The desperado probably does these gigs for free or just expenses so desperate is he to stay in the game but can't even land a role as the Dog & Ducks cone boy anywhere else. Let's face it he won't be short of a few quid after his time fleecing Blackburn Rovers will he. Wouldn't it be great if he had a hidden gambling addiction and had blown the lot though !

That's exactly what he does when plan A isn't working it seems just a case of use the squad and give them mins without any real plan although that might be doing a disservice he probably knows in his head but it doesn't translate to the players. It worked quite often last season because we were stronger than the majority in terms of good players to bring on and it has worked a couple of times this season but its probably undone us as many if not more times.

Burnley had big strong direct lads at the front and back and although with their style they often bypassed midfield we have no big strong lads anywhere on the park really. Still with Gladwin and Samuel coming back i'm sure that'll change...?

We are back to old debate with the entire back four really Bennett - Right sided midfielder/utility man Rodwell - Converted midfielder Mulgrew - Arguably similar although played CB for years now so should be bossing it with his quality - he doesn't. Bell - League 1 player in every sense and probably best as a win back in league - if he could cross it that is. All good sides are built from the back and you need rock solid foundations - we just don't have them. Reading scored last night from their first real run into the box attack, it was well taken but just so easy you knew as soon as he picked the ball up in the box. If they'd had us under more pressure like that first half they'd probably have scored earlier despite us playing quite well. Big recuring problem with Rovers is no end product up top without DG & Dack firing and no commanding calm presence at the back when hit on the break or from set pieces. Hell if we were 4 nil up at half time last night you'd still want a fifth to be safe, shouldn't be like that but it always comes back to the flimsy defence/defenders. Only way to combat that is sacrifice the attacking principles and shut up shop defending as a team, one unit front to back. Shame though as we do play some decent stuff at times even if the cutting edge is often missing.

I think he is trying to blend it and we are going along the right lines if not actually on them at the min but the problem for me is his loyalty to his favs, some of them are the ones who need upgrading and to a decent manager with decent contacts it needn't cost the earth. Problem is as said earlier he's tied them to the club now on good contracts for a few years so he has to try and rinse what he can out of them.

Sticks in the craw a bit but PNE seem to be showing the way, decent fist of it last season before tailing off a bit. Some mid season recruitment on limited means this season to freshen things up seems to have done them good so far although whether they'll keep it up is another thing. Ok we are a season or two behind them in those terms but they've not chucked about the money we have I don't think and i'll bet my last quid our wage bill dwarfs theirs. Mowbray has created a really good base here now but on recent evidence he still hasn't eradicated the soft underbelly and defensive rubbish despite having a few opportunities.

Like I've said above he can't really because he's tied a lot down to good contracts so he's stuck with them as only the best ones could be sold, we don't want to be going down the pay off route again then rooting in the bin to replace them because there's no money for better replacements, I think that's what he means really when he comes out with that stuff.

Between them him and Waggot have given most of them substancial pay rises on fresh contracts after promotion so they've tied up a lot of money there over the next few years. Justify is now the name of the game alongside signings like Bell, Brereton, Gladwin, Samuel etc, we/he could well be tied to things as they are for the next few years. I can't help thinking that in a few cases a generous promotion bonus would have sufficed and held off on the contracts until summer.

I'd wager he was better than Ben at a similar age that's why he ended up in the Prem but he never turned into a big multi million pound player even though he proved himself ok. Seems you don't need to do that these days you just need the right connections.

I know what you're saying but they were far from the worst tonight although I think the loyalty card extends too far to the likes of Bennett TM is clearly looking to shoehorn him in now for the sake of it. A great utility man but probably should be doing that from the bench at the min. Bell & Williams are another case in point as it really wouldn't cost big money to upgrade one of those yet he won't do it and prefers to bemoan not being able to throw enough at the likes of Austin and Assombalonga.

Played well tonight early doors then became quickly anonymous again, always looks better when he gets in the middle up front. He did graft tonight though so that penny might be dropping with him even if it doesn't with the manager. Brereton really wasn't the problem again tonight.

As mentioned a lot before they aren't really a 'back' four they look more like just 4 players playing at the back. Horses for courses comes to mind again.

