Exiled_Rover

That's an expansion of what I said earlier. Look, it's the match thread, so I don't want to dominate it with this discussion - but a #9 is not a wide player. We disagree on that simple notion, so let's end the back and forth here, yeah?

Oh dear. Never mind.

I'm struggling to see why you're not comprehending this. As a #9 he's very good in this division. It plays to his strengths as a footballer. He has scored most of his goals for us playing centrally. If you ask him to play wider - either in the current 4-3-3 or in the 4-2-3-1 we played last year he's a poor player at this level.

How does this comment relate to my comment?

He's scored most of those goals playing as a #9. [insert snide remark here, as that seems to be the norm on here]

He's an instinctive player. Whenever he has to think he falls to pieces. It's why he's a L1 wide player and why he misses 1-on-1s with such regularity.

No. We needed Ayala - CB is sorted for me now.

Where does he play in this formation?

They've handled the long breaks in play for injury better than we have. We've done nothing since Cunningham was injured.

How's that not a booking for Cunningham?!

It's why the talk of "I'd turn down a £10m offer for him" always makes me chuckle. He's a very limited player.

Do Cardiff really not have a third kit? If this was FIFA I'd be playing Rovers in their away kit.

It's not about how good you are, it's about your face fitting and who you know. Just look at Redknapp - he's awful, but has been a SKY pundit forever. Carragher spat at a child and kept his job.

They have billions and are building (or have built) several mansions in the countryside surrounding Blackburn. They could clearly buy the club several times over and not blink an eye.

Fair play to Raya though, he's earned another pay rise out of it.

After the international break we've got two games a week up until the new year. Lenihan, Williams and Ayala won't hold up under that schedule (injuries and suspensions). You need depth - which is where Wharton comes in. Conversely it's why we need depth elsewhere - our new style of play won't be as effective when we're asked to back it up 4 days later.

A midfield 3 of Rothwell, Holtby and Travis is promotion worthy. I was wrong about Holtby (but then he was a terrible #10) but the other two I've said are great Championship CMs for a while. You just have to hear the fear in iFollow commentator's voices when Rothwell gets the ball and carries it through the centre of the park - and the relief / disbelief in their voices when he's taken off after 60 minutes. Often accompanied with "I thought he was one of their better players".

Honestly no more so than other iFollow commentators. The Luton ones at the end of last season were, quite frankly, a joke. You have to accept that you're essentially listening to club mouth pieces.

I liked the look of Lewis Thompson against Man City U23s, but he's 20 already and didn't get a game at Fylde. With how poor Bell has been, you'd think they'd have thrown him in for a game last year. Same with Pike - he looks useful, but also hasn't had a shot. You wonder how highly rated they are at the club.

Much like Armstrong - you negate what Rothwell is good at if you play him wide left. Hopefully Mowbray has woken up to the idea that Rothwell is a CM. If we're one light it's on the wings, in this 4-3-3. We currently have JRC, Dolan, Chapman and Brereton. Need A.N. Other to provide competition for when one of the aforementioned loses form / gets injured. Fortunately it's a position that is in abundance so we should be able to loan in a very good player there.

The lad is a walking meme. How is losing to us the worst moment of his professional life?!

Jones posed with Manchester United gear when still under contract with Blackburn Rovers. It's been a joy watching his career flounder and flop at Old Trafford. Would never have him back.

Aye, saw that during the pre-season game. It makes our Venkys advert with Dunn / Nelson look classy.

If we HAD to sell Dack or Armstrong for an obscene amount of money? Had to? I'd snap their hand off.

Whether by design or default, he's changed the formation and started to put players in their correct positions. It's basic stuff, but it's producing results - and far less infuriating than watching Mowbray try to hammer square pegs into round holes.