Hadde vært et slags åpent forum med Tony Mowbray i går kveld, her er noen "høydepunkter" fra en fyr som hadde vært der :
"Been interesting listening to Mowbray so far.
Acknowledged his loyalty to current players may be a bit of a weakness. Wanted to give the the promoted side a go but admitted they are starting to 'feel the quality' of this league. Mentioned again, that players will be replaced and quality added.
Talked about Brereton. His signing. On the back of him playing against his side a couple of years ago and having a stormer. Also said he's not blind and acknowledged he's been poor, weak on the ball etc. Asked to give him time as he genuinely believes he will come good ...
Talked about wanting to sign 3 or 4 players to go straight in to the first team. Also interesting that he mentioned the lack of leaders on the pitch.
Mentioned scouting Germany, and other European teams but kept coming back to Bundesliga...sounded like we were looking at the best players from Bundesliga 2.
Also said summer window and maybe, if needed, Jan window to make us top 6 competitive....but hopefully it would be done in summer.
Talked hypothetically about selling Dack and investing in 4 or 5 players as this is what they did at WBA. Didn't say that would definitely happen and hoped the owners would support.
Mentioned nobody meeting their standards with budget available in Jan so didn't buy for sake of it. Hopes that by not wasting money if he 'asks for £10mil for a player', owners will trust him and say yes.
Guy asked why we play converted midfielders as CB. When would we sign some proper centre halves. TM basically said watch this space. He talked about not having any big blood and thunder centre backs and they were looking at that. He likes Lennihan, admits that Mulgrew and Rodwell aren't great backs to the wall defenders but bring other attributes. Sounds like he will play Mulgrew against teams that sit back. Another big lad for the more direct teams. -ideally. Also indicated he thinks we are a bit weak mentally.
Keeps saying that he will have to make some tough decisions about this core group. Admits they won't get us up as it stands. Better players will arrive in summer. Targeting 25-28 year olds 'men' to go straight in.
Definitely looking at a forward. Big, physical and fast (and they are all expensive)
As expected - very honest guy.
Also mentioned that Brereton will get some games with the 23s when the time is right. Aware of lack of confidence.
Also talked a about Rothwell. He was going to start against Boro before wife went in hospital. Time will come soon. TM felt that he was weak positionally at first. As he was one of the best players at Oxford he used to roam the pitch. Came with that mentality so would get caught out of position when losing the ball. Wants players to be responsible for their area of the pitch. "