Which of Ayala and Wharton would you not play in favour of Hyam? Hyam impressed me at Blackpool and came well regarded, but to break past them 2 when fit is difficult, maybe our first choice supposed target Ahmedhodzic would have done so, Hyam, not sure at this stage. Mola seemingly has signed as a centre back according to the LT today. I would put him in midfield at the weekend next to Travis assuming at least one of Wharton and Ayala are back. Hirst seems quite a similar player to Gallagher from that hour at the weekend, powerful runner in the channels but poor first touch and unable to link play. Yeah I would agree that Hirst didn't impress. Very early so plenty of scope to grow into things but his limitations at being a focal point like Gallagher were stark.

I have never seen signs that there "is a player in there." People often focus on his position but what attributes does he have to thrive in any position at this role? He is slow, he is technically pretty poor, not particularly good on the ball, not aggressive, not physically robust enough, I don't see what he has that makes people think he could be a good player. Interesting how brutal Tomasson was in the press. I do agree that he shouldn't be in the team, but there was little to no scope for a return. I wonder how he and indeed his team mates have read it?

How many of the 6 summer signings would people put in our first 11 if everyone was fit? Brittain is an obvious one, we have no other right backs. Beside that, and of course at a very, very early stage. Would Hyam start over Wharton or Ayala? Szmodics over Dack? Hirst over Gallagher? And Mola and Morton look like squad players.

Injured.

If the target genuinely is to improve on last season and push for the top 6, armed by our goalscorer who we declined to cash in on for short term gain. Then Tony Mowbray managing a side promoted last season is surely less of a threat than Wilder with a Boro side that did better than us last season and with plenty of new recruits, including our captain on big money.

That is blatantly untrue. Travis went on to start the following 7 games, and the Sheffield United game was one of 19 starts across the remaining 22 games. Those 3 players left at the same time as Mowbray, one to a higher division and one with a huge pay rise. And Tomasson also plays Gallagher out wide. Mowbray had his limitations and I am glad that he has gone but there isn't half some nonsense talked about him.

These dreamt up valuations are totally meaningless because of his contractual situation. Let's use the valuation of £10m, again I would argue that if our stance wasn't so rigid, either meet a massive, massive price tag otherwise he isn't going, then it might eventually lead to a bid higher than that, but lets go with it. We have a decision then, is £10m (say £7m on a replacement on a 4 or 5 year deal and the rest pocketed) more or less valuable than us compared to one solitary season of Brereton? It 100% is more valuable, imagine if we signed a striker for £10m on a season long loan, it is no different to that. We keep hearing about the journey and this being a transitional season, I don't fully agree but if so, the decision made is even more at odds with that. The fact that the money potentially wouldn't be invested is another stick to beat the owners with, and another reason why we cannot thrive with them owning us. Talk of a Brentford model is laughable under them. It should be a process, sell with targets ready to push the button on knowing Brereton was to be sold. Thoughts of public image, not appearing to be bullied, talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face.

We did yeah, my point was countering the mention that maybe things will change specifically under Broughton's watch. Until Venkys stop interfering, at times against the wishes of those they have employed to make such decisions, then it will always remain as it is. Even under previous staff members, some people renewed and some didn't. If you swallow the nonsensical logic that it is better to allow such a valuable asset to leave for free than "be bullied" into selling an asset even if it makes financial sense, then there is little hope. I quite clearly have said previously that we couldn't accept on the last day. This whole rigid "he won't be sold unless someone bids exactly x" was totally inappropriate, we should have gone into the summer knowing he had to be sold and encouraged it somewhat, not putting people off with a vastly inflated fee. Even if the highest fee ended up being £10m, we can't flippantly turn that down for an extra year. Take it, spend £7m on a replacement on a multi year deal.

That is the only sign really thus far, outweighed by a more valuable asset being kept at a huge opportunity cost. That being said, until whichever staff members are given full autonomy and are not overruled by the owners stubbornness, then any potential structure will be inpossible to efficiently flourish.

Allowing more assets to run their contracts down isn't a sustainable way for a Championship club with our resources to develop and grow.

