Starting to think a replacement for Graham might not be what we need if we want to progress. Don't get me wrong, the lad has been absolutely brilliant this season, my player of the season without doubt BUT... If we are to progress as the manager wants us to and play a different brand of football then we're going to need someone a bit more mobile and versatile I think. Graham is great at what he does but it can make us a bit one dimensional. If we want to to play quicker, sharper more expansive football then we're going to need someone who can drag centre halves into positions they don't want to be in. Players like this who can finish aren't easy to find though.

Besides the goal, Trav has had a shocker... As has Bennett and Dack.

Having to do that just highlights a number of issues, poor positional sense, lack of organisation and no awareness. Mulgrew is exactly the same, people would give him loads of praise for tackles but it was his sheer lack of a defensive brain which got him into to hose positions.

Nuttall is cack.

People were just making the point that it's not everything.

I'd be quite comfortable going into next season with Lenihan and Del at centre half. Williams is a dogger full back but at centre half he looks a different player, mainly because he's not asked to do more than just defend. All I've wanted our defenders to do all season is win their individual battles and do the basics which he and Lenihan do. That said, if there was an obvious signing we could make that is simply better than him then I'd be all for it and we definatley need more depth there. Personally I see Bauer being our only defensive signing.

Shall we send him this?

If we want another older, wiser head centre forward as alternative to DG then we could do worse than Pitman at Pompey. Not always been first choice this season despite banging in an obscene amount of goals last season but has still managed 14 goals. His goal scoring record over the years has been very good. Scored with a tidy finish today too.

Very similar build, hair, running style. Be useful next season I think. Whoever heard of that rumour that we'd have to pay more for Chapman if he plays this season looks to be right on the money.

Bennett's passing has been awful since he came on.

Hard to say. Centre mid you have to hold your position a little more, Butterworth coming on in Dack's position is going to let him express himself more. Butterworth does look tasty though.

Butterworth looks very similar to Chapman.

Dissapointing free kick from Rothwell, not been at his usual best.

Would like to see a it more intensity here. Gone a bit flat.

Decent passing build up play, Rothwell through ball to Brereton, 1 on 1 with the keeper and hits it with the inside of his left foot across the keeper to nestle inside the right post.

This prick best delete this now.... Take a look at Has Brereton Scored? (@bigbenupdates): https://twitter.com/bigbenupdates?s=09

4

Its a back 4.

Big game for Rodwell today, this one could dictate if he's here or not next season. Be nice to see Butterworth and Buckley get 45 mins. 10 mins would be pointless, they're going to need a decent half of football to get on the ball and effect the game.

I'd love our twitter admin to wish them a safe trip back to Wigan.

I don't like that Bolton stir it up as rivalry, I prefer to take the high ground like they don't matter - which they don't. Sh#t club, in the middle of nowhere, should focus on Wigan.

Didn't want to jinx him in the game but Williams was top drawer at centre half today. Him and Lenihan just do the basics, win headers, stay tight to their men, aggressive in their play, more than that... They can also play a bit, though having a decent midfield in front of them definitely helps. Armstrong was class too, they couldn't live with him. As I said in a previous post on another thread, I think some fans have been harsh on him and I don't think the manager has used him wisely at times. I can remember spells in months gone by were everything just used to go down the left side of the pitch because Bennett or Reed didn't have the same speed as he possesses, it made us one dimensional, predictable and was also asking a lot of him to constantly be beating his man and creating chances. Now with Rothwell on the other side of the pitch and Armstrong on the right we have some really good balance, especially when Rothwell likes to naturally cut inside anyway (today's second goal). Keeper position has to be a priority to sort out and Bennett should not be playing ahead of Nyambe, especially as the season is over. It's really hurting the lad's development, that aside he's a better player and an actual right back. Good win, even if it was a bit meaningless but a missed opportunity to give crucial minutes to Butterworth, Davenport or Buckley IMV.

Rothwell on the build up there was brilliant. Crisp passing, switch of play, completely different team with him playing. Top quality player.

Didn't take our chances. Should've been 3 up in the first half.

Cheers pal