Thought we played well first half albeit against a poor confidence less team but just the final balls, non existent crosses - something that badly needs addressing - and of course wasteful finishing. As always we cannot string two good halves together the Hull match has proved to be straight out of the GB era one big effort every 5 or 6 games. If Armstrong wants to make a decent striker at this level he needs to be gobbling up those basic ball in front of him chances it's bread and butter stuff that. Bells a crock of shit who hasn't improved one iota in his time here always seems caught in two minds whether he should be a wing back or left back and as a result he's usually in no mans land wrong side of his man.

With the shambolic stuff from both players and manger since the window slammed i'm just wondering if Mowbray is a bit miffed at something and trying to prove a point. Have they pulled a Lambert on him and finally shown their true colours last window ? I'm beginning to wonder....

I don't think we have a problem defensively. I don't need to replace Downing. And .... he actually rates Bell & Williams as good defenders at this level. I'm beginning to get very worried about this guys soundbites he needs his bumps feeling if he genuinely believes all that !

We have to be wary of Readings continental football tonight apparently, is this the stuff that's served them so well so far this season then or are they saving it just for tonight ??? COYB !

I might be proved wrong it wouldn't be the first time under TM but I did think once the new line up and system had a spanking he'd revert to type and it'll be hard to see it change again. I suppose many managers would do the same in the hope of settling things down again but i'm convinced Mowbray prefers the plod more than anything bold or exciting like he makes out at times. To make something work and let it grow you have to stick to it especially when its proved it does work when you hit the right buttons and if this season is being quietly written off as a transition period were a few young ones get bloodied then why not stick to the more looking for a win front foot stuff ? Yes you'll get tanked now and again and also lose the odd thriller but against the right opposition there'll be a few more Hull City style wins. Please not a return to the groundhog plodding grow a team to sell Championship days just yet whilst the season still has life in it.

We are going for the draw then.

Think it'll be a one one grind of a game tonight, slip up again and the feeling of a pin being stuck in the rising balloon of this season a few weeks ago will turn into a bang. I'll never ever agree with not taking the opportunity to push a football team and club forwards if the opportunity is there no matter who manages it or owns it. Heart says 1-1 Head says Reading 2 Rovers 1

As someone who likes a pint of Strongbow I don't get the obsession everywhere now of only having dark fruit on tap and if your lucky some piss with a fancy name masquerading as a similar alternative to the real stuff. Happened in several pubs round our way now and more than likely just an excuse to cash in on something dearer which falls down because hardly anyone actually drinks it so they are loosing out anyway. Come to think of it you could apply similar logic to football tickets ......

6............ if he has a spell where he should be in the U23's. First team i'll go 3 IF he ever gets a chance under Tony I buy strikers for the wings Mowbray ! Think if he nicks one he'll go on a little run it's a huge bloody IF though.

Raya is better than Steele but he still has a rawness about him that should really be wearing off now you might expect a couple of bloopers/indecisive moments that cost goals per season from a young keeper but if it's happening every few weeks it's a problem. Having said that the constant changing in front of him of what isn't exactly a solid defence anyway (contrary to the managers opinion) does him no favours whatsoever.

I think they've missed the boat with it now unless there is a good finish to the season and an interesting summer window so it'll be back to trying to keep hold of what we have again. We've seen it all before and the time to strike is as mentioned above when supporter engagement across the town is at a peak, no better peak in the last 8 years than a promotion and a huge end of season gate !

Going off the last window it could well be they've tied up all the remaining money from this years budget in that signing, ridiculous really. Let's hope next years budget has room in it otherwise it'll be sell to buy or back to the bargain bucket again on the back of the BB signing. With a bit of sensible spending mid season this side could be challenging the play offs with the hope of being right in the mix next season with a bit more in summer. As it is there is a real danger of a slide and slog now just to stay in mitable and that's when rot sets in with other players beginning to eye moves in summer. Manager seems perfectly comfortable with that, well you would if you've created your very own 'zone' to sit in for a while.

James Nursey is in the clowns pocket he was spinning nonsense when Kean was still here trying to deflect the blame I had a few set to's with him an twitter, a total ignoramous if Kean goes for an ice cream that tit will write about it, take no notice. Interesting that coco is going down the DOF route now his contact book full of his mates players will be getting an airing whilst he fills another club full of shite. Wonder what guise the old SEM/Kentaro etc lot are operating under these days ?