There were definitely options aside from Travis playing there. Mola was on the bench, a centre back that we signed under Tomasson which could have allowed Carter to move to right back. I get that perhaps it isnt ideal so soon after signing to play him but he trained from the same point as Hirst so it doesnt really wash with me that he couldnt and had Mowbray mentioned the settling in rhetoric he would have been lynched. Even beyond that, Phillips was on the bench too.

Are any of the below criticisms valid? Travis shouldn't have played at right back. Travis should have been moved at the latest by half time. The subs at half time were wrong. The midfield 2 were so weak and easily beaten, and it wasn't changed. Having Vale involved over Markanday was wrong, the former couldn't score in non league last season. Mola should have featured considering that he could have freed Carter to go at right back. Or even Phillips. You can keep trotting out the cliches, for what its worth 12 points in 8 games is IMO a reasonable return. But I have not seen any big signs of his supposed style of play and I would argue that our points haul slightly flatters us as our general performance level has been poor. There is occasional pressing but certainly nothing sustained. The front 4 is NOT at all fluid. We don't create many good chances. We have issues defensively. I haven't got a clue what his favourite 11 would be. Subs have often been needed earlier than would be ideal if the original gameplan had worked, and have certainly not always helped us. Set piece routines have been terrible. I don't see which of the above is unwarranted, but calls for patience aside, supporters will want to see signs of progression. If they don't and if our poor recent form persists, then patience will deplete.

The ref went over to the monitor, watched it giving him a better view of the incident, and then changed his mind. The blame is on the official, not VAR.

It's not VAR to blame, it is the official who has made the wrong decision despite watching it back.

Who can put a tackle in midfield if Travis is out? And who is experienced?

You can keep banging on about patience and of course things will take time but it cannot be a line trotted out to dismiss all criticism. People will expect to see signs of development and asking for patience will not see people overlook when mistakes are made by the manager. Take next weekend, many Rovers fans will go to Wigan and spend good money, many with a few beers inside them too. If we play shit again and lose a 5th game in 6, I suspect there will be some boos. Obviously there won't be calls for his head or anything silly, but people spend good money and time to follow Rovers so I am sure you agree that people expect at least to see signs of progression. On Brereton, I refuse to accept that we couldn't get more than £8.4m but even so, we wouldn't loan Brereton for a season for that amount.

It's not Buckley's natural position at senior level and he has really struggled this season. I still think we lack some experience in there. It was so easy for Bristol City to stroll through our midfield yesterday.

It's this sort of lunacy and inefficiency that has happened throughout the Venkys reign that causes them losses to be bigger than they need to be.

Morton was horrendous yesterday, he needs dropping. Sadly we look very lightweight and short in midfield after not adequately fixing it in the transfer window.

I don't have a clue how you can have come to the conclusion that Venkys will act like rational owners sticking to a plan. We have just decided to allow Brereton to run his contract down because of a stubborn need to hit a price tag, the manager was undermined in January when Rothwell could have been sold. There is a history of assets sold under Venkys and the money isn't reinvested. Why will it suddenly change? Also, why are expectations so low for this season? I get that we have a new manager but going from 8th to the bottom half is ok? Not at all aiming for the top 6 is fine, just to right off the season and even next season?

Not when he is the latest and most valuable in a line of assets that we lose for free because of them (the second that we know comes directly from their stubbornness) and costs us money we could use to re build.

A big worry as flagged last week was the lack of experience brought in. Tyler Morton always seemed an illogical signing as a sole midfield recruit simply because we were dying for at least one bit of experience in there. You think to next week, poor form, say Travis comes back into midfield, the only potential partners are either so inexperienced or not experienced specifically in that deep role.

Next week will be massive. If we continue with the poor performances and get beat, it might provoke some of a mainly pissed up away end beyond the few moans and groans seen at Ewood. Not saying that there will be anything stupid like calls for the managers head, but a bit more vocal with natural frustration.

Any concerns? Anything that the manager got wrong? Any worries after a 4th loss in 5? Any players that warrant dropping next week?

That stubbornness certainly isn't a strength.