Not sure the balance of this formation is right at all. Lovely technicians (Holtby, Downing, Travis and Rothwell) but get so far and its like we hit a wall. No chances of note. Get Armstrong on for Gallagher. Gallagher is absolutely dismal, why does he keep playing him? Brereton not offering much goal threat from the left but looks much more useful than Gallagher with his running with the ballm And Bennetts performance at LB could be seen a mile off. Wigans biggest threat.

Why is Bell being on 5k a week now gospel ? You quite clearly dont see the inconsistent and flawed logic of adopting a wait to see what division we are in etc policy but signing Bell for am extra year prematurely. You also seem not to realise that both suggestions involve signing a left back but yours also has Bell ASWELL. Its like talking to a brick wall so I will leave it there.

Theres no need to trot out this repeated nonsense about people being constantly on the players backs. Presumably you are just reading online and not going to games. Armstrong, Dack etc are really good signings and are addressed as such. Gallagher and Brereton are overpriced failures at this stage and are addressed as such. No one is hoping the players fail nor do they get any abuse etc games. Really rankles when people suggest otherwise. Their underperforming to date is down to themselves and Mowbray who made the signing.

But you have regularly declared a want for another left back, so what I am saying is that there is no reason to extend Bell's contract now. If we are fairly skint and in the Championship, replace Bell on the cheap, having Bell AS WELL is an expense we cant justify surely or at least commit too now if we had a new left back plus Downing and Williams to cover for injury. Bell is an unnecessary additional option if we are strapped for cash. Nothing you say has any logic. You approve of waiting to budget and hand out new deals "until we know what division we are in." Fine, but extended Bell's contract NOW goes against that totally. Especially when you yourself want a left back (as well as loads of other signings as per a normal transfer window) AND to keep Bell!

Agreed. Very passive defensively, and a myth that he is a good attacking full back, very hesitant and seldom if ever puts in a dangerous cross, often opting to check back and play a safe pass. Renewing his contract doesnt fit into any of the scenarios for me. Premier League, obviously he goes. Championship, we replace him and assuming money is tight, have Downing and Williams as cover, neither of whom is less capable in that role.

No idea. And FFP has no bearing on the point I am making. If we are totally unsure on budget partially due to FFP, then it makes more sense NOT to extend Bell's contract, consistent with the other policies on contracts. That is my point. I am being prudent and assuming we are a Championship club and with very little money, the most likely scenario. if we bring in a cheap left back, considering we will also have Downing and Williams as cover, for me having additional cover in the shape of Bell is unnecessary expenditure, FFP or no FFP. Apparently FFP is the only thing that stops them from writing off cheques!

I dont think anyone has stated that Williams is a good left back or even a good player. But neither is Bell and we had a chance to cut him off. Assuming that we stay in the Championship, are working on a budget and are signing a new left back, as far as cover goes, having Downing and Williams as cover in that position makes the additional cover of Bell a little unnecessary considering the restraints, especially when the above 2 are a step above the standard of our cover at right back for example in Bennett. The main point which has been lost is why renewing Bells contract doesnt come under the same policy of putting EVERYTHING on hold, budgets, transfers and new contracts, until we know what division we are in. Its a stupid policy anyway consistent with Venkys reign of terror but what I dont get is how Bell's future has become critical enough to override that policy.

There are 2 advantages for Williams over Bell, 1 that he can play 2 positions (centre back actually with more competence) and the main one is that his contract isnt about to expire. As you say, neither will help us progress. There are 2 scenarios IMO, none of which see extending Bells contract as a good idea and thus whether we are waiting to see if promotion is achieved before committing to anything (or more so if Venkys are sitting on their hands) or not is irrelevant. If we somehow went up, it goes without saying that Bell is excess baggage. If we stayed down ie the most likely scenario and are desperate to save the pennies, then a new signing could potentially take Bells wage and place in the team, with neither Williams nor Downing any less competent as cover as well as being versatile. This is why this wait and see scenario regarding budgets and transfers does not make sense. If we could steal a march and get a cheapish left back agreed, whether its Cunningham, whether its Morgan Fox on a free, whoever it is, even if we got promoted and the assumption being that the aforementioned signing was not Premier League standard, it would at least ensure that we could afford and would have in competition/back up for a left back signed with the additional resources Premier League football would bring. As it is, unless we get an unlikely promotion I cant see past Bell starting at LB at the start of next season.

