Exiled_Rover

I think Travis would have been off in a competitive match. Quite a few cynical fouls.

Harlock. Thought he looked better than Clarkson in the U23s when I saw them play each other.

The fact JDT hasn't played them, but has played Leonard, Burns, Vale, Harlock, Wharton and Garrett suggests that he doesn't think they're ready yet.

Because he wants to see the backups get game time with the First XI. They're going to have to do it during the season, why not during the preseason when results don't matter? How does Wharton look alongside Travis? Phillips alongside Wharton? Vale alongside Gallagher? Now we know. It also clarifies where we need strengthening.

9 goals in League One - hardly set the world on fire...

When you marry the starters from the Hartlepool game with the starters from this one you've got a solid team. There's just no depth, which is understandable considering 10 first team players have walked out the door and we've only brought 1 in. We need a LB, a CM and a ST at a minimum.

I don't think Adam Wharton has looked out of place at all.

You've been impressed with Dack, Dolan and Hedges today then? Fair enough, each to their own.

I'd say it's pretty clear we're a forward light. An injury to Gallagher or Diaz being sold and you can't field a team.

Get used to it, that's his style: https://totalfootballanalysis.com/head-coach-analysis/jon-dahl-tomasson-at-blackburn-rovers-202223-tactical-analysis-tactics It will obviously take a while to bed in.

He played half the team against Hartlepool and he's playing half the team against Lincoln. Clever management really - it means the starters will get 90 minutes under their belts and the squad players who are going to be asked to step up at some point during the season get to play alongside starters to see if they fit.

Would be an odd move as it's a joke league - fingers crossed we match the wages.

Let's compromise - Wilder can ask Mowbray if he's a nice lad, but he can't ask him what position he plays.

Amazing they were able to loan him out to Genoa and get £35m for him after only 8 goals.

So does Kompany's scouting network extend beyond Eastlands, or...?

Yes.

What were West Ham offering? Moyes seemed to be in love with him.

He won't line up across from a player like Jota in the Championship.

Carter should be in the mix - I'd also have him as cover at RB (obviously it blunts the attack, but he's athletic enough to play out there). I'd be happy with Ayala, Wharton, Carter, A.N. Other - then one of Barnes or Phillips (I'd assume Barnes would go out on loan if we signed someone?). I'd be delighted to shift Ayala (and Magloire) on and bring in 2 CBs, but that's just being greedy.

Shut up. Brittain, Bowler, Styles and Van Hecke would be ridiculous business (but right in line with the 4/5 quality First XI additions, with the rest of the squad being filled out by Academy players plan) - I'm not allowing myself to think that's possible to happen.

I genuinely hope they go straight back down - that's a mental signing.

But we've gained one back in Carter (he has to play). If they're high on Barnes he has to be factored in too (he's also 21, so it's sink or swim time for him), and obviously we have Phillips in the mix.

I imagine Bowler would be that 'special' signing Waggot spoke about where the budget could be stretched. It was aimed at Anel Ahmedhodzic and I assume Ben Davies. I'd look to loan in a CB now if the money is being spent on Styles and Bowler.

I don't mind him as the AMC in our system, or cover for Buckley / Travis. If he's as good as those quotes suggest then it alleviates some of the pressure being put on Garrett / Wharton et al. Its a long season, they'll get minutes, but hopefully not as the first guy off the bench.

I keep on harking back to it, but this suggests he's going to play a 4-2-3-1: https://totalfootballanalysis.com/head-coach-analysis/jon-dahl-tomasson-at-blackburn-rovers-202223-tactical-analysis-tactics We will often have to play 2 matches a week, operating with a high-tempo press. It's the reason Dack is going to struggle (I suspect he's going to be used as an impact sub, at least early in the season), and the reason why Travis / Buckley can't be relied upon to play 90 minutes each match. I'd love to re-visit this during the season, especially once we see where he plays Edun (assuming he thinks he's up to snuff - from what I've seen of him in a Rovers shirt, I don't) and Styles (assuming he signs - I hope he's been signed as a LB). From what I've seen of Garrett he's been played in a more advanced role this pre-season, as an AMC. Barnes is also 21, so either he goes out on loan and starts each week (most likely as we're clearly looking at CBs) or he's in our CB rotation. It's a shame the Ayala rumours have died down because he simply can't be relied upon to be fit for the majority of the season. I suspect we've got 1 or 2 more permanent signings in us, with the rest of the squad filled out with loans.