So much about the deal doesn't seem right. The timing, the fee and the loan aspect are serious questions that should be asked. It was reported recently that Brereton and Davenport weren't Mowbray signings. When I hear Mowbray talk about inflated fees and wages in January I get the impression he wants value for money and yet the Brereton signing and fee was a huge gamble which has so far massively backfired. It almost goes against what Mowbray preaches.

I really wonder about our fitness levels which seem to have dropped off alarmingly over the last few games. Boro had a corner towards the end of the game and I saw four of our players on their haunches. It was the same corner when Boro took a short one and Reed really struggled to get out to prevent it. I know we only had ten men for the second half but it wasn't like Boro made the extra man count by working us.

I couldn't believe how bad we were in the first half. Mulgrew played like a drunken Sunday morning footballer and there were many others who were lethargic and lacked any kind of commitment. We were better in the second half but I won't be kidded by that. Most teams in the Championship would have gone for the jugular and been out of sight but Pulis was happy to win by one goal. I am starting to feel sorry for Brereton and more anger to whoever sanctioned the move and agreed the fee. Where does Mowbray go from here though? He has chopped and changed personnel and tactics to no avail and it really does seem that many players, with contract extensions in their pockets have gone back into Easy Street and are going through the motions. Mowbray has never totally convinced me and he is facing a real test now to start getting results again from a squad were many players don't appear to care. Looking ahead and we could have only one centre back available for next Saturday after Mowbray's refusal to bring in another one in January despite most people's concerns. Hopefully he bloods a kid or two but my guess is that he will simply play players out of position.

I fully expect a dull, low scoring game with both managers being content with a draw. Boro won't have the same aerial threat with Flint doubtful but Pulis (much like Mowbray) doesn't really have another game plan.

Four points dropped and four goals conceded.

I'm sorry I don't know for sure. I would hazard a guess and say no more than five or six who work for the senior team. Again a guess but there will be another group identifying the youngsters.

There are almost two types of scouts. One will look for and identify players and the other will look at future opponents and send in a report to the manager. At most clubs these are separate departments but I honestly don't know if Harvey managers both aspects or somebody else does the recruitment. Last Saturday Phil Wilson was at Bolton taking copious notes and photographs with a view to the upcoming games against Bolton and Preston.

I think Mowbray has painted himself into a corner with the contract extensions he handed out undeservedly to several players as a reward for promotion. They have the security of a longer deal on better money and some clearly aren't good enough to take us to the next step. From a playing perspective too many are at/above their level of ability. I really fear that Mowbray and several players have entered the comfort zone and we could tread water for some time now.

Another frustrating interview from Mowbray in my opinion. He talks like he has just come to the club and identified a weakness. He has been here for two years which should have been ample time to put the wheels in motion to scour Europe.

I agree. Graham is fundamental to the way we currently play and is a great exponent at holding the ball up. Mowbray has said he wants to change the way we play and I assume he means a passing game with quick players. I think he will want an Armstrong type who can run in behind but to play this way we will need several new players. Most of our current squad just don't have the necessary skills to play with pace and full of running. In my opinion though this will take a long time to do and might come at a considerable cost. And I just can't fathom out where Brereton would fit into such a system. He seems neither quick and doesn't seem to have a particularly good first touch.

I think in general the vast majority of fans are grounded and realistic. I expected to be in a relegation scrap so we are above my expectation at the moment. But the doesn't exempt Mowbray and the players from criticism if I believe they are wrong and that is the same for the majority. I like Mowbray as a person and nobody has had a go at the man himself. His decisions are criticised and as a professional in the public eye he would accept that although not necessarily agree with it.

And in December we lost another three back to back. Hopefully you do understand that one of the criticisms is the erratic form.

It's us supporters who should be fatigued with the excuses and ramblings of our manager.

Last season we conceded too many goals in an awful league but because we got promoted it papered over that crack. And this season we have the same problem in a better league and Mowbray doesn't seem to bother. Reading are without doubt the worst team I have seen in the Championship and could have had four against us. He is playing football hokey cokey with Bell and Williams, leaves our best right back on the bench and simply hasn't addressed an obvious weakness at centre back. The keeper is flaky and has too many mistakes in him. In midfield our soldiers aren't good enough. So in short we can score but can't defend and the manager doesn't seem to be aware of this. I type this after three hours sleep after travelling 460 miles to be frustrated and angered by so many things but mainly the 'boss' who seems happy with his lot.

I agree Travis' form dipped for the last two games but in truth who had good games in those and should be worthy of a start tonight? If he is left out it will leave a bad taste for me personally. I genuinely believe that Travis was the catalyst for the recent good form we had and to 'rest' him is both unfair and unwarranted.

Oh dear. If it happens I'd wager that Mowbray uses the tired young player excuse but I think he's had this in mind from when Travis earned his place. The last two games aside Travis has been our best player and to 'drop' him would be incredibly unfair in my book and borders on favouritism.

Such a moving tribute from another man of great humility. Interestingly after that save Gordon got a pat on the head and one on the backside. Nowadays it's high fives all round if somebody does something moderately good.

Rest in Peace Gordon. I didn't need to see that save from Pele in HD, super slow motion or even in colour to know I had witnessed something that would go down in history. He was like a contortionist saving that but he made hundreds of other top class saves too. I saw him speak at a dinner a few years ago and the thing that struck me was his humility.

No my friend. Your legacy to BRFCS will be the Assombalobga story. ????

So it's a halved shirt with Assombalonga modelling it. ??

Our current form is all over the place. Out of the last ten we have won four, drawn one, lost five. conceded sixteen and scored fifteen. The four wins were back to back and the draw was the first of that sequence. Given them stats it's really difficult to predict a result for tomorrow. The priority should be a clean sheet and build from there.

He is employed to make saves. For two years now he has been first choice and without checking must be close to 100 games. It was said that Friedel was worth twelve points a season to us and we need that from a keeper. His shot stopping and reflexes are up there with the best but his weaknesses haven't been improved upon since his debut. That said I don't for one minute believe Mowbray will drop him and let Leurtwiler have a run of games.

In fairness that should apply to any players we bring in. It's pointless signing anybody if they aren't better than what we have.

Both Farke and Webber were appointed at Norwich after Mowbray joined Rovers. There has been ample time for Mowbray to set up a European scouting network but the truth is he has preferred shopping at home and often with players he knows. If he is now acknowledging the need to up his game fine but if we are to bring in summer recruits from abroad something needs to happen quickly.

After seeing them at Ewood before Christmas I thought it might have been a one off but watching today Norwich have confirmed they are the mardest team I have seen for a while. Slab head Hanley must have to train alone.