Might be wrong here but when Alan Bradshaw coached the town's schoolboy team Peter Briggs would still be at school - think there was a 15+ age difference. 'Braddy' as he was known was an excellent youth coach and I think Howard Kendall made him Rovers' youth coach when he joined the club. Seem to recall Liverpool chasing a couple of Braddy's lads from his school but lost track of where they ended up. Used to watch the town's schoolboy team a couple of times a season (dad's mate did some scouting for a First Division club) and well remember Stuart Metcalfe playing and he was outstanding at that level and looked a real prospect.

You are getting as bad as Gav! I didn't say he was swinging it. IF HE WAS, he would never have been on the team sheet in the first place and would have cried off after training yesterday when Mowbray said he felt the injury. For clarity, of all the Rovers' players, if you asked me who i would think most likely to suffer / aggravate an injury during warm up then it would be Ayala given his history of injury issues (just as it would have been Vince Grella when he was at Rovers). Do I think he would have fancied a battle with Carroll then no I don't just as many players in history (even if 100% fit) didn't fancy a battle with the likes of Roy Keane, Vinny Jones, John Fashanu or even Alan Shearer. To me, given Ayala felt his injury in training yesterday, he should have been given a rigorous pre match old fashioned fitness test BEFORE the team sheets were handed in. This would surely have shown if he wasn't fit to play. As I posted earlier, Rovers have had many centre backs, who you will have seen, who would have played through niggles / injuries and gone to war with the opposition - those are the type of players we need.

Not in my book. IMO, Venky's, Waggott and Mowbray have dumbed down expectation levels so much that some get excited where we now are. Jack will be turning in his grave about the demise of his beloved Rovers.

You need to choose your words more carefully. I don't mind anyone having a go at me providing they get their facts right and you Gav, IMO, do not.

Agree but it's the like of McNamee, Hawkins, Keeley, Moran and Hendry we need. Players who will go to war for the cause whether 100% fit or not.

Not trolling Gav, just my OPINIONS. 'Ayala faking injury' - your words not mine! Think many of us know the lad is injury prone and why he missed much of the 2nd half of his last season with M'boro and big swathes of last season with us. Mowbray said in interview on Sky he felt it yesterday; did he have a fitness test? IMO, shouldn't have started as an early withdrawal would throw the game plan out the window as Mowbray said in the interview. When fully fit, Ayala is very effective at Championship level but we need robust players who can play 90% of the games and play through some discomfort and pain. Likes of McNamee, Hawkins and Keeley had to be dragged off the field! IMO, Travis gives it his all, as did Lowe, Travis has aggression, Lowe didn't, Travis not good on ball, neither was Lowe. So I will say again, what is the difference between Travis and Lowe other than aggression? Hedges - we are struggling for goals and if Hedges has any capability he should be on there. Seen him and I don't rate him - IMO, bang average.

In a nutshell: Golden opportunity lost - WBA shite No surprise to me Ayala injured. Don't think he fancied it against Carroll, winter is here and ready for summer holidays!? Nyambe - SIMPLY SUPERB - IMO, the way Mowbray has managed this lad is disgraceful Travis - to me, the lad is useless in possession. Another Jason Lowe but with aggression! Rankin-Costello - IMO, wont be a footballer whilst he's got a hole in his arse Gallagher - when will the feckin penny drop with Mowbray; play him down the feckin middle Brereton - a disaster if he's out for any length of time Mowbray - problems self inflicted. To me, can't manage players (Nyambe) and consistently poor in transfer windows. Patently obvious we needed another striker and not, IMO, a dolloper like Hedges

Donkey!

Unfeckin believable.

Let's hope he does Gav! Think he's been a shadow of himself since the window closed. I think he's a terrific talent and have done so since he first joined us.

Not happy if Buckley 'false 9' again. Even so, that team should be strong enough to see off a ragtag bobtail WBA. Money to be made here - Rovers' win at 7/2 is fantastic value, supplemented with a 3-1 scoreline at 54/1.

If it's the Laurent-Perrier one then you've chosen well!

My missus will have to suffice with a takeaway - should arrive at half time. Only concession is she gets to choose the wine - we'll get through a couple of bottles and a bonus third should we win!

Would be no surprise to me if Rothwell out of the starting 11.

He has been poor. Think the lad has lost a bit of fizz and also struggles a bit stamina wise.

and Alan Bradshaw who also scored in the Youth Cup Final. Barry Ratcliffe also had a great butcher's stall on Blackburn Market - Barry was a great lad.

So who doesn't start - Nyambe, Rothwell or both?! The mind boggles as to what is going on.

First goal will never be more crucial than tomorrow. WBA net first and we could be on the end of a thumping. Rovers score first and WBA might just implode - think Bruce is generally loathed there. Keeping my powder dry - will call it when I see how Rovers line up.

Don't make assumptions. Personal reasons. Full stop.

You have to be ruthless. If we go up, do we want a repeat of Mowbray's failed Premier League Season with WBA or his, IMO, abysmal time at Celtic? The answer is no so you say thank you very much Tony but your contract wont be extended, your stock will have increased in the football world so good luck elsewhere. You then appoint a manager who will give you a much better chance of keeping us up and developing the club - like a Sean Dyche. a Graham Potter, a Ralph Hassenhutl etc. If we don't go up, Mowbray will have failed after over 5 years at the helm. We can't afford to regress or tread water any longer. We need change at the end of the season and there can be no sentimentality.

Terrific news. An unexpected bonus. Might not deter possible suitors but would certainly get us a bigger fee.

IMO, a misconception. This is not a youthful side. Think the average age of tonight's starting eleven was 24 with no teenagers and Khadra the youngest at 20.

Good job I won a bob or two when Rovers were rocking! WBA are a mess. We go there, get an early goal and they could fold. Bruce not a popular appointment and their fans could implode. Will keep my powder dry until I see who's fit and what team comes out of Tony's tombola!

Certainly no karate kick (Cantona on the Palace fan was a karate kick) and going for the ball. IMO, Lenihan feigned a kick in the head and I doubt the ref would even have booked Manning if he hadn't, IMO, been 'conned' into thinking Lenihan had suffered a head injury - without Lenihan's theatrics, think ref would have seen it as a coming together of two players as they went for the ball.

You reap what you sow! Think you are right, we are making a rod for our own backs. IMO, Lenihan's feigning to get the Swansea lad sent off was unforgiveable - referees will have duly noted. To me, Travis always seems like he's after a fight, goading opponents and trying to get them to retaliate and get sent off. The lad needs to concentrate on his own game only. I also think we have too many theatricals with our players going down far too easily trying to win fouls, penalties and even getting opponents booked or sent off. All unnecessary and it just comes back and bites you on the bum.