I dont think he knows anything Chaddy. Think hes just a new journalist sort of re hashing what he can piece together. Either way we all know how farcical the situation is. Its really annoying that both Williams and now Bell are contracted into next season. Neither good enough and now both seemingly injury prone. Had the chance to free up some vital resources but sadly we hand out new contracts to players we shouldnt like confetti. Has to stop.

Its looking like 5 subs are going to carry on into next season. For me that would be a dreadful idea.

You seem quite dismissive of players who are still young but get to 22/23 or those who go out on loan or who have had senior experience such as Davenport and Chapman in the past. Unsure if maybe its an element of bias towards those youve spent time watching when you go and watch the reserves. Players take different paths, Lenihan had a loan spell and the whole purpose is to develop them more than U23 football ever could. I cant say I have seen Wharton play for Northampton, maybe you have? But 3 promotions seems a little more than decent and lets not forget he is still very young and growing/bulking up physically. Im not saying that he should come back to us but hes in by far the best position out of the young defenders to come in when money is tight and add some potential cover. Whether hes good enough I have no idea but it seems remiss to write him off as if hes ready for the scrapheap because hes soon turning 23 (years off his peak) and because hes had some very successful loans. Absolutely no chance whatsoever that Rankin Costello has performed as well as Travis breaking in either. If you think back Travis was man of the match on his home debut and he stood out in his first few games. On Rankin Costello's first team starts our opinions differ, I would say his first 3 starts were ineffective, ineffective shaky and assured yesterday, but I cant see how anyone could imply that he stood out like Travis did.

He scored because he anticipated Lenihans header would not go in and was in the right place. I dont think with the supporter element removed that where the goal was anything more than coincedental. I agree though that the graduates (Lenihan, Nyambe and Travis) and a recent sale (Raya) justify that the academy is doing its job and its a good return. At the moment there is only hope with Buckley, Rankin Costello etc rather than anything substantial or tangible. At the moment neither has proven themselves to be first team regulars so their performance at under age levels just add hope. Of course we can never lose track of the fact that the only thing that proves that an academy is working is not good results for them or good performances, it is senior graduation. Our recent history as you say is good.

To be fair, well into this season most were calling for him to be dropped, he hadnt scored or assisted many in the Championship and was often quite lazy. Now he has really kicked on.

Im keen to dispel this myth that we are fighting against the odds in terms of resources available to us, or even that we have a preset place in the football hierarchy that we should be content with. Here are a few reasons: - League 1 fodder? Dont talk daft. We spent one solitary season there after going down with I think a record high points tally even at the point when we had spent more than half of a season with Owen Coyle in charge. We were never League 1 fodder and dont need to be dismissed as this little promoted team as if we spent years down there. - Last season we finished roughly where we were in this now lauded wage league table. This season (accounts of course not published) our wage expenditure I suspect will have gone up a few places with last summers transfer business, as will our league positions. - What the wage table doesnt factor in is that some of the teams above us (Stoke, Swansea etc) are still carrying unwanted and unshiftable baggage on Premier League wages. This isnt an advantage to the current managers, its covered by parachute money but is not a budget available to the manager. - Crucially, Mowbray has been able to spend close to 20 million and has had more time available than any other manager in the division. Even his net spend will be around 15m because unlike most managers he has never been forced to sell key assets, the only asset he sold he chose to do so in Raya. - A team that has 12m worth of awful and non contributing strikers cannot fail to bring up questions in terms of whether that club is indeed working as efficiently as it can do in terms of targets. Lets cut out the self depreciating and David fighting against Goliaths mindset. The likelihood is that we will just beat last seasons points total and finish the season having never been in the play offs. All things considered, its progress but unremarkable progress. We are possibly on track which can be spun as either stagnation or progression and ultimately is most likely somewhere in the middle. There are things to be optimistic about and thinks to be concerned about. We will need something beyond being around expectations to go up.

Dont see anyone bidding that sort of money for a right back who is at the moment lacking going forward, with a year to go, in a pandemic. Correct that we shouldnt have got ourselves into this situation.

Very impressive win for Boro this afternoon. They were brilliantly organised and had a threat on the counter attack. Their goalkeeper was very impressive, perhaps goes back to what we was discussing about having other primary objectives, fancy football and bringing in youngsters etc. Woodgate stuck with Pears a little too long perhaps despite them having a competent 1m goalkeeper in reserve. You play the team that gets you results. Doesnt really affect us as our miniscule play off hopes would need 4 wins to even have a chance so we would finish above Millwall if we got that anyway because we are playing them. Putting 2 and 2 together but with our hole at left back I wouldnt be overly surprised to see Mowbray move for George Friend on a free. Hope not as hes close to his 33rd birthday and has received plenty of criticism for his poor performances but a Boro boy on a free may prove too difficult to resist.

