Big game against very tough opposition. 3 home losses on the bounce and 5 losses in 6 wouldn't be a good look.

One thing that definitely should happen is a cancellation of the totally pointless nations league games that nobody gives a shit about. I know that other countries aren't in mourning but it would be good for players in our leagues to collectively agree to miss those internationals (just cancel England) and play the rearranged games then rather than further cramming.

Burnley has been called off tomorrow.

There will be no games at club level this month now it seems, mourning for at least 10 until the funeral which is the start of an international break.

Our squad is balanced to playing 4-2-3-1, I think the issues we are having are not necessarily down to the formation.

My point is that the amount of time he deserves depends on the results and to a lesser extent the performances as we go. If we won 7 games then obviously he would have shown plenty to continue. My point was that he doesn't just deserve patience for the sake of it. I think that the start has been pretty solid, I think the performances as a whole and signs of a style developing have been quite low really but its about results so we carry on.

I don't agree with a change to that formation to be honest because it massively dilutes an attack that has struggled to begin with. I think Dack has to play at the moment, we definitely need a number 10 so I would s Morton offers little, I would play Carter at right back and Mola at CB if neither of the injured two are back, if they are, then Mola with Travis in midfield.

https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/tomasson-blackburn-rovers-nyambe-talks-24965247 Tomasson did want Nyambe to stay, although not the case according to a few on here.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/21224014.blackburn-rovers-injury-latest-ahead-wigan-athletic-trip/ Doesn't sound overly confident regarding Ayala or Wharton. If Ayala is ever a doubt, safe to say he won't play. Surely stick in Mola, he is a new signing earmarked for that position. Would raise questions over the signing if we left him out assuming Ayala and Wharton don't play. If Travis is at right back, we may aswell not bother.

Lambert, although it was a forgettable spell.

They can bang on about long term projects, philosophies, styles etc but its easy to obsess over stuff like that, as important as they are. If Chelsea struggle and finish 6th or 7th this season, will Potter be allowed to continue that plan if the signs on the pitch aren't showing that plan starting to come together? No.

Seems like the common theme and can't disagree with most. Any central defender would struggle to dislodge those 2 when fit, perhaps only a signing like Ahmedhodzic would stand out amidst those 2. Hyam is one of the signings that I am happier with though and am happy with 2 of those 3 at any point if possible. Don't agree with a 3 because we have Dack as a number 10, as well as our biggest summer signing. With him and Brittain, they tick the boxes 100% of what we needed and the justification of spending money. We did need an out and out striker and another attacking player albeit I would have gone for someone with more flexibility than Szmodics.

I love that you keep saying that he has said that he is happy and taking it as gospel. Can you possibly imagine him coming out and saying "well I didn't want these players particularly but they will have to do?!" I'm not saying that he isn't happy with the signings but come on, don't be naive, we will never know either way. Regarding a plan, it was a general point. As it happens, lately I have seen very little signs of a plan starting to piece together, with regularly changing teams, a worrying focus on playing it out from the back, a clear lack of experience and physicality, no real signs of the "front 4 fluidity" or even pressing and us looking dodgy at the back and not posing much threat up front. But across the 8 games, with 12 points on the board, definitely enough thus far to crack on. Point being, if say (we won't) in the next 10 games we win 1, draw 2, lose 7 and performance levels remain poor, would you expect everyone to still say, right, don't judge until next season, time and patience etc? I'm not saying that he isn't happy with Hyam and I think he seems one of the better bits of business at this early stage but he will always make him see I am sure that he has had an impact but I think that he would much prefer his first choice for example in Ahmedhodzic. After signing Szmodics, he mentioned his experience in the media. Szmodics has had one season at Championship level where he played with any regularity.

A problem with the manager not picking the players or at least having full control of recruitment is that it is harder to attach responsibility. I suppose Tomasson could have requested more experience but he hasnt got it.

Aubameyang was surely his at least. A manager should always have the main say on recruitment.

I think it is impossible to put a time on it, no matter what any manager it says it should be just an ongoing thing. Patience and time awarded should performances and results show signs of improvement and encouragement, rather than give it until x date then judge.

Usual manager spiel I guess. Obviously it makes sense for any manager to try and buy as much time as possible.

I haven't seen many comments regarding his comments although we have seen with Mowbray (and even before) that when results go against us, people start to pick apart post match interviews/touchline demeanour much more. The start points wise possibly flatters us if that is possible, but is a very reasonable return nonetheless. That being said, it can't be a case of praise when we win and call for time when we lose. People as with any manager will pass comment as we go, after the first 3 games you couldn't move for compliments, in the last 5 games the results and level of performance have been really poor, so there will naturally be questioned asked. I'm sure that Tomasson will get time but only if there are signs on the pitch of a plan coming together, not blindly.

Chelsea have regularly been lambasted for the relatively short time that they tend to give managers for some reason yet they have consistently picked up trophies throughout that time, justifying those decisions. On a much smaller scale, its the same at Watford. Regarding JDT, people don't need to be patronised into understanding anything. If we get good results, he will get praised, if we get shit results, he will get criticised.

To be fair, Brown also looked well off the standard albeit in one appearance at Birmingham. I think we needed to sign 2 right backs really.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/20901004.joe-rankin-costello-faces-difficult-task-blackburn-rovers/ Brutal is harsh, but pretty conclusive that he isn't in his plans. (Which based on his ability is a good thing for Rovers)

If he got the Chelsea job then I doubt he would take the England job. The England job and indeed all international jobs in the main don't compare to top club roles. He would either be a success at Chelsea and see the part time nature of international football to be a huge step down, or be damaged goods if it goes pear shaped.

Which of Ayala and Wharton would you not play in favour of Hyam? Hyam impressed me at Blackpool and came well regarded, but to break past them 2 when fit is difficult, maybe our first choice supposed target Ahmedhodzic would have done so, Hyam, not sure at this stage. Mola seemingly has signed as a centre back according to the LT today. I would put him in midfield at the weekend next to Travis assuming at least one of Wharton and Ayala are back. Hirst seems quite a similar player to Gallagher from that hour at the weekend, powerful runner in the channels but poor first touch and unable to link play. Yeah I would agree that Hirst didn't impress. Very early so plenty of scope to grow into things but his limitations at being a focal point like Gallagher were stark.

I have never seen signs that there "is a player in there." People often focus on his position but what attributes does he have to thrive in any position at this role? He is slow, he is technically pretty poor, not particularly good on the ball, not aggressive, not physically robust enough, I don't see what he has that makes people think he could be a good player. Interesting how brutal Tomasson was in the press. I do agree that he shouldn't be in the team, but there was little to no scope for a return. I wonder how he and indeed his team mates have read it?