There seems to be an overreaction to Dack not coming on yesterday with conclusions about his future. I would have started him but he seemingly was never like to, but it is a different proposition in terms of whether to bring him on as a sub. He was smiling at the end when the whistle went, he probably was pissed off that he didn't come on but is that abnormal? I struggle to strongly believe that coaches actively working at the club are telling randomers that Dack has been struggling in training, it would be totally unprofessional plus we saw the accuracy of Rothwell's dad mouthing off on a train... It is braindead of any partner or relative posting anything on a player's future/opinion though and totally unproductive, we also have a weird thing of our fans spamming Carter and Phillip's mums! I would be pissed off if I was Dack and his girlfriend has put that. The one thing I am sure of is that our best player is Dack if he is anything like his old self, and if we can't get him working and firing in our team then we will be much worse off. I suppose that you could argue that the selection is correct if we win and incorrect if we lose, so to an extent I would agree. And his inclusion was understandable having scored a couple in pre season. But I wouldn't agree that he looked "fine," he really struggled and looked out of his depth. Nothing against the lad, either he will get more chances or go out on loan, but we need a new striker 100%. Deserves it how? He struggled and had no impact, why would he deserve to keep his place? Lets not pretend that we were a different attacking proposition just because you hate Mowbray, to clarify it is a work in progress and only results matter. But aside from a Travis goal from nowhere and a couple of half chances, we struggled to create. When was Armstrong's head not right? He didn't play a competitive game did he last season prior to his move, and he ended the previous season scoring for fun.

The backing of the supporters has never been in doubt and there would be more if the tickets were priced appropriately.

How much have you seen of him play? The reason I ask is I have always seen him play as a number 10, I am curious to know how often in the past he has played either from the wing or as a striker to see if he could fit in the same team as Dack.

Football is all about results so great to be back at Ewood and great to see us win. The performance was a mixed bag, the right side of an attritional game in not far off the most favourable game we could have wished for to start against an average side without their best player. Kaminski was untested really aside from one great save and a few wobbles, and I felt that the whole back 4 was very good. The centre backs stood out, Brittain was tidy on debut and I feel that Pickering's reputation is preceding him, he was really steady with an excellent block towards the end. The midfield 2 were also very good, Travis obviously scored a screamer but also was a leader. Buckley was excellent on the ball on the half turn but he needs to keep a lid on his immaturity, he should have been sent off and QPR had fair grievance that we got lucky with that, he won't be far from a red card if he cannot keep his discipline if he picks up a yellow card. The front 4 were in the main pretty poor and there is a lot of work to do there. Brereton was good and offered our only goal threat. Hedges was the best of the other 3 although he isn't a number 10 and he was quite clumsy and loose at times. Gallagher out wide was as poor as usual and Tomasson should scrap that. And I that Vale looks a million miles off being a Championship starter, he looked like a boy lost in a mans game. We need a central striker in the window 100%. The use of subs was interesting, there is a balance to be had now you can make 5 and it was quite brave to only make 1 especially on the opening day but it worked. Looking to Swansea, the keeper, back 4 and midfield 2 pick themselves as well as Brereton. I would suggest that Dack, Dolan, Markanday and if signed Szmodics could all justifiably expect to start. We need some recruits ASAP as we look very thin at the moment, if we had got a defensive injury we would have struggled.

Why? Firstly we will never truly know the fee. But does the owners allowing a small portion of two big sales (Brereton counted) to be invested remove any justification for potential criticism? What if a signing turns out to be crap, which will at some stage happen, hopefully infrequently? You once said that people need to only ask and a cheque would be written, why did this not happen when funding for a new pitch was revoked? Is that proof? We have always had a style of play and presumably a plan, Tomasson is not a trend setter. Mowbray had a team that played a back 3 and counter attacked, he had a team that played deep and went long to Graham and played off the second balls and he had a team that played out from the back in a 4-3-3 to varying degrees of success. Coyle had a consistent 4-4-2 with 2 wingers with plenty of crosses. Every manager has a plan, ultimately what is important is the results that follow.

If that is how low your benchmark is then perhaps.

Still piss poor and could be rectified with reasonable pricing.

Because its in a similar location and shows a huge difference in sales which isnt a coincedence considering the much cheaper prices. Do you think 8k season tickets is good or bad?

