The statistics just confirm what we see with our own eyes! Backfired on Chaddy did that one.

Think Mowbray has dropped a real clanger then. To spend money just because it's there is indefensible. IMO, appalling management and judgement on Mowbray's behalf.

Chaddy fails to mention Reading also squandered two very good chances. So let's not kid ourselves, we could have ended up losing by an even bigger margin to a bottom three team.

Rubbish ? I think not. I look at our football over Mowbray's two years and not half a game or a game in isolation. In my opinion, in the main, our football is terrible. Hoof, hoof, hoof - you yourself have said this in a post 20 minutes ago "on why we play so many long balls" !!!

and Reading should have had at least two other goals!!!

What nonsense. Graham may not be the most mobile but it does not excuse all the hoof ball I think we've seen for two years under Mowbray. An organised and well coached side should be capable of effective transition, movement, moving the ball quickly, accurately and with purpose and capable of getting forward to support the front man in numbers. Good managers move to clubs and impose their identity, style and way of playing very quickly. In contrast, I do not think Rovers have an identity, style or way of playing. Other than our hoof ball, I think our transition is slow, our movement is poor, we are uncomfortable on the ball both in terms of possession and distribution and our front man is too often isolated. I think it begs the question as to what Mowbray, Venus and Lowe have been doing for two years.

A joy to watch. Very few players of his era could bend / swerve a ball like Rogers.

Recruitment is a problem and there are suggestions we appoint a Director of Recruitment. I think it's clear Mowbray doesn't have enough contacts and after the ludicrously expensive Brereton debacle why on earth should we trust his judgement. Overall, I think his player trading is poor with too many Harts, Gladwins and Joe Averages. Some suggestions in this thread Venus and Lowe should be replaced. It was Mowbray who appointed them in their roles, and sees their day to day work, so yet again I would question his judgement. Defensively, we had problems when Big Sam joined. Seem to recall Sam being asked about a defensive coach and he replied something along the lines 'that's my job, I'll sort it'. For crying out loud, Mowbray was a decent central defender yet he seems hopeless about organising our back four which I think I am correct in saying has conceded more away goals than any other team (other than Ipswich) in the Championship with only three other teams have conceded more goals overall. I look at our team and think: Are we physically and mentally fit. IMO, nearly every team we meet seem better. Look at how many late goals we concede. Is there an identity / structure / style to our play. I think in the main, our football has been dire over the last two years - hoof, hoof and more hoof Are we getting the most out of our available players. I think we see too many square pegs in round holes and Mowbray's favourites also being 'squeezed in'. I can't see any consistency in selection. Are we progressing as a team. I don't think we are. There have been some shocking performances (M'boro, Preston and Wigan come readily to mind). All teams get beat but it is the manner of defeat that matters and, worryingly, I think we have been abysmal too many times - IMO, that first half against M'boro was as bad as the Kean / C o y l e days Mowbray inherited a tough situation from C o y l e and to get relegated on goal difference was galling after the points we lost from winning and drawing positions due to, IMO, Mowbray's game management. Okay, Mowbray got us back but I think it was despite him and not because of him. We were the best resourced club in a pi$$ poor League One and at times, I think we got out of jail given the very poor quality of the opposition. IMO, there's no mileage in giving Mowbray another window or seeing where we are come October / November next season. IMO, there is little evidence to suggest Mowbray can take us any further and he should be replaced.

Let's see if he's 'losing' the fans and please don't offer your usual claptrap that there's no evidence of that where you sit. It could be suggested that he's 'losing' the dressing room based on recent performances. What people did expect to see was a physically and mentally fit unit, well organised with consistent selections and tactics with the manager getting the most out of his squad. Also, a manager successfully player trading and strengthening the starting eleven on an ongoing basis. I would suggest to you that this has not happened.

Don't think it's that simple. I don't think the lad 'has it'. Refer to Alcd's earlier post - just what does the lad have?

To me, the Brereton signing spoke volumes. If it was Mowbray's decision then I think it's proving to be a horrendous decision as evidenced by the gaping holes all over our team whilst Brereton spends most of the time sat on the bench and when he does get on the field of play, he looks, IMO, no better than a free transfer 'chance'. If it wasn't Mowbray's decision to sign Brereton then, IMO, he is not the purported man of principle; he simply should have walked and said he was not prepared to put up with any interference in team affairs.

