Agreed. It’s far more entertaining for me to just try and point our how everyone else is always criminally wrong.

I reckon our net spend in other positions is just as bad or even worse.

I know what you are saying but how many players do we need??? How ,any can you keep around motivated if they aren’t even in the 18?

Well he’s certainly the next one I’d like out the door. LB is far more of a priority than centre half this window or next.

I genuinely lolled. I certainly understand the argument, but as far as defensive cover goes - this weekend we could conceivably have a bench containing Mulgrew, Nyambe and Williams. That’s a decent standard at this level. And probably a bit too defensive for me having 4 out of 7 being defenders and a goalkeeper! I think we are ok for now, and I would prefer to get the journeymen that are going to get 2 games a season out of the way to allow youth a route through into the match day squads.

Settle down mate I was laughing at him pointing out my own belligerence. I thought the consensus was that we are a lot better in defence now if Rodwell is half the player he’s looking, and the uproar at sending out our fifth choice is a bit confusing. It’s a team game and I find it incredibly hard to pin our defensive hiccups on Mulgrew and Lenihan - two of our consistently best players. This is all conjecture on a player we haven’t seen play, and the manager seemingly rates him to be fifth choice. Maybe he hasn’t been loaned out like the others because he’s ready to contribute? (Mind blown emoji) Nyambe is ok at centre half anyway... so make that 6th choice. I wish I’d made some badges for the Paul Downing fan club!

You might be. I’d say that they’re obviously up there for a reason, and there are still 51 points to play for.

He also made it plain that if we found ourselves in the unenviable position where we need a 5th choice, he would like to promote a youth player like Magloire. Maybe he is better than Downing?

I’m saying that at this level, it is tough to get better centre halves. A change of mentality, the emergence of Travis, and a better plan B when Graham goes off has contributed more to our better defensive performances lately, I don’t lay the blame at central defence - we can’t just keep stocking the squad in case of freak sickness bugs that wipes 4 of them out a la Newcastle. If Mulgrew can’t get in the team, we have a central defence that most teams would take.

Big Charlie probably can’t get back in the team at the moment and people are getting pissed off at our 5th choice centre half leaving. Anyone got any recommendations for players they would like to sign to replace Lenihan, Rodwell and Mulgrew? Or someone better than Williams that would be happy with being 4th choice? Probably the same people who say TM never places faith in youth - well he has talked about Magloire a lot recently, and potentially rates him as a decent 5th choice in place of Downing. I’m the only one that ever seemed to rate Downing anyway! 5th choice! Rodwell has been like signing a new CH and I just don’t see us getting better Championship defenders than those 3 for a good while. Absolutely everything that comes out of the club has some of you pissing your pants ready to get mad. Relax! We’re doing well!

Really stretching for criticism to condemn Mulgrew and Lenihan as “just converted midfielders” having played 99% of the time at centre half for us.

I think Paul Downing would be touched to see that his departure has shattered the recent relative calm and positivity that was on here after our excellent run of results and performances this season. If you love someone lads, let them know!

We only lost two games he started. Good defender.

Under the cosh https://podtail.com/en/podcast/undr-the-cosh/

I don’t know, he’s good for 4th choice, Mr. Reliable. The problem is are we going to be able to sign someone better for that spot - the reason he is leaving is because he wants and deserves more game time and that would be the same for anyone better coming in.

It’s good entertainment that when I’ve listened, I believe Dunny is on this week so should be lots of Rovers chat. Astonished to learn that Browny has only just turned 34.

Shame if we lose Downing for me. I rate him, has always done well, heads everything. No way should Williams be above him in the pecking order. edit- Well bugger. Thanks Paul, criminally underrated and pivotal to us going up last season during the unbeaten run. Best of luck.

They do get a 5% discount on season tickets mind. Prices of which have yet to be released and are already the most expensive in the league. i'm preparing my "20's Plenty" banner for the game at theirs.

There was more pressure last year and we got through that. The mental side of things with this squad isn't in question for me. Ability though - let's see.

In other news, Sheffield Wednesday are asking supporters to buy up to 5 years of PL season tickets upfront on the off chance they get promoted one day. Massive cash flow issues at Hillsborough and their owner is bananas. https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2019/january/owls-revel-new-strand-of-club-1867/

Now we're talking. We need defensive/LB cover but I think we'd thrive like this.

Ah on loan. I’d take that! Poor Rafa never getting the funds eh? Signing players he doesn’t rate. Sounds like Mourinho with the decimal point moved.

And 18 months ago he went to Newcastle for 12 million pounds plus. Does anyone really think they’d take substantially less now?

He’s one of the slowest players in the squad, if not the slowest. I know people say “a defensive fullback” is different but I reckon if you put him up against any half decent forward/wide player down the flank he’d be rinsed. We’d have to sit so far back to accommodate him that we’d get overrun. I just can’t see it being a good idea, but if we try it let’s hope he proves me wrong.

It’s just very flexible, if we get the 3 right we can go more 3-4-3 if we’re going after people (Armstrong up top too), or pack the midfield more as yours suggests. It’s tough to play against. Wouldnt be surprised if the season gets away from us a little then we start working on it again.