes or big turn around in players to bed in but is Tony bold enough to replace Mulgrew as first choice and pick one of Evans or Smallwood to move on and can he see the sense in getting DG some real back up ???

Richard Dunne.... ? Great player Duffer but did come across as a bit of a plonker in regards to Rovers after he left, as if it was a bit beneath him or something which is odd seeing as he didn't want to leave he was sold. He certainly came on leaps and bounds at Rovers playing with Andy Cole.

I'd say the price is about right he's only a couple of years older than Brereton and he already has some lower league pedigree, plenty goals and a bit of experience. He has a visible asset in pace and has demonstrated that on a good day he can play on the wing, up front and a wide striker role. Compared to BB then at 1.75 before add ons he is the type of player they should be taking a punt on imo.

Very good agent that lad has.

Ah balls ! Where is the other one these days then ?

Being good coaches doesn't always transfer to being a good first team manager who's sole aim is to put results first. Some seem to put players first and giving them games, developing them as priority. Bowyer was a good case in point and TM comes across as very much a players man. That model will give you stability and harmony within the club and probably produce the odd player or two to sell for big money and keep the agents happy moving lesser ones, freebies and loans in and out. It's unlikely to win you promotion or drive you up the league season after season though. Just what is the real remit from the owners at Rovers I wonder..?

That's it in a nutshell right there he really cannot see the wood for the trees although in reality I still suspect this signing was presented to him as a good idea rather than him chasing it !

Wouldn't it just be poetic justice if a Steele 'moment' handed Rovers the win......... Forest 1 Rovers 2

When they took Coyle on and he began to weave his magic we'd all have jumped at mediocrity ! Now though with still a half decent squad that needs some proper work on it and the RIGHT investment and the host of promising young players it is time to be looking beyond that. I don't think it's correct to write him off as outright rubbish because he isn't but if I was the owners id be setting out a reasonable set of expectations for next season and budget to match and a serious review of his position after 10 games. Doubt they will though it'll be more of the same they'll probably think it's in good hands and ignore it again most of this summer so that won't make his job any easier we have to remember what any gaffer at Ewood is dealing with above him. Also if I was him I'd set out a reasonable set of requests to them and if they aren't met or I was making a balls of it after 10 games i'd do the decent thing. Edit : 10 games could turn into 5 very easily !

His comments in the LT trying to dig himself out of the Brereton signing sum it for me now it's utter garbled nonsense i'm afraid. Yes the lad might come good we hope he does but that isn't the issue and from that interview it's clear he's no real idea actually WHY he signed him other than he was a rated kid and he MIGHT come good in time and the owners are up for that sort of thing. No way in hell is that really a football decision it's just a potential money making investment and the guy still doesn't know whether he's a winger or a striker even though the lad himself and everyone else says he's a striker. No not good old tony i'll spend 7 million on a young striker then try and make him into a winger just to fit my team, i'll not even play him as a striker when I alter that team from the way it's set up to accommodate the first choice 9 & 10 !!!!!! Mans a confused mixed bag of contradictions what they hell is in those biscuits ?

But not many talented or speedy direct wingers get churned out anymore anywhere i'd love Rovers to pull one of them out the bag and terrify Tony. He's got one in Chapman but even if he reaches 100% fitness i'd wager he'll be used very sparingly next season. If there was a kid similar to Duff in an academy somewhere I bet the onus would be on trying to make him into a wing back or something because there was a host of taller robotic wide mids/defensive wide players and wide strikers already stocked up.

Modern academies would've drilled any flair out of him before any mundane manager got the chance. They want robots these days who all do the same thing and can play a multitude of positions.

Right wing back.

Yes I really wouldn't bother with him not that they could afford him or he'd come back anyway he was more well known here for being on the lash far too much and often played like it for a spell. I would however snap your hands off for a player of his ilk i'e no nonsense big solid defender who doesn't bottle it when a big opposition forward launches himself at set pieces.

Watching the Brum v Sheff U game last night and seeing the size and physique of some of them lot spread across both teams it's easy to understand why we've often struggled this season particularly at the back. Something else that really needs addressing as I thought we were a bit small and lightweight even last season.

I remember Duffs first goal away at Sheff Weds and nobody trained him to do that plus he was only very young still. I'll await seeing one similar from Samuel after his finishing training.......

He's an average manager pal he's been good for us so far up to a point and I hope he can rediscover last seasons mentality to drive it forwards a bit however his overall record in football is bang on average and at times you can see why clearly. I like the guy I want him carry on building the club from inside out but after 2 and a half seasons I know what i'm seeing and it has resembled his latter stages at other clubs. Don't get me wrong him being average is no bad thing compared to some of the dross/inexperience and outright clowns these lot have employed and made wealthy but he's facing a real test of his mettle now.

The key surely is to pair one good defensive mid and one more all rounder type. Two defensive mids wouldn't be so bad if we played with one or two decent pacey wingers who got up and down for them to feed the ball to when they broke up these counters. The style is just so bland normally and goes nowhere.

Graham - Keeps doing what it says on the tin and despite one or two negative comments about him he's a goal scorer plain and simple, an ageing one so he has to be well managed ( he is ) and he isn't going to tear arse around the pitch every game. Without him we really would be fooked he gets the best out of Dack when he's up for it as well an I really don't think this management staff or owners would've had the first clue how to replace his goals had he gone so unlike some others he was worthy of his extension and should get another. And someone in summer to take the weight off his shoulders a bit next season, no Tony Dominic Samuel isn't that man !!!!