Wanna put your money where your mouth is?

Yeah, I conveniently ignored the defense - we all know that this is where most of the surgery needs to take place. I do believe that we have at least a solid smattering of the right personnel for the remaining positions though. Rodwell as a CB has been a failure if you ask me - though its not like he has been trying to fight for a place into a sturdy back four that hardly concedes anyway. i could see him in that role dictating things ala Pirlo (though nowhere near his class). Dack there, I don't really see why not, he has played CM before in his Gils days. I'd imagine he wouldn't like it though - he's an assists/goals man and will not want to see his numbers diminish. He does say he models his game on Frank Lampard though and he was a very good CM. This formation as TM rightly says does require more goals from your CM's, so he could still chip in with a few. Reed, doubt he'll come for multiple reasons but we do have Travis as well, Davenport too as you rightly suggested. Buckley coming through as well. Bennets versatility should only be used from the bench going forward in my opinion. I think this formation could and should take away our reliance on hoofing it to DG which might work in BB's favor as competition for him as he gets another year older. A more fluid attack that has the pace of the likes of Rothwell, Chapman, or Armstrong behind one of them could be exciting to see. Does it fit in with the normally defensive preferences of TM though?

Perhaps Rodwell would work better in that "mobile" holding role. Then have the hardworking energy of a Travis/Reed next to Dack in the middle. AA and Rothwell on the wings and DG/BB up front. Rodwell Dack Reed/Travis Armstrong Rothwell Graham/Brereton

My point still stands though. Okay, ill rephrase, I think if you went to any clubs forums after picking up 4 points from 30 - they would have a large section of posters that were calling for the managers head. This board is often called negative compared to other clubs but as a regular visitor to many myself - you'll find plenty of similarities across the board.

I think if you went to any clubs forums after picking up 4 points from 30 - they would have a large section of posters that were far from feeling positive about the situation.

4 points from 30 says it all, so not really sure why a few are still kicking up because discontent has well and truly set in with many. Managers are getting sacked for far for less. Its a pathetic run. It's not even solely the points though - we cannot defend, we're still trusting our league 1 side when its obvious they're not up to it, and players such as Rothwell that always seems to do well when he comes on rarely gets a start. Recruitment has not been good either and was actually non-existent in January when we had a chance to strengthen and make a push for the playoffs. We came out of that window weaker. All that said, I am still not at the point where TM should go now but if he were to be shown the door or he left of his own will, I wouldn't be upset. If this run continues however, for the next few games and we pick up nothing - I see no reason why we shouldn't change before the summer and start a fresh.

Keen and Eastwood

Exactly this. There are some very good attacking players in this league - much more so than League 1. Have to agree that the stats against CM look quite bad and that perhaps he would be better as part of a back three. best set-piece taker we have by quite a distance though - so we would certainly miss that.

I think we could have done but I think that now even if was made available, he would choose elsewhere. He has stated that he sees himself as a CM, so while a model pro that will play anywhere the manager asks, I think secretly he would want to be going somewhere that will put him there. Our current form will hardly help either as he might think he'll be in for a relegation scrap next season.

We should all be ashamed of ourselves for showing concern at a mighty 1 point from 21 after not strengthening in the window and seeing us plummet down the league from being within touching distance of the playoffs, 7 points ahead of Preston, to now being 7 points behind them. We have basically switched positions with them.

There is a rumour going around that Rothwell is a real hit with the ladies - what are your thoughts on this?

TM has done this a few times before in the past, answering the supporters calls to actually setup the team to go at the oppo - and it usually works. Just wish he did it more often rather than just as a throw of the dice to get us out of a bad run. I had absolutely no complaints with that lineup considering the players we had available. Reed and Travis finally in CM together like many of us have been calling for. Two up top with Dack behind as well. Could this 3-5-2 finally be a formation that could work for us? If it is, we need to get BB alongside DG for some games as we really need to start seeing some return on that investment now and he might just suit being in a front two. Was it bravery selecting Magloire or little other choice? Either way, sink or swim and the lad definitely swam. To be a young lad making your debut at the best of times can be a nervy and tough affair but this lad did it in our worst run of results in quite some time and in a position where mistakes are often punished. He grabbed the opportunity with both hands, got in Garners face, was very vocal on the pitch and showed that he was big, strong, fast and athletic. He can be very proud of himself for his performance. So, this means we're safe from relegation - no chance we're going down now. I would be using the remaining games to blood Magloire in more to see if he can develop and potentially be one less CB that we will need to purchase in the summer. I would also keep working on this formation for the remainder of the season and go at teams more - nothing to lose now.

Yup, played pretty much all of last season at RB for Norwich and impressed there. Not like we're playing him in his best CM position anyway, so would certainly prefer him at RB over Bennett.

Jammy git. So what was the correct answer?

Both yes but the buck stops at the manager. When the manager doesn't strengthen in January and essentially transmits the message that the season is now over, the players follow suit whether intentional or subconsciously.

If true - I call lier lier pants on fire. He certainly does have regrets but is not going to admit them.

Really dont think it is down to injuries - just niggles according to him mainly. It is him wanting to play CB, he has been saying it for years, even at Sunderland. https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderlands-jack-rodwell-says-unfair-14170675 He sees himself as a CB but it is CM that has won him the plaudits, big moves and England honors. All other managers see him as a CM but he has found the perfect manager in TM that loves nothing more than midfielders as CBs.

Bloody should do - he is only 27/28.

Yes forgot about Rodwell, another converted CM. On that, I really think Rodwell only signed if he would be played CB. He really isnt cut out for that role - not yet anyway. Especially alongside Mulgrew. Would have him in CM - cannot fathom why he is not being used there other than this was part of his agreement to come here in the first place. Agree, naive is the polite way of putting it.

We had been linked to him since last season, he had rejected a new contract, so many assumed that having sent Downing out on loan, we might be picking Bauer up on the cheap considering his contract is up in the summer. I mean, as JH pointed out - loaning out Downing and two younger CBs with an injury-prone Lenihan and Mulgrew as our only recognised CBs (both converted midfielders) and then Williams and Nyamble (both fullbacks) as our CB options is quite suicidal - so any sane thinking person would be expecting somebody else to come in.

Just saying that it is hardly what we need right now. Another gamble type signing. In isolation it could be a good move but I would certainly be expecting more from our summer recruitment than a guy banging in the goals at a level not much higher than Sunday league.

Spot on. We have enough 'for the future' types now. Time for some experienced pros to come in.

Think you will find that quite a few slated the decision. Most were saying that if he were to go out, we would need to be bringing someone else in. We were expecting the Bauer deal to be done - it didnt happen.

No it hasnt always how we have done things. Sure, we have always needed to sell to balance the books but this doesnt mean that EVERY transfer should be made with an eye on profit. What I would give for some hardened 30-year old CBs with years of Championship experience. Who cares if we dont make any money on them - let the likes of BB make us our money - cough cough.

Not really saying they need to be captain. I just want a few more players that take responsibility, have a bit of fire in their belly. We're a soft touch.