BlackburnEnd75

I think that system would work for a few of our players. Armstrong on the right can push up and use his pace with through balls between cb and left back. Rothwell has license to come inside. Gallagher can be a mobile target man. I;ve seen Johnson play that left centre mid/dropping back into a deep left position in attack under clement at Derby so that could work. Travis gets up and down. Dack would have to play more as a 10 than as a second striker. Bell hugs the left flank in attack, Nyambe doesn't get as advanced at right back but is useful vs the counter. Thats if he uses those players in that system.

£5 million for a 31 year old playing in league 1 with year left on his contract. No chance of anyone paying £5million for him

If we let him go on a free back to Scotland now it would be the best solution. If left left now he would be remembered very fondly, all those goals from centre back and the promotion season. If he continues last seasons form into this he'll have his reputation dragged through the mud. He could still do a job at a lower level like the SPL. Really I think Mowbray should have been brave and given the captaincy to Lenihan, but it's easy for me to say that as I don't know how that would go down in the dressing room.

If Nyambe is a centre back now we need a proper right back. Bennett is a bloody good squad player but 1st choice right back he ain't. Mowbray saying he likes versatile players, a few players like Bennett is great but we need specialist now especially in defence.

I hope so but I doubt it with each coming day. Maybe his problem is sometimes he's too open with the media as he's now said a few things which we all expect him to deliver on, yet he may have had a change of heart. He's on record as saying this year is a play off push and he will be judged on that, even what we've spent to date is good for this division. The warning signs are there for me, the way he talks about certain players like Reed and in particular Rothwell really don't add up to me. If he benches Rothwell again vs Charlton I think that will tip me over the edge tbh.

To me it looks like he was playing with the B team and indicates that he won't start vs Charlton. The lineup vs Blackpool at the weekend will likely be the team that starts vs Charlton so it'll be very interesting to see who starts.

I feel like he'll end us a centre mid pulling the strings. But playing him in the 3 attacking midfield slots is an easier way to get him game time. You could tell in his sub appearance vs Wednesday last season that he was technically the best centre mid we have already.

We’ve spent all our budget on a striker who Mowbray is know playing out wide. Team playing tonight is the B team, it pains me to stay Rothwell is be amongst them. He needs to start vs Charlton or I’ll have no faith left in Mowbray whether we sign a centre back or not.

I get what you mean as a defensive signing in that I expected him to be the defensive winger that Tony loves but just didn't see him as a left back in a 4 or the left wing back in a 5 - not a bad option last 10-20 mins when we're chasing the game. Gotta say if he's been signing to play left back then thats a weird move from Mowbray

He actually could. At least they've played there before and at least Bell is mobile. I thought he's come in to play as inverted winger or as back up to Dack as a 10. No indication that we are switching to a back 5 in pre-season. Really haven't seen this coming

He actually could. At least they've played there before and at least Bell is mobile.

Are you saying Downing was signed primarily to play left back? I need to clarify this before I start lashing out

I don't get it, we've got so many players who can play out wide. Downing, Armstrong, Rothwell, Bennet, Chapman, The 3 strikers who Mowbray likes to play out wide.Then you've got Rankin-Cotollo, Buckley and Butterworth who could all get game time out wide. We're going to have to start cutting some players out somewhere.

I've said since the end of last season that if the first game of next season Charlie starts then we've got some serious problems at the club. If we end up getting 2 centre backs before next Saturday then I will maybe change my view. But he would still have to drop Mulgrew the game after Charlton.

I'd be happy with Ayala.

Jake Cooper?

We should send him out on loan now rather than hang around, he's got 4 strikers ahead of him and Samuel to come back too. Better for the lad if we loan him now

I'd go with Walton Nyambe Lenihan Tosin Bell Travis Johnson Armstrong Dack Rothwell Graham Subs: Leutwiler, Mulgrew, Bennett, Downing, Buckley or JRC, Gallagher, Brereton I think Mowbray will go: Walton Bennett Lenihan Mulgrew Bell Armstrong Travis Evans Downing Dack Graham Subs: Leutwiler, Nyambe, Hart, Johnson, Smallwood, Gallagher, Brereton

Tbf he was playing at left back. If we put Lenihan at left back I wouldn't expect him to do well.

Thought he was absent because his wife was about to give birth? I believe she had the baby yesterday Whats happened to Scott Wharton, he's wasn't with the 1st team Saturday either?

Maybe Walton will be loan to buy? Either way its pretty underwhelming.

I hope some of the selections yesterday were more about getting certain players game time rather than what team is likely to start the first game. I know Mowbray has suggested that the first team will play together after todays game but it still does make me worry. Travis and Rothwell would be first on the team sheet in midfield for me, I just hope he doesn't revert to type. If he drops Rothwell for Downing or Armstrong i'd be so annoyed, it'd be like he learned nothing from last season at all.

Looks the usual 4-4-1-1 or 4-2-3-1. Leutwiler flapping all over the place as usual

Does anyone know which players we are looking to offload? If we end up with 2 centre backs and 2 keepers and maybe Charlie Adam we’re going to have a massive squad

Its so bad I can't stop laughing I can't believe somebody okayed that, hwoever did could do with firing. One day they'll try the halves on the away shirt and it'll be the most popular kit we've had in years.