But we scored only two, and one of those chances fell to Brittain who isn't someone who scores goals and indeed failed to put away a very presentable opportunity. The squad is not balanced well to play 532 and it would put into further question the money spent on Szmodics if we played a formation that didn't include a position for him. I think if you put Dack in as a 10 then it changes everything and that was my suggestion for tonight, A number 10 behind 2 strikers also opens up the possibility of a few other of our attacking players that also IMO don't suit a 532 to be involved. My point was more that if you went with Travis/Garrett as well as Wharton and Morton in front of a back 5, that to me is too defensive and is very reliant on mainly Brereton but the front 2 to score with no other goal threats in the team.

Not untrue, just one opinion against another. I felt that he didn't particularly play well even in the first 3 games and didn't look particularly comfortable playing in a deeper position. I am yet to be convinced that such a transition is to his benefit.

Seems like Gerrard is deservedly getting sacked at Villa. Has done a poor job with vast resources, I wonder if this will bring the "he will replace Klopp when he leaves" media campaign to a halt?

I would counteract the point about a younger team by highlighting a lack of experience. Dack is not even 30 but he can add some knowhow to a young and naive group. He is also only a year or two older than Szmodics who has signed under Tomasson and was a player lauded for his experience so that doesnt tally up.

I agree with the idea of consistency in formation and think that constantly changing formation leads to inconsistency but for me a 352 doesnt really suit our squad long term as much as it worked in the first half at the weekend. Firstly the current set up and the players we have dont assemble much of an attacking threat, our wing backs are quite conservative and none of our central midfielders are goalscorers. It also is imbalanced in relation to our squad as we are then totally reliant on 2 forwards with Hirst and Vale not up to covering adequately and a host of attacking midfielders/wingers not really fitting in, sidelining Dack, Szmodics, Dolan, Hedges and Markanday. My suggestion for tomorrow was just a slight tweak, replacing Travis with Dack. Him behind the 2 forwards (not as a false 9) would be a threat and would give us more creativity against a Sunderland side lacking strikers. Wharton and Morton have 0 career goals between them and neither are particularly attacking. Brittain hasnt scored more than 2 in any season and hasnt scored for a few years and Pickering is hardly known for his goalscoring.

I think we need more in attack than just 2 strikers. Wharton, Morton and Garrett in front of a back 5 in a home game v a side with no strikers would be negative.

Yes. Point being that when he potentially could have made a difference and Tomasson was justifably criticised for not bringing him on earlier, nothing. Assuming teams are reluctant to get close to his wage and any deal would take lots of compromise in January, he would be possibly best advised to sit on it, try and break back in and earn another year on the same wage, or failing that have the freedom of the market in the summer.

Why should finances be secondary?

Bring Vale on, he once had a shot saved!

Ignoring our supposed high pressing style, Dack is talked about like a 40 year old target man who can't run. I suppose such an extreme view can then tow the party line to mirror opinions of inside the club, advocating every decision made.

There was an absence of a few days on this messageboard for the days following the drab Wigan loss where Dack despite being the obvious goal threat on the bench was given a few minutes at the end...

We don't know if anyone came in for either player. Although the Lancashire Telegraph did report that Stoke came in for Nyambe the summer before last: https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/20226340.blackburn-rovers-ryan-nyambe-contract-saga-rumbles/ "Stoke City tried to sign Nyambe on a permanent deal last summer, but Rovers rejected their advances." So assuming that is true, that is 3 out of 4 (as far as we are aware, maybe there was interest in Lenihan) in regards to players that we have actively chosen to turn down money for, probably costing the club £15m, in favour of letting them all go for free.

Might be announced as that but as a night game some season tickets will give it a swerve and watch on TV and Waggott saying all night games are £20 before putting the prices up will not help. I think there will be no real reaction to Mowbray. I am guessing based on your prediction that Dack maybe not making the bench that he would make way for Hirst? Who would you bring on if you need a goal out of the 2, would be senseless to go for Hirst. Or even Vale, who has never looked like scoring and couldn't score in non league.

Has been poor in every game he has played this season, and until he proves otherwise big question marks will remain about his suitability playing deep.

Speaks well of the club but will no doubt be critically analysed with the conclusion that he is out of order for saying what he said there.

It will be interesting to see what if any reception Mowbray gets, I suspect none at all in an empty ground with Waggott putting the prices up for a night game that is ok Sky. Plus as a manager, it isn't like a player who can get booed when on the ball or clapped off when subbed off/his name is read out. I don't forsee any booing, I would be happy to give him a round of applause.

It is more than a couple of rusty games, he has struggled a few times playing in a new position and has never impressed there.

I wouldnt rule it out and some of his attributes in theory suit playing deeper but thus far its been a failed move.

In the summer, there seemed to be a decision made to convert Buckley to a deeper midfield role, signing another attacking midfielder and because the assumption that he would effrctively move back hasnt materialised, we do look very short in that position.

He was a useful sub yesterday at the perfect time and far more effective than Dolan. Ultimately to start regularly he needs to do more than run around alot, he needs to be better with the ball.

We shouldn't just swap Travis for Garrett or similar, we are at home to a side with no strikers, we can afford to have more than 2 attacking players. Assuming that we are sticking with the back 3, I would bring in Dack for Travis (play him behind Gallagher and Brereton) and Carter for Phillips who isn't ready. Kaminski Carter Hyam Wharton Brittain Morton Wharton Pickering Dack Gallagher Brereton

Hirst wouldnt be a useful sub in any situation.

I think his contract is up in the summer, albeit with an option.

If West Brom can get Dyche then it would be an outstanding appointment.

Equally, we had many people eulogising over Broughton for how great an appointment he is based on the signings before half had kicked a ball. I would say at this stage that the overall success of the window is mixed.