https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/17382796.mowbray-on-whether-rovers-will-add-a-defender-in-january/ Certainly a big mistake letting him go but the silver lining is Tyler has been given opportunities to build his experience. As for the Nov/Dec comparison with last month - another period of poor form undisputededly, but I think it’s an fair point we probably would’ve done better recently had full defence been available. Especially in games like Reading, Rotherham and Sheffield Wednesday.

Haven’t you got memes to create? Blaming Rothwell? Pointing out his amazing abilities AND weaknesses through interviews in some areas isn’t “blaming” ... Don’t be so sensitive. I’d need the same overly critical mindset to even get near agreeing with the idea Rothwell 26 appearances being not enough is a “big hit” or major issue. I think the irony is lost on you that he might be looking a good player because the way he is being used.. you know as an impact sub? I said exactly the same about Chapman last season. I do however think that the inability to get a centreback, and letting Downing go was “an aberration” but as usual, you and the rest of “Echo Crew inc” only interested in the aspects of my posts in which you disagree with!

Also, you will know again, if we had a better set of fullbacks, we’d probably seeing more of Rothwell and co out wide. Equally - the last month or two has seen us resort to full backs and first team debuts at centre half- I’d suggest this had more impact on our ability to defend as opposed to the players in question making little difference!

I know you know, that the two more senior players do the off the ball stuff better, the organisation, keeping shape, making correct decisions in their own half. There’s no way you could argue those two aren’t more proficient at that, although neither good enough at this level long term. Armstrong covers the pitch far more readily than Rothwell. How much of a difference this makes is another matter. As for this “defending recruitment” (I’d just call it having a positive opinion of most of the signings without hindsight) I think we are developing a good squad - and the fact we are lamenting the lack of starts for one of last summers signings suggest he isn’t one of the perennial “duds” TM signs. Definitley work to do in the defensive signing department, no disputing that. The last question is a moot point. We both know it’s impossible to only sign players that work out straight away. If Tony left tomorrow, the championship team he left compared to the one he inherited is a complete different animal. Whilst a few need to kick on, weve a far more exciting and competitive squad outlook - with only one first team player not our own.

There’s loads there I can’t be arsed going into and in just to add in hindsight I think letting Downing go was an aberration too, because for many games in our poor run, Nyambe, Williams, Magliore and even Bell at times have had to play centreback. That’s the biggest factor in our poor form for me, nothing to do with which wingers he’s chosen. Defence needs rectifying ASAP.

Nowhere near as simple as that for me. Neither would be playing in front of a confident or competent full back at present, and like I said yesterday, nobody could argue that makes a difference. Chapman also, it’s like the last 12 months of hardly playing and doing his hammy twice never even happened. Imagine the overreaction if he’d been brought back early and did it again!

If we need to improve defensively because we’re shipping goals and making mistakes, it seems easy understand why TM would be more inclined to stick with the Conway’s and Bennett’s, because they’ll always work hard and experience makes less likely to switch off. Might not agree, or may think it doesn’t stack up - but from my perspective we are limited defensively, especially when Mulgrew, Nyambe and Lenihan are out - whom have all had several weeks off this season. I understand people may be more attacking in there preferred approach, but I think it’s nowhere near as simple as the binary argument/cliche; “play attackers ffs”

I think he’s made a few assists in those spells, if not notched any goals - similar to Ben, I think there is lots of potential for both. Armstrong does get up and down the pitch, I think that’s hard to argue really - though how much he offers covering is a more fair criticism! Bennett another, Conway too - always prepared to cover both offence and defensive duties. A squad needs plenty of options, especially if many are young. Chapman cutting in on the right, Rothwell from the left might have to wait till we improve in a few other areas though! Specifically full back.

For someone who’s played 26 times, it’s weird how “he never plays” isn’t it? How many goals and assists in that time? It’s strange how the occasions that seem to stand out with Joe are the nearly moments, and the giving the ball away in your own half / not covering the full back. I’m sure nobody here could argue that the fullback behind his specific role, wide left cutting onto his right, being Williams or Bell doesn’t help his case either! Nevermind though, he can’t be that good if Tony signed him... he only signs duds ?

I think Hughes would probably be my choice from that list but largely agree with JHR, I’ve still far more confidence in TM finishing the season with better and developing further, than I do in the new “structure” of the club finding someone else who will. Hughes, Bowen and Eddie N (not even attempting to spell that second name) with decent funds with incentives in their deals for promotion would be a statement of ambition.

