All teams need a number of players who are physical and can 'mix it' when the need arises. Doesn't half make the opposition think twice! It's something we lack, particularly in midfield and up front. Oh for an Andy Todd type at the back, a David Batty, Aaron Mokoena type in midfield and an Alan Shearer, Mark Hughes type up front. Don't recall too many taking liberties with those lads!

Given they hammered us at Ewood in December it doesn't say too much about Rovers and our manager!!!

A good signing - wouldn't bet against Delap reaching double figures. Think PNE will finish higher in Championship than Rovers. Ryan Lowe was a very good appointment - a manager who knows what he's doing.

My opinions are based upon what I see: Hyam - undoubtedly an excellent signing Brittain - looks promising though seems very injury prone. Is he really that much better than Nyambe? Szmodics - Think Posh really saw us coming. Doesn't contribute enough and Championship might well be a league too high for him Morton - too much hype for me about a very average player. At 20, not a star in the making - otherwise would be knocking them bandy in the PL by now. Worryingly, blocking the development of Adam Wharton Hirst - scary, scary, scary. Our prime striking target and actually we looked to buy him. A huge disaster. Mola - runs Hirst close in the disaster stakes Travis / Buckley - new lengthy contacts for two increasing liabilities If I was reviewing Broughton's performance it would be no more than a 2 out of 10. Think football is full of bullsh1tters and sadly, I think Broughton and JDT have added to the numbers.

Think there were many of us in the same boat as you! The really scary thing is it seems we were actually trying to buy him! Sharpe in LT "Hirst was Rovers’ number one striking target in the summer, and the club had permanent bids rejected by Leicester City who later extended his contract before loaning him to Rovers". That would have been an unmitigated disaster. Not sure Broughton would know a real footballer if one smacked him in the face. Equally, JDT must have sanctioned the bids. It's enough for one to break out in a cold sweat!

If they were, do you honestly believe he would be at Rovers? It would be like Rovers loaning Brereton to Accie! I'll have a £50 bet with you that next season, Morton is playing no higher than Championship football. Loser pays to charity of winner's choice?

IMO, Morton is bang average at best. I very much doubt he will eke out any sort of career at Liverpool. Struggle to see what he brings to the party. Think he's only selected by virtue of the terms our loan agreement with Liverpool.

Bit of a one sided argument that. But how many goals did Tugay set-up with either direct or indirect assists!?

I honestly don't get your obsession with Cantwell. Any promise he showed earlier in his career has well and truly gone. If he aint good enough for a poor Norwich team then he certainly isn't good enough for us. and therein lies the problem! Morton is nowhere to be seen when we are in a battle or struggling - it's then you need your midfielders to dig deep. As I posted earlier, Morton is not one you would want in the trenches with you - players who are only effective when the opposition are in retreat are no good to us.

Dack still has it all to prove after two serious injuries. If we get a 'silly offer' he has to go for me if we could bring in one or two quality players as a result. If he stays, any talk of a new contract should be stalled for at least 3 months - let's see what he really has left in his locker and whether his body, and particularly his knees, can withstand the stresses and strains of a dozen or so 90 minute games.

It's simple. Posh saw us coming big time and had us.

Football has been an expensive pastime for a considerable while now. There are now so many competing different areas of life where folk can spend their hard earned money. Clubs like Rovers should be mindful of this. My needs are simple and I would think no different than most supporters. As a minimum, I expect every player in blue and white to bust a gut every second, every minute of every game. I want to see and breathe their passion. This season we have seen too many capitulations in games that REALLY MATTER to the fans. In many games our performances have been an absolute embarrassment. I want to be entertained. I want excitement, flair and goal mouth action. In the main we are insipid, boring and painful to watch. Such dross will not put bums on seats. I want us to be successful and show real AMBITION, competing at the top of the league and maximising Cup opportunities. Qualifying for the play offs ISN'T SUCCESS unless you feckin win them. A place in the quarters of the Carabao Cup was at stake and in a home game we field a reserve team - feckin pathetic. Like many, I think we are no better than a mid table outfit and only a number of very fortuitous wins have put us in this false position. Very, very unconvinced by JDT and Broughton. Some on here talk about not putting players under pressure. Do me a feckin favour. These lads earn many £thousands per week. Real pressure is not having a job, not being able to put food on the table, not being able to put on the heating, not being able to buy new clothes/shoes for your children. IMO, footballers are a pampered and privilged lot living in an unreal world. If they can't stand the so called pressure then get off the feckin grass and get a REAL JOB on civvy street.

Nail on head!

