Just now, Stuart said:

Did you go yesterday, Merce?

We dominated possession but didn't look in the game at all.

I thought with playing Brown, we would be looking to invite Barnsley on to us and then play on the break - hence Mahoney. But two goals in the first 10 minutes and that game plan - if it was - was over. Barnsley could let us have the play and just get players behind the ball. Something they did very well, by the way. Mowbray underestimated how prone Brown was: no legs but no legs around him either. 

Why was Ward on the bench? If fit, surely he should start in the absence of Mulgrew (our best midfielder) and Lenihan. Also made further mockery of sending Wharton out.

Mowbray needs to wield the axe and freshen things up. Sticking with shower from yesterday (Mahoney aside) is sentimental and foolish. If we are going to rely on "young, hungry" players to survive as a club next season then we need that kind of hunger now.

Thankfully, no.  The weather won and we had a great day out.

Spoke with a couple of friends who went and they were shocked, truly shocked.  Your comments therefore don't surprise me.

You are absolutely right - the axe needs wielding.  If we go down, let's at least show some fight and not go with a whimper.

My team for Forest:

Raya / Nyambe, Hoban, Ward, Williams / Mahoney, Guthrie, Akpan, Feeney / Bennett / Gallagher

KEEP LOWE OUT - about as useful as a chocolate teapot.

Just now, Bigdoggsteel said:

It was the manner of defeat, coupled with good performances from our rivals and next 2 opponents. I can't see us beating them. 

Understand but how many Bristol City fans thought they'd beat a rampant Wolves' team yesterday after being annihilated by 5 goals, and according to some Preston friends who were there it could have been 7, 8 or even 9, at Preston midweek?

Hopefully, there are one or two twists and turns to come yet.

Just now, Blue blood said:

Clutching at straws now as am shocked by the implosion under TM in the last few weeks. Thought with a bit of organisation we could stay up but we've really not helped ourselves of late. Reading were vulnerable, Barnsley had nothing to play for, and even a couple of draws would have kept us well in the race.

As it is it's no longer in our hands which is even more frightening. The only faint positives I can see is that IF we can beat Bristol City then we're back in it, which with some other winnable games coming up is not out of the question at all. Problem is that we've fluffed one very winnable game, and injuries are mounting up. Add in most players won't be here next season and you feel motivation is somewhat lacking. It's still doable Imo but one more bad set of results against us and that would probably change.

I'm with you.

I've seen so many strange and unexpected things happen in football over the years.  Teams simply implode and lose many consecutive games on the trot, conversely, from nowhere, teams find it in themselves to reel off a handful of consecutive wins.  Football is so unpredictable otherwise the bookies would be out of business.

Yesterday was a horrendous day with our defeat and other results but we are not dead and buried yet.

Our task is now that much harder but you just have to hope.

Good luck Tony Mowbray.

Show passion, integrity and respect and the fans will back you to the hilt.

We almost need a miracle worker.  It could be you and you might just become a legend.

Looking forward to our first win under your management at Burton on Friday. 

Just now, roverandout said:

Cause your mate wee coyley is in charge??

 

Think you have difficulty with a bit of tongue in cheek stuff.

He's no mate of mine and if it was up to me, he'd be binned forthwith.

44 minutes ago, Kamy100 said:

Yes I think Wigan will stay up.

We are into February and have won just 6 games out of 27.  From our remaining 57 points we will need to get 25-28 points to finish out of the bottom 3.  Statistically looking at Coyle's last 4 jobs (including Rovers) he has not shown that kind of form in any of them.  So on that basis alone we will go down.  Other teams are showing that even with poor squads they are able to perform because they have a good manager in place.

Would beg to differ.  To say we will need 50 to 53 points is ridiculous.

Last three seasons, 4th from bottom have had 49, 46 and 44 points respectively.

Looking at the table now, 46 or 47 points would be enough meaning we need 21 or 22 points from our final 19 games.

I think we will just about scrape it.

Jim was a bit of a cult hero at the time. Certainly the best header of a ball I've ever seen but we didn't really play to his strength - which was in the air. On the ground he wasn't the best by any means. His diving header against Norwich, when he came on as a sub, remains the best headed goal I think I've ever seen. For me, Frank Lord, was the worst I've seen but there are a number of contenders from that era - Les Chappell would certainly run him a close second. A little later there was John Aston who Iley signed to replace Waggy. Aston was playing from memory when we signed him.

Wouldn't disagree with Parson's observations.

Will never forget Fryatt's equalising goal against Joe Mercer's Man City in FA Cup at Ewood that night back in 1967 (think I've got the right year). About 44,000 on Ewood that night and the place really rocked like nothing I've experienced before when Big Jim rose to notch with his head at the BE.

Very difficult to pin down 'the worst player' because there has been some absolute dross including the likes of Martin Britt, John O'Mara and Sean Curry although I think I am right in thinking Curry did get 7 or 8 goals for us and big John chipped in with a dozen or so (world beaters compared to the infamous Brown !).

