Bennett should have been in midfield with Evans, and Rothwell should have started.

I said earlier on in this thread that we shouldnt be afraid of anyone, well I am afraid now. Harry and Marv are peaking in the windows with gleaming crowbars. Heads went down today big time. So much for this togetherness. We looked beaten earlier than we actually were, and it wasn't helped with Tonys subs today. The goals were very poor, particularly the header and the one were Lenihan got mugged by a big fat striker. Bristol City played the high press to perfection today, similar to what we did to Brentford last week. We didnt look like we could be bothered with it for much of today. Is it the mark of a good team in this division, how well you can press high? Unfortunatly Bristol City look a class above us. Tactics Really disappointed to hear Mowbrays talking about putting too many attackers on the pitch, thats why we lost. Sorry Tony I dont agree. We lost this game because we came out in the second half an absolute mess, silly mistakes and a lack of effort at times. Devoid of attacking threat. I always feel like Tony wants to play 3-5-2 with wing backs, but everytime he has tried it we have been poor, thus he has reverted to this ultra defensive 4-2-3-1. He wants defensive players to turn into counter attacking players in this 4-2-3-1, I prefer the opposite of putting in attacking players and teaching them to be disciplined defensively. Nyambe and Bell have been told to be repsonsible and disciplined going forward, but with Evans and the shocking Smallwood in midfield, we really do struggle to get numbers forward, we are struggling to create chances from open play. Look at Bristol City today who were fluid and smooth. I tell you there isnt a lonelier job than the 4-2-3-1, where your the striker and your battling with two quality centre halfs. Raya 6 - Very poor for the goals. Couple of worldies as usual. Thought he was having a nap at times in the second half. Distribution poor. Nyambe 6 - Not his best game. Pace gets him out of trouble alot. Lenihan 5 - Yikes. How many goals is that this season he has been responsible for? Immense against Brentford, but looked a league 1 player today im afriad. Mulgrew 6 - Poor today, starting to look tired against a better quality player. Bell 6 - Tough assignment today against a very good winger. Wouldn't drop him yet. Evans 6 - Not at the races for much of today, got overan at times, playing with Smallwood doesn't help. Done just okay. Smallwood 4 - Tony how many times are you look away in disgust with his passing until you drop him, 50 times, 100 times? If he starts vs Villa then you have to wonder if he has dodgy pics of Mowbrays or something. Never a championship player. Palmer 6 - Bit of a show pony, cut inside alot today and didnt really do much. Has to score. Armstrong 6 - I am giving him a 6 because he looked about 50% fit. Again has to score that one on one. Not sure what business he has playing AMC, with Rothwell and Palmer available there. Only player with genuine pace in the team going forward, but it was useless much of today. Bennett 5 - Lost on the right wing. Didn't see the usual effort and hustle.Playing a winger who can't beat a player isnt a good look. Graham 5 - Apart from the nice through ball to Arma, wasnt at the races, think he will be useful off the bench when everyone is fit. Rothwell 8 - Best player on the team when he came on. What on earth was he doing on the bench today Tony? He should have passed the ball when he went on the mazy and dragged his shot wide. The boy has some drive from midfield. We are desperate for that. Brereton 6 - Rough debut for the lad, looks to have a good touch, didnt win much in the air, plenty more to come. Really hope he isnt one of those 6footers than is 5'7 when he jumps. That offside looked close. Nuttall 4 - Seriously Tony. We look a couple of players short of being able to match up with quality championship teams right now. Plenty to work on the next few weeks. I really hope that Rodwell can play centre half cause I have serious questions on Mulgrew and Lenihan this level. Should have signed Bauer. Reed should be getting a look in, and rothwell needs to be given a go with Evans in midfield. Dack back asap and Brereton up to speed. Armstrong fit and we go again. 9 points from 6 games is an okay start. Time to take my mind of Rovers for a week or so.

Never ever a free kick, and from there the ref has to be sure. Very disappointing decision. Arma has to score that.

Not afraid of anyone in this league the way we have started. Need Dack and Armstrong back very badly. Want to see Armstrong Dack Palmer Brereton as the front four, but might be a bit soon for Ben.

