Great share that, slowmo.  Sounds like we were left in a right mess. I thought Mogga prided himself on these scouting operations- I could be wrong but didn't he say a European scouting network was being implemented etc?

Hopefully this group can contribute and help us dig up a few diamonds.

Still don't think we've looked anything special against an average Wales side.  

To add to this, I also think you need men that can carry and dribble past their man. By beating a man you move players out of position and create space and angles for passes. We don't have many/if any of that type of player. Just zip it around square and into feet.  

We have a good defence, and two good forwards but an appalling lightweight midfield, lack pace, creativity and snap.

We are punching way above our weight as the xg table shows. How JDT has got this group to third in the table is a miracle.  
 

I expected us to be in a relegation battle I think we're that poor in the middle.  But it seems we have a way of getting results.

When we come up against a decent pressing side, we get smashed.  Our pedestrian, skinny, small, sluggish, deep lying play makers can't find outlets or carry the ball when put under pressure. They play it back. Our back four then have limited options and end up looking like mugs. 

I think we've got a bottom 5 midfield. It's awful. 

We have a good defence, and two good forwards but an appalling lightweight midfield, lack pace, creativity and snap.

We are punching way above our weight as the xg table shows. How JDT has got this group to third in the table is a miracle.  
 

I expected us to be in a relegation battle I think we're that poor in the middle.  But it seems we have a way of getting results.

When we come up against a decent pressing side, we get smashed.  Our pedestrian, skinny, small, sluggish, deep lying play makers can't find outlets or carry the ball when put under pressure. They play it back. Our back four then have limited options and end up looking like mugs. 

I think we've got a bottom 5 midfield. It's awful. 

Just now, B16Rover said:

We really don't have any direct players besides Diaz.  We have a lot of ball holding midfielders but not one who can drive forward.  

 

Consistently find ourselves lumping it for Diaz to run on to, otherwise weve nothing between central midfield and strikers and those central midfielders by nature want to sit deeper and play the ball

Strongly agree, pal. Posted earlier the same thing.

On another note, I think we're pretty solid at the back.  We just need to play direct. We simply don't have the personnel at present to play attractive passing football unfortunately.  

I was shot down earlier in the season for suggesting we're very weak in cm.

I got told 'We've Travis, Buckley, Wharton, Morton' who'd you drop?'

I'd drop them all. 

Travis: Limited but does a job.

Wharton: Should be used from the bench in choice games

Morton/Buckley: Decent players but incredibly lightweight

Wharton, Morton and Buckley are all ball playing centre mids. Non are blessed athletically, non are any good at carrying the ball.

So we're left with a very undynamic, physcially weak, pretty slow midfield.  It wouldn't be as bad if we had electrically fast forwards and could play a bit more directly but we don't. 

I'd like to see us bring in someone in the mould of Rothwell and an experienced physical leader like Johnson was. As it stands I think we're well punching above our weight.  

1 minute ago, rigger said:

With our squad 4-3-3 has been our least productive formation.

I can tell you right now you are wrong! I've been testing formations and tactics on Football manager, and I can assure you this works. Currently 12th in the Premiership after 4 games in my second season.

Vale has to be dropped. Szmodic onto the bench along with Wharton.. Dacks a physical little bugger. Don't see why he couldn't mix it in the middle. Let him roam when we have the ball.  You could even let Gallagher drop a bit and press (which he does well) then pivot off Dack.  

4-3-3

GK: Kaminski

DL: Pickering
DR: Brittain
DC:  Ayala
DC:  Hyam

MC: Travis
MC: Morton
MC: Dack  (Roaming when we have the ball)

AML: Brereton
AMR: Hedges
ST: Gallagher

S1: Eastham
S2: Wharton
S3: Buckley
S4: Szmodic
S5: Markanday
S6: Hirst
S7: Wharton

 

Nobody else think we're woefully short in centre mid? Morton, Wharton, Buckley are carbon copies off each other to varyiKhad Bradley Johnson and to a lesser degree even Davenport.  I think we're very limited in there now in terms of mixing it up.  We can't control games and are fairly predictable.  I'm a massive fan of having players that carry a threat. That put the opposition on the back foot.  I forgot about Khadra- another player that gives the opposition something to think about.  Just a very 'meh' side. Massively punching as shown by the xg table.  Finish around 17th imo.  Saying that, for once we have a solid defence so you never know.

Vale looks so sluggish. Way off the pace. Offering absolutely nothing.  Needs subbing.  I also think we're really short in centre mid. 

Hook Vale, Dack off Brereton.  Feed it into Dacks feet and off we go.   We're missing a Bradley Johnson in the middle.  

I'll live in South America for a few hours then.  🤣

Anyone know if this is on RoversTV? Can't find it.

Would love to see Joe Rothwell in an England shirt. Absolutely dire stuff.  Foden looks good. But what's with the other players passing the balls square instead of infront, puts players on the back foot. Shit to watch.

Really surprised at last nights performance. I was really worried going in to this one- thought it was going to be another Fulham.. Boys proved me wrong.  Maybe it won't be as dire a season as I thought.

Really Happy with Hyam, looks a good player, it's early days but Carter looks like a really solid option down the right- looks prone to the odd mistake, but hopefully with game time that will sort itself out.

I'm still not happy with the situation in our centre midfield though. I think we need a direct replacement for both Rothwell (ball carrier) and an experience chopper in the mould of Johnson.  Another winger that can play left and right too and I'd be much more relaxed.

In saying that, IF  we can keep our centre halves fit I think we will be in with  a chance in most games and with Gally to come back and Szmodic and Dack hopefully improving it could shape up to be a half interesting season.. A few injuries to our paper thin squad and the wheels could really fly off though..

 

Lenihan: 5m

Nyambe: 2.5m

Rothwell: 5-8m

Brereton: 15-20m

Total:  27.5-35.5m in assets walking for nothing.

Compound that with flogging  Arma and Raya it's absolutely horrific. 

2 minutes ago, JacknOry said:

Nyambe started the last game

And Rothwells been injured..

Buckley had better pull his finger out..  Still want a ball carrier and another enforcer in there though.

Prefer Travis at right back. Watched his debut at right back and was well impressed. 

36 minutes ago, DanielMB said:

Cant blame a young guy for following the money. But Im pretty sure he will be playing football at a lower level than he is now. The grass isnt always greener…. Step forward Callum Wright

Callum Wright is being touted for Leicester City's first team squad after a prolific loan in league one.. Hope we've a healthy sell on there..

https://www.google.com/amp/s/foxesofleicester.com/2022/07/26/callum-wright-leicester-city-chance/amp/

Can't keep riding our luck. We need to start taking control of games.  We're extremely light at centre half, centre mid and upfront.   I'll feel a lot more positive after we've reinforced the squad with some more quality.  If we don't this won't carry on.

I live outside Ewood Park. Water has been fine for us. 

2 minutes ago, rigger said:

If you don't want to go over old ground. Why have you just done exactly that ?

I quite clearly do want to go over old ground or I would not have posted would I? Take it as tongue in cheek or however else you want. I don't really care.

Is Dack going to be on't bench tonight?