I suppose thinking about it if we are going 352 Fleck may not be expected to be that mobile. Adam Wharton didnt need to get around too much in the system, neither does Tronstad. The forwards and wing backs do all the running. So maybe injuries and age will be less of an issue.

Super strange signing for us. Feels like our DoF bought a player the manager didnt like. We try and play a high press with all our strikers closing down constantly for 90 mins. Ennis didnt seem physically or temperamentally suited to it.

I think the process was JDT didnt like Travis in the deeper 6 role so moved him, Travis kicked off about it so JDT dropped him entirely, so then Travis asked to leave. The root of the issue was JDT didnt rate Travis in his favoured position.

Could be a desperate last ditch signing after we couldn't get Adam loaned back.

Fleck looks a decent signing in terms of experience... But considering we binned off Travis for not technically being capable in the deeper midfield role I wonder if Fleck can hack it? That said looking at the signings I wonder if we are looking at a radically different more direct style in the second half of the season. Ayeri apart no real technical players - more physical.

My concern for Saturday is the massive turnover we have had in players due to sales and injuries.... Will be a weird one... Think the team could be Pears McFadz. Hyam. Wharton JRC. Ayeri. Tronstad. Chrisene Szmodics Dolan. Gallagher I think not having a decent lwb/lb option is going to hurt us unless Chrisene looks the business. A lot now resting on Ayeri to look the part and Tronstad to stay fit. Also with all the confusion and turmoil round the window, Adam Wharton going, not sure where the players and management morale will be.

Well I think Ayeri was signed to replace Travis. And Buckley coming back is to replace Wharton. So while a downgrade in quality in numbers its equivalent.

As far as I can guess though we don't really know till we see the players play - Strikers - probably improved. McGuire has a decent scoring record in the US which is a pretty good league these days. We can hope. -Defenders - maybe improved? The lad from Coventry has got rave reviews from all my Cov supporting mates as a true blood and thunder leader good at organising the defence. And also Connor O Riodan could be a good one. GK - No change Mid - Obviously not improved. Wharton was a great talent - lost him and Travis. Obviously a lot will ride on Ayeri being up to it, and Buckley when he gets back. I guess we could be looking at JRC into midfield with the Liverpool loanee into right wing back / right back. Feels vulnerable. All in all a lot of turnover of players... Not clear how they will land. Will be interesting to see what JDT and GB say. Venkys need to sell the club as the way its being run at the moment is farcical.

Its actually a good point - if hes on a pittance at Orlando as reported to suddenly be told he's getting loaned presumably on the same wage as compared to sold and on a new contract that may well make him consider his options.

If we are keeping Gallagher and now have McGuire, with Szmodics excelling up front thats leaves us sorted in striker roles. The 37 year old defender is a real bizarre one. Must be one of the oldest transfers for an outfield players ever at Championship level. I am assuming its just to provide experience till the end of the season. Looking the squad probably the priorities now would be 1. Keeper 2. Left attacking full back / wing back 3. Centre deep play maker midfielder The main concern is

To be fair he did Rovers a massive favour by signing that contract. Probably doubled the fee we would get. Hats off to you Adam. He could have Lenihan/Rothwell/Breretond us. That said anyone who thinks we could hold onto him once a premier league club paid serious interest is on another planet. If we went in for any player in league one would you expect them to turn it down? Of course not. We are, as someone said, in a food chain. Right now we are forced to let players go to Palace. One day - hopefully in the not too distant - Palace will need to sell us their players as we are in the division above. Its always been like that.

Its fair that as much as I thought Broughton was doing a good job six months ago hes obviously struggling at the moment. All the above four have gone poorly, on the fence with Moran, only Tronstad has worked out from last summer.

A bloke on my streets parents were on a day trip using the fabled bus last week. He showed me pictures of it. Sort of has a night club vibe, lots of purple neon.

