What does that prove? No doubt that Mowbray would prefer to get him tied down to a new deal but all that 2 month old article says is that Mowbray "doesnt envisage any problems" which is hardly a firm assurance and indeed doesnt factor in the players wishes, until he has signed a new deal anything can be said, Hoilett was signing within 24 hours, words mean nothing.

I don't understand this modern day phenomenon whereas if you dont press, pass it out from the back and try to keep the ball, it is assumed that the tactic is outdated. Amidst the media there is this desperation to paint out that there is a correct way to play football, the correct way in the 50s, the 60s, the 70s, the 80s, the 90s, the 00s, the 10s, now and forever is the one that puts the most points on the board. Would you swap our position with Norwich, we have scored 10 more goals and have 6 less points. For all of Mowbrays fancy new tactics, his flying wing backs, his 4-3-3, his box midfielders, his inside forwards, his false 9's etc etc, the only time we know that they have actually worked is when we actually get into the top 6, if we fail to do that he wont get any extra kudos from me regarding "trying to play the right way" because the right way is not necessarily always the most attractive way to the neutrals. Hughton has started slowly at Forest and indeed he may not even be successful long term but people suggest and big him up because he has a track record of achieving promotions and top 6 finishes in the last decade, so based on probability his appointment is more likely than most managers to achieve success. Same with Warnock. The nonsense about "prehistoric" tactics is further disproved by the fact that teams he has managed have scored more goals than before or after his appointment.

Nyambe definitely should never have been benched for Bennett and his contract situation is a symptom of that delay we all know about that hinders decision making at our club, but best RB in the league? Max Aarons is the best RB in the league, Nyambe is a good player but hes not the best RB in the league.

The main doubt with Mowbray yet also the reason that he splits people is because we are always within the middle ground, we peak a couple of points outside the play offs having never at any stage demonstrated that we are genuine contenders, its always "when we have a fully fit squad" or "once we put a run of wins together." Conversely, we never seem to fall away enough to warrant a crisis button being pressed, and of course we havent got that benchmark of previously having been in the top 6 which would create a feeling of regression and having gone backwards. So he certainly isnt a bad manager, we are in a middle ground (which cannot last forever) whereby we are unsure whether that run of wins to propel us into the top 6 will ever come or indeed whether it will just fall into stagnation. I am unsure as to why you have mentioned Preston, but their fans want their manager out now when he has gone one further (with far less money) and actually have spent quite a few weeks in the top 6 in the last couple of years. They have actually been genuine contenders spending time in the top 6, something that always has been beyond us and something that we have to prove that we can do. Obviously the main difference is that their current position shows that they have gone backwards slightly but again, I am unsure as to the relevance of mentioning Preston in your argument of Hughton/Warnock v Mowbray. Regarding Hughton's past record, he took over Brighton mid way through a season in which they finished 20th and scored 44 goals, in the following 2 seasons he finished 3rd with 72 goals and then 2nd with 74 goals, so your comments about him taking over a top side are flawed. He took over Birmingham once they had been relegated and also had Europa League fixtures to add to their schedule, and he finished 4th with 78 goals, the season following his illogical sacking, they finished 12th with Lee Clark scoring 15 goals fewer. Throw in a promotion at Newcastle and he has so much recent history of promotion and top 6 finishes since Mowbrays promotion at West Brom, that it is understandable that people look to his record and expect him to repeatedly perform similar achievements, no appointment is a guarantee but a manager with such a record is as likely as anyone. He fits the type of manager to which a lot of snobbery is attached to but his teams score plenty of goals and we were regimented and dull to watch to a neutral when we came up from League 1 but ultimately, who cared? No one.

I suppose that is true, although that was in a different shape, but either could in theory play to the left of the 3. I would still personally go with Johnson who was excellent, Rothwell who scored a brilliant goal and was given the last 30 minutes off and Holtby who will be rested up and gives a nice balance to that 3.

