I just think they have the quick technical players who we just won't be able to cope with like Fulham. Im expecting us to struggle to beat their press and make mistakes that let them score. We'll see.

Gallagher been quite decent this season.

Reckon the 3412 suits Gallagher (and Diaz) much better than the 433 or 4231 as they can get closer to each other, as the width is provided by the wing backs. I think Gallagher will do pretty well in the system when he gets fit again. Having Diaz, Gallagher, Dolan and Khadra for those two striking roles looks pretty good tbh. When Dack is back we will be able to share the in the hole role between him and Buckley too. I'm really liking how things are shaping up. Feels much more like square pegs. Fully expecting Bournemouth to turn us over but confident we can get back on track after that.

For me the hugely improved defence is a few things ; 1) Committing to 343 which is the most defensively robust tactical setup imo 2) Pickering and Wharton making the left very secure when it's always being weak. Both have been excellent. 3) Travis now being fully fit, and Rothwells work rate much improved giving a solid midfield shield 4) Paying a much deeper counter attacking rather than possession game, so we are much less vulnerable on the break. 5) Having 4 good players who can play CB on the floor and in the air so if someone's out with suspension/injury another one can slot in. (I suspect Carter would do okay too).

Defence is absolutely sensational imo, good in the air, good on the deck. It was superb throughout the match. Pears had absolutely nothing to do. Attacking wise offensively we were shocking first half. Second half better and scored a good goal and probs should have had another on the break. I look across the XI and everyone is quality at this level. Buckley despite the conditions had some great moments on the ball, Khadra and Brereton were superb with the goal. Rothwell broke through with his runs. It wasn't an attractive game, very attritional. But Rovers had obviously the better defence and the better attack. We were quite fortunate with the penalty shout it has to be said though. Also have to say Pickering is the real deal. What's different this year is the defence is good enough to get results regularly no matter how the rest of the team plays.

Let's see how it goes...

Lenihan is pretty quick and Wharton not slow. For Championship level they are both decent on the ball. I think they suit 343 very well.

I dispute that tbh. I think the three we have are well suited to it. Both Wharton and Lenihan have distributed reasonably well and got forward. Ayala just wins everything in the air and keeps it simple. They haven't had any problem beating the opposition press. Also Pickering does seem very well suited to left wing back. Good delivery, good engine. We've probably got the most complete XI we've had since relegation with the one weak area of right wing back getting forward Previous seasons oppo could do simple things like target left back, or Williams in the air, or press our back four with a 343. For Preston today it's hard for them to pick out a winning strategy imo. We've got three really good headers at the back who also cover the channels well, good shielding from the middle four, and genuine pace on the transition.

Rayas incredibly mobile and commanding though. Pears is very hesitant.

A reasonable forecast would be that Bournemouth will beat us. We should beat Hull, Barnsley, Preston. Huddersfield and Birmingham up in the air. Say draws each.. So 11 pts...

Looking forward to this one, I'm going with a mate. First time since moving up north. Would love Ayala and Kaminski be back. And if we are sticking with 3412 (and it has been working well) I would like to see JRC get some time at right wing back. We really should win this one if everyone's fit, we look much defensively better. Lenihan, Ayala, Wharton across the back line is a really tough setup for set pieces, and pretty solid on the floor too. Hard to get much change put of them as we have shown recently. If Ayala's out I think Van Hecke will do okay. Losing Kaminski will be a massive blow though. Pears seems a really poor keeper to me.

Lenihan is an absolute top player for us, always has been. I've been surprised that we've been able to hold onto him okay. He's only ever really attracted premier league interest from Sheff Utd a couple of years back. He's good in the air, committed, physical, reasonably quick, leads, can get forward, chips in with goals. Only real major concern is his positioning where he gets caught out pretty often. But at our level I think we can live with it, and that's probably why he's still in the Championship.

I don't know of course but I'm pretty sure if we were doubling their wages they would have signed by now. I cant see anyone not taking double when you have risk of injuries. My impression is whatever they are on we are only offering modest improvements.

I'm hoping if we sustain this run through December a combination of the players feeling inclined to stay and Venkys being inclined to spend will see all the key players sign. Wishful thinking maybe, but we'll see.

To be fair to Mowbray he bought Kaminski, Pickering and Brereton out of that lot. He also brought in Khadra who scored yesterday, stuck with Brereton and Buckley when they were getting a lot of criticism, brought in Van Hecke. And he's run the training sessions. There's not really much grounds to say we are winning despite Mowbray at all. If he gets the stick when he loses let's not withold the credit when we win. It's not logical or fair imo.

Mowbray gets a lot of abuse, but no one could say Buckley, Rothwell, Brereton and Dolans natural game is to press. He's done a very good job in terms of turning them into players who are always looking to close down the opposition.

Given just how good the players coming out of the academy are I am really excited to see Garrett. People were raving about him the way they were about Buckley if I recall correctly? Anyone who watches the under 23s got an update on how he's getting along?

The big difference between our run at the moment and previous runs is the defence actually looks very good. We've never had a good defence under Mowbray before - we've always had obvious weak points. But now (the Fulham debacle aside) we must have one of the best defences in the league.

Yes it was a sensational defensive performance. The back three were brilliant, as were the holding midfielders. Going forward we opened them up frequently but failed over and over again with the final ball or finish. Goal was a relatively lucky pot shot Buckley was truly brilliant. Reckon he's got a couple more gears to go through too. Got the brutal Christmas schedule to come. But the hope continues to grow!

Alternatively Davenport on for Nyambe, move Buckley right wing back and play Rothwell in the hole. With Rothwell though I always feel he's at his best picking up the ball around the centre circle. In the hole doesn't really work for him. Feels the sort of game where Dack would make a big difference.

Weve looked much the better side without really looking like scoring. Spare man is often Nyambe but he's lacking the quality delivery. Moving Buckley right wing back and bringing Dolan on makes a lot of sense to me. Rothwell, Wharton, Brereton all looked decent. Stoke been limited to a few long range crosses.

Everyone bangs on about how premierleague football has made England suffer because of all the foreign imports, but Ireland and Scotland have suffered more imo. Used it have dozens of Scots and Irish in the top English division - often the best players (Keane, Giles, Dalgleish, Souness) etc. Now it's very very hard to get a look in. Still some but a fraction of what it used to be.

Does she know her old man's forum handle is "Inta Beaver"? It's an awkward setup. "Excuse me, is your dad Inta Beaver?" 🤣

Yes for me Johnson is better in the air and stronger. I like Van Hecke whose a mobile defender, but I think with Lenihan and Wharton either side Johnson suits that middle role.

Team for me (lets matchup 3 at the back) : -------------Kaminski -----Lenihan---Johnson----Wharton Nyambe----Travis----Rothwell-----Pickering -----------------Buckley -----------Dolan--------BBD Wrote it out and it's the same team that finished against Peterborough. A fully fit Ayala and JRC in that team would be very formidable I think. JRC has got his detractors but his delivery is excellent and he has a great engine to get up and down the right when he's not injured. Having someone who can cross in that role will make a big difference. Ayala is one of the best defenders in the Championship of the last 10 years.