No worries. I’m only saying what I hear. There’s little doubt that the major reason Chapman was seen as an impact sub was a) because his body couldn’t cope with 90 mins and b) because of his age...well he’ll be another year on and they’re working tirelessly to strengthen his body so he can play 90 mins. The feeling is that he will absolutely terrorise defenders for long periods now... Davenport started and played a full season for Burton and will be two years on from then in September. Injuries have set him back but he’s seen as technically talented and experienced at this level. Both are seen as young players now ready to impact the first 11. I can’t wait to see Davenport on Sunday.

This is the buzz and chatter around the club. Do you not believe that Chapman and Davenport will be in the first team mix next year?

I think Dack was one of the best signings we’ve EVER made when you consider the cost, context and his impact on our team. Rothwell and Armstrong can now be classed as good signings from last summer. Both have made their mark. My understanding is that Davenport and Chapman have both begun to really impress now and are set to feature heavily in a team aiming for promotion next season. There’s still also no waivering in their belief in B.B...up until the last couple of games I hadn’t seen any of the signs they talk about (pace, dribbling, runs in behind and finishing). I’ve seen signs of the first three in our last couple of games and the finish vs Bolton was excellent. It’s no surprise that he’s started to play more and looked more comfortable since we moved towards a more technical, possession based style of play. Almost as if they planned hi signing to match a future way of playing and probably explains the lack of game time so far...at just turned 20 I’m not going to write him off. That stance could come back to bite a few on here.. In terms of the summer, I’m optimistic as ever. The European market is a fantastic option and their are plenty of players who could improve on what we have. The manager and the club remain transparent on their expectations. I just hope the scheduled meeting in India goes Mowbrays way.

All true, apart from the crucial part. Dacks final execution of a pass or finish is miles in front of Rothwell. For now anyway.

If they offer him out there will be clubs willing to pay £15m for him and prob double his wages.

Amari’i Bell though ? JEEEEEEZ

I don’t think it’s helped him that by hook or by crook Bennett gets a game. There’s times particularly at the start of the season where I think his alround game had improved immeasurably. He looked confident going forwards and was using his pace on the overlap. A mixture of injuries and form have knocked his confidence a bit. I personally would sit him down in the summer, tell him he’s the man and give him a run (even if it means King Bennett missing a few). I also read in a recent article that he’s doing double sessions trying to improve his offensive work. Academy player ✅ Bought in ✅

I agree with most apart from RB where I’ve seen enough from Nyambe to stick with him. I’d also give Davenport the chance to play next to Travis though they’d benefit from an experienced CM. Basically the spine of the team plus Bell who is very poor.

He’s just turned 20 pal. ??

I’ve seen a player in BB tonight. Could come back to bite a few on the arse...

Couldn’t have worded it any better... https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/17595532.simon-smith-reaction-to-ben-brereton-goal-was-heartening/

No problems. I do think our budgets are similar. Agree to disagree ?

Regardless of the money, as this wasn’t my point. Are you suggesting that you expected us to finish above / the same as Preston this year? I think most Rovers fans wouldn’t have expected us to. Which takes me back to my initial point around perception.

And your bleating about us spending £10m is equally pedantic as a good £7m of that committed spend hasn’t even affected our performances this season. The hope is that it will effect next seasons and beyond. The point I was making was that in spite of the squads being very similar in terms of ability and capability one has been lauded in the media and the other castigated purely because of when they had their good runs. The two managers have basically achieved the same result but the perceptions swayed.

I’m not going to argue over this. I’m not saying they’ve had a great season. I’m saying that many many media outlets have portrayed them as having a great season based purely on perception. And having been in the Championship for a few years now I’d hazard a guess that their budget is similar to ours. Furthermore we didn’t SPEND £10m. We may have committed to it but we didn’t spend it.

Yes!! Sorry, he played for Barry Town!

All about perception. They had a dodgy start but came on strong = a great season. We started well and faded away = fail In actual fact we’ve done well. As have Preston on a very similar budget.

Brereton has been treated well by Rovers fans in spite of his poor form. Most have understood that at 19 (now 20 years old) he was bought for the future.

Mate, Sunderland are 4th!! That’s nothing to do with Luton! ? It’s just proof that it’s not bloody easy!

Yup, nothing at all to do with the return of Lenihan to full fitness ?

The guy has now given 13 youth players their debuts in two years. We regularly have 4 homegrown players in the first 11 and 5/6 in the squad. Magloire did ok. Just ok and now we have Lenihan and Williams playing out of their skin. Travis was given his debut BY MOWBRAY. How this came about is irrelevant. In any case, most young players get their chance because of injuries to first teamers anyway! Imagine if he’d piled them all in and carried on losing the last four. You blame the manager for every action he takes which results in a negative outcome but distance him from every positive outcome. The screenshots of your posts on social media are poor from whoever is doing it but you don’t half provide some ammo at times pal.

Fantastic lad and very very talented. Does lots for my company now from a motivational stand point. I wasn’t sure if he went to Ireland?

Agree with everything other than Nyambe. I think there’s a real player in there. Additionally he has all of the physical characteristics. Bell is a League 1 defender imo. I’m not even sure I’d keep him as back up. Try and move him, Smallwood and Samuel on. Maybe Mulgrew too who is on good money and looks like he’s run his race? Let Leutwiler, Gladwin and Downing run their contracts out. Maybe give Conway a year to support Rothwell, Dack, Arma, Butterworth and Chapman?

I don’t get the point about our negativity either tbh. Every game I’ve watched we’ve created chances and been ‘in’ the game. I can’t think of a single one where we’ve parked the bus? In fact, one of my biggest criticisms of Mowbray is that at times we’ve capitulated away from home because we’ve been chasing teams instead of keeping it tight and waiting for that one chance. We’ve lacked quality in the final third and Mowbray went on record to say he was looking to integrate more technical players so that we no longer had to rely on direct balls into Graham. I think Rothwell, Dack, Armstrong, Chapman and Butterworth will cause any teams problems. I also think that B.B. will benefit from a more fluid style of play. Travis, Rodwell, Davenport (supposed to be class) and Evans can cover off CM with Buckley pushing them. Still a GK, CB, LB and Striker for me. I believe the manager will sort this.

I think the fans have been fantastic with Brereton. Anyone else see a marked difference with our patterns of play yesterday? Very few direct balls. But the most interesting one was when in possession, Bell and Nyambe pushing on and staying wide allowing Rothwell and Armstrong the chance to drift inside into the pockets and in behind. Bolton were poor but worked hard tbf.