@chaddyrovers a few points - Not wanting Bennett to play at left back but also not agreeing with renewing Bell both on ability and more pertinently at odds with a supposed postponement of transfer plans until the end of the season isnt having it both ways ? If Bell went obviously I'd expect a replacement. Downing and Williams are also competent left backs so thats 3. Bennett has no competence at left back. (not his fault) He would be a player I would look to move on too if at all possible but if not I would never consider him at left back just as I wouldnt in net. Bell and Bennett arent the only 2 options. - Your example is perfect in proving that I am not hyper critical, which is the kind of line people throw around when they have nothing further constructive to say. Downing had faded at Boro and Adarabioyo had only really played out of position and struggle, thus my reservations were fair. Both players I have regularly praised since, 2 excellent signings. You also didnt seem to want Downing, nothing wrong with that either. Conversely from the start I expected Johnson to be a superb signing (one youve ignored) and hes been anything but overall. I dont have a policy of not rating everyone and indeed even if I have doubts about a player I like to think theres scope to change my mind. Cases A, B and C above. - I am not interested in other clubs. Our club is regularly hindered by our owners bizarre processes and when it is blatantly relevant it gets pointed out. - The Bell situation I feel is inconsistent with the policy of waiting until the end of the season (not that I think we should) and you quite clearly cant defend it logically hence when I asked you, you kept going on about how many times you messaged Nixon bizarrely in the last fortnight. A man coincedentally proved yet again not to know what he is talking about. - Do you think our manager should have no idea of his budget at this stage? Do you think he should have to go to India every summer before he finds out? Do you think this is normal, just "one of those things" or "just the way they work?!"

I very much doubt that he would have clubs waiting to sign him if im honest, but even if he did leave he would be replaceable for a free. In terms of back up, Downing and Williams are both at least on a par with him in that position so IMO we would only need to bring in a solitary left back if money is that tight.

Your comment about me being hyper-critical over every player is absolute nonsense. I rate Nyambe, Lenihan, Armstrong, Adarabioyo, Holtby, Dack, Downing, Evans, Travis etc but ultimately I suspect you dont really notice because it naturally is the players for whom opinion differs whereby debate will be rife. I dont think that I have been "disrespectful" in my criticism of pointing out that I don't rate Bell nor think that he has particularly improved in his time here. Ultimately the main point I was making was that there is an inconsistency in suggesting that we should hold off signing players on the prudent presumption that we will be a Championship club next season in case we then bypass them by signing further quality upon promotion, but then sign Bell. The point we differ is that you rate Bell and I don't think he is a Championship quality left back, certainly not one chasing promotion. I don't think he has particularly improved, I find that wingers facing him find it too easy to get crosses in, and also I don't feel he offers a threat going forward in terms of crosses etc, I dont think hes even assisted a goal in his time here. Phrases such as "savagely shite" which you are using as evidence to prove that I am being disrespectful and overdramatic, I have absolutely no recollection of using and am almost sure that I haven't. The same with "incompetent at best." I wouldnt even necessarily dismiss the idea of renewing Bell's contract as long as it was as a back up in the Championship. I just think you are going down a dangerous route by signing players who you should be upgrading on the premise that you dont have any alternative, for example we wouldnt be impressed if Leutwiler was given an extra year for the same reason. Also, you said that it was claptrap about us waiting to see what division we are in before signing anyone, Mowbray has been talking about that and the fact that he hasnt got a clue about the budget he has etc in the Lancashire Telegraph.

