Mercer

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.

Classic. Then it will be let's give him to the end of the season, then let's give him the summer window, then let's give him to Christmas and on and on and on we go as with Mowbray. Some of us have read the script - JDT will never cut it here. Buckley is brain dead however, our manager must surely have drummed it into our players they shouldn't give officials an excuse to card them!? 1st half papered over the cracks. Another capitulation in the 2nf half. We are spineless. Simply no excuses as many teams go on to win with 10 men. JDT out. Wake up and smell the coffee.

and Mowbray's team were 2nd in January 2022!

Understand some of that but in the main it's irrelevant and as Souey often said 'you wee with the willie you have' Key points for me: Is the manager getting the best out of what we have - no Do we look organised and hard to beat - no Do we play attractive football - no Do we have an identity - no Has the manager been effective in player trading - no IMO, JDT is a bullsh1tter - he does it nicely though! Just what has JDT brought to the party? I've marked his card and I very, very much doubt he is the man to take us back to the PL, however, I would be delighted if he proves me wrong and I would be the first to hold up my hand if he did.

Think we first need to build a squad capable of getting there! Six signings so far and only Hyam looks sound. Brittain looks half decent but my God, looks one who'll make sure the treatment room is always occupied. We don't want any more feckin 'journey' nonsense or 'I need 3 windows' stalling bullsh1t. Said it time and time again, we need a manager who unequivocally says 'our objective is simple, to get us to the PL in the shortest space of time - no caveats - full stop'.

My offer of a bet with Chaddy was based on Rovers not finishing top half. Yes I have mentioned bottom 6 in a previous post but let's not split hairs. Our last four games, points 3, conceded 9, scored 4. Perforformances against Burnley, PNE and Sunderland have been shambolic. When you lose and play well there is a sense of some hope, however, when you consistently lose and stink the place out at the same time then alarm bells should be resoundingly loud and clear. Exaggerated worries from me? I don't think so. Hope you enjoy your ride - I'm pretty sure it's going to be a bumpy one.

Understand Carrick was interviewed. Read Sharpe's article in LT - makes an argument that Rovers in a false position. I'll offer you a £50 bet that Rovers don't finish in top half. Loser donates £50 to charity of winner's choice.

Shame because seemingly Carrick was apparently under serious consideration and wanted the job. Compare his impact at Middlesbrough in such a short space of time with the mess which is now Rovers. We'll be lucky to keep out of bottom six - opponents have us sussed and we've no answers.

Morning Chris - sacking Big Sam was a disaster and pretending otherwise is burying your head in the sand. IMO, JDT's appointment was a mistake based upon what I've seen, reinforced by what's happened over/since the W.C. break which according to JDT was going to be a game changer for him and the team. Art of good management is recognising your mistakes, cutting your losses, learning your lessons and moving on. Sack him. Not really below the belt. Stand back, reflect and be objective. You do not need to be 100% Waggott/Rovers/JDT all the time - I think they are more than capable of delivering their own bullsh1t.

Can only see one outcome. Carrick has shown he's got what it takes both in his few matches as United's caretaker and since going to M'boro. Knows the English game and has a football intelligence. Finished with Rovers. If our owners, executive management, manager and players don't care or bother, and embarrassing capitulations to Burnley and PNE suggest to me they don't, then why the feck should I. Could be embarrassing - M'boro by 3 or 4 goals to 1