By the same token, Armstrong was the one who stopped us from getting into the top 6 last year. He only got 16 goals whereas if he had got 25 we might have got into the top 6. Lets not focus on the inept goalkeeper, shaky defence and lack of balance. If a striker is scoring 20 plus goals then he is doing his job, even before you appreciate that Rhodes wasnt quite as one dimensional as people made out. The reasons we couldnt make the top 6 were Lowe and Williamson in midfield, a leaky defence, poor goalkeepers in an overweight Robinson (post blood clot) and a terrible Steele, a manager who rarely outwitted his opposition etc. Not the striker who was consistently one of the top scorers in the division.

What @Hoochie Bloochie Mama said. We didnt miss out on the top 6 because of the strikeforce.

How anyone can suggest that he shouldnt have played is incredible too. He was scoring 20 plus goals every season, he was the strength of the team, not the weakness.

Sheffield United need a left footed centre back capable of moving out with the ball. Lenihan doesnt fit either requirement.

He will always be right footed and having a full back on his wrong side will always change things slightly, no matter how much he trains.

Its a massive statement to suggest that a player who has played 3 (?) senior games at right back is one of the two best in the division. Even Nyambe is a massive stretch.

Why does it matter if I have had an injury? He hasnt broken a bone either. I never said that he will DEFINITELY come back as good as new, but that I am debating on the assumption that he will return as he was before. Many players have returned from serious injuries, it might take time and patience but theres no reason to expect him to not make a full recovery. If he doesnt, then obviously it loosens the argument that he should play for us. We dont have to choose between Armstrong or Dack. We have 2 very good players, we should be trying to get the best out of both of them. The two havent really played together without Graham also being in the side which totally changed our style of play. Theres no reason that Armstrong should be put out by Dacks return, take his goal v Forest last season that came from a brilliant Dack pass, Armstrong should be excited by having a player of such quality. If you dont think he will fit in the team, fair enough. I certainly do, he is full of energy, and he is technically very, very good, so the style should suit him well. He is also very good on the counter attack, to which we have done regularly in these last 2 goals, including both of Dolan's goals, because he might not be lightning fast but he isnt slow either, and he makes the correct decisions on the counter attack, take his goal at Peterborough the other year. And he likes to press high, take his goal v Wigan in the 3 nil win, he was the one to capitalise on a mistake to nip in and score. With my trial and error comment regarding the formation, it is not like I am advocating sticking in some kids, it involves putting him in the role that Mowbray feels will best suit him. Assuming that the 4-3-3 is a consistent success, there are a few options, we choose the one which makes the most sense, but with the flexibility to try one of the other 2 ideas if need be. 1. Put him as one of the 2 CM's ahead of the sitter, possibly at the expense of Rothwell. If Rothwell deserves to play more than Brereton or Dolan at that point, he can play in the front 3. 2. Put him as the central striker, moving Armstrong wide. Obviously there are positives and negatives to that. 3. Play him coming in from the left. That would take a bit of flexibility because he is not a wide man. Im not gonna get into a detailed debate on which id do and what each positive and negative is to those ideas. You have also assumed that because of 2 very good wins, that the 4-3-3 will lead to the players all remaining in excellent form and continuing to win games. If they do, by all means it reduces the speed of which Dack will get back in. As I said, if and when Dack does come back into the team, then I am sure you will support Mowbray in doing so, so its a fairly worthless debate anyway. But these are just my general thoughts on the matter. People have short memories regarding Dack. He is a fantastic player and his return should be something that excites us, not inconveniences us.

It goes without saying that the discussion is on the assumption that he returns without being massively hindered by the injury, to which there is no reason to think that he will return as a pale shadow of his former self. Dack is technically as good as we have, hes not some League 1 slogger, or a player reliant on us playing direct, and I am sure that Mowbray appreciates how good he is and tries to fit him in upon his return. Can he fit into the style, a higher press and more reliance on playing the ball on the ground? Absolutely, in fact that will suit a player like him more. In terms of system, it might take a bit of trial and error to figure out his best role, but hes our best player, so he gets into the team all being well. And once he does, I am sure that you will soon revert to justifying his place!

Ultimately the problem is that people are saying where does he get in if we are in the same form as we are now and when Dack is fully fit, ultimately I very much doubt that we will put a 5 nil and 4 nil win together again in succession! I just think his return is something to be excited about, I think people forget how good Bradley Dack is, or for some reason are shoehorning him as a player who can only thrive in a team that lumps it forward. He is the most skilful player we have and a brilliant goalscorer.

