Congratulations @Ossydave hope you’ve had a bit of sleep ready for the big game pal! First time I’ve felt nervous today. As I’ve said before, my gut has been telling me that we’d prob just miss out by a point or two. But I’m just getting a feeling that things are aligning with the poor form of others and the games we have left to play which I think are right in our slot. We want to play high up and beat people on the transition. We don’t like it when people sit in on us and I can’t see any of the top teams coming to Ewood doing that because they’ll all want to win. An added bonus to the away fixtures is that most are played against weak teams who have something to play for (avoiding relegation etc) so they will come at us and the transition will come into play...I might be mad but I think only Reading at home has even the slightest possibility of someone sitting deep against us. Everyone else will have a go, and that’s where we’re most dangerous. I’ve had this overwhelming feeling that we’re going to win all three games in the next gameweek (Bristol, Wigan, Barnsley) for a while. I’m not sure why but it’s really strong so I’m going with it. But with that in mind I’m thinking if we can nick it today and then win those games then we’re well in with a chance. 12 points from 4 games would make US that team who’d gone on a last minute dash and made it...Which makes this real to me for the first time!

I agree, but I think people could do with getting over the word ‘Agenda’ ultimately we all have them. The common one in here is that we ALL want Rovers to succeed. Which was my initial point. But there are also negative agendas that people have against the manager and certain players so why not just own them?

I agree with both of your points. In particular Amari’i Bell BUT if Bell began to do well over a long enough period, got man of the match a few times and showed that he was in fact doing his job and I continued to want him replaced then I too would be guilty of having an agenda...which I guess I do because he has improved and yet I still want him replaced!

I don’t think even the good lord could enlighten you buddy. Turn it in will ya ??

I haven’t got time to babysit you pal. Just pay attention next time you’re at the match. ?? Im sure Mr Elite will ‘slide in’ to your DM’s soon. He loves you! ❤️

Based on our budget and expectation, top 6 IS success this season. This, in the main is because ‘top 6’ was our stated target and to hit your target is definitively success. Of course the ultimate target is to go up but those now saying making the top six (and not going up) Is failure are the same people who predicted we’d be nowhere near the top end of the table and are now having to reassess their position because in spite of everything, we are still in the mix (yes, in the mix) with 10 games to go!

Haha - mate, I can see how much you want to meet him. I can sort it no probs. Bring your scarf and a selfie stick. Prob best if you actually start really watching the matches though. Build your knowledge base up ??

If you watched the matches and understood football, you wouldn’t be asking that question. Perhaps you should have a private chat with your pal mr ‘elite football’ he’ll know the answer surely? ?

In my humble opinion, we HAVE got the players to play in the way that Mowbray WANTS to play. Holtby, Rothwell, Bucko and JRC fit that profile perfectly. I think the manager would be playing the first two in those positions every week if they were fit. I can see what they’re trying to do tactically which is why I find the Gallagher inclusion bewildering. So yes, I agree that there are some glaring holes in Mowbrays thinking...

I accept what you’re saying. My point was in relation to the managers comments this morning. I don’t think they’d be able to resist a creative player anyway should one of their targets become available.

I don’t think we play with wide forwards. The way those players tuck in is more akin to DeBruyne and Silva in the whole between the lines. I think Rothwell, Holtby, Bucko and JRC can fill these positions. The wide forwards I think you’re describing who get into the box and cut in off the wing are more like Mane and Salah. They create natural width and pace. I think Gally was bought as a successor to DG with the mobility to play down the channels in the new style. BB was a second striker at Forest. Played off the 9 with licence to drop deep and run at defenders. I guess that’s what they want him to do long term. Which is why I mentioned him as a successor to Dack. In the hole... Just a theory btw. Opinion.

I think he’ll play in the hole. Effect the game from off the front player.

Tbh I can’t defend the Gallagher one. It’s bewildering really as the position really needs a technician. The only reason I can think that they play him there is to provide an ‘out’ ball or target if we need one. I genuinely don’t see Gallagher playing there long term because I think he’ll fight with Armstrong for that top spot. Based on the last couple of cameos I also think they see BB as a natural successor for Dack. He’s definitely better running from deep and dribbling than playing on the shoulder or as a target man.

