Mercer

After 5 years, we have only just broken through to the top six. 5 years is an eternity in football and I think Mowbray's tenure on the whole has been uninspiring. For me, too many 'death spirals', turgid football, indifferent signings (yes there have been good ones but also number wise, far more dross). I think Mowbray's body language at times in the second half of last season left much to be desired and came across to me as 'couldn't care less'. In my book, would be a huge mistake to keep him on whether we finish below sixth, in the top six or achieve automatic promotion. In my opinion. a very average manager who was rescued from football's managerial scrap heap and has been amply rewarded. Time to move on if we want to REALLY move forward.

Looking at all the facts, this looks like a win for Sheffield United. However, we all know football doesn't work like that. Seen it before when Mowbray puts out a mish mash of a team and you think no chance and we pull off a surprise win. I think not playing on Saturday will have done us a big favour. We are conceding very, very few goals and I think we have enough in our team (even with Brereton missing) to notch one or two. Rovers' to unexpectedly sneak it by the odd goal and certainly worth a flutter at 7/2.

Come on Gav, you can do better than this. Firstly, unless I'm mistaken, the number of people clearing snow is less than ten. Secondly, clearly you are no expert groundskeeper. You can widely read about under soil heating systems and in general, the benefits flagged are all the same - one being "Under-soil heating involves installing pipes underneath the playing surface and pumping hot water through them. Even in the worst conditions, any snow and ice is melted quickly and the pitch can then drain fairly fast". What I've stated is not misinformation and not 'crap made up' but simply fact.

I do recall something similar as well. IMO, today was shambolic for a club with PL aspirations. To me, smacks of the club being totally unprepared for any snow today - it was forecast yesterday. As a minimum, I think the undersoil heating should have been switched on yesterday which as Revidge Blue has said would have helped prevent the build up of snow on the pitch. Might be wrong here but whilst Bolton had something like 40 folk out on their pitch we seem to have had, based on photos I've seen and feedback I've had, between 4 to 10 people trying to clear. The club could either have roped all the Academy youngsters in or asked for volunteers (and they would have been knocked over in the rush). The pitch has been an issue for some while and Waggott and Mowbray must take responsibility for not driving this through with the Venkys - after all, we are often told the club only needs to ask......... A sad and embarrassing day for Rovers. Waggott and Mowbray call the shots and, IMO, yet again have been found wanting. We are right down there with the likes of Harrogate, Salford and Fleetwood - what an indictment.

That's just plain daft!

Agree - utterly shambolic and embarrassing. and Rovers slated Hull for their late postponement!!!

Some perspective needed. We are playing an injury plagued 14th placed Millwall at home and we have aspirations of promotion. This should be no contest and a comfortable 3 points. Rovers' win at evens is great value - get on it! COYB

Agree, however, what an option to bring on for a last 20 or 30 minutes when you need someone to create / score a goal assuming he gets back to 80/90% by the end of the season.

Looking at those teams currently 7th, 8th and 9th, I think 72 points will get you 6th. This means we need 18 points from 14 games (7 home, 7 away). Given a reasonable slice of luck with injuries, I don't see a problem especially as we aren't conceding many goals at all (think I saw somewhere we've only conceded 8 goals in 16 league games since Fulham). Get to the play offs and then it's anyone's - we don't concede many now and we have players who can change / win games with Dack possibly well back into the mix by then. Think Fulham (in particular) and Bournemouth are a cut above the rest, however, I'd fancy our chances, on our day, against any of the others.

Didn't look like a kick to me. From what I recall there was no one tackling and his left foot seemed to stick a bit in the ground - when that happens, you either tweak (at best, worse case you tear) your ankle ligaments or your achilles. The worse injuries often arise from non contact. We can't afford to lose Brereton for any length of time but I'd be pleasantly and hugely surprised if he runs out on Saturday against Millwall.

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.