Why on every single match thread do people suggest formations that we have never played? Is it not a bit of a waste of time?

I wonder who the most athletic is? I bet it's Evans , even though my first thought was Lenihan, Bennett or Nyambe

Mersons a good, easy read. Mcgraths is good, if harrowing. My favorite though was Robin Fridays, the greatest footballer you never saw. What a book. I got half way through and then lost it somewhere, so reordered it to finish it. Next favorite then is Eamonn Dunphys. it is very well written. Although I think he toned down his antics a lot for the book.

I read the section on Rovers in Easons one day. Sorry Graham! He spoke in very high terms of the club and in particular John Williams, although he said he used to annoy him constantly turning p at training asking questions. He said he shouldn't have left to go to Newcastle. It sounds like Rovers was the last job he enjoyed in management

Raya- No Nyambe, Mulgrew , Lenihan-No Bell/Williams-No Evans-No Reed-No Smallwood-Maybe Bennett-no Dack-No Armstrong-maybe Rothwell-time will tell, but I think no Palmer-No Graham-No Most of our players are not league 1 players, hence why we aren't there anymore. Plus we have improved the squad since then

We absolutely have to get at them early, intensity levels 110%. If we sit back and invite them on, their confidence will grow, fans will get riled up and we all know how that will end for us. They have a very good squad for this level. I feel Rowett was an appointment I personally wouldn't have went with. Mick MCarthy was available and I would have went for the experience route personally. I understand long term if Rowett does well, it may be a better appointment, but if they keep struggling, he won't see Christmas and then they could very easily be caught in the cycle we have been caught in. In my opinion, glamorous or not, MCarthy would be more likely to get them up.

I can definitely see us getting at least a draw. What concerns me is that we lost 4-1 away to Bristol and 4-1 wouldn't have flattered Derby(going off the highlights anyway) , so we need to up our game big time. Injection of energy needed IMO. I agree with Chaddys team, although I find the call between Smallwood and Evans very difficult. We will need a gritty display, so would give Smallwood the nod as well, just about. Raya Nyambe Lenihan Mulgrew Bell Smallwood Reed Bennett Dack Rothwell Brereton

We don't have "pretty much a league 1 squad"

My problem is when fans slate players without constructive reasoning. So I'm not sure what you're disagreeing with me about

It's not about judging a player. It's about judging a signing without offering an alternative. If you think we shouldn't have signed X player, then say why and who would you have preferred we sign. Otherwise it just comes accross as baseless moaning! Let's say Brereton. Leave his performance or whatever aside. If someone goes we shouldn't have signed him, we could have gotten a more proven championship player. Well then tell us who this proven championship player is, because I can't think of any we could have signed for the same money.

Well, I did have around 5 pints onboard by the time he was introduced

That's one example. You could name many more where fans slated them and they turned out good. You would only need to go back as far as last season. It's similar to fans saying "we shouldn't have signed so and so" without offering an alternative within our price range we could have signed. It's easier to be critical you see. Involves less effort. Yep, let's leave it at that

Well anyone who I have read praising him have usually given examples and have seen more of him(for Forrest), whereas those who are being critical generally haven't given reasons why beyond the the 30 min against Villa, if even that.

Does anyone have aerial photos of the first team training center? How far is it from Ewood? Do the youngsters train nearby or in the same place? I see Liverpool are spending £50 million redeveloping theirs to have them training together. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/11503019/jurgen-klopp-delighted-by-big-statement-as-liverpool-begin-redevelopment-of-training-facilities They are selling Melwood for housing, so I am sure that will raise a fair whack of the overall outlay. When I see pics of the Rovers set up, it looks really good. Where are we at though in comparison to other Championship clubs? I have heard and seen it written many times that we have a "Premier league quality" training center.

Mulgrew is back for Saturday anyway, which is great news. Hopefully we sneak a win. We have a favorable enough run of games after this weekend up until the Leeds game.

I think so and I reckon Mowbray had a word in his ear also. This is what I need you to do. Do it well and you're in my team

Now after giving out, I better do some work myself. I will do the Leeds game

I think the match threads for Saturday games should be up by Thursday morning at the latest. Thursday night only gives us one day to bicker prior to the game

I think the season in League 1 has rejuvenated Graham, either that or playing under Mowbray. The nudges, the rolling around defenders to get in front of them, using his body(usually arse) to hold defenders off. He actually has it down to an art form. He wasn't as good at it when we were last in the Championship. He never gives center halves an easy game, competes for everything. They know he isn't the quickest, but yet he still manages to win a savage amount of ball that is played into him. I would say a young center half who relies on pace is like "how does this guy keep getting the f**** ball!" If he was 22, how much would he be worth now? I suppose what he does comes with experience and the need to change his game due to slowing down. Anyway, fair play to him because he has managed to adapt his game and make himself indispensable to our team.

You're on fire with the sensible talk today!

Every signing is a gamble. Who could we sign that does what Graham does? We are all in agreement what he does is crucial. Mowbray took the route of signing a young lad, who will hopefully grow into the role. You clearly know about football, as do I, yet we can't think of someone we could have signed this summer who would go straight in and replace Graham(within our price range). It's not easy

True, but he's meant to be deadly

Ya, but you are saying too many risks were taken on young players, so I am just wondering who you would have went for. The "I am not the manager or a scout" line is easy to fire out without offering alternatives. Villa spent huge money on Kodija and Abraham (loan fee and wages) and I didn't see them doing much holding up against us! To be honest, I think we are a bit spoilt because we actually have one of the best players in the division at doing this in Graham.

I suppose we don't know how deals are structured apart from the number of years players sign for