DavidMailsTightPerm

Harsh on Lenihan. Though he has still scored - actually struggle to think of many matches where Dack played really well. He has been too easily marked out of games.

He is so infuriating as a player - blessed with good pace, reasonably dribbling - but absolutely rubbish decision making

Gallagher started up front in the centre - it was only in the second half he moved to the wing - by which time Rothwell was on.

Thought Armstrong and Dack were ok. Walton - would have to see the goals again - but wondered why he didn't come for either goal. We ran out of steam in the second half against a very average team - that defended very well and ran their socks off. Thought Bennett was my pick for worst player on the day - Johnson rightly MOM. Going forward - at least we have time to bring in some defensive improvements - for the first match of the season I thought we played reasonably well - just undone by a couple of defensive lapses (sounds familiar). Not certain what we do about Rothwell - we have to find space in the team for him - just not certain who we drop to accomodate. As you said - Downing looked good today - and we looked poor without the pace of Armstrong to force them to play a little deeper.

Think you will be right with defence. Can't see Smallwood or Evans starting.

Did Downing not leave at Christmas ?

Did they not rate him as a right back or centre back ? To be fair to the lad - the demands of the roles are very different.

We have lost Rodwell, and replaced with a genuine centre back - not certain how that makes the back line vastly weaker than last season ? Don't get me wrong - we need vast improvement in this area - but with the addition of Johnston and Downing to help solidify the midfield defensively we may be actually better than last season.

So who would you have preferred to sign Johnston or Bayliss ? Green or Gallagher/Chapman ?

IMO Nuttall just isnt better than what we have. He has most of the attributes - but needs regular game time (something he wouldn't have got at Rovers). So good luck to him - I just hope we have a sizeable sell on clause ? (if we have - it is a win win for all parties)

Well I hope you are very happy together ?

I think we may see Dack as a false 9 (just based on part of Blackpool match)

Parental issues - this could actually translate to parents wanting some guarantees about playing time. If he was my son - I would want some assurances - as going to the Championship to warm the bench won't help his career. At the end of the day he isnt coming to Rovers because he is a fan - it is about playing time to further his career.

Very divided as what to do with Dack - we now have a number of players that can play his role - including Buckley and Rothwell - my only concern is whether they have the same goal threat as Dack. It was interesting yesterday to see him playing the 2nd part of the match centrally as a "false 9" - in the first half he seemed to drop more into midfield. At the moment - £20m for Dack - with £5m used on a decent centre half - and the rest to keep us within FFP - might make good business (both financially and on the field)

Choice of pre-season friendlies is an interesting one. As some have said - what is better a Premiership team playing their reserves or a local rival putting their heart and soul into a match (some of the tackles today from both teams would have warranted yellow cards at least) In terms of preparation - most teams in the Championship are more hard work and running off the ball than they are finesse - so what is better preparation for a Championship season ? Personally after watching today - I don't feel we are ready - but that is more to do with us not getting in a stronger defender to partner Lenihan prior to the start of the season

Nyambe is still picking up his fitness after ACN - and Bell was injured during pre-season,

Did he not play 90 minutes in mid week ?

Didnt really get pressurised defensively - but thought he looked good in possession. Overall solid performance.

Or maybe he might be thinking - glad the boss is looking after my fitness as I am only recently back from the ACN ?

Pay at the turnstile today - does anyone know how many we have sold so far ?

All depends on his salary. If the loan club are picking up a high % of his wages - all we have done is ensured that he still has 2 years on his contract when he returns from his years loan. Potentially means a minimal outlay - to see whether he improves or not (especially as defenders do tend to reach their peak far later).

It is another opinion - equally, if not more valid, than anyone's opinion on this board. IMO he has actually shown great promise when playing at centre half. There are things he definitely needs to improve on to play the position full time - but I think TM recognises that.

On the positive - I think Johnson (and at times Downing) will help us out defensively this season - defending is as much about the whole team as the 5 at the back. Only time will tell - but getting a taller keeper may help with our vulnerability at corners - as will Johnson.

Interesting that they still gave the green light to the Gallagher deal. But I must admit - even looking it as a business - I would be annoyed that I had invested £7m on a player that hardly ever played. So what is our chance of an experienced defender coming through the door ?

It is funny - didn't read it in the way you did. He mentioned Nyambe played well in the ACN - but also mentions there are parts of his game he needs to improve. You mention playing him out of position to accommodate Bennett - but if his international position is centre half there is obviously more than just TM that feels he do a job there. He talks about getting the right players in - up to 2 (which I think many see as the minimum) - but also promoting youth (how many on here have moaned about us getting in average players that block the route to the first team. More than anything it looks like he is trying to portray a message of - we aren't desperate. I think many fans would disagree - especially in terms of an experienced defender - but I am willing to wait until after the transfer deadline before I start worrying too much.