I liked the look of Walton when we played Wigan in L1. Definitely looked more formidable. The negative is that we don’t own him, so we’ve kicked the problem down the road. This isn’t sustainable because eventually it will catch up with you when there’s no young players to cash in on. Definitely a desperation move, rather than being planned.

We’ll see, but I wouldn’t bet on him starting until September at the earliest.

In the LT Mowbray saying that Johnson "has some size about him" and that he needs to get him fit enough to play. I'm reading that as he won't be starting games any time soon. With the lack of a pre-season both Downing and Gallager will be in that category too. Why do we always seem to sign players that aren't fit enough to play (according to Mowbray)?

Probably the best thing for him. As it stands, Mowbray has Evans, Johnson, Travis, Smallwood, Downing, Davenport and probably Bennett ahead of giving him a start at CM.

What is the Martinez deal?

I think what has happened is that Waggott and Mowbray were banking on selling Dack for £10m-£15m this summer, which would mean we could change the shape of the team and have money to spend. It hasn't happened, so we've no money and half the players don't fit into the current system. I actually think that Rothwell will be the player this year to build the team around if he's given the game time.

Out of Eastwood and Walton, who would be no.1?

Exactly what I was thinking. You can’t plead poverty stood in front of £12million sat on the bench. I doubt BB/SG will get 15 starts between them this season unless Graham gets injured.

Also, if Mowbray isn't going to play Nyambe, why not sell him and put the money towards a replacement?

If we sign the City lad on loan there's no point getting excited because Mowbray blatantly won't play him and he'll be recalled by Christmas.

What formation did we play?

9/11 league one players starting 2 years later. Hopefully see Butterworth and Rothwell come on.

I'm more worried about the defence, a keeper can slot in last minute. We've got no new defenders. Mowbray himself even admitted the defence aren't good enough, yet it will be same old names against Charlton.

Don't forget Gallagher!

Hopefully someone will ask Mowbray why these deals are taking so long. If it's every player we're trying to sign then it can't just be other clubs' fault. I'm convinced that the Canadian will start Vs Charlton.

It looks better on the player photos than the club shop pictures. I’m coming round to it. It looks like it has been designed for rovers, which is a positive. The kit launch was a bit bungled given it was already on the online shop. We’ll be using a third kit a lot because it’s not that different to the home shirt with lots of white.

Even thought we've got more midfielders than season ticket holders... i'd still be tempted to get Charlie Adam on a short term deal. Stoke fans seem to rate him, and if we're going to be playing 4-3-3 he could be a good option, we're not blessed with a lot of creative midfielders or goals from midfield.

Therein lies the problem

If we're starting games 4-4-2 with 2 wingers that aren't proper wingers then Mowbray is rightly going to get criticised if it doesn't work. Time will tell.

If it is 4-4-2 then we'd better start signing some wingers pretty quickly. There's only Chapman (untested in the Championship and injury prone) and Downing (35) as proper wingers at the club.

So like: DM-CM-DM CF-CF-CF could work with: Johnson-Dack-Travis Armstrong-Graham- Rothwell Not sure that’s much different to what we play now!

Genuine question- I don’t watch them play, so could someone explain how Liverpool’s system works? Seems like Mowbray is try to copy it.

Is Johnson going to be fit for Charlton? There's usually the customary 6 month run in by Mowbray for new signings.

Let's not forget we already are down 1 senior center half with Downing out the door. So I think we need 2 CBs and a left back. Bennett has struggled most games at RB. Nyambe-Lenihan-NewCB-NewLB If the new players are good enough, that's a realistic way of improving the defence. If we're going 3 at the back then God help us. Strikes me of just hoping that more defenders on the pitch = better defence.

Point still stands that if Bennett and Bell are full backs, our defence will be one of the poorest in the league no matter who is at CB or in goal.