Could see a move in the summer, but not now.

Still can’t believe we have dropped that kind of money on any player. The guy gets to learn his trade off Danny Graham, lucky boy. Well done Tony and the Venkys. This has been a superb run. Everything seems to be going well and all of a sudden we have a fine collection of young players, mostly English. Now Butterworth and Grayson are coming up too. Just need the cherry on top by bringing in Harry Chapman, also on a loan to perm deal in Jan. Would need to be a cheap deal, which I think it would be given his contract status. Would like to see him commit to us long term, if the boy can stay healthy he will be a top player. Fits in well with the group, if Tony needs to use him as an impact sub that’s fine. If we have the cash a proper centre half wouldn’t go a miss. I’m a fan of the Rodwell signing but who knows at this stage. Downing scares me as 3rd choice right now, although I think Williams might get a look there if necessary. Don’t fancy picking team on Sunday, good luck Tony.

So we assuming the game is on ifollow on Sunday?

Charlie aint going anywhere, that's laughable. He has done well this season against better opposition. Was a bit worried about if he could hack it.

I think we just need some pace to add to the ranks in the attacking areas. Not sure about this Reed link, would prefer a proper 6’5 centre half that enjoys kicking people, an attacker with pace and Brereton

Absolutely, the back four had a relatively easy afternoon. Credit to Smallwood, Evans and Bennett.

Part of me agrees with you Paul, and the other half says F them, we will start respecting teams when the beat us, until then we are Blackburn Rovers and we will out work every single team we come up against. Mowbray said, and I agree with, we look very solid, (except from the first half vs Reading, where Lenihan had an absolute shocker). Once we get the boys back we will be better going forward. In the words of McCauley Culkin 'I'm not afraid anymore'. We were a dreadful team last time in the championship with a terrible manager. This is different. Add Davenport, Dack, Armstrong and Brereton, and a wide player with pace, and we should look a lot better going forward. What a nice change it is to have two good full backs.

Would love Oliver Burke for the right wing.

Thought Bell and Nyambe read the game beautifully today. Don't recall them getting any joy up the wings.

True but Bennett done the square root of f’all, barely touched the ball in the first half vs Reading. Totally inept performance. Not surprised it’s hit a snag, look at the depth we have in Centre Midfield, I would be thinking am I getting a game here. We do seem to have a pretty big hole on the right side of the three for me. Maybe Palmer plays right and Rothwell on the left. Maybe that’s were Brereton will play, most of his “highlights” show him on the ball wide right.

Can’t believe people are putting Bennett out wide. Have we not learned anything? Do people watch games?

Much rather Lucas Joao if we are targeting lanky centre forwards

Go on ursel Jack the Lad!! Fully getting behind this lad. Could be a miraculous signing and if not then oh well. Doesn’t sound like we have spent a lot of resources on him. I am very intrigued by the prospect of him playing Centre back, seems to be very much like a Lenihan, defensive midfield who’s attributes transfer well into a defender. I have two question: Has he trained with us at all? Does the club have the option of a second year?

Steele was the worst goalkeeper ive ever seen in professional football, and Sunderland paid a fee. There is no way its equal.

I had visions last night of Tony turning Rodwell into a top flight centre half, making the England squad.

He will do well there.

I saw that list too, some fun names on there.

So: Rodwell on a free to cover at CB Reed on loan at CM Brereton for ungodly amount of money Winger to be named later What is everyone whining about?

Thought Bennett was absolutely woeful first half, not a coincidence he improved when moved more centrally in the 2nd.

If the choice is Rodwell on a cheap two year deal, or Reed on Loan. I will take Rodwell, thanks. Again, I can see Smallwood being loaned out, he is a league one player, who served us well. Looking forward to the two announcements tomorrow. 2 tomorrow then 2 next week will have us in great shape.

I just don’t understand, a one point the ball got launched up to Danny who laid it off mid way in their half to a midfielder, and the ball ends up back with Charlie half way in our half. Launched ball again, rinse repeat. Full backs are feart to get forward. Zero breaks of the ball either in that half