I'm not the biggest advocate of many of the stats on here, progressive passing, smart passing, second passes, and so many of the others which are dependant on so many factors that they become almost obsolete, but for the data nerds amongst us, it doesn't reflect too kindly on him. From what I have seen of him, he very much prefers to play as a number 10 so I somewhat hope if he signs that he struggles to get a game because Dack is back fit and firing. Clinging on to something, he is a bundle of energy so he might suit a pressing style and he runs in behind more than anyone we have bar Brereton who will soon leave. He has twice struggled to step up to the Championship (once in a new and established team and one having himself been key in a promotion) but Khadra (who you could indirectly argue he is replacing) and in fact basically all of our attacking players scored less last season.

The 7 games are certainly not "to see if the youth players can play a part," they aren't a dress rehearsal and indeed are as important as any of the 39 games that follow! Fair play. You said you wanted Brown to stay, he hasn't and you have stuck with your opinion even though it goes against the managers opinion. Out of interest, assuming you still think we needed 6 signings and with Brittain signed and lets assume that Morton and Szmodics also sign. Where would you add the other 3? I'm not sure he is suited to being an impact sub, I know he was unfit last season but it is so hard regularly being expected to perform miracles from the bench. I think when Brereton goes, our best chance in getting goals is still more likely to come from Dack factoring in the likelihood of making anything like a full recovery than any of the supporting cast, Gallagher included.

Not saying this is final by any means, but would those 2 be given a game against the likes of Porto and Spurs if they were at Liverpool?

Surely the barometer isn't just to get anyone in, that has been the key point of those dismissing worries that we haven't got players in before the season? If people have genuine concerns about the potential value of a player or indeed of the ability, being worried about not getting most of our business done before the season doesn't eliminate those issues. It isn't quality OR timeliness.

Szmodics increasingly likely apparently, whereas the Bowler fake rumour grows more momentum.

Absolutely no chance.

He has always been like that, a real attention seeker who has I bet aggravated many people that he deals with by doing so.

I am also glad to see Brown go out on loan as he looked well off it v Birmingham and it suits everyone for him to get regular game time, maybe shows something that he has gone to League 2 and not 1. He has always been fighting an uphill battle coming to England so late and it might well end up with him leaving permanently to League 1 or 2 should his loan spell end well. Szmodics for £2.5m seems a hell of a lot. Has struggled in the Championship on two occasions to establish himself and Peterborough fans don't seem overly arsed to see him go. Predominantly a number 10 so a lot of money for a player who will mainly be a sub.

Unsure what to make of the Morton deal, I am not against loan deals as strongly as many others and if he is better than what we have then by all means get him in, would Garrett and Adam Wharton be given starts in Champions League games at any stage at this moment in time, almost certainly not. The key is whether he is alone as a reinforcement in midfield or if a permanent addition follows. I already felt that we was light in midfield last season prior to losing Rothwell as well as Johnson and Davenport. There is an expectation that Buckley will slot in seamlessly further back, even if he does, I would like at least 4 in there and I would like to see a bit of money spent in there too.

To be fair, we don't have a clue if Styles and/or Bowler have ever seriously come into the thinking of those in charge of recruitment this summer. Every transfer window a player or two is tediously linked and with the momentum of a bit of wishful thinking seems to take off to the point whereby it seems to become an expectation that they will sign.

Is Trevor a relation of Lewis?

Such a lack of accountability. Shouldn't they have enough of an interest to replace people who aren't doing a job properly? That is the key, and Venkys are the underlying problem.

Not sure about that. Everton look weak and wont be able to rely on Richarlison to bail them out as they did in the second half of last season. More onus will fall on Dele Alli who always seemed a desperate gamble. McNeil obviously had a more productive season in the season before last but 1 assist and 0 goals, is he an upgrade on the likes of Gray and Gordon who themselves are hardly the most productive wingers? Not so sure he is. Not sure Lampard is a manager to get more than the sum of its parts out of a squad and they will hope that Tarkowski who is a good signing can be the glue in a leaky defence. I think @longsiders1882 if you was to get O'Hare then you would be better off so I hope Coventry hold out!

Burnley are apparently not playing with wingers. McNeil was awful last season, weird signing by Everton.

Totally different scenarios. If Brereton was a free agent considering his reputation and aided by his international status, he could easily go to a bigger club on a much bigger wage.

It is just continious stream of boring Mowbray spiel despite us being in the new dawn we all wanted.