jim mk2

So start from scratch because they're all not good enough. Cheaper to replace the manager than replace that lot !

Net loss: The ball nestles in the empty goal while the Rovers defence is nowhere to be seen and manager Tony Mowbray looks the other way

Set pieces are irrelevant. Goals are goals, whereever they come from. Mowbray carries the can on all team matters - selection, motivation, organisation and coaching. If individual players are coming up short, he should replace them with better ones. If he doesn't have the money to get replacements, his job is to improve them though coaching. It's his job - and at the moment he's not doing it.

And they made them (and the team) better.

Look in the at the teams at the top in any division in their goals against column. Good managers will have a well organised defence that doesn't give away soft goals. Our manager doesn't know how to do it

Howard Kendall and Sam Allardyce knew how to set up defences with largely players they inherited. It's a skill that our present manager doesn't have.

It's not the players; it the manager. He doesn't know how to coach or set up a solid defence.

The problem of giving away late goals and conceding under the slightest pressure has been ongoing under Mowbray. Dalglish would have sorted out our defence by now.

We won't be going down so that's job done as far as Mowbray's concerned. He said in a recent interview he wanted to secure his family's future (despite already being a multi-millionaire after nearly 40 years in the game) - so, another guaranteed season at Ewood will help towards that goal. Don't raise expectations, play down fans' hopes, keep it ticking it over by not getting too high in the league and not too low, and play the long game by talking about a multi-year project. BRFC = a pension fund manager's dream.

Yes it has. In recent years foreign coaches have come in, such as at Wolves, Huddersfield, Norwich etc, with great effect. They understand the game much better than our managers. Even last night, Mowbray was out-thought by another foreign coach. He'd get more respect from the fans if he'd acknowledge we have a defensive problem. As it stands, I think his stock is rapidly going downhill. Fans were getting very frustrated at last night's game.

And if he doesn't have the money to spend can't he improve what we have with good coaching and tactics and managing the team better ? Isn't that his job?

I watched Brereton closely last night. The lad can play a bit but not with his back to goal like Danny Graham. He's big and has all the attributes but is weak physically. One Reading player literally knocked him off the ball at one stage and Brereton just fell over. His miss was unforgivable too - all he had to do was side-foot it with his left foot. Also, why does he keep fiddling with his socks ?

Really ? One maybe, when Brereton and Armstrong made a mess of a breakaway but their keeper didn't have alot to do. We had alot of possession but no cutting edge.

You're excused. I was streaming mad the long drive home. I won't do it again - not until Mowbray sorts out this team or goes. It's painful to watch. Big thing for me last night was the fans. Very quiet and have mostly given up I think. Quite a few were kicking the seats after both goals went in. Fans are getting fed up with Mowbray Reading were dire first half but played much better the 2nd thanks to Bell's gift before half time. Mowbray should have taken him off for going to sleep like that. It shows players can make stupid mistakes in this team and get away with it.

What did he say Tyrone ?

The manager of the month curse has well and truly struck again for our Tony. The thing is, he should never have won it in the first place. Because the truth of the matter is Mowbray is Hopeless. The continuing defensive frailties are beyond a joke., and he hasn't a clue how to solve the problem. Rovers won't get anywhere with him in charge, but apparently he's unsackable because he's honest, and he's a nice guy, and he's "steadied the ship", and the tea ladies all love him. In that case, shove him upstairs as director of football or Coventry / Middlesbrough liaison officer, or something, and bring in a coach who knows and understand football. Writing this very teed off after a 450 mile round trip and another abject and gut wrenching defeat that should not have happened

Just back ....... bloody hell, that was hard to take. Reading comfortably the worst side I've seen, won once since November 5, haven't scored 2 since the Second World War yet we still managed to gift them a win. Rovers fans at the match very quiet. They've given up and lost heart, and I don't blame them Reading fans couldn't believe their luck, they never expected to win. One or two observations: Brereton actually played well but for a big strapping lad he's soft as mush. He'll never score many goals because he's not brave enough. Travis had a good 1st half but got steadily worse. Rothwell showed what the team desperately needs - pace and direct running I do not enjoy watching this team. It's too easy to beat and at least 4 of tonight's starting XI aren't good enough for this division. The club will go nowhere under Mowbray

450 mile round trip for that Mowbray out

Brereton playing well in link up play but no goal threat. Is he prepared to get where it hurts?

If we don't win this Mowbray has questions to answer. Reading are probably the poorest team I've seen this season

Reading fans here can't believe their luck they're a poor poor team and they're beating us

Reading haven't had one attack of note and we hand them a goal. This is a soft side Rovers fans here seem resigned to defeat mowbray out

Big test tonight - I'm looking for a reaction after 2 lamentable defeats. No doubt Tinkerman Tony will be moving his chess pieces around throughout the game but it will be the attitude of the players that will be most important, a bit of pride and passion in the performance.

Bristol City won again. They're on a fantastic run yet they looked nothing spectacular on Saturday, just well drilled and organised and solid in defence. Why can't Mowbray set up Rovers in the same way?

RIP Gordon Banks. Lovely man, gentleman footballer, like Ronnie. The present generation wouldn't understand.