roversfan99

We scored a goal against Brentford that was very similar to Pickering v Sheff United. Mowbray's possession focused team was ineffective, we finished 15th. Tomasson has had more success with that specific tactic, but I don't agree that this season we have been any better than last season, the league table cannot be argued with. We did also put in performances last season that were a million miles more entertaining than last season, think at home to Birmingham, at home to Peterborough, away at Preston, totally battered all of them. Bournemouth away, comfortably saw off the 2nd best side. Rankin Costello's development is definitely a huge positive tactically by Tomasson, but I don't think that his transformation has been matched by the team. The way he slots into midfield is such a useful asset to the point that even though Brittain is okay, we cannot think of moving him. But there were tactical nuances last season that worked, notably Brereton playing left of essentially a front 2 with Buckley floating between him and Khadra. Since the international break, the one performance that impressed me was Huddersfield away, domination and crucially loads of chances. Burnley didnt offer much, but I can barely remember a chance we created.

I can't personally say we are progressing when results have regressed. But solely on performances, I wouldn't personally agree that we are playing far better football. Even recently, yesterday, v Burnley, v Coventry, v Hull and v Norwich, not many chances created or much threat offered. Of course we all agree that we need a better front line, but I don't think I can agree that we are dominating in the absence of that. More of the ball but predominantly in our own half.

Since October, we have scored more than one at home once.

I do agree that a big part of chance creation is having the movement from attackers to get into positions in the first place. But equally, I haven't seen a real upturn in performances and I don't see the evidence of an attacking setup that is just missing that finishing touch. I would agree that Tomasson hopefully will stay but I don't think this season has been a progression on last as evident with our points tally. Much of that stems from above him though.

We have rarely looked like scoring in the last few weeks and months, just a couple of decent chances a game.

*Venkys legacy. And will only get worse now they have allowed another asset to leave for free and seemingly another summer of scrounging awaits. Im not convinced we are playing much if at all better recently. We havent been creating many chances or looking threatening very often.

We would have received more offers had we not taken such a counterproductive, stubborn stance but we should have accepted the bid from Nice. This situation was predictable and totally avoidable.

How can you still defend them if you think that we have staff who potentially purposely sabotaged transfers and they still haven't bothered to sack them?

Surely the most important thing is results/the league table. And we haven't improved. Nor do I think your seat faces the pitch if you have found us entertaining this season! We have regressed as the season has come to its conclusion as we did last year. Apparently 5 wins in 20 v 5 wins in 20. We have got worse as the season has gone on, hence 0 wins in 8. We had a style last season, counter attacking and using a back 3. Having a style doesn't make it automatically progression.

5 wins in the last 20 apparently this season which is identical to last season, 0 wins in 8 and we haven't gone 2 up at home since Rotherham last October/November. No better than last season and not the season of a team that is starting to come together as things progress under a new management style. Also to throw in an opinion too, to watch we have been pretty dire all season. Obviously the problems are above Tomasson who I would keep on but I would be surprised if any bigger teams wanted him and I am not totally convinced in him. Also, next season if we are in the top 6, would anyone expect us to stay there? After what has happened in these last 2 seasons.

Also, we had no choice in net today. But what was Pears doing with 20 minutes left? Terrible judgement and very lucky that we wasnt put out of our misery there and then.

Do you have faith in Venkys to do all/any of this?

Should have been sold, simple as that. Same situation last season, no lessons learnt. Says a lot about the quality around him that he is no worse than any of our other attackers.

How can you proclaim this as a season of improvement when at best we will match last seasons points tally? Throw all the intangibles and buzzwords you want at me, we haven't improved on results and points. We aren't Norwich. But even in your make belief world where we sell Wharton for a gigantic fee, which is a huge if, he has played a dozen games. Where is the evidence of us being a club run in a way where we re invest and build a new team? I dont know where you have been for the last 12 years. I would understand this project and building for a better next season narrative more if we had been mid table and things had started to build more in recent weeks. But quite the opposite. We haven't won in 8 or 9 games, we have regressed!

The league table doesn't show an improvement. But I think the issues run far beyond either of the last 2 managers. Depressing.

His understanding of the league you would think should improve as the season goes on. 0 wins in 8. If the players dont "want" to experience it, why has it happened again? Why are you confident that it will not happen next season? Again, the issues go far deeper than Tomasson I would say. Terrible owners and staff above him. But still, like Mowbray, deserves criticism for what has happened towards the end.

Simply not good enough, lucky to scab a draw to prolong the inevitable. I said before the Sheff Utd game, such a great opportunity for a memorable season. 0 wins in 9 since, pathetic. Even if we win next week, we match Mowbrays points total. Why do people think next season will be any difference? What if we get into a similar position, would people expect many of the same players to push on rather than falter? How bad is Dolan by the way? @chaddyrovers youd genuinely have him up top? So poor, so thick, so weak.

I think you are sadly not factoring in Venkys who have never allowed a manager to reinvest a big sale on half of a new team as you imply. We aren't run normally, big sales are taken out of managements hands, and when a big sale is actually made, it tends to have to help to prop the club up because we keep allowing assets to leave for free. Not 100% sure, maybe Rochina?

With seemingly scope for a bit of change at Sky with genuinely good pundits/hosts like Souness and Stelling leaving, lets hope the likes of Martin Tyler and Jamie Redknapp follow suit.

Selling our best youngster and midfielder or our best keeper will really get him keen to stay! If even Venkys let it be reinvested which history suggests wouldnt be the case. Every time a sell on fee has been activated, it has gone to running costs.

Massively is a stretch, he will improve on last seasons total by a maximum of 2 points, but we definitely want to keep him. Question is, how do we convince him with more budget cuts?

It is hard not to have the opinion that Hirst was a big failure here, hence why he was gone in January. Be pedantic all you side, I have said that he has failed twice to bring in a competent striker and I don't think anyone can argue with that.

Transfers obviously aren't simple, but that isn't relevant. People are paid considerable amounts to perform that important role and are judged on the players they do and don't bring in. Broughton fucked up.

Hirst didn't look a great choice to me and many others just on the back of half a decent season at a lower level, but either way, he clearly wasn't anywhere good enough, so the deal was a failure. He also failed in January, the whys and why nots are not really relevant in judging that, excuses aside, he FAILED to get anyone. So as I have said. 2 windows to get a striker, he has failed twice. Therefore doubts that he will sort it in the summer are justified. Blind and total faith seems bizarre to me. As much as I rate Adam Wharton, Lewis O'Brien is proven as a stand out Championship midfielder. I don't think at this stage personally that Wharton can be considered better. The two together would have been good though.

Obviously no one has 100% success and I would never expect that. Point being that having fucked the task of getting a competent striker up twice, why would anyone have total faith in him getting it right this summer?