I can assure you the only froth I’ve had today was atop a “bit of the bubbly”. Each to their own, I’ve outgrown the need to speculate or read it personally.

Why does it have to be one or the other? Sounds like fishing response if you ask me, especially since you’re on about Brereton. Weird “flex” mate.

I personally hope the club keeps the brightest prospects at Ewood so we can fully supervise their development, especially if they’re on the fringes of the first team squad.

It’s not as if I haven’t pointed out many times that rumours and conspiracy theories are irritating AF to me is it? You going senile or something Like I said, it’s the sort of stuff we’d hear in the pub that start with “my auntie works for X” etc. If you’re applying it to the Tosin rumour - someone might have to explain how a loan can benefit the player financially when it’s generally club to club in terms of %of contract paid + clauses and/or loan fee. Certainly an agent can kick up a fuss to get someone out of a deal if they aren’t happy but; If it’s an issue where City want him to come back and play for them, I could understand why Rovers might not be able to play him - however it seems ridiculous that the most expensively assembled squad in the world would take that option? Unless they’ve issues with FFP? Or English players for Champions league? Perhaps @chaddyrovers can ask @stubrennanMEN on twitter? Do us all a favour and put minds at rest.

Agreed - the lack of technique is stark at times, notable mentions for Nyambe, Williams, Armstrong and Bell, combined with Lenihan seemingly more “dodgy” without the two footed quick thinking Tosin around. However Buckley showed glimpses of exceptional passing - particularly the clipped ball over to Gallagher and other through balls in the channels. Buckley did make a few mistakes though, taking too long on the ball or other decision making aspects I think will get better. Certainly has the technique and the feet to contribute in some way, probably not wide left!

Needless chopping and changing? Im not privy to team matters from within (I’m seemingly one of the only ones judging by a few recent posts!) but wouldn’t you say at least 3 are enforced? Possibly four? Dack, Evans, Graham and Downing? Equally a rather poor showing from Rothwell, and a few tired legs around during the lacklustre Wigan performance?

Are you taking the piss k-mod? Maybe have a day off BRFCS full stop.

You can make your own mind up.

No shit, Sherlock! Unless people have a reputable source / link, they should save it for the pub.

Maybe you crave “ITK” 2+2 stuff, I’d prefer actual reports personally.

John Buckley... if we can find a position (possibly next to Travis) I think we may have someone with the range of passing not seen at Ewood since the days of the Turk.. Over to you Tony.

We’ve lost not only a key prerequisite of our style but also a talismanic presence in the dressing room. Big hit. Easy I understand why I and others are gutted and anticipate a struggle from here on out!

ACL - more like I See Hell! Typical luck really to end the 2010-20 decade, there is more chance we will see promotion than him another game this season!

See the full quote - it’s a prediction on an assumption. We should’ve got more by now for his investment, however I’d be more concerned if he’d had a decent run in the side and contributed nothing.

I’d say Adam

Yea I’m also twitching a bit waiting for this.

I don’t think time aka months/years matter- it’s simply appearances. At this stage, it would take a major injury streak or drop in form from 2 or 3 others to guarantee him those starts and opportunities. Making a prediction based on an assumption is difficult. The circular argument point is the only nail you’ve hit on the head so far. It’s all been done, over and over, it’s tedious and it’s a classic line of criticism for a handful of posters on BRFCS. You're welcome to judge who you want. Similarly to how I’m happy to not make my mind up yet and not tell others to “get real” and join my view. Points we sacrifice? The whole argument you’ve started came from his last appearance, that we won 2-0. Too much Christmas “spirit”?

That’s pretty much what I meant - there’s loads of quotes from TM mentioning how we need promotion to keep the Dacks and Lenihans at this club. Im surprised we haven’t lost one (bar Raya) yet. Classic 47er- you don’t agree? Must be wrong aka get real. Id rather continue to sit on the fence personally - he hasn’t offered anywhere near what we’ve paid for him but that’s no reason suggest a 20 year old is finished. So from my perspective 47er- you’re well off the mark. Lowe had over 100 appearances in different positions, and even Big Sam continued to put Andrews in when he took over Ince. All you’ve achieved with those two examples is prove that Brereton has never even had a decent run in the team. You carry on making your mind up, I’m happy to chill on the fence since I win nothing by making a decision on a handful of appearances.

