Jeez man link us up! I’m no insta-Queen

Downing hadn’t started a game in 6 months either, and Gallaghers had more injuries than appearances in the last few seasons. Well debunked the standard Mowbray Beef anyway.

Can anyone qualify if he can be registered to play prior to January? If he comes that is.

I agree some are obviously better - even the best or most reputable may have weaknesses to their game, it’s a much more complicated picture than you paint. Its telling that we’re back to manager in/out from the remarks about suggesting coincidences or flukes too - if you’ve come to the conclusion someone will not achieve something, you’ll always look to find rationale to support that view. Im open minded about Rovers at current, and TM. I’m not convinced the club is completely geared to go forwards/upward - for reasons similar to what you say with ownership too. I’m also quite positive and excited about the actual TEAM being developed. Swings and roundabouts. Saturday was another tick in many boxes, despite the concerns being the main discussion.

I get that - of course certain things might happen via the will of the world, but there’s only 92 league clubs, and if managers had as little positive impact as you, and many more of our posters suggest, I’d be wondering what’s the point of even having one?

No but you do insinuate regularly that positives are “stumbled” upon, hence why I’m trying to point out perhaps the worry over the summer overlooked someone at the club deciding DW might save us a fair few million as a CB.

You say you try to be balanced but you use shocking, poor and abject criticism consistently. For example - the performances I’d describe as “shockingly poor” down the years are generally saved for the Murphy’s or the Duffy two OGs + a red. It may simply be down to different use of semantics, but I find it hyper critical. The AA part was merely giving some extra aspect that the “WTF is AA doing instead of Rothwell” argument, which had become the main criticism in this thread; As I said, I don’t think they’re far from each other for impact. I think they have different pro’s/con’s, I think they’re completely different in style/position - so I don’t buy into something someone described as “fact not opinion!” He was bought/used and POTS in the relegation year as a LB Anyone whom reckons they predicted him being first choice centre-back on merit is lying in my humble opinion.

Like comparing pre-season, the only real moniker you’ve got is a league game. DW always looked a wide CB to me too - playing him against Doncaster as a WB was as foolish as a decision as TM has ever made, yet its not simply putting him in a role that makes a player. Surely even the most staunchest anti-TM rovers fan has to accept he’s made Williams a better player. Players evolve. Sometimes it’s confidence, other times it’s experience, plus many other factors. I was one of many completely convinced our lack of defensive recruits, plus swapping Raya for a loan - would mean chaos. 4 out of 5 clean sheets in last 5 league games...

Manager(s) you must surely mean since Coyle signed him, and he played a full season (also Player of season) as a full back. Hindsight is 2020, if you want to criticise TM for not doing this sooner, crack on.

Massively disagree. Nobody is a finished article at 24, and comparing him with the best current England international is rather pointless imo

Yet for 3 seasons he’s predominantly played full back till recently.

Would you expect any young player to be the finished article? Would I expect TM or any manager to be completely cemented in their mindset for a players use? Look at our defence yesterday; One converted defensive midfielder, one ageing wide player, two loans and one converted left back for £250,000, whom many would’ve been glad to see go, incidentally now looks as good a CB we have and scored a fantastic goal yesterday! There’s always scope for improvement, but considering that we’re in the second tier, and that we certainly aren’t top wage spenders either, I’ll always lean towards disagreeing with the close mindedness, the critique. In this case, of Gally, a lad more established and “successful” in the championship than all our young attackers bar Dack. The same applies to AA, BB, JR etc. “Top 6 quality” in a league where the top teams have 50/60m turnover vs the bottom teams paltry 5m sponsorship and low attendance, even the much maligned 13m wouldn’t buy you many guaranteed “top quality players”.. Hence why I wouldn’t expect anyone or TM to be 100% certain about what the lads we have can bring to the game. Gallagher for example, could’ve easily given away a penalty towards the end, Yet there is feasible rationale for seeing him as useful in our box, as well as the oppositions. Thus - I see criticism and think “why so quick to judge? The final paragraph is just you wishing everybody on this website had the same inclination- to cathartically moan about Blackburn Rovers. Thankfully, those that see BRFCS.COM as a dumping ground for their problems with football, are more the minority these days. Balance is key for me, and unfortunately - in my view, you and others have no scope for such!

