Backed us to win. Why do I do this to myself?

Brereton and Tosin close to being back for the weekend. Going to be some unhappy campers left out of the squad completely..

It is a bit mad that we spend £6 million on a striker, give him a season to settle in and still think 4 goals is optimistic for a full season.

I reckon Graham still has 10 in him, particularly as he takes the penos now. But ya, we are going to need more forwards and midfielders chipping in for sure

I think the below expected goals is reasonable enough, but the reality is that only brings us to 67 goals. 4 more than last season, but still less than any team who got into the top 6 last season. We could really do with someone stepping up and getting close to 20, or more than 1 midfielder getting to double figures. Williams-3 Lenihan-3 Bennett-1 Cunningham-1 Travis-2 Johnson-4 Downing-7 Dack-12 Armstrong-8 Rothwell-6 Graham-10 Gallagher-6 Brereton-4

Gallagher got 12 goals here the last time. If he does the same, I would be happy.

Graham would hold his own up against those two, but i just wonder would Armstrong with Downing, Dack and Rothwell off him scare those two big lumps a bit more. If we are planning on playing long, it has to be Graham. If we do it and play Gallagher he will get owned, even though he is bigger than Graham. Our other strikers just don't have the same cuteness of the dark arts of solo center forward play that Graham has.

No, certainly not. It's great to see. I still think we could do with another body for CB though, just in case...

As a current one, I would agree!

Ya, that's because if anyone said that they would have been rounded on by the mob!

I think you have him left back there with Cunningham right As for your question, it doesn't matter if he is better than Bennett, he shouldn't be right -back.

Watched the game last night Stoke were awful, the change to 3 at the back at half-time just led to more confusion. I would be surprised if the manager sees December. Was an odd appointment to start with. Of their players only Joe Allen and Mclean looked to be actually trying. That Lyndsey guy that many on here were clamoring for us to sign looked way out of his depth, a poor mans Derrick Williams Preston are a solid team. They work really hard, without having any standout players. I like the little Johnson lad with the dreads. Lightweight, but constantly buzzing around. I reckon we could beat either of them on our day though. Our midfield V Prestons midfield will be some scrap. Game could be won or lost there. I think Travis and Johnson will have the beating of most to be honest

Exactly...

Ya, have to agree there. He was a great player for us, so exciting. Just here at the wrong time. Imagine him in Hughes team....

Just had a realisation this morning Lenihan Williams Johnson Travis > Lenihan Mulgrew Smallwood Evans Those 4 positions are crucial and we are so much better there this season

Different ages, different opportunities to play. I would go off training.

Reading that Rodwell is about to sign for Panathinaikos

No, I meant if any team loses both their first choice centre halves, they will struggle.

At this moment in time give me Gallagher any day over Chapman on the wing. Chapman needs a few games off the bench to let us see has he still got it. I would be concerned that all these injuries have caught up with him physically and mentally. Gallagher is effectivee there, but ya hopefully himself and Brereton get amongst the goals soon. I hope one starts upfront Saturday.

I think plenty of pundits and sports media in general are disrespectful to Rovers. The 2 guys doing commentary last night were really good though. Does anyone know who they were?

Possible alright. I hope not though, cos it exposes Williams weaknesses and I like when he is playing with confidence at CB. Maybe now is the time for 3 at the back with wing-backs....

I reckon 10. Win Saturday, draw against WBA

I can't see Tosin starting left-back with both Bell and Hart available

I thought this thread had been started, but I can't find it. Apologies if I missed it Nice game to have to test where we are at. A win here and things will be looking bright. I still have concerns about our strength in depth in some areas, but I think we have a better 11-14 than last season. Huge pity Cunningham can't play, I was getting used to us having a 75% Irish backline A few dilemmas for Mowbray now, the left back position one, but the the main one being does he start Graham. Any word on what Breretons injury is? I would go with the following. I just think Bell is so shot in confidence and ultimately ineffective , that I would chance Hart. If the Cunningham signing has in any way kicked Bell up the arse, then maybe him, but I would have big doubts. The issue I am beginning to find most perplexing, even in light of improved performances is Armstrong over Rothwell. I don't know if we can hope Johnson and Downing will play every game, but it's pretty clear that the two of them are quality that we have lacked for a good few years, arguably since we went down. Walton Bennett Lenihan Williams Hart Travis Johnson Rothwell Dack Downing Gallagher As for Cardiff. Neil Warnock manages them, they signed Flint. I think we all know what we can expect from them. Will be a scrap.

They had just prepared for a Hull win and couldn't go too far off script when we did. A bit amateur.