Rovers return for Brererton

[champs95]

No. Mowbray's decisions are questioned all the time. I go and I question all the time why he's playing, or why take him off? Why ply 2 at this point of the game? All sorts. We all do. It's nothing to do with being a proper fan at all. Your opinion is as relevant as mine.
I'm just saying, even after all the times I ask why? I round on he has earnt the right to make decisions. Long term I believe he is pointing us in the right direction. Short term I'm thoroughly enjoying seeing his side, take on the Champ. Where I believe we will do well. To push on, we need to strengthen. We want to do that. Not on someone old, with no sell on value. But a highly rated lad. Who could easily be worth double this? Or a complete stump. And we can't (And wont) sit still. We have to have a long term plan. Which Mowbray said, is young players. We are at a higher level. And the current market dictates this is what a valuation is for a young international player is who has scored goals in the Champ. We have to think long term. If he feels this is worth a punt, and money isn't an issue, then I think we should go for it. And take that gamble. It's worked more, than it hasn't thus far. I say trust him. Venkys, for all their past mistakes, do. And their investment looks stronger now, than it has done in over 5 years. And they clearly know the reason why.
We can and we will sit and discuss every minor point, however overall it's been a success. So I'm prepared to over look to individual queries, and look long term. Right now, we are showing that we have absolutely nothing to worry about in this division. Nobody should worry us.

[champs95]

That's a tough one Auks. With our own young players. I can't really say. Me personally, I want to see Butterworth come through. He's a great young player. So we spend all this money, on another 19 year old, what then? It's impossible to say either way. Me, I want our young lad. But that's me.

To balance it, we have players in our 1'st team who have come through. And are playing in league football to gain experience. Do we stick with just our own players? How many do we bring through? Venkys (in the summer) spent nearly £2m on redeveloping Brockhall. That's a big investment into our club, because TM asked for it. So he must believe in it? I don't know what the right or wrong answer is?
What I do know, is we clearly want to make a statement to the league. That we mean business. I don't think this will be the end of spending if he does come in.

[AucklandRover]

On the negativity point, I think Mowbray HAS silenced most of it. There are only about four or five nay-sayers on the Telegraph site now. I don't look at the BRFC forum. You'll know better than me what the word is with those who go to games.
I get the feeling most of the reactions are favourable, though - especially with away supporters.
I AM a bit concerned with the way some fans have turned on Smallwood. We always knew his limitations, but I think it's too early to write him off. As far as the groaners are concerned, he seems - ironically - to have swapped places with Evans!
All the same, I'd prefer Travis not to go out on loan, because I assume he is still ahead of Davenport in TM's mind.
On a related topic, in the games where Rothwell starts, do you think Bennett will play as well? That's when it becomes problematic. Bennett can be quite free with both Evans and Smallwood sitting in, but that changes a bit with an attacking central midfielder on the pitch - especially if we want to include Graham, Armstrong, Dack and Palmer as well.
I imagine we WILL see Evans and Rothwell against Reading, which makes the other choices quite intriguing - especially if Dack has recovered.
Do you reckon Graham as a half-hour sub might become a regular pattern in the away games?
Thinking about Reading again, I suppose it would be reckless to put out this team:
Raya
Nyambe Lenihan Mulgrew Bell
Evans Rothwell
Bennett Dack Armstrong
Graham.

Great attacking potential, though!

[champs95]

On the negativity point, I think Mowbray HAS silenced most of it. There are only about four or five nay-sayers on the Telegraph site now. I don't look at the BRFC forum. You'll know better than me what the word is with those who go to games.
I get the feeling most of the reactions are favourable, though - especially with away supporters.
I AM a bit concerned with the way some fans have turned on Smallwood. We always knew his limitations, but I think it's too early to write him off. As far as the groaners are concerned, he seems - ironically - to have swapped places with Evans!
All the same, I'd prefer Travis not to go out on loan, because I assume he is still ahead of Davenport in TM's mind.
On a related topic, in the games where Rothwell starts, do you think Bennett will play as well? That's when it becomes problematic. Bennett can be quite free with both Evans and Smallwood sitting in, but that changes a bit with an attacking central midfielder on the pitch - especially if we want to include Graham, Armstrong, Dack and Palmer as well.
I imagine we WILL see Evans and Rothwell against Reading, which makes the other choices quite intriguing - especially if Dack has recovered.
Do you reckon Graham as a half-hour sub might become a regular pattern in the away games?
Thinking about Reading again, I suppose it would be reckless to put out this team:
Raya
Nyambe Lenihan Mulgrew Bell
Evans Rothwell
Bennett Dack Armstrong
Graham.

