Longstaff is a decent player but probably in the one position that we need the least. We have Travis, we have Johnson who although I would have released him, I actually think that his return is important to give us some leadership and experience, we have Clarkson who is not an attacking midfielder, we have Rothwell, Davenport and Buckley. We do need to add one which has to be someone to offer us a goal threat. Everywhere else, a new recruit could be argued for. We have no serious alternative to Kaminski if he gets injured. We only have Pickering at left back, and at right back, Nyambe is injury prone, as is Rankin Costello who also may play further forward. We need at least one centre back, we need a goalscoring midfielder, we need width and we definitely need a striker. I doubt we will get all of that but the last 3 are priorities. I bet we wont get one in.

Is that 3 getting enough goals do you think? Not sure they would get 5 between them.

Didnt have a clue where Phillips was for what turned out to be the winner. Unconvinced thus far I must say.

One player we are definitely better without is Elliott Bennett. Seems that he has not started well at Shrewsbury, 4 losses from 4 including a 3 nil home loss to Plymouth, Bennett looking all at sea for the third. Wonder if Luton fans have changed their opinion on Bell after a 5 nil battering at home to Birmingham. Chong looks like a brilliant loan signing for them.

He played there when he broke through but he didnt stand out even amongst the dross of Akpan, Lowe etc. His attributes are suited to being a centre back, he is brave and powerful in the air, we win more when he plays there, but he is really poor on the ball and ponderous.

Who is getting us goals from midfield?

It doesnt work like that, if he played 38 Premier League games in full, the evidence doesnt say that you can extrapolate a short sample of goals within a series of predominantly sub appearances, add up the minutes and then expect that over a season. Mind you, I suspect that we wont bring in a permanent striker at all.

Lets face it, letting any of those go on frees is poor and they wont be adequately replaced, even though I don't think that any would be stand out targets for teams very far above us, certainly none in the Premier League. But I would possibly argue that those 2 are the most important of the 4. Lenihan is key and if we sign him, with Ayala here for this and next season and Carter and Wharton pushing beyond that, we look ok there moving forwards. And I suspect that Brereton's value has been artificially inflated by this Chile business, somehow we have got to the stage whereby he is our best chance of a goal too. Although Nyambe would also be a big loss and even though Rothwell generally flatters to deceive, it is one bit of remaining excitement gone. This idea about midfielders chipping in is nice in practice, but do you genuinely think that Buckley, Rothwell, Travis etc will start scoring a decent amount of goals? Who was that? Lenihan in midfield with how poor he is on the ball?

Definitely, 2-1 flattered us today, we were well short. We lack quality in attacking areas. Dembele would seemingly be more ready but even then, the resources need to mainly go on a central striker. I hope this mystery attacking midfielder happens and can score goals from midfield as the current bunch wont hit 10 between them, and he isnt played in a false 9 role. The balance of the team was wrong today.

We definitely need a goalscoring striker with the very average Gallagher as an alternative to him. We do also need at least one wide man and a goalscoring midfielder, we look short of ideas up front.

I much prefer them in the lower tier, I hope they continue with that.

We definitely need another left back. Not only do we not really even have anyone who "could do a job" there if Pickering got injured, he has yet to convince at all so it cant be just emergency cover.

Very much men against boys today, 2-1 flattered us and 5 or 6 nil would have probably been fairer, and for the woodwork and the outstanding Kaminski who really should have been man of the match, they could have racked up a few. We are sorely lacking in attacking areas, you take Armstrong and Elliott away and you see the lack of quality, we are reliant on set pieces or today a huge error, otherwise we just dont even create chances. Today, aside from the goal, we created nothing really. Same at Millwall, aside from the goal from a set piece, no chances. And at Forest, did we create much of note bar the goals from our set pieces? Not really. When we become reliant on Brereton and Gallagher their limited ability does show, how often were both offside? That coupled with how passive they are when the ball is played up to them makes it so difficult to gain any momentum, our best outlet was playing it up to Carter which tells you everything. Some seem content to praise Gallagher for trying but you need more than just effort, how poor is his first touch? Then again, the midfield is also limited. The tactics that Mowbray used again were totally baffling and didnt work at all. Why was Clarkson playing so far forward? He made 2 good passes with the outside of his right foot in the absence of a left foot, one that should have been dealt with but led to the goal, overall he was ok id say, often anonymous. Buckley again didnt contribute and Rothwell was played too deep and aside from one or two flashes did very little. We need to sign a player who can get goals and provide a real spark from midfield as with the current crop, it is rare flashes but nothing subtantial. Travis was ok but not half as effective as on Wednesday night. Out of the subs, Davenport did fine, Chapman offered a threat but Dolan was really poor again, I do think he looks a little too raw and short of quality to play a regular part. Defensively, Ayala has made a noticeable improvement but the wait for a clean sheet still goes on, the centre backs look fine but West Brom had so many chances, probably the main cause being a lack of protection around that. Pickering continues to underwhelm and Carter does his best but is obviously a centre back at right back, although as mentioned did provide an outlet.