This has to be another game we go into v a direct rival embracing the challenge and thinking that we have a good chance of getting 3 points, there is no reason for any inferiority complex. A loss would be a setback yet again at a point in which we are primed to be able to really push ourselves into that top 6, a draw would be respectable to an extent but a chance to make up ground somewhat spurned. Would go assuming that Williams and Douglas are fit with: Kaminski Nyambe Ayala Williams Douglas Holtby Johnson Rothwell Elliott Armstrong Gallagher Subs: Pears, Carter, Bell, Trybull, Davenport, Downing, Buckley, Dolan, Chapman Hopefully there is no Elliott false 9 nonsense and we play as above. Davenport took the headlines with the goal on Saturday but I cant justify dropping Johnson who was outstanding.

I wouldnt think that there is much chance of our loanees being recalled. Douglas and Trybull were out of the picture at their respective clubs, I wouldnt think that Norwich would fear us for a top 2 place and he wasnt even training with their first team anyway. Elliott has played regularly so I dont see why Liverpool would recall him either. The contract situation is getting ridiculous now, no doubt being held up by the negligent and illogical way in which the owners work.

I think the key question about that team would certainly be its balance rather than its quality. Im not sure there is enough defensive protection and discipline in that midfield as promising as it looks. Having Travis as the sitter does allow us to play an extra forward thinking midfielder but I think it could nullify Travis and restrict him, I do wonder if Johnson, Travis and Holtby or Rothwell is more likely. I would also suggest that Elliott should be above Brereton in the pecking order and indeed I suspect that we have promised Liverpool that he will start most games when fit and available for us. Fitting in and getting the best from our main 2 attackers will be the key question I think. Dack central and Armstrong left makes sense in theory but could also nullify both and it may take a change in shape to get them both central together. Suppose there are some big questions but then again I suspect a best 11 may not be realistic for anyone this season with so many games and it may be about the squad which again may suit us.

The injuries are widespread, take our 2 opponents this week, Bristol City are missing Kalas, Mawson and Sessegnon in defence as well as Walsh, Williams and Weimann. Norwich have got the most injuries in the league. Par for the course this season.

Once Lenihan went off, my assumption was that Bell was going to come on and slot in, although with Douglas going off soon after it would have needed a further change anyway. Probably someone with more defensive nous and experience, maybe Trybull. Buckley seemed a particularly weak option and obviously was really poor for the second goal. I certainly would prefer not to see Buckley at RB again, to be honest I suspect that Mowbray thinks likewise ie that we always have a senior option available.

Expected goals is something that I am heavily skeptical of. If a player was given a tap in and missed the ball, would that not register on the expected goals statistic out of interest?

To be fair, I am not sure that anyone has been "really hard" on Buckley, indeed there has been a common and consistent understanding that he was played in an alien position that didnt suit him and in which he struggled in. The question was more as to whether he amidst undoubtedly minimal choices was the most natural player to be put at right back.

I cant get on board with the idea of denying all fans entry back into football grounds just to even things up and because we are unfortunate to not be in an area to allow it. The return of supporters should be accomodated as soon as possible in any areas in which the government allows it and hopefully we will be in a position to go back soon enough.

To be fair, since the Boro game he has been really good and back to his best, but today I dont have a clue what was going through his mind and he let his team mates down.

Cant remember being as happy after a game as tonight for a while, just the circumstances of the equaliser that was so unexpected, even when Armstrong and Rothwell were subbed I felt that Mowbray was preparing for Wednesday so it was brilliant to see the goal go in and from an unlikely source. I was not comfortable with how many people were accepting a draw or even making provisions for a defeat not being too bad before the game, I stand by that, but that is a draw whereby the circumstances made it a very impressive achievement. The referee was shite more in regards to handing out yellows like confetti but there cant be too many complaints about the major decisions from our perspective, Lenihan who let his team mates down after playing really well in recent games should have been sent off, albeit for a second yellow although thats immaterial, and they should have had another penalty for a handball on Gallagher. Throw that in with what happened midweek and we cant feel hard done by. In the end, who cares anyway?! Performance wise, I thought Ayala was outstanding, the game suited him because it was mainly about defending and he really can defend. Nyambe beside him was really good too. Johnson I felt gave us some further leadership in the middle, Gallagher was tireless and Rothwell's goal was absolutely outstanding, for a player with his obvious ability he doesnt produce nearly enough but today showed exactly what he is capable of, he was key to our bright start too. Still found a couple of Mowbrays tactical decisions questionable, Elliott as a false 9 with Armstrong wide was bizarre, the former was poor today really and Armstrong post red card would have been a threat on the counter v 2 fairly immobile centre backs, and Buckley at RB was a strange choice (from limited makeshift options) and was instrumental in their second goal.