Great attacking potential, though!

No way will Travis go out. Bennett most definitely plays!! He is pushing on and more than doing his bit. Anyone displacing him based on form would have to really be doing something special.
Smallwood right now is crucial. Long term, I'm not sure. I will never agree with picking on players. Not on.
I do think Graham is very much more the last 30 mins of games player moving forward. I think he wants lots of options. Which I accept comes with it's dangers. And over complications. A winger (which I'm in agreement with you about) gives us another option.

Even after today's success, I think the team will be different vrs Reading. Then gain vrs Brentford. Just not the core. That won't change.

[AucklandRover]

I've just been reading the Telegraph article on this.
It sounds as if Travis is desperate for first-team football, and would rather go out on loan to guarantee this, rather than just get the odd appearance.

[champs95]

I've just been reading the Telegraph article on this.
It sounds as if Travis is desperate for first-team football, and would rather go out on loan to guarantee this, rather than just get the odd appearance.

I would be so annoyed if he goes out. If anything, let Smallwood go and just have Travis. He's ready, he's class. And needs games. He's too good for Div1. And moaning him to a Champ club would make no sense. I can see why the lad would want to go and play. I just think we are losing out. He's better than Smallwood.

[champs95]

Auks, I've been having a think about this.
I don't think Travis will go out. If you notice, he played Tues. And is featuring in games now. He is very much more of the first team. While he's a real prospect. Let's try see it from TM's pov.
He played him the other night. He did very well. He gave their goal away. I've seen most of Smallwoods games since he came to Ewood live. Not once has he cost us a goal. And it's Smallwood position he is vying for. Not Evans. For me he is our most important player. And the reason we aren't conceeding goals.
Smallwood ultimately will lose his place, as the pace is just too fast for him. Yesterday, while playing well, it also passed him by. I thought the same last week. But the guy simply won't let us down. Travis is still very raw. Good, but raw. Sent off last season, cost us a goal the other night. Now, he needs to play more, to stop making those mistakes. But he isn't a starter yet. Next season, he will first name on the team sheet. It's all about good management. When to play these lads.


And still worth remembering this. On the pitch at the end of the Millwall game we had Raya, Nyambe, Travis, Lenihan all from our own academy on the pitch. All as good as anyone in this league. How many other clubs have so many home grown players in their first team? Doing as well as we are.

I just find that is barley mentioned, when discussing these things. We aren't exactly holding players back.

The reason I firmly believe we are going to sign Brereton is Mowbray thinks he's easily a £25m striker we are getting for a bargin at only £9m and 19. Imagine our forward line? And options? Mouth-watering is the word!!!

[robinrover]

I have a feeling Travis might start against reading.
He will need to grasp his chance especially with Davenport returning soon and Smallwood still in the picture.

[AucklandRover]

I have a feeling Travis might start against reading.
He will need to grasp his chance especially with Davenport returning soon and Smallwood still in the picture.

Robin - this does look like a reasonable opportunity to try that. I'm sure we will be on the front foot in this game. One thing TM wil have been hammering home is: no repeat of that first half-hour against Millwall.
If Travis does start, though, it will be hard to fit Rothwell in, because Evans looks a certainty. So I reckon it will be one or the other with Smallwood and Palmer on the bench. Some posters elsewhere are suggesting two of the front three might be rested, but I can't see this myself as TM will surely want to take advantage of the hot streak. Let's hope Dack has recovered. My guess:
Raya
Nyambe Lenihan Mulgrew Bell
Bennett Rothwell Evans
Dack Armstrong
Graham.

On the other hand, I have rarely been able to second-guess TM correctly, so don't hold your breath!

[champs95]

I still maintain that Mowbray must really rate this lad.
As he is actually putting himself under a massive amount of pressure by going in this high for a young lad.
Does anything about Mowbray suggest he is a huge risk taker?
The story goes, Venkys have approached him recently saying they have just announced record profits for the group. They have a surplus of millions literally lying around wanting and waiting to be spent.
Waggott and Mowbray are very reluctant to spend all this at once. It puts us under huge pressure (like Forest or Derby) and also risks FFP fines.
But we do have a much bigger budget than anyone realises.

Mowbray is risking everything he has built thus far, with this transfer.
If it goes tits up, Venkys (who trust him 100%) may not trust him again.
Fans would really start to question him.
And he knows his stock has never been this high.
He is aware what a popular guy he is, and how important to us he has become.
And he knows he has done a wonderful job.

I just keep banging on about this, as I feel strongly about it.

Auks you said to AR that, Bererton is much more of a gamble than Gallagher.
Brererton scored more goals in the Champ than Gallagher last season.