Looking again at the formation again and it does really look like an attempt to get the most out of Downing, Rothwell, Dack, Graham and one of Armstrong/Gallagher/Brereton all in the same team. I credit Mowbray for trying something imaginative if it does indeed transpire. I really can't see how Bennett at right back fits in at all though given he will be often acting as a third centreback, and the thought of Mulgrew getting pulled wide left to cover the marauding left wing back gives me major major concerns. Hopefully the new defender signings will address this.

Stewart Downing. If the article is accurate - and that seems one hell of a weird formation - it points to Downing at left back and Nyambe at right back. Also it would seem to suggest Rothwell as our best fit at LW and Gallagher or Brereton at RW.

Is Chapman fit? He hasn't really played in pre season I think?

I think that will be the team except for the full backs. I'm pretty convinced now it will be Downing LB and Bennett RB.

How did Downing fair at LB?

Well id say we're not far off in the way about 12 teams is the division aren't far off. If we were to get top six a lot of it will come down to getting a head of steam up, few injuries and the rub of the green. However without sorting the defence we're just so fragile at the back that all it will take is an injury to Lenihan and we're totally screwed. If we signed a really strong CB and a decent young CB (a la Tosin) it would honestly move my expectations from about 15th to around 8th. That's a huge change.

A hip hop musician called Bill Shakes. Performs in a Rovers shirt with a lancs accent. Unexpected. https://youtu.be/NnnD77UJW7c

That's the sort of formation you play if you are confident you can bulldoze the opposition and that you have a really solid defence. Rovers have an abysmal defence so to cut midfield to only 3 mids with huge channels either side would be suicidal in my mind.

I am not so sure on that. Rothwell played every game in the last couple of months of the season (as did Armstrong). Think they will both be around the same level. I would personally start both Armtrong and Rothwell, but I think Mowbray will want to get Downing in the team so one will lose out.

Thought he deserved his own thread. Based on the rave reviews he's getting seems like this guy is the most promising youth player to come through since Phil Jones. I can't think of anyone there has been such universal praise for. Got a bit of game time end of last season, and has played a lot in pre season. LET suggested he may go on loan, but I guess he may actually make the season squad given the quality he's show. In our preferred 4231 he seems most comfortable across the attacking 3 mids, but there might be a significant role for him to play in the deeper 2 mids if we want someone in off the bench to improve our passing game when we're chasing a match. We havent had that since Cairney left. Excited to see him, Davenport, Nyambe, Chapman and maybe even Hart and Rankin-Costello play a significant role next year. Plus Travis, Armstrong, Lenihan, Dack, Gallagher and Rothwell who are all established but still young and improving. Also I'm not a Brereton fan at all, but have to admit he's moved on a bit from an abject start to his Rovers career. I think how well we do is largely going to be determined by how these young players step up as while a bit of experience from Johnson and Downing will maybe help shore things up they are unlikely to substantially move the needle from last season. Would love to see a midfield of Buckley, Travis, Rothwell, Dack powering us up the table!

It would be a new level of weird if we play Smallwood on the right wing! Sadly I can however see all three of Mulgrew, Bennett and Evans starting which is sad. It would be absolutely barmy to play them and drop Travis and Rothwell. But unfortunately plausible.

Probably -----------------------------Leut Rankin-C----Nyambe----Grayson---Hart ---------------Smallwood----Johnson ---Brereton--------Buckley----------Rothwell ------------------------Gallagher Attack looks interesting, back line pretty mad to be honest.

Teams below. Most interesting is Nyambe playing centreback again with Magloire on the bench. Maybe that is where we are thinking of using him this term? Tonight’s team to play @buryfcofficial .Leutwiler, Rankin-Costello, Nyambe, Grayson, Hart, Smallwood (c), Johnson, Buckley, Rothwell, Brereton, Gallagher. Subs: Fisher, Magloire, Mulgrew, Bell, Downing, Travis, Dack, Armstrong, Graham.

We will definitely be playing 4231. A formation like you propose totally sidelines Dack. I'm sticking with : -----------------------Walton Nyambe----Lenihan----Williams----Hart? ----------------Travis--------Johnson -------Downing-----Dack------Rothwell ------------------------Graham Subs : Fisher, Mulgrew, Bennett, Evans, Armstrong, Gallagher, Brereton Its a shame that Buckley, Davenport, Chapman all will struggle to get a place on the bench.

The starting line up was disappointing, but hopefully the performances re-emphasised Travis and Rothwell have to start come Charlton

Ill be really annoyed if Mulgrew is ahead of Williams or new signing, and absolutely furious of Travis is dropped entirely.

A lot of truth to this. We have spent 5m and 7m on strikers in the last year. I don't think we can argue a lack of investment as one of our owners foibles. Most other clubs in Championship would love to be in our financial position. Obviously this does not eradicate their awful mismanagement and continued lack of engagement. But equally it could be a lot worse if they turn the cash off. It's a really terrible position to be. To hate someone, yet be entirely dependent on them. If they walked away we would be the next Bolton.

Team I'd like to see on Sunday --------------------------Fisher Nyambe----Lenihan---Magloire-----Bell ----------------Travis--------Johnson ----Downing--------Dack---------Rothwell -----------------------Gallagher Bring on during the game : Graham, Armstrong, Buckley, Evans, Hart, Butterworth, Brereton Williams.

I get where you're coming from but we have limited resources. Starting partnership of Travis and Johnson, with Evans, Davenport and Buckley backing up is good for me. Rather spend the money we have on sorting defence and keeper.

Oh, I thought he meant a second keeper

I'd say out of that the second centreback is a necessity, goal keeper and left back nice to have. However I don't get central midfield at at all. We've literally got seven players who can play there from established talent (Travis, Johnson) mediocre plodders (Evans, Smallwood, Bennett) to promising youngsters (Davenport, Buckley). Plus Rothwell can slot in there too (though I see him more as a number 10 / inside forward). Why would we sign more there? Only going to push Davenport and Buckley further away from the team.

I can't really see how Buckley and Butterworth will get in to be perfectly honest given who we have signed. Would mean dropping very experienced / proven players / new signings. They would really need to tear up trees or there be an absolutely huge injury crisis.

Have to say Bennett's not going to start central mid as we signed Johnson, and he's not going to start attacking mid as we signed Downing and Gallagher. If he's going to get a berth it might be right back but I wouldn't put money on it. Partly as we might sign someone, partly because Mowbray might decide to give Nyambe a long run. I think Mowbrays philosophy is you need a certain amount of experience. With signing Downing and Johnson I believe he will relax in retaining experience in other areas

Could Rangers be resigning Adam? That would make sense. Just a case of crossed wires in saying it's a Blackburn player. Also he did play with Gerrard at Liverpool

That would be utterly unacceptable. Rothwell looks the most promising young player we've signed since Dack. And before that you'd have to go back to Cairney (who was also ridiculously sold).