My main point was that performances in the kids league is not necessarily indicative of a player having a successful career in the first team. For every Travis, there is a dozen others who dont make the transition. At the moment, the jury is out on the pair, but both have recently put in their best performances in a Rovers shirt where it matters in the first team. (Buckley at Charlton and Rankin Costello last night) We are weak in wide areas so I would like to see Rankin Costello there at some point. I would agree that Rankin Costello had his best game yesterday, although was obviously somewhat handicapped, not necessarily at full back where he is not natural but wasnt really ever left one on one, but on his weak side, which as a full back expected to overlap, can be a big problem. Was quite underwhelmed in his 2 performances in attacking positions and felt that he looked our weakest link v Bristol City. I saw a bit more attacking intent when he went on a dribble at the start of last night. And no I havent seen Wharton playing, I am just saying that if any of the young defenders is ready to compete around the first team, surely its the one who has played 80+ games and has had individual plaudits and team success, albeit at a lower standard but no doubt against physical, senior pros, rather than Grayson who was mentioned but who in his sole senior game v a League 2 side was well out of his depth. We still need to sign at least one centre back, but maybe Wharton can come back and be 3rd or 4th choice. I also am not convinced that there will be much of a market for Ryan Nyambe, and if there is, we are in a weak position in terms of a fee. You mentioned Palace, Hodgson loves experience and organisation and I am not sure he gets a game there. He isnt close to being a Premier League player at the moment and outside the club I am unsure if he is even a stand out Championship right back. He needs to work on his attacking game, not much going on when he approaches the final third. Hopefully he can do that in a Rovers shirt as hes one of our better players.

I never think the "we are where we should be" argument sits right really in terms of the current squad. The current squad is very much Mowbrays squad, and you are considering where we are when most of our resources have been blown on 2 contributing members of the squad by that very manager, how is that logical? We will see how many points we end up on, I suspect now that we will surpass 60 points and he will be able to suggest progression, it is just how much progression. He is very much on the line though for me. I am worried about stagnation, but we are in a position whereby we win a game, everyones hopes get back up, then we go on a bad run, then he plucks out a win at the right time. Am I convinced we will push beyond that? Certainly not. But maybe put me in the fickle category at the moment.

I always found the notion of Gallagher coming in and phasing Graham out an idealistic and flawed one. They dont share the same attributes at all, and much of Grahams game will be natural, the way he tends to be able to anticipate where chances will fall, the little sly (sometimes) nudges etc that you might not always notice on TV. His main attribute has always been his brain and how street smart he is. Gallagher on the other hand doesnt have that skillset. He is faster and more powerful than Graham without being rapid. I would say he has a higher jump on him too but Graham knows how to nod the ball perfectly into onrushing team mates. He lacks Graham's natural anticipation, his finishing ability and also his intelligence in terms of being a focal point. His best spell was at a time when Coyle used to play 2 out and out wingers and 2 up front and Gallagher scored a few headers. Our squad now couldnt be any less suitable for him. Its a real problem because hes a massive liability on a long term contract as a high earner so we are stuck with him.

You was in terms of that Graham should play, but nothing to do with any relationship he has with the fans because no one was there! He scored and played well not because he was desperate to impress back in Wales, to aggravate the Cardiff fans or anything like that, he did because he is a clever player and a good striker. Whilst it is admirable that you go to watch the under 23s, you should never lose sight of the fact that it is a reserve/kids league and not representative of senior football. The acid test is in the first team. You say that "Rankin-Costello proved yet again last night that he will be a very big player for us" and I think that is very much hyperbole at this point. Definitely his best and most impressive performance, showed a couple of good flashes coming forward in the first half and untested defensively. His first 2 starts in attacking positions were ineffective, and he was shaky v Bristol City too. Last night was a positive step and lets hope he gets a chance in a more natural position between now and the end of the season, but proved that he will be a very big player? Lets not go overboard. Grayson in his only senior appearance really struggled against Oldham. Suppose playing v young kids its much easier to hold your own physically. Magloire had the same issue when he broke through. Out of the 3, Wharton having played 80+ senior League games you would think is in by far the best position of the 3 if any is to become a member of the squad. That being said, our academy is fruitful when you consider that 3 of our best players are academy graduates, and a fourth was sold perhaps wrongly but for a few million last summer. None of this current crop have established themselves really but hopefully that will come. Mercer is expecting 20 million players and England players and wants the whole system ripped up if we cant do that whereas a successful academy at this level would be one that gives a team a few key players and a few more within the squad for sure. As much as I have been critical of Mowbray lately, implying that he is "holding back" Nyambe from showcasing his good delivery seems nonsensical to me. People say the same about Travis who for me if anything has broken further forward more often this season and has even got a couple of goals. Our full backs are often quite advanced so he has plenty of opportunity within Mowbrays tactics. Nyambe has always had a habit, probably a mix of confidence and technical issues whereby he gets so far and his instinct tells him to stop. The only cross I can remember him putting in was the one for Gallagher v Swansea just before lockdown. Its the area of his game that requires most improvement.