I think Rothwell, Holtby have done well in those positions which effectively become DeBruyne / Silva roles when in possession. JRC and Buckley have the potential to do really well in there too. As does Armstrong who averages around 10 goals a season and 6/7 assists in that position. I agree on the fullback point. Bell is just not good enough but Nyambe is doing well in that role. If he could add more assists I’d go as far to say he could probably be the best RB in the league. I appreciate you don’t want to play that way but it is the way the manager plays. I think the list you have provided are much better than ‘competent’. You just reeled off the best in the league at that job. We don’t play wide strikers either. The ‘wide’ players only move out wide when we are defending. Once we’re attacking they tuck in and allow the fullbacks to create an overload. Yes, I think we can be better in both areas but who knows what they’ll do. I would personally like to see us play with Rothwell off the left, Holtby off the right and Dack off Arma. Get a good attacking left back and have him and Nyambe creating the width and that team would take some stopping. You’d fancy us to open anyone up....then get JRC, Butterworth and Bucko behind the chomping at the bit!

OR the ones he wanted he couldn’t afford and so he decided to loan some at the right standard?

We have the right players in those positions and they’re doing ok with potential to do very well. The wide midfielders invert to create overloads in the middle and allow space for the fullbacks who provide our width. That’s how we’ve continued to score goals without Dack.

He does make mention of “depending on which league we’re in”. Or something similar.

Interestingly they (TM, SW and MC) all looked Genuinely bewildered at the suggestion that Venkys wouldn’t spend money on defenders....I think that can be filed in the ‘conspiracy theory’ drawer.

He did openly say that they want Tosin back next year though it remains to be seen if the player or City will want to do that I guess. I don’t think there’s anything to suggest we HAVE to sell, though a big bid for Lenihan or Nyambe would be hard to turn down. I think Travis is the one who will be getting noticed most though. Basically mom every match these days. I think we are pretty much all set in the attacking areas. Dack, Holtby, Rothwell, Buckley, JRC, Butterworth plus Armstrong, Gallagher and Brereton have all been used as attacking midfielders both centrally and in wide areas. (We don’t play with wingers so it’s not worth mentioning). Gallagher and Arma as the striking options and I think we’ll give Graham another year. I take your point if you don’t think they’re good enough but the manager thinks they are and tbf I don’t think we struggle to create chances or score in general. You’d also expect to see improvement (based on age / potential) in most of that group. I don’t know how those European deals can be agreed mate. He just said that we already had agreements on a couple of European players for the summer.

This mornings LT interview with TM stating that we are all set with attackers and will be looking for a full set of defenders to play / challenge. Based on my conversation with TM at the supporters event we have ‘couple’ of European signings already agreed. Id hope that we can sign Walton and Tosin back, plus a keeper and CB from Europe as natural successors. Cunningham as first choice LB and another European RB with potential. Start the season with Walton, Nyambe, Lenihan, Tosin and Cunningham ??

I don’t think it’s ideal to have more than one loan signing in the defensive unit but If I was offered Walton, Cunningham and Tosin back for next season I’d snap their hands off!

Argh no way for me. Always thought he flattered to deceive in CM. Was a funny player too. Started off The season brilliantly and then tailed off.

Let’s get something straight mate. Richie Smallwood was bloody brilliant for Rovers. Knew his job brilliantly and was extremely effective. His ability is limited and that is the reason he was replaced. I think you’re confusing ability and understanding a role. Of course Reed was a far better footballer than Smallwood. But that’s not the same metric as whether or not someone understands a position.

Would feel weird calling him anything else. Sorry if that offends you. I’ll remember to call Dunny, Flit, Janny, Shorty, Trav and Bucko by their Sunday name too in future!

I agree with most of your points. But the point here was that Mowbray didn’t believe he performed that CM role well enough. In fairness he had his best games at RM for us, played RB for Norwich and tbf didn’t play every week for Fulham even when he was fit. Onomah, Cairney and Johanson have been preferred. As I said, he’s a very good footballer. But I don’t think he’s a specialist anywhere.