It’s just very flexible, if we get the 3 right we can go more 3-4-3 if we’re going after people (Armstrong up top too), or pack the midfield more as yours suggests. It’s tough to play against. Wouldnt be surprised if the season gets away from us a little then we start working on it again.

Lenihan central sitting for me, he’s the least effective at bringing the ball out and would allow him to suicide bomb towards every high ball as he already does, but with cover either side. Anyway, I think it could work, in time.

Might not want to change a winning formula, but I think some people are unduly nervous of the 3 at the back. It can work well in this league. We aren’t talking about Ward and Caddis this time you know.

On the iFollow service there are videos/interviews going back years. One of the oldest ones at the moment is the first interview after Murphy signed. I put myself through it. You think he’s a wanker now? It’s staggering. A bigger, twattier bell-end you could not wish to hear. What the hell were we doing? Will capture it and upload if anyone is feeling masochistic or wants to feel eternally grateful for the current squad.

Lot easier to organise when you’re all related.

I reckon Mulgrew would have looked immense against Millwall and Ipswich too. Rodwell played well, especially considering how nervous I was with him being in the 11 prior to kick off, but I genuinely can’t say that he should replace Chico yet or that he is better than him after two decent showings and four games at centre half. But for now we should go with form and with who has the shirt - it’s healthy competition. For the same reason I was disappointed that Downing was dropped after Sheff Wed.

There’s been a tennis ball protest. I repeat, A (singular) tennis ball protest. poor buggers

I think we’ve all forgotten what it feels like to have more than one good player.

Maceo Rigters vs Coventry, FA Cup. I remember that being babb.

Maybe not THE best, probably not even HIS best... But I saw this on YouTube a bit back and it’s still a joy to watch. Just some chilled out 36 year old chain smoker bossing the game against prime era Gerrard and Alonso. He adds a little cherry on top by placing Stevie G firmly on his arse and playing one of the greatest passes I’ve ever seen for what is still one of my all time favourite Rovers goals.

Perish the thought. All good for some though - if he leaves Rodwell in and we get beat, then Mowbray should have brought Captain Fantastic back, and if he does and we don’t get the result, I can’t believe Mowbray would drop Rodwell. A veritable bounty of potential gripes ?

How did we get + 2 points for a draw at Derby? I know we robbed them but didn’t think it was that good! Although WBA away could be +1... As Oldjam says though - we are where we are.

I really, really don’t think putting Mulgrew one-on-one down the flanks against tricky, nippy players is the answer to defensive frailties. He’d be spinning more than Pete Burns and completely chasing shadows.

Although I’m defending the club a lot on this subject - I certainly can’t argue with this.

It would’ve been a draw - we scored in the 89th

Haha I was suffering from Vast Alcohol Retina at the time so was glad of the replay.

Although I have watched Ben Brereton pretty much single handedly signal the end of World Cup winner Per Mertesacker’s career so... ??‍♂️

The Brereton Newcastle chance could even have been a penalty with VAR, it was very tough but he did end up looking a lemon with it going for a throw. If that had been BB missing the Dack chance later on there’d have been meltdown and calls for heads to roll again. On Graham too - I think his finishing in the last month or so has really not been up to his usual standards can think of at least a couple of one on ones etc. Suppose they just don’t have that finisher’s instinct!

I know we are a bit suspicious of it, and with good reason - but I can really see the 3-5-2 working now with those three. TM said in his post-match that Charlie may not just walk back into the team anyway...

Who knows, it’s possible. But the most important thing is that we are pretty much only talking about the football again.

Ok leave them out. The rest “suggests he has a finishers instinct in his game” - not exactly a massive stretch. I’m not saying he’s going to be Ronaldo, I asked for a McBurnie!

As well as the goals he has scored previously before coming here (not prolific but some good finishes), the comments on his finishing by TM and other players, and an exceptionally well taken goal at Preston that was ruled out wrongly for offside.

He wants to look at McBurnie at Swansea. Tall and gangly as a stick with a touch like a midwife. But he runs at players, and in behind. Gets on the end of stuff too with good finishing. That’s how I see B.B. turning out, doesn’t need to go all Incredible Hulk or turn into a target man.

Haha fair enough, good points. I just thought that Wigan were deserved champions over us in League One and I expected that we’d be very evenly placed this season. Their recruitment didn’t look too bad next to ours when the only real signings we’ve added regularly to the lineup is one PL loan and Armstrong for 1.5 million, whom we had last year along with the youth products you mention. I think we’ve improved massively from last season with much the same squad - can’t say the same for Wigan. I’d like to think that Cook has been found out at this level, odious git.