That's a lot of players to potentially replace. Mowbray will make undeserved offers to some off them, for no other reason than to keep the numbers up.

He's not owed anything. He's been handsomely rewarded for 4 years, the upshot being that he's reached his ceiling.

There's not a cat in Hell's chance that Mowbray will make top 6 this season.

I agree. As and when the time does come, it needs someone fresh to shake the place up and inject some urgency.

Let's see tonight then how may times he places the ball on someone's head or toe, or for someone to run on to. I hope I'm wrong.

The problem with Nyambe is that he doesn't stop enough crosses getting into our box, nor does he deliver quality crosses into the opposition's box. Having said that, he probably is the best defender we have, but that just about sums up the whole defensive situation.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Evans in the starting 11.

It's only Barnsley's first win in six or so league fixtures, yet they're now level on points with us. It shows just how poor the league is, and an indictment of just how poor we are considering the relative quality of player between the two clubs.

I used the word 'sterile' on a previous post with regards to the Premier League. Players diving, VAR nonsense, eyelashes offside...it's spoiled the in-the-moment excitement. I'd rather watch La Liga these days, than the PL. To be fair to Dyche though, at least his players play hard.

Good players who are well drilled and coached, should be able to play different systems. Therein lies the problem.

All managers have a shelf life at any club. Mowbray has generally done a decent job, but after 3 seasons now in the Championship, it's obvious he's not taking us any further. That's no slur on him, it's just the reality of his level of ability.

What a great post. The biggest thing which irked me yesterday was Mowbray bring on the City lad at full back to replace Nyambe. We supposedly have a good prospect - Pike - at right back, so why on earth does Mowbray choose to play a loanee instead, and even worse, play him out of position?

https://www.instagram.com/p/CKrGJNooJSW/

The same situation for me. I was hoping to see the name of a gentleman I used to sit next to in the JW passed last year. I think the club put something on social media somewhere though, with a list of deceased fans, players.

Amazing really considering the size of clubs we're competing with.

Top top top top - top of the league 👌

BBC report on Ben Davies joining Liverpool.. 'Burnley were also interested but it is understood Preston were not keen to sell a local rival.' Delusions of grandeur from the nobbers, or an attempt at putting the Dingles in their place? 🤣

Scrappy game, but we stuck at it and ground the win out. I'll take that over poncy tippy tap any day.

The BBE was rocking that day. As it was in the first PL home game against Arsenal. Great times.

A City supporting mate of mine often mentions that one to me!

Coldest for me ... Roker Park '86. Lost 3-0 to boot IIRC Perishing that place.

I personally wouldn't be keen on Hughes. His success with us was over a decade ago. I'd rather that we looked forwards.

Waggott should be hauled over the coals for this. It's 100% on his watch.

The state of the pitch is obviously an issue. What irks me with Mowbray's comments though, is him publically calling it out as he has on the back of yet another dismal showing, and seemingly laying the blame on it for the result. The pitch didn't stop Rothwell running 30 yards, nor Armstrong latching on and finishing. The pitch wasn't the reason why we gifted yet another goal from a set play. It wasn't the reason why Stoke were the better side.

I don't necessarily agree with the view that the players are all that much. Mowbray has reached his ceiling and has taken us as far as he's capable, but I'm not convinced another manager would get that much more out of this set of players. A better manager would find better players though.