Technically Travis could play AMR / AML too - why isn't anyone clamouring for him to play there? Is it perhaps, because his best position is CM and our CM is weak? Same applies for Rothwell. I don't know what JRC's position is (I haven't seen enough of him) - but to me he's looked the best playing out wide and providing some balance to the side. He needs to be given a run of games at ONE position though - he's played 5 different ones for us since lockdown (LB, RB, AMC, AML and AMR). It does nothing for his development. We're not Holland, this isn't Total Football.

[insert picture of Tony Mowbray]

Again, it's a game of opinions. Last night, from memory, against a PL outfit: Holtby's sitter was taken off his toes (although whether he scores that is another matter - he at least was in a good position) Played a lovely pass across the 6 yard box that Armstrong / Dolan conspired to fluff (before Rothwell eventually blazed over the bar) Won the header from the late corner to set up Williams' third fluffed chance (which he also blazed over the bar) His parried shot should have been slotted home by JRC, if he was more aware (fell to Bell instead, who drew a save) Again, maybe I'm just imagining things. I admit for a £7m signing, especially at our level, you'd hope for a Championship beater out of the box. But we've not received that - he's an IKEA player - we've had to assemble him and, quite frankly, he's starting to be useful.

Chapman / Dolan / JRC / Brereton (albeit I think he's better central). I don't know if any of the Academy players that are breaking through play there either? Brennan maybe? I wouldn't play Armstrong there if I could help it - he only has an eye for goal, so lacks the creativity / instincts to play others in. His pace is nullified out wide too as, typically, FBs are faster than CBs. I'd be grooming Gallagher to JUST play CF too - enough of this 6'4" RW nonsense.

Mokoena would be our best player. Albeit, that's more of an indication of how far standards have fallen. If Garner is still on the table for a loan, I'd snap their hands off.

You'd imagine we have SOME money to spend, right?

I'd persist with him because he's been our best attacking player during the pre-season / early season. He's a confidence player - the worst thing Mowbray could do now is bench him the second Dack / Gallagher become available for selection. He's improved a hell of a lot since lockdown - a) by bulking up and b) by getting a consistent run of games (and not hearing a barrage of tuts / sighs whenever he loses the ball from the Ewood faithful) I'd reward him by giving him an extended run in the side. I wouldn't measure his success on his goals return either - he brings other players into the game. If after 5 games it doesn't work, you can go back with trying to shoehorn Dolan / Gallagher / Dack / Armstrong / JRC / Rothwell / Chapman / A.N. Other into a coherent attacking force.

Anyone that insists Rothwell should play out wide after mountains of evidence that it's not his best position instantly loses credibility with me. It's a game of opinions, yes, but he ran the show from CM last night (when Mowbray dropped him back there).

I'm just watching the highlights. I forgot Holtby missed an absolute sitter.

He's not a FB.

I'd persist with Brereton for now. Armstrong can only effectively play upfront - he's too limited a player to do anything else well at this level. Flank him with Brereton and JRC. Have Dolan / Chapman as an option to come on at 60 minutes to change the game.

JRC is still finding his feet at this level. From what I've seen he's a tidy player, technically, with a good footballing brain. Just lacks a little pace. Personally I'd persist with him at AMR and see if he can settle into the role. If not he has value as a utility player, but I'd rather not resign him to that fate just yet.

I think his confidence is improving with a run in the side / not having 15k Rovers fans tut and sigh every time he loses the ball. I'd back that up by saying he had a few pops at goal today when perhaps it wasn't the best option. He usually always looks to lay it off.

Funny, I'd say he had a good game tonight against a PL team. Our best attacking player tonight. Yes, he has things to work on - he's not a natural goal scorer for a start, but he's twice the player he was before lockdown.

You watched the game today, yes? Rothwell was superb playing centrally. His ability to run with the ball, his vision and his range of passes SCREAMS CM. I think that's the first time, and hopefully the last, that I've been accused of happy clapping. I call it how I see it.

I'd be shocked - he's out in the cold. Johnson, Evans and Holtby for the forseeable. Unless the first two are already crocked.

I'm surprised they've not laid into their other whipping boy, Rothwell too. Two players who can do no right in the eyes of some.

As I thought, shit defending from Nyambe. Track the runner or play offside. You can't do both, Ryan.

He needs a run of games at CM. He'll never get them under Mowbray though. Thinks he's the next Benrahma cos he's got a bit of pace and can take it past a player.

In what world is Dolan having a good game, but Rothwell isn't? Everything we've done in attack has been ineffective.

Good lord do you guys have whipping boys. Brereton and Rothwell could cure cancer and you'd find fault with it.

If Lenihan was a leader he'd have bollocked Nyambe for that play.

That goal was Nyambe's fault. He played the goalscorer onside and then stopped tracking the run.

The communication at the back is a fucking disgrace. What a soft goal.

I think Williams will be on his way out now with this signing.