Is that possible?

I would disagree that he played excellently, I thought he look a bit lost.

Buckley tends to look well off it whenever he plays aside from when he has come on v 10 men in games we have already been in comfortable leads. Even if Downing could play an hour and then we could make a decision from there, if we are losing or drawing we could bring on Holtby or if we were winning we could add a second defensive player. Ayala did look very rusty and the Wharton recall seems fair to me, although I suppose Ayala could argue that the only way the rust will go is if he plays regularly.

The balance of that midfield is not right again. It should be Trybull OR Johnson. I just hope that Johnson is further forward but I suspect that Trybull will be out of position again, surely Downing was a better choice? Also hope that Gallagher is left and Elliott is right. Glad to see Douglas back and interesting change at CB. With Ayala, part of me does think that his calibre suggests that he is one of our best 2 centre backs, then again Wharton's recent performances were good so I can understand him coming back in.

To be fair, the reason that both were lauded is because both have track records with repeated success at this level. Warnock is doing a good job, he took over as a firefighting job last season to keep them up and having spent very little and in a short term span, he has got them on the same points as us. Hughton has started surprisingly slowly at Forest but his track record means that it would be a surprise if it continued long term.

Still cant get my head around anyone essentially preparing themselves for a defeat, if we are genuinely a top 6 contender there is no needn We should be going today with an attitude whereby we can make up some real ground and beat a direct rival. If we have an inferiority complex towards a good side at this level but one that has the same aspirations as we do then there is something wrong.

As a team who considers themselves to be strong top 6 contenders and on the back of 3 successive wins, currently outside the play offs, we should be going into this game without any inferiority complex, without happily taking a point or even an injury free defeat now, this is a good chance for us to put a marker down and to perhaps end the day actually in the top 6. Team wise, Douglas has to come in at left back, if he isnt deemed fit enough then Downing. Difficult call at CB next to Lenihan. Rothwell again if fit enough (Downing if not) can hopefully come in with Elliott on the right, Gallagher left and Armstrong down the middle.

The Luton game coverage was appalling but I would agree that otherwise it has been fine for me too and as good as it feasibly can be, aside from showing too many replays when the ball is in play.

Gallagher has been much improved and has contributed well since the international break. I have always been a critic of him in a wide role but I also think that Armstrong is naturally a couple of levels above him so I wouldnt advocate moving Armstrong to accomdate Gallagher. I do prefer Elliott in the front 3 and naturally he plays in the right but I do suspect that Gallagher may theoretically be better on the left cutting in rather than on the right.

100% agree. I feel that especially because we have always been in a position whereby we need to make up a points deficit to get into the top 6, and based on the confidence we all seem to have regarding the players at the moment, especially with the top scorer in the league, now more than ever there is no need (I do totally understand it because as Rovers fans especially we are used to being let down in recent years) to fear games against teams like Bristol City, like Brentford, against anyone. This is coming from someone regularly criticised for being negative but we need to try and win these games and there is no reason why we cant. I remember on here last season going into the Brentford game and we were 3 points away, it was a chance to get into the play offs and make up that ground (temporarily before 3pm fixtures) and people were bracing themselves and willing to happily accept a point before, and then once we let go a 2 nil lead, people still seemed totally content with a point and I was absolutely gutted that we had chucked away such a chance. I do totally understand it as I mentioned but we need to be going into these games thinking there is no reason why we cant win them, it wont be easy but if we dont feel like we have a good chance then maybe we arent serious top 6 contenders. I understand the injury woe as well but ultimately it is the same for all teams. You hear Mowbray mentioning the tightness/faitgue, Rothwell and Johnson to name 2 but again that is par for the course with 2 games every week at the moment. Every team is suffering from injuries, you will need more than 11 players to get a top 6 finish and we have added some depth and numbers.