Different players entirely. Both however showed yesterday, their final product is often lacking. For a midfielder or wide attacker, this aspect has to improve - and whilst you might have already made your mind up who should always start, it doesn’t make it a fact. Given more slack? I don’t see that. Given more starts? Maybe but this season they’ve played a relatively similar amount of minutes (AA/JR) and as you say, neither have directly contributed in stats. However - just harking back to yesterday, how many goals was JR directly involved in? Who laid it out wide for Lenihan to cross? There is no way stats are picking up that, however I’d argue that the difference between the two at this point is “negligible” You've always got major worries - I’m not sure the problem you have with Gallagher, he is has as much, if not more potential than anyone in my opinion. Written off before he even kicks a ball, as you say “didn’t want him back” even though he’s already scored more at this level for us, than Rothwell and Armstrong have put together. Finally - impact subs, you can have your opinion on it - I go with the countless managers who’ve utilised that sort of tactic for decades, from the OGS’ to even Millwall bringing on a 6’6 centre forward when 2-0 down yesterday. I think Rothwell, Chapman - these are players that will have more “impact” late on against tired legs. Its always an option to use, be it to get back into a game or cement a result. ESPECIALLY when you’ve had someone stretching you down the flanks for 60/70 minutes before hand....! One final thing, might not be you but many said the last few games of the season “dead rubbers” didn’t tell us anything, or could only be used to “paper over cracks”.... Therefore wouldn’t you be concerned it’s JR’s only consistent spell in over 40 apps?

The arrogance of that last line is ridiculous. To me they’re chalk and cheese, JR isn’t anywhere near as fast yet AA hasn’t got the technique. Both lacking final product. Both offer different pro/cons. Both different positions mainly too. I like both, and I’d like to see Joe start more often too, however; The idea that Rothwell “changed” the game is something that I disagree with, and the irony is not lost on me when people say this and then criticise his lack of starting. Have you considered why he’s used as an impact sub? I think anyone who believes they know who should be starting, as if their opinion trumps any professional and other punters alike, really should have a bit more self awareness.

Forgive me if I’m wrong but I seem to recall him whipping the cross in for Sam Gallagher to head in vs Sheff united less than a month ago. Stats are only ever half the story. It’s clear he is struggling for confidence in front of goal (also given penalty duties for that cup game and missing) but I don’t think he should be written off. Young, electric pace, experience of different positions - he’s a good option in my view, and I’d say his performances this season are for from his best.

Yet his main bit of positive work with Bennett led to our goal!

Great performance from Downing today. Especially second half at CM

Mate I’m telling you clearly - if you don’t see us moving into different systems regularly, you don’t watch us close enough. End of.

We don’t always start in that formation but at least 3 times - vs Sheffield United, vs Cardiff at home - we’ve gone to that setup. Give over indeed.

At least wait till 4:45 before reaffirming that belief

Left CM. Ive watched us pretty much game for game under TM, and we’ve played plenty of phases with 3 centre backs. Havent started many games like this mind. I think (as I said) we will change between that 532, and 4321 (normal formation) that’s basically Stuart’s 442 with the wingers pushed on and dack behind AA

This shifts into a 532 easily - Bennett to WB right an Cunny pushes up.

I wouldn’t say it’s that black and white. If you wanna play that game - would you start Travis and Buckley centre mid?

I wouldn’t say it’s that black and white. I like that JB got a start - even if id probably accept Travis has been good this year. New system might rely on a better passer like Buckley, and having Travis’s energy as impact might be also very valuable.