You are correct. Last season we were in a decent position as well only to fall apart from February until April with only 4 points from 11 games.

Not gonna disagree with that. Consistency is lacking. There is an improvement from last season in results but we're still on track to finish 8-11 on current point haul. Pretty certain that we won't challenge for play-offs, my hope is that we can promote the likes of Rankin-Costello, Davenport etc to build a great core of young players for next season. Whether it's Mowbray or not next season, I'm really not that bothered.

It's 36.2%. This season it's 40%

Last 14 matches form table with the worst manager in the league.....

The upside is that the youngsters like Rankin-Costello will get plenty of chances

Appearantly Buckley turned down a 40 mill move to Newcastle

I for one love your info. Respect that you can't reveal details always, speculating is half the fun. Keep it coming!

A nice article on Jack Vale, who I rate highly and have mentioned on several occasions. Modern striker with a good brain who can do most things well. Links up well, can run the channels and is a decent finisher. Ran tings around Man City's 30 mill defender Mangala last season. Biggest question mark is how much time he needs to adapt from U23 to senior football as it is a big gap. Might be ready for a cameo or two this season, but would probably benefit from a loan at senior level. Still only 18, so will become powerful and effective with the years. https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/blackburn-rovers-starlet-showing-signs-17631984

He's physically ready having played senior football in Ireland and Scotland last year. Hard to say if he's Championship standard though. Seems like a decent allround footballer who has a goal in him. He turns 23 in May though, so needs first team football soon.

According to the article it sounds like they have turned in down before Tony has made it Saw another report that Poznan is selling another player to Russia, suggesting they won't be desperate to sell Jozwiak.

Think most youngster would struggle to get into the worlds best team atm. Even Harry Wilson couldn't get a game. Liverpool U23 aren't that great, Rovers beat them on both occasions last season. Esp on Anfield they outplayed them. Magloire bullied Brewster, Buckley ran things in midfield and Butterworth tore them apart upfront. Jack Vale who I like a lot also had a great game upfront. Liverpool, Everton and United were all reported to sniff around Buckley before he signed the contract last year. You would expect the top clubs to keep an eye on U23 football. Callum Wright, who Leicester "stole" from us as 16 year old a couple of years ago is also on display at U23 level. Doesn't seem to have kicked on as much as expected.

Can't be only because his dad, old Grayson is long gone. The Grayson I've seen in the U23 is a decent footballer. Has an exceptional left foot similar to Mulgrew. While I don't think he is Championship material, I'm pretty confident he'll have a decent career as a professional footballer as his loan spell at Grimsby suggest. That said I also think Mols is a very decent all-action midfielder who probably deserves a chance. Has potential and is probably ready to play senior football now. Not sure why nobody's picked him up loan. Buckley was the best player in the U23 by far and I think has the most potential for the future. I didn't think he would struggle as much physically as he have in senior football, but very confident he will become great. He is the rare breed of a playmaker who can pick a pass and go past people and what clubs will pay great money for.

You could easily say the same on League One players. Ipswich tried it last season with Kayden Jackson, Jon Nolan and Nsiala. All in the 1-2 million range and all struggled to make mark. I wouldn't mind either of Curtis or the polish guy, but I accept both will be a bit of a gamble. The bigger question is if the club has the money?

An injury or a suspension he would at least be on the bench. I reckon this season is gone already so they might as well plan for summer rather than any short term solutions.

Biggest problem with Mulgrew coming back is another wage and more expenses added. The club was trying to shift out players to free up cash, instead we ended up with a fourth choice centre back.

No point comparing Samuel to Brereton and Gallagher. He's not Championship standard and you don't want him on the right wing. No point clinging on, better to roll the dice and bring someone else in. Mowbray might strike lucky on a small budget like Dack. Either way it won't be a huge financial drain like Brereton and Gallagher. Could also consider bringing in a right winger instead so we don't have to play strikers on the wing.

That was more on how they play, not their recruitment which is a bit hit and miss.

Think you are mixing up Sheff Utd with Norwich who also recruited smartly from Europe, although they got found out in PL. Sheff Utd on the other hand basicly still has the core of the team that was promoted from League One. Their team is far better than the sum of individuals.

Unless we have replacement in needed positions (fullback, a decent winger) there is no point selling Evans now. He was our best player during the good run. At his best he breaks up play and uses the ball wisely. We haven't seen that enough of him as he seems to have struggled with fitness at times because of all the injuries. Downing is our best passer, but can't be trusted defensively. Johnson is on/off where looks great in one game, and lacking match fitness the next. Travis is reliable and always put in the effort, not one to make things tick though. Not sure what happened to Davenport. Obviously talented which he proved at Burton in the Championship. Good energy and good passer, the injury might done a number on him.

That is ridiculous! Astonished what people can make up. I've watched him several times for the U23 last season and he was clearly the best player there. Thought he could make the step up this season, but I'll admit he isn't ready physically. It's not only the coaching staff that rate him, the players are also big fans. Dack, Cunningham and Bennett have all been on record saying they how much they rate him. A loan could probably do him good. He obvoious need time to adapt to the higher tempo and physical aspect of senior football. He will become a very good player, that I'm confident of.

Interesting stat. I think one of the major differences is that we had wingers at that time that could actually cross. Gallagher would be a lot more effective if we could actually get some crosses into the box. Bar Downing, noone else is capable of getting a cross into the box. Our overlapping full backs have a lot of opportunities but both Bell and Nyambe will always check back. Rothwell just drifts inside and runs sideways. Chapman at least tries to produce something, but can not be trusted defensively. Would really like a two-way winger, maybe someone like Gwion Edwards could do a job? Wouldn't be too expensive and can play right back as well.

Stuart "King of crosses" Ripley. No contest when it came to crosses. He could put in a cross without needing to go past the fullback.

Also clubs like Leicester, Derby and Everton are offering the U23 matches for free. Some require you to register as a user, but you don't have to give any card information. Some of the productions are really good with commentary, replays and interviews. I usually find the U23 very entertaining, the football in general technical and played to foot. Biggest challenge going to senior football is handling the physical side. Buckley is a great example of this. He's far too good for U23 and handle himself well physically there, yet you can see he needs time to adapt playing the intense level required at Championship level.

As several has said, game management are so much better this year. Make's such a difference to have players like Downing and Johnson around. Walton is also very solid, good positioning and safe hands. Gallagher was very active and is useful especially away from home. Armstrong's goal was excellent, he's far better suited to play off the left, then in the middle. Everybody put in a shift today, however Travis was a bit under par, even looked leggy which is unusual for him. Probably allowed to have one game a bit off. Holtby looked very eager, good passer, hard to judge on so little time.

Could see that as well. Williams, Lenihan and Tosin could be suited as a trio. Williams and Tosin have both full back experience and contribute forward as well. All three quite agile and far more dynamic then your Mulgrews.