Indeed. Even when we were absolutely borassic we still troubled the top end of this league with Smith, Saxton and Mackay. Also, the standard in this division was higher then as the top league teams had smaller squads and didn't mop up the lower league talent to sit on their bench. This is what riles me so much when I read of natural levels which are anything but.

Well it has been hard to digest what has happened over the last 10 years

Good win against good opposition. No stand out performances for me apart from Kaminski but the type of results that successful teams get over the course of a season. Need to follow up on Wednesday with 3 points then we are very much in the hunt.

Superb from Elliott and Nyambe, brilliant finish from Arma. Better for us to go more direct as they have the legs on us.

Look at the way they let the centre halves keep the ball and then push 2 on the full backs once it goes wide. Playing on the fact they are so poor on the ball and it's working. Need to sacrifice this playing out and go longer.

I'll start to worry when he's Mr January in the rovers 2021 calendar

Agreed. You'd get the odd day when it wasn't below freezing in July.

And to think on reading the team for the Luton game there were those who didn't even consider his absence or have him in our best 11. I'm not sure there's a better midfielder in this league.

Great performance this, absolutely bossing it Rothwell and Holtby unplayable. But how bad are PNE?

What a bad un that Rafferty is. Never the same since Baker Street fell out of the charts.

I'm with you on the clean sheet den. Problem is whenever we set up hard to beat it is to the detriment of any attacking threat. Then we'll generally throw an individual mistake in and concede anyway. Mowbray has never been able to strike the balance between defence and attack and, after over 4 years, I suspect (well, know) he never will.

Agreed. The thing is, it's not a recent issue either, it seems the opposition target the area regardless of set up. I used to work with a woman married to a Sheff Weds scout this will have been about 5 years ago now. He had been watching us a couple of times prior to us playing them so I asked what he had noted, 'get the ball behind the full backs early' was the response.

This is a great point. There is very little concern shown on here for our full back area yet every single team we play looks to exploit this area and the majority get joy there. A personnel or tactical issue?

Kaminski Holtby Armstrong Rothwell Elliott Missing Holtby in yesterday's game changed the whole tempo and positivity of our approach. Kaminski is key to playing further up the pitch and is a vast improvement on the alternatives Armstrong is our main source of goals and worries teams with pace Rothwell commits the opposition with his forward runs Elliott has class and vision that is above this level

It's getting near to crunch time for this season. Have to go on a run now as we are currently underperforming for the squad we have and need to get in the mix quickly or the season will peter out. One big worry for me is our playing identity, we've regressed back to the slow possession football that generally gets us nowhere. Our best results are when we press high and move the ball quickly and our players are best suited to this yet was kicked to the kerb today against a mediocre Luton side. We're plodding along and it isn't good enough. Mowbray needs to feel some heat but the current situation means he can muddle on without reproach.

No Holtby so we will struggle to dictate. A big miss.

Pardon my French but I sincerely hope the fuckers can't sleep at night.

Watching NI and wondering how the hell Josh Magennis gets a game at international level. There's lads playing Sunday league with more about them than that jack.

That hasn't aged well Matt.

I think he has a bit about him. What worries me is when he was given a start against Forest and was pressurised by his opposite number he completely disappeared. Talent is nothing without bottle and I feel he bottled it in that game.

Liverpool's possession is generally gained through pressing and forcing a mistake. I'm not sure a tackling stat is a good one in their case.

Is testing within elite sports clubs not mandatory?

Yes, that and how old he is.

Looked a class above tonight but he should do against such poor opposition. He looks to have good fundamental ability, finds space and plays with his head up. He'll be playing in the Championship this time next year, I'm pretty sure of that.

Much needed win, feared the worst when it went 1-1. Pleased for Wharton, not sure he has the quality for this level but well done to him on stepping up as it won't be the last time we need him this season. Good to be looking up the league but we really need to kick on after the break the next 10 games are crucial.