Do you not think Raya going from strength to strength may have something to do with the Brentford coaches ? Kaminskis, basic keeper skills have always been there, but his distribution has dropped off since being at the Rovers. If you think Bensons product as a keeper coach is good, you are entitled to that opinion. PS. I don't think it is hatred of the coaching staff, more just being underwhelmed by them.

That's what I thought as well.

I never said Barnes or Phillips would be starters. They would be cover on the bench for match injuries. We would still have four non-rookie center halves for either two or three positions. Personnally I would deem that enough.

I think Ash Phillips will turn out to be as good as Van Hecke. With Ayala, Lenihan, Wharton, Carter, Barnes and Phillips I don't think we have a need of central defensive loanees.

I would be wary of any incoming manager that rates any of our present coaching staff. We can't even take throw-ins.

Jake Batty, looks a better defender, has more pace and aggression . He may be too young yet, but he gets into our U23s and England U18s.

You, not we, can assume anything you want. It doesn't mean it will happen.

I am not saying Ayala will make, or even want, to be a coach, but for me it is a better option than "showing him the door". I would also add Lenihan, Carter and Wharton, in the catagory of young defenders that could do with some coaching. Get the defence right and success will follow.

I've never seen Hilton play, so I can't comment.

Unless it is accompanied by the word "poor".

The only other thing I can think of, is that it may be better getting actual game-time for the U23s than being sat on the bench for the first team. After the Wigan debacle I don't think Pears will get a Rovers start at any level.

I have seen him a couple of times for the U23s. To me he is a vast improvement on Pears, and better than Eastham.

We, have a few decent, young, raw, central defenders. I would offer Ayala a position of player/defensive coach, and try to get him, to get the best out of our talent. I realise that as a player Ayala is injury prone, but he is still an asset that can be utilised in a coaching role. You never know he may take to it and see coaching as his future.

Is Lenihan going to be here, is Ayala going to be fit, is Wharton so far ahead of Carter ?

It was a tongue in cheek comment.

The cynic in me asks, why did he leave it till the season had ended, to come out.

So 4 away games pre-season. Perhaps they are sorting the pitch at Ewood ?

I would say the most important part of that article, is that he had two month of his loan spell, out with a back injury. I would stay well clear.

For tonight, the job is done.

I hope he has brought his water-wings.

Perhaps nobody should renew their season tickets until the new manager is announced.

Do you find it offensive if England fans boo another teams national anthem ?

There are also lots of excuses being made for them.

If it was Millwall fans booing the national anthem people would be up in arms. I am sick of hearing about the righteous Liverpool fans.

I think the worst I heard was Rovers fans singing to Cardiff fans : Where were you at Aberfan. And that was over fifty years ago.