Tbf to mowbray it's a preseason friendly. All 3 played in the midweek friendly and most played 90 last weekend. We havent got the depth up there atm so no point risking them ahead of next Saturday.

Magloire doing well against the top scorer in the prem here. Although vardy's strengths overlap with magloires. I'd have Armstrong coming off the left of the front 3. We look weak down the left defensively. Bell, holtby and brereton compared with nyambe, travis and JRC on the right

Fisher JRC Nyambe Wharton Bell Travis Davenport Holtby Brereton Armstrong Dolan

I think Rothwell is better deeper and driving.

Dack on the left of the 3 in midfield, does he have the engine to get up and down?

With Chapman after the hamstring injuries he has had it was obvious his pace was going to be affected. They will have or should have watched his performances for Boro under 23's and must have noticed the change in pace. I'm not surprised that parsonblue said his best performances came in central areas fornthe under 23's as his touch is still there but he has lost the main feature to his game, the ability to run at people. If we had seen this beforehand then why did we sign him? Or did they think our guys could help get it back?

Not all his goals came with him through the middle tbf. I'd see him in a similar role to salah at liverpool as we are trying to emulate there formation. Pushed up more as a left forward. With his defensive responsibilities limited to pressing the ball.

Chapman isnt at this standard and Rothwell isnt a forward player. Let's hope Dolan can build on the last couple of games because we really need another option on the right of the 3

Agree with dack. Disagree with the other two. Armstrong from the left of the 3 is probably where he is best. Travis gets a bit more license to get up and down in the right of a 3. Dont see where dack slots in though. I'm worried it's as a false 9

I'd be really interested to see holtby in that position. I didnt watch the blackpool game but it sounded like it worked in possession and didnt work out of possession. Maybe worth trying in remaining pre season games. My worry is that him being not great at the defensive side of that role would be too much of an issue. Although downing got away with it at the end of last season.

Again selective memory when it comes to Rothwell. His through ball to Armstrong in the build up to Breretons open goal miss was great. He also played a lovely driven pass opening up the game to the right winger. I'd like to see him have a run on the left of the midfield 3. I think our issue may be who plays in the centre of the 3.

Dolan might play himself into the 11 come the first league game. He's quick and hungry and looks like he has good technique. Not particularly sure why PNE let him go...

Dreadful dive by there number 9. Goal not exactly against the run of play from the start of the second half.

Chapman doesn't really run at people anymore does he. Some nice touches but doesn't have the pace anymore

He has been injured. I'd expect a 2and half cameo perhaps. I do hope that JRC plays right back instead of bennett should nyambe be unavailable for any reason

Doesn't suit the narrative though.

Yeah I dont buy the Travis has had his wings clipped by mowbray argument either. I thought he was excellent for most of last season and his goal away at Boro is proof to the contrary that he doesn't get forward as much. He does still have areas to work on, like the way he takes the ball with his back to goal, he needs to open his body up more.

Vale would never player as a central striker though. Tony believes that players have to earn the right to play through the middle.

Depends if he wears his ripped Jeans when he goes to sign his contract

Rich Sharpe linking us with Keiran Westwood from Sheffield Wednesday. Which i wouldn't be unhappy with provided it was one of 2 keepers

That home kit looks nice but wow I love that away kit. I rarely buy a shirt but I'd buy that one

Its frustrating. We made some very short term signings last summer (tosin, walton, johnson, downing) which we were done purely with a push for the playoffs. We absolutely shouldnt be in a position where we are rebuilding.

That home game in League one was the worst rovers performance I've ever seen. Mowbray completely overreacted to the loss at Southend by playing the most insanely defensive team for a home game against a team newly promoted from League 2. The team he picked was that bad I think I can remember it all. Raya Caddis Nyambe Ward Mulgrew Williams Smallwood Evans Whittingham Bennett Graham

The goal keeper situation is genuinely scary. If the 10bet sponsorship issue affects our budget greatly and we cant bring anyone in we are looking at a relegation battle in my book. We have no established keeper on the books. We desperately need 2 in the door, even if we get one in then we are running a huge risk. As bad as the centre half situation is you've got lenihan and Williams 1st choice with wharton and nyambe to cover that could keep us up at least. All the focus should be on getting a goalkeeper in the building at this point, the 2nd keeper they might be able to leave till later in the window.

I feel like friend needs a manager who will help him transition to centre haf