Came on against Preston, Lenihan kept the armband. True story.

Quite interested in seeing Davenport. He must have thought he'd never get a game. End of last season he played pretty well.

I don't think we're really dependent on key players like we were 15 years ago. Sohthgates built a team where players rotate in and out. Sterling, Sancho, Rashford, Vardy (assuming he comes back) is a great set of strikers. No one's really irreplaceable anymore. I think we're in the top nine or so teams in Europe. France, England, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Croatia, Portugal, Germany, Belgium. With, imo, France a cut above everyone else. So based on that I'd give England about a 10% chance of winning it. But the favourites, France, I would only say a 30% chance. Absolutely wide open. Should be great entertainment.

Have to say I quite like that. Though I would drop Bell, move Downing out to left wing back and play Johnson alongside Travis. Also I'm sure if we did go 352 Mowbray would not be able to resist Bennett at right wing back. But overall it would be an intriguing way to play. Wouldnt mind if we gave it a crack.

I've had a cracking idea.... We could play him up front! Scores goals, got a bit of quality, not any slower than Graham.... In jest. But certainly would be better than Brereton. Not sure any worse than Gallagher...

I like this but would put Bell in for Williams. Bells actually been one of the few better performers recently. Also on Armstrong.... For my money he's going to score roughly the same from the wing as up front. We should leave him wide imo, as he is the one player who is truly effective there. We need to get a tune out of either Gallagher or Graham up front, or sign someone. Also - is Nyambe fit? Huge loss if he doesn't make it.

He won't be closing anyone down though..... I can only hope he has come back as he thinks he may get a move. To say he is finished at Rovers is to put it mildly.

It's possible he would be loaned at a % of his wage, or even Rhodes will take a pay cut to.get games. But essentially I agree with you. Very unlikely. It would be mad not to sign a striker though considering we just don't have any goals in the team.

We're so poor at scoring bringing Rhodes back had a lot to recommend it. But... His around game is non-existant. So if were under the kosh whose going to provide an out ball? I guess we could start playing him and or Gally/Armstrong up front in a two. But then you have less bodies in midfield. Hmmm. Tough one.

I really really really hope that is the last we see of Gallagher out wide. Options going forward with Gallagher 1) Up front in 4231 2) Up front in 442 3) On the bench Who could play on the wing instead : Downing, Armstrong, Rothwell, Holtby, Chapman, Bennett. Out of those only really Downing and Armstrong inspire much confidence, but all are a much better fit than Gallagher.

Have to say in my opinion in terms of actual blood and thunder defending Lenihan is streets ahead of him. Makes some mistakes, but you would back him time after time in challenges in the air and on the deck. Best all round CB we've had since Hanley left. Tosin offers huge technical quality, and decent defending, although a tendency to sloppiness. As a pairing they could be really good and learn off one another. Be very pleased if Tosin signing is true. Only slight concern is he has seemed a bit disengaged recently and the sloppiness seems to be a growing issue which needs stopping.

What's most interesting about that if true is another manager rates him. Why I have no Idea.

Come on chadster - he's only been good in about 20% of his games, spent loads of time injured, and when he's out we barely miss him. Not a bad player but not a particularly good one either.

But then Preston put him under zero pressure today. But I agree striker is far more important.

Most sides only really have a decent first team in the Championship with a couple of flexible subs. Very few have good deep squads. So we are not alone there.

Why would you drop our best player in Downing?

I think we've got a decent team that could make playoffs with a few additions and a good manager. Certainly in terms of quality I've seen a lot worse since we went down from prem. Armstrong, Dack, Travis, Johnson, Lenihan, Nyambe, Holtby all look good enough for playoffs imo. Just lacking at GK, full back and up front.

Another game we would have won with better strikers...

Basically when you look at the team it's pretty decent in every position except that right side and striker.

We're all over the show now. We're playing like we're away against a Prem team.

I'm pretty confused what the formation is now.

I think we're playing all right - first half anyway - and pretty well drilled. Just the wrong players in some positions.

We can't bring anyone on due to two injuries already. So just put Gallagher up front for god's sake. Just go 442? Gally and Armstrong up front? Holtby right.

He would need to sign one or two strikers who actually score goals.

Yup doing square root of FA. It's a total and utter joke. Needs a change.