According to Mowbray and LT, Ayala's got a groin issue. That's two weeks minimum in my book.

Tony will say let's take the positives. There are none - we've lost, conceded three (and could have been six), big question marks about Kaminski after tonight, Ayala crocked and IMO, Lenihan an overrated shambles and Bell just Bell (a terrible full back and Watford knew it and exploited). That's seven points from six games and three losses. No confidence and momentum there. Johnson and Evans, IMO, not good enough. Holtby needs some real help in there. Elliott looks extremely confident and assured for a 17 year old and there's a lot more to come from him - did fade in last half hour (though not surprising). Brereton improving - would not have subbed him. Armstrong, wasteful - knew he'd miss the pen, far too cocky walking up to the spot persistently bouncing the ball (all Shearer did was put it on the spot and break the feckin net). Dolan - the lad's card's been marked and Watford had done their homework! Will soon be at the crossroads with Mowbray - this can't go on. Sh1t or bust this season and we are already some distance off the pace. Some on here scoffed at Ivan Toney when Brentford signed him - well he's scored more goals for them this season than Brereton and Gallagher have for us in three combined seasons - says it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Brentford can certainly work the market!!!

This league is all about organisation, confidence and momentum. Start well and you fly otherwise you will struggle to catch the bus.

Not a clue but you will find him on most of the other 'biggies' like 365, WH, PP etc.

Correct. Young energetic players can hit a brick wall if they aren't managed properly. The lad has so much talent and the 'X Factor' and I would be disappointed if we don't get 30 games out of him this season.

IMO, so true. Have posted a number of times recently that I think we have the players to get us out of this season's bang average Championship, however, IMO, very much doubt Mowbray is the man to get a tune out of them. A tough one tonight - up until now, Watford not scored many and we haven't conceded many!!! Sneaking fancy for us tonight (hope it's not heart over head) but if we don't get out of the starting blocks pretty quickly over the next few matches, I would sack Mowbray - we can't afford another season of treading water. We have the players - the excuses MUST stop and Mowbray MUST deliver and quick.

Hope you've backed your hunch! Gone for Rovers win (£20 @13/5) and Elliott to be anytime scorer (£20 @13/2). More confident on Elliott bet though!

I fear for us in this fixture. Watford will be a tough nut. Can't see too many changes as I think our new signings are short of game time and match fitness. I look at our results to date: Bournemouth (3rd in league) - loss, no surprise WW (23rd in league) - handsome win, but WW will be the league's whipping boys as an opening five defeats on the bounce and twelve goals conceded suggests Derby (21st in league) - handsome win, but Derby are struggling as four defeats out of their first five games indicates Cardiff (18th in league) - poor draw, games we should and have to win Forest (20th in league) - poor loss, rocked up at Ewood having lost their first four games and having sacked their manager. No excuses, we should have won and have to win these type of games. Think Mowbray's bullsh1t about having to throw a side together is lamentable Recipe for success in this league is simple. Organisation and a fast start providing confidence and momentum. Think we have the players to get us up in what I feel will be a bang average league this season. Sadly, we are in danger of being left in the starting blocks unless Mowbray gets his act together very, very quickly and sadly, IMO, clarity of thought and decisiveness are not Mowbray's strong points.

Agree Didn't see the game but what I do know is Hughton walked into a mess, a team that's lost it's first four games, yet somehow has contrived to get off to a winning start against a manager whose side has been 'evolving' for three and a half years. Hughton knows the game inside out and hats off to him tonight. Mowbray has been backed to the hilt. My big concern is his lack of tactical nous (eg, IMO, clueless in how to break teams like Cardiff and Forest down) and I don't think he'll know his best starting eleven whilst he's got a hole in his arse. I think we have the players and flair to get promoted. sadly, I don't think our manager has the answers.

Yep. A window better than we dared hope for. Kalinski - looks sound though early days Stergiakis - ticks the boxes as a good no 2 ready to challenge for no 1 Pears - don't get at all, IMO, bang average and a four year contract is ridiculous Ayala - steady but brings experience Douglas - shrewd, hope the lad stays fit Trybull - adds to the depth but mystified why Norwich would loan him to us if such a player Dolan - the lad excites me, could be a gem - let's see if he maintains form Elliott - Liverpool friend has just phoned who I rate as as a good judge of football. Reckons Elliott will blow the opposition away and help fire us to PL IMO, top two is there for the taking this season. Confidence and momentum is everything. Providing Mowbray loses his square pegs in round holes syndrome, I think we'll walk it. Just put £150 on Rovers for promotion at 13/2. Good enough for you?

Do we ever learn with ridiculously long contracts for average players.

Well if Mowbray brings in 2 or 3, I don't think he can have any excuse whatsoever if he fails to get us promoted this season when many on here think we've had a great window. Get us up this season or on yer bike Mowbray - you've had both enough time and backing in the transfer market.

It's just over 4 months since VLL's last share issue. As we are certain to be haemorrhaging even more cash through COVID, I think the only surprise is this issue has taken so long. I would be amazed if Mowbray has any flexibility.

Based on last season, they were superior in all areas!!!

Yet, IMO, Brenford will till finish far higher than Rovers!!!

Think he should be told to do one! We shouldn't be interested in players who, IMO, only rock-up when there's nothing elsewhere.

IMO, a can't be arsed attitude prevails at Ewood. IMO, a rocket up several arses needed. Better still, sack, IMO, the bunch of can't be arsed / lazy b@st@rds and appoint folk with real pride in the club and its community.

Nail on head!

IMO, pathetic. Reflects badly on the club and it would take one person an hour to sort it. Just feckin do it! Don't think he knows arse from elbow. Think Jack would have fired Cowell on the spot for such an email.

Excellent post. The lad's been around a fair bit - think he's had something like six clubs in ten years; there must be a reason for that. Additional, concern for me is that he seems a bit injury prone - we need players who we know will be available for getting on for 90% of our games. However, on balance, think he would be a good signing for the season and would take him over Bell any day of the week.

I remember when Big Sam took over from Ince. Think he only had two or three days before our next game. The transformation was quite remarkable in such a short space of time and we beat Stoke two or three nil ! If Hughton has had a fortnight at it then expect a huge difference. Will be a tough, tough game.

Looked at it but said no - wife chooses her horses by name / fancy, ignoring all conventional betting wisdom and she put a fiver on Onemorefortheroad which came in at 14/1 (15.0)!

Armstrong would be a cheaper option for them - flagged some time ago understood there was interest from WBA in Armstrong.

I think the stadium and surround is looking very shabby and potential issues with the pitch have been flagged by other posters. Perception is so key for those fans, sponsors and corporate businesses etc whose support Rovers look for. There should be a budget each year for maintenance which is 'untouchable'. For context, 'half the annual wages' cost of a Smallwood' over the ten years (circa £1.5million) of Venky's ownership would have gone a long, long way in preventing the issues we are talking about here. IMO, it's simply inexcusable. I think It's so, so galling when you look at the tens of £thousands wasted on unnecessarily extending contracts for Smallwood and Hart etc or the £1million+ wasted on Mulgrew's crass contract. IMO, this is what happens when you have senior management who are simply not up to it and the buck should stop with messrs Mowbray and Waggott.

Lasted 73 minutes - injured or fatigued!?