1pm would make a huge difference, tbh. On the face of it the club look at local derbies and want to minimise trouble. Nice that the police are being open about who has requested it though. However, it would be interesting to know what the costs are of a 12pm rather than a 3pm. Or is it a set time? I’d guess, 10am - 3pm for a 12 o’clocker. (5 hours) Would they start at lunchtime for a 3pm, I.e. 12pm - 6pm? (6 hours) Everything Waggott does looks to be motivated by ?. Would this be any different?

Maybe it’s an old fashioned way of thinking but put personally I thought it was a manager’s job to manage, not let players dictate. Not much point in Mowbray being in the touch line, much less holding his head in his hands when it’s going wrong. If his way of working isn’t successful in achieving the owners objectives, the board replace him. If he doesn’t know what needs to be done and/or cannot manage the players to deliver them he isn’t up to the task. Do they also get to decide who starts?

Ironic. Like it.

This is exactly why I have more respect for Ronaldo than Messi. Messi was born a gifted footballer and went to Barcelona at 14 and has been there ever since. A team that has boasted some great players during his time there. He found his groove and has scored an obscene amount of goals. But he has never proven that he is a great player anywhere else - not even a different town! Ronaldo has moved around and still scored and still won trophies. Yes, he has also been to top clubs but he has had to adapt and start again each time. His work ethic is second to none and he has moulded himself into the player he is today. Yes, he has an image of arrogance but it is a self-belief that he has earned through absolute dedication. I expect he trusts his abilities. But he is also a winner. He demands the best from himself and others. When he doesn’t win, he doesn’t like it. It’s no coincidence that teams he has left have struggled to replace his contribution. Not just goals but his winning mentality.

I meant more first team players, hence the quotation marks, and that our normal team is well below 23yo. (But I’ve not been through the list lately).

Sshhh! You’re making him sound worse...

I guess on the night we had four ‘overs’ players but we usually have a low age range for our U23s.

I can hope! Certainly Buckley and Butterworth and maybe Platt or Magloire on the bench.

Is that right? They were badged as U23s this evening.

PL keepers, even benched ones, will want huge wages. We need to start of with credible quality/experience first even if old. Lest we forget ‘that lot’ brought in Paul Robinson as cover/competition for Tom Heaton.

Another one for Nutts too. Maybe we need to be dropping Graham and playing these two! Hope that once we are confirmed safe Mowbray picks a load of youngsters.

Haha go Brezza!

A few of our regulars miss out tonight. Chapman in for Mols I guess. 1-0 up already though!

Still alive and well and in Sky Sports custody..

Trouble is there is no completion for him and to drop him as number one would probably mean he leaves. Has for too long been the main man by default. What we need is a credible number 2 who could put some pressure on him. A fading PL light with some desire to extend their career but still good enough for Raya to think “wow, two clangers in a row and I’m going to let them in”. He is capable of world class saves but needs a competitive edge to help him maintain concentration throughout. An older PL keeper who could give Raya something to think about as well as some mentoring. Maybe Artur Boruc (39) - who has apparently fallen out with Howe at Bournemouth, or Heurelho Gomes (38) currently second choice at Watford? Or similar. We can bring in all the young keeper we like but may as well promote Fisher from the U23s to the bench - not sure it would have the desired effect.

To be fair that’s an FA rule so could be spun against City. But you’re right, it’s the wrong way round. A L2 club is in the same game - to a greater extent - and is a professional outfit earning money. A non-league club could have auctioned the City first team gear and run the club for a could have years!

Not the point you are making but Berkovic, Duff, Dunn and Jansen helped too! Perfect blend of youth and experience - quality throughout too. And a manager who demanded from the players.

I share this fear too. Plus we lose Reed and will likely need to rely on Brereton. This why I was so annoyed on January when were were in spitting distance of sixth and needed to strengthen not back off. You don’t get to choose when you challenge for promotion unless you have the division’s highest budget - and even then there are no guarantees. Instead: “who needs Assombalonga when you’ve got Brereton?”

Wow. That can be pretty life changing stuff. Hope you are back to your best soon. Take it easy.

He didn’t make the rules. ??‍♂️

Although I struggle anyway due to Saturday morning commitments, I honestly don’t enjoy going to away games because of certain elements of our away fanbase. Even at the generally well behaved Newcastle cup game I witnessed a drunken “Rovers fan” kick a seat until it broke - and not even in temper, just because he could. Even on a good day, if you don’t get there early you’ll likely struggle to sit in your ticketed seat. It’s the “we’ll do what we want” culture sickness that has pervaded football since organised fighting became more risky. And since parenting/teaching became the much maligned undertaking that it is today. “You can’t do/say that to my child”. But I digress. I’m not convinced this translates into poor performances or results though. Seems an easy excuse (and not one you’ve made, Tony) to take the heat off a hapless, but eminently likeable, manager.

Not good to hear, Paul. Hope you are feeling better soon mate.

You’d have though after getting an 83rd minute goal would have been a good time to make a change to kill the momentum? He must only make changes when he gets mad.

Still time yet too

Absolutely fucking typical Rovers