Villa were offering Mepham more than Bournemouth. I bet Boro did the same with Mikel in comparison to other clubs. He’s obviously a greedy bugger having gone to China in his prime.

I don't bloody blame 'em IF Brereton was TM's buy.

They must be paying huge bucks. Don't know how them and villa keep getting away with it.

I tell you what, TM is putting a lot of bloody faith in Mulgrew and Rodwell staying fit for the remainder of the season.

I think he’ll bring Mulgrew back in this weekend. Firstly he’s his captain, and secondly, our most potent threat are his set pieces. He’ll either bring him straight in for Rodwell or revert to the dreaded 3-5-2 to accommodate both. Only IMO, of course. Be a bloody tough game this, reckon there will be one goal in it.

They’re not mucking about are they! Seem to be doing the business right now for them, anyway.

Can’t say I’d be keen on him at 33 and for me we’re well stocked with ‘soldiers’ but isn’t it bloody good to see a transfer link even if it most likely is absolute bobbins: https://the72.co.uk/123942/stoke-blackburn-sunderland-keen-sign-middlesbrough-captain/

Obi Mikel off to Boro. Can only hope his desire is way out after a couple of year's lording it up in China.

To be fair he does fit the profile i.e. ex Coventry under TM.

Exactly the type of player we need. Fast, direct but with an end product.

I think we need one bruiser back there - which Lenihan gives us. Mulgrew and Rodwell would be too lightweight for me.

Downing starts for our under 23s tonight. No Brereton though - would have thought it would have been a perfect opportunity with no match until Saturday for us and his lack of game time.

They’re always odd. Even when one or two have an absolute stinker after a defeat he still usually gives them a 6.

Yep, lack a cutting edge far, far too often. Probably only scored twice or three times at home in the first half this season - just not good enough.

Got to be winning this - won’t get many better opportunities than this bunch at home. I’ll blame Mercer if we don’t and his ‘home banker’ rubbish yet again.

Bang on Duncan - would love Edwards at Rovers. Tricky, fast and direct. Happy with that line up but no idea why Bennett is in over Nyambe, save for being one of TM’s faves. COYB, feeling slightly more confident than I was earlier this week.

IF true, it speaks absolute volumes about Brereton.

Bit weird him being there even if he is an ex player.

TM doesn’t trust him. If we didn’t already know that before then we certainly do after Tuesday - he was absolutely hammering instructions at a passive looking Rothwell prior to coming on.

Gallagher on for Saints again tonight. I may have been wrong in predicting him as a cert for Rovers. Looks like a case of ‘we’d be so lucky’ right now. Genuinely could see us bringing in nobody - including loans - this window. Thought our recruitment team was ‘in full swing’ now?

Yep. I do love a bite where Mercer is concerned!

When has any match in the past 9 years been 'a home banker' or 'license to print money' where Rovers victories are concerned?!

Have a funny feeling Lambert’s going to ‘do us’ on Saturday. Our players were out on their feet last night and this bug won’t have helped. They’re scrapping for their lives and I think that will make the difference in a 2-1 win.

I blame Mercer and his ‘license to print money’ kiss of death. Come on, Merce - get predicting a defeat for Saturday.

Been playing ‘ill’ for some time! IF TM was somehow promised full funds I’d look to cash in while the going was good for him. The cash part to TM won’t happen though so...