Can only think that Nyambe is in at RB, Bennett LB, JRC out. And Rothwell for Holtby or at a push Downing.

Where is that from? Wouldnt be keen on that, Bennett at LB and presumably Holtby and Armstrong missing out.

My main point is not even about his ability or lack of. Its of this nonsensical stance whereby our manager has yet to gain any clue as to his budget based on the off chance that we get promoted, presumably out of restraint that we dont want a couple of players pre agreed to sign on the prudent assumption that we remain in the Championship and they become far less important if promotion was achieved. Yet the approach to prematurely extend Bell's contract goes against that theory, in your scenario he is 3rd choice left back if we go up, which is unnecessary expenditure that the club seem desperate to avoid by "waiting." Wheres the consistency? Ultimately the reason that the manager is waiting to find out his budget is not because of the pandemic, the extended season or the off chance of promotion. Its because our owners do this every year, they need to summon the manager out and we are always slow off the mark and that will never change under Venkys. Youve made a speculative and guess at his wage but we are in a financial position if the club is to be believed where we are really struggling following the pandemic. And how can we justify expenditure on players we havent used all season? (one of whoms eligibility is even in question) I dont think my opinion on him being not good enough is me being "the most critical supporter youve seen" as its a fairly commonly held opinion and our results have been statistically better this season when we have had someone better (Cunningham and Downing) at left back. Theres absolutely no need to second guess made up phrases that I might use to describe Bell either as if being overdramatic to imply that he is a weak point in our team. Why will Williams almost certainly go, who is going to buy him?

I can definitely acknowledge the point that it isnt ideal to move Downing from midfield more than reservations about his vulnerability to be exploited by Jamal Lowe. That being said, you have to look at the alternatives to either position. Bringing in Rothwell or Johnson doesnt weaken us at all really, and with Holtby, Travis and Evans already in the side and Armstrong as a goal threat our ability to control the game and also offer an attacking threat isnt really affected. However, to ensure that the luxury of Downing continues in midfield, you need to have someone at left back who is competent. Bell and Williams are very much debatable in terms of competence, but a totally untested kid or a player who has repeatedly come up short at full back even on his strongest side having to be played there is in no way the best possible alternative.

When was the last time that we had over 60% possession? Not sure that is a formality. Downing every time he has played as a left back has looked at ease there, the Brentford game was an example. He reads danger before it arrives, and he is not slow to the point where he is a total liability on the counter attack anyway, he is hardly like Michel Salgado was at the end of his time here. (Plus Jamal Lowe is not a particularly good player, no doubt he will score now) Nor would he be expected to be charging forward everytime on the overlap anyway, again his intelligence would dictate that he wouldnt be wreckless enough to do that. You mention Bennett, I suspect a race between him and Downing would be much more competitive that you are making out too! Downing doesnt dive in and leave huge gaps like Bennett does. Never seen Thompson play for the reserves but its a massive ask to chuck him in when hes used to playing with other kids.

I found the Rankin Costello selection very strange too. Good players have the first yard in their head. I dont ever remember Downing being run ragged by a fast winger and we played against Brentford I recall with him at left back and kept a clean sheet. Out of himself, Bell and Williams, he is by far the most competent there. Id certainly take him there any day The only compromise is moving him from midfield but when we can bring in Johnson or Rothwell there, whereas the alternatives at left back are a kid whose never played senior League football or a player out of position to the point where he is a huge liability, then for me its not a difficult call. Maybe put Thompson on the bench over Carter.

As much prestige as caps for Northern Ireland youth teams provide, I suspect that would be a big ask at that stage. Downing is undoubtedly the best left back at the club anyway, anticipates danger so well, helps us build from deep, a great left foot on the overlap, obviously that shows a lot because hes never been a left back and if we have actual senior left backs then it is more sensible to keep Downing in midfield, although him playing at LB earlier this season coincided with a run of wins. In the absence of a fit and competent senior left back, there seems little logical alternative but to put Downing there. Bennett simply cannot play that role, hes right footed and he dives in far too much.