Out of interest how many shots did we have in total? Not on target, in total. It’s relevant to the point that I felt we created plenty enough to warrant a point. Ofcourse Aston Villa had far better finishing and/or final balls into the box, however it’s a straight up lie to suggest we passed it around the back without going forward. Without any bias - it’s obvious the opposition had higher quality where it mattered, but isn’t that an expectation of teams with generally better squads?

I’d call striking the bar moments after a having a close range drive blocked two perfectly good chances to score. Both from Conway, both in the first 20 minutes, whom I felt performed well yesterday.

Then don’t quote and reply then. My opinion from what I saw, no need for the sarcastic response. Armstrong had plenty of chances first half, punctuated by Conway hitting the bar. They started better but a half is 45 minutes, not 10.

I guess that’s why football can garner so much discussion. Overall for me, a fairly equal game in chances, they took theirs - we didn’t. We had long periods of possession, more dangerous the longer it went on. We also worked hard, matching their intensity. Rothwell/Armstrong could’ve/should’ve equalised and I still think the foul given against Brereton was a penalty. Ofcourse the aspiration was 3 points, but my expectations against one of the league’s form teams was lower than the performance given.

Watched an entirely different game to me.

Thought we played well overall yesterday - made a big difference to have Lenihan back, he is very dominant in the air. Much better finish than start mind. Confidence is low for obvious reasons, Dack is the epitome of the at the minute, however I felt the performance warranted at least a point - and against a good team in form. The soft underbelly conceding from basic mistakes is obviously our main issue this season. Lack of organisation isn’t simply down to young players. Im not convinced Tony will achieve that level of resilience with this lot - he’s no BS/Pulis type, and I think our current first team would only be consistently challenging in this division with a manager of that ilk. With some patience though - this team and squad will grow - the changing of style was apparent again yesterday. (Reed, Brereton, Rothwell on for Dack, Graham and Bennett) We showed some slick movement, Rothwell and Ben particularly looked lively -Joe is crazily one footed but a real threat with the ball at his feet, his effort would’ve been goal of the season the way he beat 3 players. Ben should’ve had a pen at the death although I wouldn’t blame the Ref since he dived minutes earlier in peculiar fashion! Final shout for Conway - other than a few poor final balls, really played well yesterday, looked to turn back the clock with his energy- helped Nyambe and looked a threat at times, particularly in the second half. What better professional to mentor the next youngster into the team, Chapman et al.

Eh? As in they shouldn’t behave like keyboard warriors racially abusing the players in our own strip? I also think it’s quite obvious why the very next line of the article you had a problem is relevant. Course you aren’t racist, but that’s not the point - I only read it because you linked it, and I’m still not sure what is wrong with the article (bar the writer obv!)

If you think that I am being obtuse too - you’re kidding yourself, since the very next line removed from your quote is “A racist minority is still there in crowds at every club. They are mercifully few, but no one can no one can deny they still exist”

What, not be racist?

Over the time they’ve been here, the results have been decent. Not world beating, but we aren’t doing badly in my opinion. I certainly wouldn’t say “we’ve been garbage all season”...

Believe it or not, I am aware that not all young players reach their potential for various reasons, and I also said I think Raya would be helped by a more settled and better quality defence - which is precisely what you point towards the necessity of recruiting in the summer. The same context apply to Eddie Howe? How do you know the “qualities” of the coaching team? ‘Twas the same with Jal/Mercer and the “I hate David Lowe” club. Since I’ve never done one of Bensons (or whatever he is called) sessions, I wouldn’t even attempt to judge his relevant qualities. Edit - would I like to see more competition for that shirt? Potentially, but I don’t think leutwiler is a bad player, and what about Fisher?

Experience and age tends to improve players. I think he’s a better keeper than he was 2 years ago and I think he will be better still in two years. Playing behind a better organised and more confident defence would help! Compared to you? Ha. Now that is funny.

It’s unfound criticism for me. Judge the bloke by what he achieves not what he says. Certain fans still take personally that we played a less than full strength team at Charlton, and in the context of the season - it’s a strange reaction!

Well starting with midfield, you’ve got Travis - who looks the real deal. Behind him, Davenport, Buckley etc In attack, BB, Rankin C, Nuttall, Butterworth, etc In Defence, Magliore, Wharton, Doyle and those already in the first 18, Nyambe, Lenihan etc. Finally - Raya. Still only young, can only get better but despite a few mistakes and slack distribution- I think we’ve got a potential first team stalwart for years to come.