We had this when Bowyer was in charge. The argument of some, and yourself, was who could we get who is better. The answer is quite simple. Firstly, there are presently umpteen out of managers out there with better track records than Mowbray - you follow football and know who's available . Secondly, when there is a vacancy, you would be surprised, of those currently managers, who might just express an interest. What is absolutely clear in my mind, is that there are better options out there than Mowbray. I also think Venus and Lowe are two underwhelming individuals and at times today, when the cameras were on the Rovers' dugout, I thought they were sitting there looking dumbfounded. Let me ask you Chaddy, do you honestly believe Mowbray is the best managerial option for Rovers?

If Rovers want me to find them a manager better than Mowbray then I will. My fee will be reasonable and due diligence will be done on any recommendation.

So, if M'boro were poor, what does that say about us!?!?

To me, nearly every team we meet look sharper, faster and fitter. Always amuses me when Mowbray talks about bringing new players 'up to speed'. Chapman played for M'boro in Jan. but is deemed not yet fit to start for us! M'boro looked two yards quicker than us all over the park and far fitter.

"Lamb rogan josh with chips" - bloody hell Chaddy, chips with lamb rj, show a bit of class man! Anyhow, enjoy!!! You wanted Paul Hurst to replace Mowbray - wow, are you drunk?

I think Reed's performances have dipped recently. However, it's not surprising if he doesn't know where he will play from one match to another. To me, his best position is central midfield but he needs a wise old head next to him to help him develop. Not sure now that Reed is the long term answer to our central midfield problems. Think today Mowbray got it hopelessly wrong tactically. M'boro very strong in midfield and their five outnumbered, outthought and outfought our flimsy 3, 4 or 5 or whatever Mowbray had in mind. It was men against boys in midfield and why we were 'slaughtered' even though we lost by just the one goal.

Hopefully, we video our training sessions so they can be sent to every agent in Europe. Based on Tony's comments of BB smashing them in in training, I'll be looking for £70million and not just the £7million!

A nebulous argument.

Firstly, doubt these Sky pundits watch very much of Rovers. I think it's a myth about Mowbray's Rovers being a footballing team - for two years, IMO, our football has in the main been shite. All those slagging off Big Sam's style need to look in the mirror at themselves. That first half was as bad as anything under Kean or C o y l e. As a team, we don't look mentally or physically up for it. I think team selections are mystifying (too many square pegs in round holes), our tactics are baffling and our player trading, other than the odd player, is very poor. I have been saying for some time that, IMO, Mowbray has taken us as far as he can. I think we have so many gaping holes in the team and what we have seen today, and on several occasions this season (not least at Preston and Wigan), is the culmination of Mowbray's management. I think we are a poor to very average side. I would not trust Mowbray in the transfer market after the Brereton debacle. We need a new managerial team - full stop. Chaddy, I will be in the Shajan later. Let me know what time you will be there and if I'm about, I'll get you that pint! Enjoy your takeaway.

Caught up with the thread. Seen the team. Think our full backs will be targeted - would have gone with Nyambe (goodness knows how this lad must feel watching Bennett get roasted) and Bell (Williams one big accident waiting to happen every match). Glad Brereton playing but want him as either striker or one of two not all this wide cr@p nonsense. Think M'boro will physically intimidate him.

Touched by your concern! Look, it's simple - if Mowbray picks the right team (on merit and not his favourites or 'undroppables'), stops putting square pegs in round holes, is not overly cautious, gets his tactics right and lets the opposition worry about us for a change, then there is no reason we can't beat what is a relatively mediocre M'boro. Will he do this - who the hell knows. As I've said many times, betting on Rovers is a bit of fun and any winnings on Rovers (and there have been plenty) are a bonus. The serious stuff is left for sports trading where the real money is made! Enjoy the match.

Rovers to win today. On TV so I think we'll see a bit more determination and M'boro are no great shakes with the managerial powers of Pulis in decline. Having said that, I think we'll need 3 to win as I really feel we'll struggle aerially with their set pieces. Chapman has to be on the bench at least - how the feck can he be fit to play for M'boro in Jan and not be fit to play for us some 3 weeks after he signed. So gone for the Rovers win at 5/3 and chucked a tenner on 3-2 at 46/1.

Jim Smith took him to Derby as his number 2. Together they got Derby into the PL where they consolidated. By the way, Jim used to manage Rovers !!!