Without doubt, midfield is our biggest area for concern - this is where matches are won or lost and we need at least one more addition. Even before the season started, I said we needed an experienced, ugly, hard, bastard who could also play a bit in there to control. Worries me hugely JDT gave big extended contracts to both Buckley and Travis. IMO: Buckley has 1 decent game in 10 and generally is a liability. We need shut. Travis has regressed unbelievably. Sometimes it happens with players and they don't get it back. Think it happened when he heard Mowbray's bullsh1t inferring Travis was a hard man who'd even kick his granny - sadly, he believed the hype and is now just a petulant non entity who offers next to nothing. We need shut. Adam Wharton - can't recall when we last had a midfielder with so much potential and I think he could develop into international class. Sadly, JDT seems to be mismanaging the lad and if we aren't careful he'll get so p1ssed off he will be off. Garrett showed against Cardiff he has what it takes. He and Wharton good enough to hack it in the PL in time to come. Morton isn't ours. Some purr about him but he's some 2 years older than Wharton and Garrett and in two years time our lads will be flying far higher than Morton. Morton is not one you want in the trenches with you but is okay when the opposing army is in retreat! Also lacks stardust and will not make it at Liverpool. So who comes in. I'm with @Sparks Roverin that we mised the boat allowing PNE to snaffle Ben Whiteman - just what we needed with a real presence Todd Cantwell - feck me, why? Just an overrated prima donna in my book. Let's see just who are much hyped recruitment department under Broughton come up with. Though after Hirst, Mola, Szmodics snd new lengthy contracts for Buckley and Travis, I ain't holding my breath.

Agree - very objective from Sharpe

Three overriding principles for me in this window. We do not want any 'back up' players for the likes of Pickering etc - Pickering himself barely ticks the boxes. We DO NOT need mere squad fillers. We do not want loans like Morton, Hirst or Mola who have contributed little and blocked the progress of our own talents (as Morton has) or are utterly hopeless (Hirst and Mola). Only loan players I would consider are those you can almost guarantee would be majorly beneficial to our team eg the likes of Harvey Elliott. I would take Rothwell back in a heartbeat if we could (a class act at this level, makes things happen and exciting to watch) - feck what Travis thinks, IMO, he's useless and dispensable. We only sign players who will command a place in the team and significantly improve it eg Hyam. That is the only way we will move forward.

Boekenhoutskloof Syrah - if you like your black fruits you'll love this one.

A win is a win but feck me that was so unconvincing against a p1ss poor side. Better from Garrett and good to see Dack get 90 minutes under his belt - hopefully, he can kick on from here. Hedges a bit of a Tony Parkes type player - you don't half miss him when he ain't there. Still think JDT is not for us. We are in the main boring and uninspiring. Only consolation of an early kick off and Rovers'win is I don't feel guilty about uncorking an early red. Cheers and happy New Year. "To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often". Churchill.

Want to see some real desire and passion from us. The local lads, the Whartons, would help with this. Markanday also needs to be given a real shot at it. For feck's sake if Hirst is deemed good enough to get time out there on the grass............!!!!!!!! Disagree with Atko's Engine - think this is a must win game. The fans are owed big time after all the recent sh1te and capitulations. Another poor show and loss and I think fans will turn on JDT @Atko's Engine

16th to 19th for me. My offer of a £50 bet against Rovers finishing top half is still open for you (but only until midnight tonight) @chaddyroverswith the loser of the bet paying to a charity of the winner's choice. Given your confidence in Waggott/JDT/Hirst, Chris, I fully expected my hand to be snapped off!

Think you've hit the NYE bottle a tad early!

Cardiff are sh1te. Let's be honest, I'd even expect Coyle to be capable of putting out a team to beat them. If we can't beat this shower then JDT should be sacked on the spot. Rovers by 2 goals to nil.

Wouldn't disagree and would be my fifth. Who can forget the 'Cruyff step/turn' from the 1974 World Cup!?

One of my four legends alongside George Best (would have loved seeing him at a World Cup playing for a big European country), Maradona and Messi. All four supremely gifted and excited. Mexico 1970 was Pele's World Cup and who can forget his battle with Bobby Moore or that save he brought out of Gordon Banks in the Group Stage game. Legend is an overly used adjective in the game of football. RIP to a really true unique football legend - I doubt we will ever see another.

The Whartons lived in Salesbury and it's surprising what information gets passed around in the smaller Ribble Valley communities particularly amongst like minded people (in this instance football orientated folk including supporters etc). Would not think @J*Bwould post without foundation.