Championship and prem clubs have to complete all perm and loan signings by August 9th for next season. We're screwed.

10 years ago or something like that i read earlier.

I honestly think anyone expecting wholesale changes is going to be disappointed. Williams, Mulgrew, Smallwood, Bennett, Evans, Samuel will all still be around the squad IMO, could possibly see loan moves for Smallwood/Samuel but nobody is paying a fee for any of that lot. I think Dack will be sold, then hopefully Mowbray will bring in players ready to go into the first 11 next season, I'm not to hopeful though I have to admit.

I think Leutwiler, Gladwin, Hart, Rodwell & Downing will all move on permanent deals I could see Smallwood & Williams going out on loan to league one sides, nobody is paying a fee for those two. Evans, Bennett, Conway, Mulgrew & Samuel will all still be in the squad I think.

Yeah shame that. Leek is pretty much on my doorstep so I was thinking of going along later. It's a lovely little town too.

Reed should be the first name on the team sheet in central midfield, along with Travis. Both always look to get the ball moving forward as early as possible. If we persist with Smalllwood, Evans & Bennett in the same side next season then we're only going one way.

Evans was ok until he got his new contract, now he has reverted back to type. Been having a good laugh at the club for years that lad.

Because he'll be "fit by then" is my guess, plus no way is Tony going to risk upsetting him again.

Not sure, but I thought he played really well there at Bolton back in October with Reed alongside him, if that partnership could have got 10/12 games together then I think our defensive record would be a lot better, but for some reason Mowbray has to play one of either Smallwood/Evans, of if we're lucky both. They would be two of the first out of the door for me in the summer.

And Rodwell too, who most people on here were saying should get a 4 year deal after the Hull game. I accept that the injury's were a possibility of course they were, but all I'm saying is I can at least see why Mowbray did let Downing go out, after 3 clean sheets and 4 wins in a row, in hindsight it was a bit naïve.

Who was expecting the Bauer deal to be done? I don't recall any links with him in Jan, too many were fantasising over some weird pipe dream of signing Britt Assombolonga to worry about the defence. I complete agree that 3 of the 4 are not real centre halves, but they clearly are in TM's mind and you can tell that he thought that the four he had at his disposal would get him through to the end of the season, obviously now with Lenihans injury and Mulgrew possibly being out and our horrific run of form it looks a bad call, but I can at least see why he did let Downing go.

I think the Downing one is very good in hindsight, you have to remember that when we let him go, he was probably in TM's mind 5th choice centre half behind Mulgrew, Lenihan, Rodwell & Williams, and no doubt he wanted to get out and play football anyway, we had also just won 4 games in a row keeping 3 clean sheets on the bounce, I don't recall anyone slating the decision then. After that Hull game nobody on here could foresee the collapse that we would endure afterwards, with Lenihan picking up a injury straight away. I think it's a harsh one to beat TM with that.

I think we'll finish on at least 51 points to be honest, I can see wins against Wigan and Bolton, and another point or two somewhere else.

Can't see that at all.

Wouldnt actually mind if the dingles took a point there today.

More chance of Brereton getting a 1st team goal this season than us going down, it's just not going to happen. Next season is a huge concern though.

Will it last though? Sure, today was a party for them, Coventry did the same and sold over 30k for there first home game back after playing at Northampton. I imagine there attendances will increase of course they will, but they wont be selling out everyweek.

Yes I think you are correct, probably why Bolton started to get on top in the game in the second half.

I know Bolton are a poor team, but I really liked the midfield lineup from the away game there back in October and always wondered why we haven't used it more (probably because it doesn't include any of Tony's faves) It was Rothwell, Reed, Rodwell & Palmer, with Dack behind Graham. Swap Palmer for a fully fit Chapman and that is an exciting midfield, I especially think Reed & Rodwell would compliment each other really well if they had 10/12 games together, then next season you could put Travis in for Reed.

Yes agreed, the reason i went for Santa Cruz with Shearer is because i always thought Shearer at club level was at his best with a big man alongside him, Newell & Sutton at Rovers, Ferdinand at Newcastle etc. For me, even though really it was only that one season, but Santa Cruz is the best i have seen in that role in my time watching.

For me in a 442 - Friedel, Berg, Hendry, Samba, Le Saux, Ripley, Batty, Tugay, Duff, Shearer, Santa Cruz Subs - Flowers, Moran, Sherwood, Warhurst, Sutton, Bellamy, Sellars

I don't think we have to worry about relegation this season, we'll stumble along and just about pick up enough points to be ok i think. Dreading next season though as i just can't see Mowbray signing 5/6 players in the summer and throwing them straight into our starting lineup, i wouldnt be suprised if come the opening game next season we only have one or two signings through tbe door to be honest, he doesnt seem to get things done quick.

Is Buckley a local lad then? Never seen him play but always read promising things about him. Be good to see a couple of lads get a chance before the end of the season.

I only know one person who is a PNE fan, supports them through family connections so doesnt seem to have the usual Rovers bitterness about him. Claims over 5k have been sold now. Should easily sell out i suspect.

Well we know what league we're in next season (I believe this has been the lame excuse the past couple of seasons when Rovers have been asked why can't ST's go on sale earlier). The fans forum should be all over this IMO.