If he does use 3 CBs its a big change after resisting doing it all the way up to WBA. I think he really doesn't want to do it, much prefers four at the back.

He's a great talent. Definitely will get more England caps that Dunn's one. But not sure if he will go further than other good talents who never quite fully broke through like Ross Barkley say or Jon Jo Shelvey... I know some will find that an offensive thing to say, but to get up and compete with the likes of Bellingham or Rice is a big step up. Main issue he has is whether he can mix it physically. Every Premier League team has elite 6ft+ strong pacy athletes in central midfield, it's one of the aspects of the game that has changed the most in the last 15 years. He's given away the ball quite frequently in dangerous central areas recently and that will ruthlessly punished. I think he'll do well and seem a good investment in the long run. But I wouldn't be surprised if he struggles initially.

If Wharton goes then the money should go on a top class striker. I wonder if we are tracking any? I wouldnt be too worried about trying to get a like for like replacement for Wharton. The issue is more who leads the line and a good keeper.

Yes, Palace is a good move for him if he backs himself. Straight into the team. Anyone else in for him (Spurs, Chelsea etc) have massive squads with players they paid £50M+ for in his position. He could never see the light of day. If I was him I think I'd prefer Palace. If he performs will move on again on a couple of years for the mega money.

If we play 352 id really hesitate to move Szmodics back. He needs to be up top for me. Hes a top top striker in a two.

McGuire is 6 ft 1 and pretty powerful. From his videos (always dangerous) does seem though more of a player who likes to run facing goal than a back to goal player though, not sure be can really be described as a target man. Anyone got a view on the type of player he is from watching him? Target men are a rare breed. Gestede was a superb one, and Danny Graham although he wasnt huge (6ft) or particularly good in the air was great at using his strength and positioning back to goal. Thats probably it in the last 15 years at Rovers. Most coaches these days are happy to sacrifice ability in the air for someone powerful and mobile. Gallagher and Brereton being two obvious examples from our recent history. I get the impression JDT is of much the same thinking.

Im hoping irrespective of outgoings that Nat Phillips (loan) and McGuire (buy) are planned to happen. If we get them both in terms of bodies and positions that is a good window (2 CB, 1 LB, 1 CM, 1 CF) though none of them are proven except Phillips so we are hoping they show immediate impact, particularly McGuire, rather than expecting it.

Don't think Newcastle are realistic bidders given their own FFP troubles. They need to sell key players themselves so I doubt they will be spending £20M on a teenager

Its more of a plan B thing than something we should use every week. Personally I think JRC does the role very well, and I would be happy to use him there against weaker opposition in the Championship - particularly if we are struggling and need to change something in the second half which is our real Achilles heel. It changes the whole dynamic of how we play. Against better sides where we are going to 3 at the back to shore up the defence I wonder if O'Riodan will come in there. Think he is right sided and can get forward? What I do agree with you on is that playing Sigurdsson and Dolan at wing backs as we did against Wrexham is suicide against Championship opposition. Obviously JRC is best choice for RWB but LWB is a bit of an issue. Chrisene needs to make the role his, but if he gets injured /it doesn't work out we will be reduced to Brittain there. I would bring Batty back onto the bench as he would give us another option.

Looking down the fixture list Im feeling we should be absolutely fine. Only two near definite losses in there (Leeds and Leicester away) everyone else we have a good shout with. Think weve got a plan B with this 352 setup with JRC on the right of the three CBs. Any more injuries could do us but we're through the mad bit of the season now - broadly one game a week till May now. Critical that Pears (cant believe I said that) and Szmodics stay fit.

Pears, Dolan, Gallagher and JRC back is huge for us. We'll be a lot better I am sure. Just need no more injuries.

Yeah hes a 10, but I think Id play Szmodics, Dolan, Moran, Garett, ahead of him. Sigurdsson has some quality and can find a bit of space in the box. But he doesnt do anywhere near enough without the ball. Doesnt make any runs or press.