Yeah, but then you need to be really lucky with injuries.

Hard to argue with that, only thing I'd say its probably Garrett in the middle as hes more physical than Wharton from what I've seen I'm interested to see what Markanday can do. From how JDT has selected /subbed so far he doesn't seem that keen on him

To be fair we can just do 532 like we did last 20 mins against Swansea. Both Edun and Pickering on. Wonder what theyre thinking at WBA hq - set up to attack us or look to draw us out. Based on our first two matches this is a tricky call for them. Reckon they might come and sit back and see what we can do and hit us on the break. Do to us what we did at Swansea. That's the way with the Championship, everyone responds very quickly to how the other teams play.

Have to disagree - after our last two defensive performances I can't see JDT having any issues with Pickering. That back four will be chiseled in stone - QPR didn't create a sniff, and Swansea cut through maybe twice and had a few long shots.

Yeah, I thought he was too lightweight last year to deputise for Travis, but maybe that is achievable for him based on what I saw on Saturday. Based on who we have been linked with it doesn't seem we are after a physical midfielder, so if Travis gets injured/suspended we are going to be looking at either Edun or Garrett to put the tackles in. Travis is such an animal though they will be very big boots to fill. I'd prefer if we sign someone experienced in that role either on loan or perm.

No one's shown any interest in him apart from us. I suspect the reason he's sticking around is from his perspective he may as well see if he he can force his way into the Brighton picture in August and if not sign for us towards the end of the month.

Watched the game back just now. Few thoughts - -Like QPR our defending, shape, workrate were all top class. Didn't really expect given who we've lost from the squad and JDTs background as a striker defending would be our strong point. But we've been superb. One of our best ever all round defensive performances in the championship imo. -Really liked how tactically flexible we were, starting with the ultra deep 4231, then switching to an ultra deep 532 part way into second half to nullify the extra forward Swansea brought on. I think someone said JDTs deputy Remy is a bit of a tactical genius - maybe his influence? -All the side were defensively superb. Pickering whose got a lot of stick recently looked totally solid to me. Brittain good again. It was sort of game where Swansea went at the full backs a lot and they both did well. - Offensively we were a bit more patchy. Hedges was brilliant. Travis, Sammie and BBD took their goals well but struggled to really create too many chances, but then they finished the ones they did get so what more can you ask? Gally as usual lots of graft but little quality. Buckley surprisingly muted. - I've been a bit indifferent about Edun but thought he looked good when he came on. Mobile, seems to have filled out a bit, and showed good technique. Maybe could play more of a role than I thought? - If we can keep up this defensive performance we are going to have a real start to the season. West Brom real test next week...

For me Dack is a striker really, especially since his ACLs. He might drop off and find a bit of space like Teddy Sheringham or Peter Beardsley used to, but he's far more like them than a proper midfielder who would carry and pass the ball centrally . Even before ACL he was really more in a partnership with Graham up front than in the middle with Smallwood and Evans etc imo. And he has a strikers sort of scoring record too...

Yeah he's been a bit frustrating but like Dolan you can see if he just improves his decision making a bit then he'll be a real handful. They've both got the raw qualities in different ways to scare defenders and create chances. Dolan and Hedges will have really good seasons this year imo. With Gally its a bit different - he's also got a lot of excellent qualities (mainly athletic), but it's not just his final pass or taking on a man he gets wrong. Its everything about his movement, how he receives the ball, playing back to goal, heading, his touch, getting in the box. There's so much to overcome to turn him into a good offensive player it's not going to happen. That said defensively probably Gallagher is one of the best forwards in the Championship. He's an absolute animal tracking back on the wing, and that's what keeps him in the team.... But I am not really sure how long you can keep forwards in the team because the defend well. Reckon his days are numbered under JDT. He will be happy to sacrifice a bit of defensive athleticism for someone who offers a threat. With Sammie coming in can see it soon moving to BBD, Sammie, Dolan, Hedges as the front four with Gally on the bench.

I don't think there's any legal or professional body requirement for that to happen. Its just usually the player will refuse to move unless the "top up" to his existing contract is paid by his existing club so he doesn't lose out by moving to a lower salary at a new club. Which makes sense really. Not many people will voluntarily walk away from money contractually owed to them.