No way does he attract a Premier League side for me, and if he did he would be back up. Never a Premier League player at this time.

Plus I really dont see who would want to stump up for him. Certainly dont see a Premier League side after him.

Im not sure Samuel is any better, that performance very much the exception rather than the rule.

In case of crowd trouble.

Very good result and performance. Stand by my comments about the team lineup being not very forward thinking but you cant argue with that result and performance. Walton poor for the first. Badly need a new keeper. Feel like Nyambe has gone back into his shell a tad, so reluctant to come forward. Rankin Costello with for me his best start so far although needs to be tried further forward. Overall we were defensively found wanting more than once to be honest. In midfield, Travis came into his own in the last hour. Up until then he again looked a little off the pace, that touch and pass was superb and then he was his usual dickhead self but in a very positive way. That being said, his foul was a clear red card, awful tackle. Also felt Johnson was much better today and Downing was calm and composed too. Graham showed what he can do that the others cant. Samuel was definitely better but should have had 3 or 4. Just hope that doesnt prompt a new deal, one swallow doesnt make a summer. Armstrong with an incredible goal and always such a danger even if he can be a bit wild with his shooting. None of the subs had any impact.

Samuel will seemingly get a new deal as he keeps playing him despite the fact that hes shite.

Absolute madness. No matter the result, what can we learn playing Johnson, Graham, Samuel and Downing with Buckley and Davenport subs, Rankin Costello out of position and Chapman left out all together. Using the youngsters my arse.

Would make no sense to play Graham if thats the case. So he probably will.

My point is even if some people would take them up its better than none in terms of cash flow! Its not difficult and doesnt require polls or economic information! As pointed out this isnt a first time and also they can spare 2 hours.

I cant believe your illogical and warped viewpoint. Whether it is 100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, 20% of season ticket holders that would take up the offer, its irrelevant. I dont know if I would to be honest. But if that % that would is above 0%, which it clearly will be, then it could be crucial cash flow coming in to the club at a time when it is really needed. Something is better than nothing. Surely that is common sense. The fact that everyone wouldnt be able to is neither here nor there, it wouldnt require everyone to do it to make it beneficial! For a bit of perspective, say a very prudently low 1,000 of fans at £350 a pop chose to renew their season tickets, that would be £350k of income, ideally straight up but likely a portion as a short term asset in the form of a debtor. Baring in mind that the club were so fearful of a comparatively small liability arising from refunds, it puts into perspective how still we are run in such a backwards way and why we are always held back by having Venkys as owners. Thats a cop out chaddy and you know it. We are or at least should be a big part of their life and a huge priority. If they cant spare a couple of hours of their time to do a conference call with Mowbray and Waggott then there is no excuse for that.

The fact that there are people like yourself surely means that its worth putting them up for sale just to get some income coming in?! Your logic is flawed, just because everyone wouldnt commit doesnt mean that those who would should not be taken up on that intention. This bollocks about not being the forefront of Venkys mind doesnt wash at all. If that is the case it highlights their disinterest which we know. But what sort of business owners arent arsed about improving cash flow at a time like this?! Do you agree that if you are begging loyal ST holders to not claim refunds, you cant afford be so half arsed and not try and get some cash flow in (especially when theres a market for dateless season tickets) however you can if things are really so tight. Also you have already now admitted that making the manager wait and not having any communication on budgets isnt good.

No idea how a club could accept being lower down the pyramid as a healthy conclusion. What is the point in the sport altogether if teams have preset correct places in the hierarchy where they should be?

The fans wont be there! Whats that got to do with anything? If Graham is going in 5 games time, which I suspect should be the case then why bother. Its not even as if he will get a send off in front of our fans either.