If Dack was fit next week to start, would I put him in the team? No, we have just won 5 nil and 4 nil so of course not. Its 2 games though. Overall, is Dack a player that gets into the team over Brereton, Dolan, Rothwell and indeed I would say even the impressive Holtby? Yes. There is a debate as to how he fits in, there are a few possible answers, but it should be a headache that Mowbray welcomes, not an inconvenience. Some people IMO have forgotten quite how good Dack is. He isnt a League 1 plodder whom we are better off without, hes one of the best attacking players in the division. His return should be one we can be excited about, yes theres a slim chance that the injury will have affected him, but he has said during that he is in great shape generally so maybe he will come back even better.

He is almost a 1 in 2 goalscorer and he isnt a striker. And he isnt a lump depedant on long ball, he is technically as good as any of our players. There is no reason why he can only play in a direct team, I think plenty forget how good he is. There might be a price for him but I cant wait to see him play again.

He has scored 24 in 64 in the Championship. He is a brilliant player at this level who will improve us further which is a good thing. I think you are forgetting how good he is. And thats a positive. Smallwood was out of his depth as soon as we got in this league, Dack excelled.

I think its hard to go under the radar when you win by 5 and 4! First look at the results and thats what you are drawn to.

Not only is he more skilful and gifted than most, he is more streetwise and more effective, he gets goals so often, I think he has never gone more than 6 games without a goal here. I just think that the team gets better with Dack in. I would be surprised if there is much interest anyway unless he gets back with plenty of time to play before January.

I think thats harsh. Dack has shown before that he is a player very capable on the counter attack. He is not immobile even if he hasnt got the blistering pace of an Armstrong, and he also makes the right decisions, think back to the counter attack at Peterborough away. He isnt a player who can only play in a direct team, its just that it was how we played until very recently. He is technically very good and it should suit him playing as such. I bet players like Armstrong and Holtby will love him back as quality players love playing with more quality players.

To be fair, he got a couple of goals for us early but overall he wasnt up to it even in League 1!

Definitely looks a different player. Needs to score some goals to justify or come close to justifying the fee etc, that side of his game is still missing. But most of the other things, especially today, very impressive. Definitely agree with this. Hardly graceful, sometimes he gets past with one or two "lucky" bounces and then the ball is still with him but it is very useful. Silly example, and certainly not a comparison! But Luis Suarez loves trying to nutmeg players, and often you see him luckily get past people, it will hit the defenders leg, then hit his and he gets past players fairly scrappily because of it. As long as you get past. I think he watched a lot of Conway in his year with him too. Loves winning fouls for the team, occasionally will look for one when its not there and it wont work out, but it can be an important skill when it does. Has theatrically won penalties for us too, and often gets us up the pitch.

https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/tony-mowbray-press-conference-live-19002022 "We're trying really hard. We haven't got millions, probably loans I'd suggest, not enough for a transfer fee and salary. Wants to fill the squad out." Seems to be very much bargain hunting. Wonder how we will approach the goalkeeping situation. The situation shouldnt change, we still need who we need even on a limited budget. You look at the team today, Bell, Williams, Dolan, Brereton, Rankin Costello, Rothwell, all very good performances. Do them 6 play every week for a team that gets into the top 6? Most I would suggest possibly not. But you look at it, if we start conceding goals, Ayala comes in, one of the best defenders in the division if he is fit enough. Nyambe comes in at right back probably next week due to injury. I would like to think that we will have a different left back for most of the season, although Bell keeps his place next week. That midfield, does Johnson keep the consistency, does Rothwell nail down the spot every single week? Do Brereton and Dolan justify a start in every single game? We dont know at the moment, but even if not, Evans is back soon, Travis will be back in 3 months, maybe another midfielder will come in, maybe even Buckley will make an impact, of course Dack will come back, Gallagher will come back. Not advocating that the team all needs changing, far from it. I just like to think that with hopefully 3 new signings coming in, and the situation with returning players from injury, we might have options.