Brereton looked bereft of confidence in that game, which has a knock on with decision making, body language etc; which is understandable since I think he’s played up front a handful of times in 18 months. Once in a 2. Equally, you can’t win “despite” someone, he did his tracking / pressing and helped start a few moves off. Gallagher however was a class above, and despite others suggesting he was a waste, to me looks to be getting fitter, stronger, faster and more in tune with what the management want from him!

I’d do that but Armstrong for Brereton. I think we will see Holtby as a 10 today though. I think he might surprise us a little too - he’s generally played wide or deeper, and thus I reckon that might the position he kicks on in.

He negated the point where Dack has started over 100 games, and whilst I’m as concerned for him as anyone - if we’d started Holtby for 100 games in his position (including league 1) would he be that far off in stats? Equally - most surprising and well rounded performance this season; 442 away at Bristol with no Dack (SG and BB) upfront. Perhaps the silver lining is we already have potential /investment waiting in the wings to take their chance.

Rhodes left at a time our club had just left embargo, changed manager and he was being paid far more than anyone else in the club. The comparison ignores the context of the time. I cannot see how we’d be “forced” to lose Dack in the same way. In a brief conversation with a WBA fan this morning, he said any investment at their end in January is likely to be focussed on pacy centre forward attacking options to play off Austin, like the hull lad or Dwight Gayle. Equally the noises coming out of Ewood have suggested ALL of our better players are likely to move on if we aren’t promoted, notably our captain too. So Perhaps in such a worrying time for our talisman - maybe simply reporting updates on his injury and not making up transfer rumours is a better use of his thread? Would’ve saved me a few text messages to Brum this morning anyway.

Firstly merry Christmas - I was in festive pint mode yesterday so thought I’d leave reading till today! My summary of all that has transpired doesn’t include a final decision on what I feel is possible - hence why I’d disagree on the sweeping conclusion and comparison to Bowyer! That said - it’s fairly impossible to ignore that our consistency revolves around the best players being available. Lenihan for example, our poor results over the previous 12 months generally involve losing Lenihan - someone who invigorated our form upon returning this season and last. If I’m taking anything from Monday - it’s our reaction to losing Tosin and Wigan performing probably better than we (fans and players included) expected. Is that indicative of our managers inability to improve the culture to promotion levels? Not for me. Not in isolation or grouping with recent performances - equally the unbeaten / winning streak doesn’t prove we are going enough to reach that. In terms of Wigan being where they are - I’d say that team, Barnsley too - are capable of having good performances, and like probably 20 other teams between the top and bottom; also reliant on their best 11 being available. Consistency is what championship winning teams have. I would suggest we are getting nearer to that level when we have ALL our best lads available. When a spanner hits the works, like many other teams at many levels - we struggle. Is that a “cultural” aspect of our club? Perhaps, but the main issue I have with that summary; it takes years to improve not months or weeks.

“Last night shows that we still haven't found a solution to the issue of beating teams when we are the favourites,and that is a mental and cultural change that I think isprobably beyond Mowbray unfortunately.” This was the summary - when it’s followed up with more context about the notion that we don’t win when favourites, IMO it is still far too simplistic. It ignores everything but the result and is simply being used to back up a pre-disposition, comparing with another manager, at a different time, in a different climate For example - isn’t it easy to say that last night was probably more impacted by Tosin missing out late, and not having that consistent formula of recent success? Rather than simply pointing blindly at the result and making a sweeping statement?

Strange how you fail to address the points but take offence! Like I said, to come to a conclusion like that and completely ignore the entire context of the job he has done - id call that suspect summary!