Our groundsman will just love that, not.

We will pay the price next season with a sub standard playing service.

John Connelly but not sure who against. He signed for us at the beginning of the 1966/67 season, so would never have played Leeds. My guess is against Bury.

Yep, you are right. 50 years is some time to think back !

Is the keeper not an ex Rover in Neil Ramsbottom ?

Dont know how old you are but these are some of my memories of the Riverside

and a bonus point for those, of a certain age, naming the Rovers player and the opposition in the Black & White pic

John Connelly against Leeds with Gary Sprake in goal.

Would go as far to say that the first half was as bad as anything I've seen in 50+ years watching Rovers.

We were an absolute shambles.

If Norwich hadn't have eased back it could have been 6 or 7.

We are in huge, huge trouble. We don't even look fit and look totally disorganised, never mind the poor quality of footballers at our disposal.

FFS!

I look at the very teams below us and the quality we now have in our football management team and can see no way we will be anywhere near the bottom three. Mid table is where we will finish.

I think this thread should be closed.

Not a cat in hell's chance of Rovers going down.

Today's problems have been a long time coming.

Lambert has inherited a position similar, or perhaps even worse, than the likes of Ken Furphy, Gordon Lee, Howard Kendall and Graeme Souness did.

I honestly thought he would get more out of the present crop - perhaps it just underlines the depths we've sunk to and the dross we've accumulated.

There is no chance of us going down with Lambert in charge.

Remember, the darkest hour is just before the dawn !

Great is an often over used word in connection with football folk but certainly not in Howard's case. He was a truly great Rovers manager who did a magnificent job on a shoestring budget. What he achieved in two years with Rovers was nothing short of remarkable.

Those who used the Bulls Head, Wilpshire back in Howard's days at Rovers will recall seeing Howard there on a number of occasions and that's where a big Rovers' party ended up after clinching promotion at Bury on that not to be forgotten night. An amiable bloke always willing to have a word.

RIP.

I think the last 3 games have shown that this team can be competitive in this league, and could possibly be challenging in the top half if we had a decent manager. The longer Bowyer stays, the more difficult it will be for someone else to come in and turn things round.

Absolutely spot on.

Unbelievable how far our club has fallen in 5 short years.

From a comfortable mid Prem club to a club in the bottom 3 of the Championship led by, IMV, a charmless and incompetent manager with some fans salivating over the signings of the likes of Barrow and Lawrence who last Friday, sat on the bench, deemed not good enough to start.

It's even beyond fiction.

Amazing how views vary.

Have been to The Dressers on a handful occasions over the last three months and what they do, I think they do exceptionally well. Also, think the internals are pretty good which adds to the feel of the place.

I also like the Top Lock but I don't think it's in the same league as The Dressers.

The driver these days is food and unless a 'pub' has an extremely viable food option then it will struggle.

To me, Dressers and Spead Eagle, Mellor are the two outstanding operations of their type in the area.

Cheers mucker we were planning to go about 5:30 so may try and bring it forward

Is it just a buffet?

No it isn't a buffet.

You have a menu to select from which includes a good number of popular dishes from the main menu - plenty of choice. Portion sizes are just as plentiful as 'normal' (unlike some restaurants who cut back portion sizes on their 'specials').

Enjoy.

Italian is hit and miss for me, I love a freshly made tortellini a la creme but all too often I go to a place and try a pasta that sounds nice and end up wth something you can make easily and just as good at home.

Trying Shajan again on Sunday, looking forward to that its always been a favourite of mine (if it's not too busy, the standard drops when busy)

They do a Sunday 'special' between 1 and 5 for about £13 including starter/mains/naan. Wide menu choice and excellent value. Done it a few times and never overly busy. Wouldn't leave it later than 4.30 though.

^{A very good effort against more experienced and physically mature opponents.}

^{Sadly, not too many on show (both sides) showed too much technical ability.}

^{Raya, Nyambe, Mahoney and then Hardcastle caught the eye. First three should be given some extended 1st team game time before the season ends.}

Managed to pick up some pre match stuff in the car and early commentary.

Nothing ever changes - I think Yardley is an absolute knob.

Would be amazed if they changed their tune later on - unless they've been told they are finished next season !

Someone will now say Bukhara and that guy will be summoned and say how Stevie G loves it and it's food hygiene rating wasn't right

I always enjoy Shajan, but feel rushed at times

Have a word with them - we always tell them we need some time between starters and mains.

Remember going to Naga on the first Saturday that it opened (must be a few years ago now).

It was a very poor experience in terms of both service and food and therefore haven't been back since.

Based on some of the comments on here, I assume they have now got their act together ?

IMV, best Indian Restaurant around here is Shajan - been going close on 20 years and never disappoints.

For takeaways and in Chorley area, Shanti Lounge at Buckshaw Village takes some beating.

Extremely sad.

A strapping young lad in his early days at Rovers who seemed to have real potential.

Not sure Bobby Saxton gave him the opportunities he perhaps deserved.