Got to be honest. I'd love it if we played like Sheffield United. Thought they were the best team by a mile at Ewood this season. Aggressive and could ping the ball around confidently with a threat in the final third.

The problem we have is 2 fold: The current crop of players are competitive. They are not on ridiculous contracts and most look willing to fight for 90 minutes. Compared to the '7' years or so of footballers prior. I don't dislike any of them personally or feel they are 'bad eggs' or taking the piss out of the club -like some we've witnessed. I'm sure they are a good group to 'manage'. However, they are (one or two aside) technically and physically (in terms of pace/height/strength etc), limited players. This is why we invariably are on the losing side of close games - or in some instances, get completely dominated. Mulgrew, Dack, Graham, Reed and -at a push - Evans, are all proficient enough to mount a promotion challenge around but 2 of those are in the twighlight of their careers and one (or more) will be gone in summer). The rest are either young and inconsistent or simply not at the required level Raya, Lenihan, Nyambe, Travis, Armstrong could (IMO) form part of a promotion squad but not necessarily first 11. Bennett is limited but a dependable squad player and a good egg to have around a squad. After that, I'm struggling to think of anyone else that would be of the required level to get us out of this league. The second problem is this much vaunted 'way of playing' that TM is so keen to introduce. The current squad clearly arent capable of whatever it is he is trying to implement. He has said as much, yet wants to see how far they can take us. We don't seem to have a preferred system, so our transfer approach seems scattergun at best (although they must be young and make us money in the future - as they seem the only transfers sanctioned - despite the talk of experienced players last sumner). The apparent lack of system means we don't sign specialist players for positions. As much as I like Mowbray as a person, no way do I think he is astute enough to get a limited team out of this league (like a manager such as Warnock may do). He may get us promoted, if like last year, he has a superior first 11 than the rest of the league (or realistically - most of). If he is being remotely honest about trying to get the team at a level to get promoted, he needs 5 first teamers at the level of (Dack, Graham, Reed and Mulgrew). If he doesn't use this window, that gives him summer and next winter to make those purchases (on the timescale of windows he set). This window needs to see at least one good player added (preferably permanently but minimum loan with a view). If we fail to add any, citing summer as the time to recruit, I cannot see us getting anywhere near promotion in the timescale he set. Especially given the very limited success of last summer's window, where we could not get the players we wanted. We all know that Venkys often change the rules, renauge on promises etc which may have an impact on TMs plans. This is a massive year for Mowbray. The football has been pretty turgid as a whole. Grinding out results and getting a few spankings. But if the mission was to stay in the champ, then we definitely will achieve that. To get to the next level though, his transfer dealings are going to have to be absolutely spot on.

Agree with that. Mowbray has already said he will be worth a lot of money in to the club in the future. He may be in for a shock!

When he was through challenging the keeper....only to shoot it out for a throw in. That was impressive to be fair.

Good header that. Shame the formation gifted them a 2 goal start. Hopefully stay solid second half and nick it.

Not 3 at the back with RB and LB. Lennihan and Grayson? Or a RM at left wing back. Mowbray find new holes to put square pegs in.

Bennett and Reed are not wing backs. Bell is not a defender.

Get rid of this ridiculous 3 at the back. It never works

Given that we are likely safe yet not good enough to get a top 6 spot, blooding the younger lads may be a better option. Give the likes of Nuttall, Butterworth, Grayson, Wharton etc a couple of first team games to see what they're about. Sink or swim scenario. Then spend accordingly in summer.

Shall we just reopen this thread on Jan 31st. Nowt happening before then I suspect.

Lot of love for Rodwell. Agree he looks composed on the ball. IMO He has a reluctance to attack the ball in the air- preferring to let it bounce which is no good for a cb. If he can develop that side of his game, he may well be an asset at the back.

Possibly - but better suited to playing the lone role than anyone bar Graham so at this moment of time, he should be at least on the bench.

Was he not on loan at Millwall last season and did well? Surely on his way there. We need a left back not a RB.

Nuttall looks like he has that natural striker knack of scoring scruffy goals. He's a decent height and got a bit of pace. Unless we bring in somebody considerably better, I would rather have him replacing Graham than any of our other options.

Well done Armstrong!

Yeah - we winning 2 0

Rodwell is a liability at the back. Doesn't attack the ball.

Deary me.

Evans injured. That's Smallwood walking back into the side

Nuttall has led the line quite well considering there hasn't been anyone within 30 yards of him. I think Bell is improving defensively but going forward and passing is dire. At least we are setting new records in boringness for the championship ?

Lol we've been doing that all season

Conway needs subbing.

Typical performance so far. Scrappy. No quality.

Nuttall had a decent start here to be fair.

No goals in this starting 11.