Agree that it's amazing Mowbray didn't want to use him. For me utility players can 'do a job' in a number of positions. Hedges however is one of our top 3 players on the pitch, every game, no matter the position. He's such an intelligent and consistent player.

Dack may not be able to press like Dolan. And obviously that doesn't fit into the JDT philosophy. But he's the most intelligent player in our squad. Every time he's on the pitch he gets himself into dangerous positions. I agree he's not been given a fair crack of the whip.

I had no faith in Hirst scoring the penalty. But everyone saying he was awful is a little harsh. I felt he showed a couple of nice touches towards the end.

We've been awful. But make no mistake, the referee cost us that game. He should be demoted after that.

Sorry but that's an absolute stone wall penalty on Gallagher. He's taken him out

Travis will have to be careful second half after that yellow. Thought the ref handled things quite well until the harsh yellow on their striker and then feeling the need to even it up.

Everybody is scarred by the words project and journey after Mowbray. But that's only because he'd get grumpy, stamp on his compass half way and change direction. I've never known somebody shift the goalposts as much as he did. The reality is though we are on a journey and I'm not sure what else anybody can expect. JDT summed it up perfectly by saying he wants immediate success but he has to be realistic. I'm happy with the signals coming out the club. And the hope is that, should JDT not last 3 years, then we have continuity in Broughton who can bring in another manager of a similar style, rather than tearing up the script and starting from scratch.

The idea that we have essentially paid a £10m loan fee for Brereton completely ignores the January transfer window. I could still easily see a Premier League club panicking and offering £10m even though he's only got 6 months left on his contract. The difference between relegation and survival means the lines get blurred between the potential fee and length of contract. We could easily still recoup a decent fee. The big risk however is he has attracted overseas interest and sign a pre-contract.

Also if Tuchel wasn't seen as a long term solution and this was planned. Why loan Lukaku, you're most expensive all time signing out to Inter Milan when he's in the prime of his career. Admittedly Lukaku was crap last year and he could have done more. But he also didn't fit into the system Tuchel was trying to play.

Or he'll do a good job, and at the first blip of form end up sacked. Everyone scratches their head as to why Chelsea have dispensed of a good manager and he'll be primed as Southgates replacement.

It could be JDT trying a different form of man management. I don't doubt that he meant what he said, but the need for it to be said so conclusively in the press, to me suggests it's designed to really highlight just how far away JRC is, to try and illicit a response. I think he's an intelligent player, his technique isn't bad either. What he does do is read the game very well in an attacking sense. The thing which let's him down is his complete lack of physicality. Injuries haven't helped, however there's nothing to stop him from bulking up a bit when recovering from a hamstring injury. But he's never done it. Reading between the lines now, but I do think there's a bit of arrogance in his own ability. I remember him putting off signing a contract for a long time. So I think publicly telling him how far away he is, firmly puts the ball in his court. Its now or never. Put in the graft fitness wise and he could eventually have a future.

Diaz still has a clumsy element to his game. I'm sure things like this are what make some clubs doubt his ability and whether he was worth the investment this summer just gone. What I think they have missed is the mentality of the guy. Its why I have faith he'll be a success at a higher level. We've all seen his rise, he's overcome his own self doubts and consistently he doesn't hide. His exploits with Chile showed that. Even if he moves to a Premier League club and struggles, he strikes me as a person who will always find a way, whether that were in football or elsewhere. And I'm sure we'd see, 6 or 12 months down the line, a very good Premier League player. My opinion is he's a top player and a top bloke, both likable but with a gritty determination not often seen in todays game.

That was a disgusting challenge on Gallagher. Resulting in us playing with Ayala up front. Amazingly Lockyer was actually given a yellow card for it. Ref just made it up on the spot after not seeing the incident. It was either not seen or a straight red.

He's a good lad. Enjoy him while he's here. Might as well offer the contract. Probs won't sign it. But I've good faith he'll give his all for us whilst in a rovers shirt.

Diaz had to stay for that kind of money. He's such a likable bloke with a genuine story behind his development that I'll just enjoy seeing him in a rovers shirt for another year. Disappointing not to sign someone on the right as it'd make us genuine contenders. Hopefully he signs a new deal. Doubt he will, but it'll be good seeing him with us regardless. Also... if we don't make it back to the prem any time soon, all these two bit clubs with a few bob from premier league money will know they can't just take the piss out of us.

A right sided forward for me. It's a position we have a few players who can do a job there. Gally, Hedges, Szmodics. But nobody who is a natural. Bowler is probably pie in the sky, but a right sided forward who can run at and commit a defender would give us real balance in attack and reduce pressure on Diaz. It'd also stop teams doubling up on him.

Wharton being capable is massive for us. Like a brand new signing. I'd love to see Styles and Bowler come in. Quality and flexibility in Styles. And Bowler would add such balance to our attacking line up. Whether that's realistic I don't know but I'd say it'd be an excellent transfer window. For all Mowbrays criticisms he did sometimes pick up some half decent players. But every single season we lacked balance. He just collected players at random. It really does feel far more targeted this year. Specific positions and players with specific attributes.

I agree with everyone saying the deal is a good one for a club like us. Try before you buy. I just don't think that given his previous exploits £5m is fair. Especially if theres a sell on fee too. He may well be worth way more than that in a few years. Its criminal the way top clubs hoard players. Once over a certain age there should be a limited amount you can have contracted to the club. If the player is over that age and not included in the squad then they should be free to move through a tribunal.

In regards to Hirst. I live in Portsmouth and the verdict of a couple of mates is that he started slowly but then became indispensable in the second half of the season and has all the raw attributes needed. In my opinion he's no replacement for Brereton but he's exactly the type of player we should be looking to 'gamble' if its the right deal for us. I.e. a loan to buy at a realistic price or a low fee with a sell on clause.

Qpr supporting mate says Dykes is very poor. Fairly physical, but no footballing intelligence. He's being subbed in games for a teenager as Dykes is providing no goal threat at all.

I think a combination of Mowbray and injuries have set him back years. Personally I think JRC isn't a bad footballer. But he's not an athlete and has been asked to play in one of the most athletic positions on the pitch. Injuries have taken their toll but he never has been and never will be a RB or RWB. As a result he's now a few years older and neither he nor coaching staff have any idea what his position is so when he is fit he's no direction on what aspects of his game to improve.

It could be a 4-3-2-1 The old Christmas tree formation

Have we ever hit 600 pages before?

Agreed. Time and again last night Phillips was bullied by Shane Long. Punt upfield and Long was holding his ground, letting it bounce off him and Phillips missing his header. On one occasion Phillips tried to nip in front and it skimmed off his head and out for a throw in deep in our half. No major criticism as he's such a young player, but if a 5'8 Shane Long was giving him trouble in the the air, it really shows its not going to be a seamless transition from youth to first team football, no matter his potential or size. It was a remarkable drop in standard from his performance vs West Brom. One other point is that every pass was short and square. The midfield were generally very poor in showing for the ball but without any adventure in the pass we are going to struggle. Not to pour cold water on him. The potential is clear for everyone to see. I'm just not sure he's of the required standard quite yet.

I think we can get £15 million rising to £20 million with add ons. We're about to hit silly season and his performances will have refocused a few clubs gaze his way. We may even get more if a bidding war ensues.