Formation could be Buckley as a false 9 or as a wing back, both would be equally illogical. I would go Rothwell left, Brereton right, Gallagher central.

No Dale in the Crewe squad although he has been struggling with illness and went off after 40 minutes last week.

We need a central goalscorer, if Dale came in as a cheap, young talent as well then fine, not as a direct alternative to Obafemi.

Assuming that Nyambe is out: Kaminski Carter Lenihan Ayala Pickering Travis Clarkson Chapman Rothwell Brereton Gallagher I think Clarkson should be brought in to help Travis deeper, and give Rothwell more license to support Gallagher who has to be central. Chapman deserves a start over Dolan who again was anonymous the other night.

The contract situation off the back of how we are now solely reliant on signing up kids on loan is the start of something similar to what happened a few years ago and if continued will inevitably end in relegation, I doubt this year but in the next year or two. It is such short term thinking, the way to make money is by profiting on players, and we will find it impossible to replace 4 key players next summer adequately. This is solely down to our owners. Work rate alone is not enough and, whilst admittedly hindered by the decision to play him out wide, he didnt offer a threat, nor did Brereton or Dolan. From open play, we look toothless. How on earth is it pathetic from Mowbray that a player has no interest in joining us? From the sound of it in his interview, any potential deal has gone not gone as far as numerous others, so its not like we was reliant on that deal either. Its the same as people being reluctant to give Mowbray praise when he does get something right, just blaming him for things that arent his fault.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/19524104.latest-blackburn-rovers-interest-michael-obafemi/ "Those are unlikely to happen before the weekend visit of West Brom, but Rovers would like to see more through the door next week to avoid a deadline day scramble." The Dembele one seems to be similar to the Maddison one, just accelerates from nowhere. Not really a central striker and they tend to get big money for their players.

https://mol.im/a/9905909 Daily Mail claims that Morgan Rodgers is going to Bournemouth, (loan with an obligation to buy) we have been passively linked with him. Also a mention for Bournemouth and Fulham wanting Obafemi as well as ourselves although I suspect that we are out of that chase now.

I wonder what the team will be. I am not really a fan of changing systems to match opponents but West Brom play a 343 and are very direct. I wonder if we will go to a back 3, I suppose that will depend on Nyambe's fitness as throwing in Pike for such a hard game might be a baptism of fire. There is also the potential to stodge up the midfield a bit and perhaps bring in Davenport or Clarkson for Buckley. And I would definitely bring in Chapman for Dolan with Gallagher moving into a central position.

To be fair, bar Downing who seldom played, the other 3 are defensive midfielders. Buckley needs to start scoring goals from midfield to justify regular selection in an advanced role. I think hes a mixed start, excellent for a half v Swansea before tailing off, invisible at the weekend, much more involved tonight although no end product. How did @Bbrovers2288 write off Buckley, he literally said that he was split on him? Certainly didnt warrant the sarcastic Gerrard comparison.

I dont think that questions need to be ask about the patience of the Ewood faithful at this stage. No suggestion that we wont be patient in the ground. Questioning things on here is a different matter. Not sure that West Brom will want to play with the ball too much. Under Ismael, a bit like his Barnsley team it seems that everything will be 100mph. Against Bournemouth, they played the ball forward quickly and were dangerous from set pieces, even regularly taking long throws. Very direct and in your face side, not one that will fanny around at the back for too long.

Did any of you change seats/need a replacement? I havent changed seats and I have my old card which I used v Swansea but I am wondering if I should expect a new ticket this week.

West Brom will be favourites but in a home game in the Championship off the back of 7 points from 3 games, merely avoiding a thrashing is not the attitude to have. We should be confident of getting something, as hard as it will be.