Ya, but what would we have done in those 3 games if Downing wasn't here is the question. We have loan spaces. I don't see why we can't just loan a Premier league reserve centre half in, particularity as we have let Grayson leave on loan too. This could come back and bite us in the ass

Those comments are certainly worrying. The fact Downing has already played this season, suggests we needed him or another centre half.

8 days of the window left

Berbatov against us the time he scored 5. One of the goals he started in midfield. An under rated player. A genius.

I'm surprised Downing is gone just like that. Never let anyone down. Best of luck to him.

We have been linked with him a few times. Made up this time I would say

Sounds bonkers, but at the end of the day it is optional!

Not sure it's that simple. Shrewsbury absolutely collapsing in the last few games really helped us. We didn't take the chance to finish 1st. That didn't bother me though and still doesn't, I knew we were a better side than Wigan and would do better this year. If anything, I would say we have the ability, but as has been shown with the late goals conceded, we don't always deal well with pressure...

Ya, hopefully he is back soon. We need more competition for that left wing position

it would be funny if there was a message board from back then and we could see the comments. "Not sure about this Shearer guy.." "waste of money!"

Saturdays game will go a long way to telling us where we are at. A win and we are right in there, the next game will be telling then. Can we handle the pressure of breaking into the golden circle of the top 6? We could never handle it under Bowyer.

Ha ha ...Boglin....

I take your points. I just think if Mulgrew is up supporting the attack and we lose the ball, he wouldn't be quick enough to get back and defend agaisnt the opposition right winger all game. Whatever about Bell, he is pretty mobile. As a concession I will put Mulgrew ahead of Williams as a left back option

Man, you are only thinking about the defensive part. Full backs are expected to defend, but also offer support in attack. Playing Mulgrew there would be the ultimate square peg in a round hall. There is a reason why there are big lumbering centre halves, but not big lumbering full backs. Not saying Mulgrew is lumbering by the way.

Because you run more than full back than centre back. More likely to be isolated one on one and therefore turned by an attacker at full back too. I think Bell will do for now. In the summer I would look to move Williams on and get in another left back in.

Whatever your views on Williams and Bell, the modern full-back(the 2 lads included) cover a lot of ground up and down the field during a game, far more than a center half does. At 32 years old, with his injury record, Mulgrew should not be playing full-back. I think it's safe to say Mowbrays knows better than to put him there!

Good point Pretty sure Sheffield united play something like the above formation

It can of course work, but I think we can agree it hasn't for us yet? You need the 3 center halves to know their zone. Sometimes, even with 2 at the back one of our centre halves leaves it for the other. If we were to do it , I would have Mulgrew in the middle. Raya Lenihan Mulgrew Rodwell Nyambe Bell Evans Travis Reed Dack Graham I think I prefer 4-2-3-1 though

And what exactly has he done that rankles you so much?

As some fans are suggesting we should? Or the even more ludicrous suggestions that Mulgrew should play midfield or full back? And they very same fans question some of Mowbrays decisions!

Mowbray has pretty much said he won't. Plenty of club captains don't start every week

Eugh

Talented player. I thought he would be a revelation at this level to be honest

Because no 22 year old has ever improved *eyes to heaven"

He was on loan at Derry city in the league of Ireland last season and played 7 games for Maidstone this season. Whether he is back or not, that is the level he was playing at. Hopefully he gets over the injuries