I never said otherwise but its all pointless when the manager literally has absolutely no idea on what budget he will have to work with. Sadly the owners are backwards, illogical, reactive and ultimately disinterested and it means there is a large waiting period in which we are sitting on our hands and other teams can steal a march. These clowns will never change their ways. That could even be a budget for each of the 2 divisions, although it makes sense based on probability to be prudent and anticipate Championship football, presumably any budget will be restricted and then plan for that. On the off chance that we were promoted its hardly the end of the world. Somehow the need to extend Bell's contract has overriden this "waiting to see what league we are in" nonsense although to be fair he is one of the lads and both Chelsea and City need a left back so maybe that was the fear... Also, interesting to see Mowbray dismiss the McLaughlin link out of hand. Youve been an echo chamber for weeks and weeks about Alan Nixon claiming the deal is close to being done so it further highlights his lack of credibility.

You could argue that a player who has played 0 minutes in the season hasnt got much of a case anyway but even so as @arbitro says he would still be entitled to the bonus regardless. Sam Hart isnt even eligible to play for us. Beggars belief when the club treat the supporters with disdain.

Its definitely a disgrace how things have unravelled off the pitch in the last few weeks. With Sam Hart, that is the most open and shut case. He isnt even eligible to play, there is no way you can justify any extension to his contract. Smallwood is clearly mentioned as one for the dressing room, as @arbitro says he hasnt been in the squad all season. Again, as a business the simple decision is not to renew his contract. The most debatable ones are Samuel and Leutwiler. Samuel is very much on the fringes, has barely done anything in a Rovers shirt and Leutwiler is incompetent back up but at least has senior experience. If the club really is as skint as it makes out, perhaps we could do without them too, every penny and all that. Downing and to a lesser extent Graham I totally understand being extended. Mowbray is perhaps very lucky that the journalists are not ones who will really push the questions, for example mentioning the issue of guilt tripping funds not to demand refunds and how that all ties in. I dont think these quotes show him in a particularly good light considering he has in the past tried to empathise with the fans and their working class backgrounds etc, showing a little bit of ignorance, but ultimately the main issue was committed by those above.

Thats fair enough, we all have our opinions. Understand the reluctance to move Downing, but personally wouldnt refrain to the point of creating such a huge weakness in the side. I do also really like Downing at left back, because his understanding of the game shines through, one step ahead in his head and seldom if ever caught out of position. Also would give us some lovely overlapping runs and deliveries as shown by the assist v Brentford earlier in the season. I'd prefer him in the middle, but couple our total absence of any competent left backs available and also our strength in depth in midfield, it seems the logical choice to me until Williams or Bell return. You are only as good as your weakest player and Bennett playing so far out of position playing not only at full back but on his weak side is IMO asking for trouble. I suspect that you will get your wish though and Mowbray will select him there.

Not really, I think this particular solution falls down because you are playing someone in a position that quite clearly and evidently cannot play at left back. Not only has he shown over a long period that he is not capable of playing at full back, he looked particularly out of place playing on his weak side. I would rather have Downing in central midfield if we had a left back available and competent enough but we dont which is my reasoning for it. Needs must. Downing is a picture of calmness and intelligence even at left back, and he also gives us balance on his left side and control. Bennett's primary weakness of playing with his heart rather than his head leaves huge spaces that wide players can easily exploit. My team in my opinion doesnt have any players where Wigan can think, we can target Rovers there. Yours has a big one. I dont really mind which of Rothwell, Armstrong and Brereton play on which sides. if the false 9 experiment will continue, it would make sense to have Rothwell as a false 9 dropping deeper, Armstrong from the left as he did last week and Brereton to the right.

Apologies.

I never said we should sign him. Indeed Mowbrays quotes about not being able to offer contracts yet means the rumour is clearly false. I was just pointing out more the flaws in Venkys repeated lack of proactivity and also why on earth we gave Bell a new deal.