Missed the game yesterday as out and about. Looking forward to watching the full match replay later tonight! Sounds like a great performance. Glad Hedges is showing real quality. He's Got all the attributes. Of the XI out there I genuinely rate virtually all of them, obviously Sammie is new so need to see what he offers. Id probably only really be keen to swap out Gallagher. Like Hedges I'm pretty sure despite doubters Pickering will go on to have a good season.

I think part of the reluctance from Venkys is they gave Dack a massive deal then he did 2 ACLs. THere is something about the way they work these days that suggests they would rather lose money than get screwed over by agents or pure chance. Rather let someone go than pay bumper deals.

Yes - like Tugay Buckley has got that quality where you give him the ball in virtually any situation and he will come out the other side retaining possession and then do something useful. With someone like that it's worth just giving them the ball as early as possible to set the team up so playing them deep makes sense. Also what Buckley has got that Tugay didn't really is the ability to carry the ball 20-30 yards past players. He did that a couple of times against QPR, and as he fills out more I think that will do that more. You can see how much stronger he is compared to last season. He will be player of the year.

I'd quibble with that really. While Sammie and Morton look like good additions they are way down the priority order compared to centre back and left back.

He's going to bloody love Dolan then. Makes half a dozen goals a season just by closing the opposition down.

Would be a good squad except extremely unhappy with Gally and Vale up top. Would need much better than that imo if BBD does go. Also one injury to Travis and we look pretty lightweight in centre mid? And JRC as backup for Brittain is not great? Surely a couple of loans could cover those backup positions? But broadly speaking would be a good squad.

I agree with this he wasn't the quickest but he was always full of energy and worked hard. Also for a guy who was theoretically an AM his back to goal hold up and link up game is as good as any decent striker. Very strong. But two ACLs means he isn't going to be running around. Just the way it is. Not his fault, not our fault. Sammie coming in does indicate Dack is going to be a cameo player. Doubt he's going anywhere though as not one will pay him the same wage as we are atm.

Reckon if we brought him in we would sell Gallagher (unless of course BBD goes) which would be an improvement. Then try and sign a proper central forward.

Players we need imo - 1 LB/LWB perm, 1 CB perm, 1 CB loan, 1 DM loan, 1 target man loan. I can't really see why we would sign Bowler unless we are selling someone.

Anyone found any good Sammie videos? Had a brief look and there doesn't seem to be a best bits compilation?

I said no more experience really... he's played two prem games, and two CL game I think? That isn't much experience really? My point is I would have taken a rough and ready experienced player who had racked up a decent amount of games over another fresh young player when we have a lot of them in that role. That's all I meant... More than happy to hold my hands up if he comes in and makes a big impact.

Yeah, doesn't really add up to me. He's got no more experience that Wharton or Garrett, and seems a similar sort of player. I get having someone to bridge the gap while the other players mature makes sense, but not when that player is also immature? I guess we need to see him play, but instinctively doesn't feel the right fit.

Its a bit strange when we have Buckley, Garrett and A Wharton coming through we are using one of our loans on a young creative midfielder? Surely someone a bit more combative and experienced in midfield, or focusing on a CB recruitment would be the right way to go?

I think we do need a proper central striker who can play back to goal if we're going to play a narrow front four. Thought this tactical analysis was good : https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/blackburn-rovers-tomasson-team-pressing-24639177?fbclid=IwAR0mj3IdRkBX6YF74ESabXNot69DeQMjmPvQbKNi6Ur8jk4pvWUBNFrZ1LA Part of the issue with our forward play breaking down on Saturday is there was no focus for forward passing. Hedges, Vale, Dolan, Gallagher, Brereton all want to face the ball and carry it. You can't have all four of your front players doing that but be setup to play narrow one twos. You need someone to be comfortable playing back to goal and bringing others in. Whats surprising though is we haven't been linked to any target men at all, so maybe that isn't the plan? Or maybe we will play that way without a target man, but it just seems a bit odd? That said centre back is the critical priority. We need 1 in perm and 1 in loan ASAP. Ayala could go down any second, and Wharton has had his fair share of injury issues also.

As we just won, barely gave QPR a sniff of goal, and generated a decent amount of chances at the other end, and have a whole week to recuperate before Swansea - it's going to be the same team.