Brilliant performance, last week was great but of course it was against the whipping boys at home, I know that Derby have started poorly, they have injuries, their manager is under fire etc, but to do what we did today is very eye catching, Derby wont be relegation fodder. All about consistency now. Also shows that high possession is not essential. The best area of the pitch today was the midfield 3. Johnson looks the player not only that I thought we signed, but the player he was 5 or 6 years ago at Norwich. Got to appreciate that it is 3 games and inconsistency was his middle name last season, but he looks in far better shape, his first goal was absolutely superb, and he gives us leadership and experience. Holtby again looks in much better shape, obviously benefits from the system and run the show. And Rothwell was very purposeful, some lovely runs and more effective, although needs to work on the back pass style shots as we know he has a wonder goal in his locker. Kaminski overall was very good, made a few very good saves, and some superb bits of distribution. A couple of strange things that he did, seems to be quite unorthodox at times and a little shaky from crosses which seems to be his weakness but overall a very good display. Lenihan and Williams were very good, and credit where its due, Bell was our best full back today. blocked a few crosses, better on the ball than usual and not as passive. Most of their danger came down their left, Rankin Costello was mixed, thought he was neat and tidy though and put in a couple of very good recovery tackles after being caught of position. Armstrong wasnt at his very best, often chose the wrong option but got a goal, thats what you want. Dolan is an interesting one, he does overdo it at times, once or twice in areas he shouldnt be messing about and it could cost us, he did tire as he did last week which is understandable having not played senior football until this season, but its getting the balance right by Mowbray, when do you play him, when is he sub, and discourage him playing in the wrong areas without affecting his play in the final third, youd hate to be a full back against him, so tricky and quick and love him getting a tap in. Fantastic bonus for us. Brereton I thought his overall play was excellent, going on runs, winning fouls, holding it up, very good. Still that question mark in front of goal, unlucky to hit the post, had a good chance with a header, and a couple of other chances that he finished with no composure at all. Needs to chip in, but definitely a different player. Subs, difficult for Nyambe coming into a game as a sub right back but did ok. Bennett, little to do and little time but didnt do anything wrong. Chapman, I thought he was poor but you got some end product, brilliant work for the fourth goal. This team also has scope to get better with players currently unavailable. Ayala is one of the best defenders in the division on his day. Travis has been a stand out performer since he broke in consistently and Dack is probably our best player. We shoudlnt forget that, 3 quality performers who should only make us better upon their return. You probably put all 3 in the first 11 at some point, but if they were all magically fit for next week, they would all be on the bench. Shows the last 2 results for how impressive they are. Think its unfair to suggest that it would be a different scenario with a crowd. The Ewood crowd is not the pitchfork grabbing mob that some portray, ultimately if the players cannot replicate this with crowds then its a little obsolete, but there is no reason to suggest that they cant. Certain things seem to be falling into place and I dont think its fair to suggest that one of those is a lack of supporters. Fair play to Mowbray too. The acid test is not when this way of playing gives teams a hiding, its the consistency and the grinding out of results regularly that will get us near the top. There are still certain reservations about this team but a lot of things seem to be coming together.

I presume that their Bennett is injured but I cant see him being let go. Envious of their depth there.

Doesnt mean that he has accepted that their new winger is going to be impossible to stop regardless of the right back so hes accepted that in advance and just played an attacking player and hell to the consequences defensively. A more obvious logic would be keep the same team.

My point is not even about the right back selection! It is against your logic, even if they had Eden Hazard down the left, no sane manager would accept that there is nothing defensively that he can do and instead pick an attacking player there as if the attitude is to just let the dangerous attacking player get on with it. And thats before you consider that the player has only just signed from the Polish league, he may appear to be an exciting signing and im sure hes a good player but not to the extent that you accept that hes going to have a field day and theres nothing we can do! I suspect Mowbray has literally just picked the same team that won 5 nil. I would have played Nyambe who was excellent the week before and is our best right back but theres a bit of logic to keeping the same team. Of course, the hope is that we keep a clean sheet and win today and the selection is justifed.

Cunningham is starting for Cardiff today. If there was a chance of getting him it may well be gone sadly.

I dont think that a player who may well be talented but is new to the country and a bit of an unknown quantity will tear apart any right back as a foregone conclusion! That would be crazy logic. He may be a big threat but you surely put your best right back on to hopefully reduce his threat.

Dont get the non selection of Nyambe again. Seems a player easy to leave out by the manager. He was "rested" to avoid burn out, did Rankin Costello play better than Nyambe had done the week before? No, so put Nyambe back in. Time for a Brereton goal today in a meaningful game. He is getting regular starts, no excuses.