I think we will see the formation Frequently chopped and changed from about 20 minutes. I expect the supporters and players to have long periods of confusion as to who is playing where.

Agree with all that except the last bit. We never make anything easy!

Happy with Nyambe and Holtby. Will have to see how they line up. Long ball isn’t an option today.

We haven’t had that appetite since Venkys rocked up. I don’t think it’s a coincidence.

For me, Bell seems to take a lot of blame for our collectively shocking defence. He isn’t great by any stretch of the imagination, but neither are Bennett at right back, Lenihan, Williams or Walton. Losing Cunningham is a massive blow, and without him, and the continued exclusion of Nyambe I think our defence is down there with the worst in the division. Cobbled together with midfielders, loanees and cheap players, it’s hardly surprising. Bell isn’t some weak link in an otherwise tight unit, he’s about on a par with those around him.

Slew left Boston at the end of last season. He was in trial at Chorley a few weeks back - had a decent game for their development squad. This weekend he turned out for Ashton United v Lancaster in the Northern Premier.

I don’t think he’s much worse than any other option we have there to be honest. I think with a proper, balanced formation, and a lot less expectancy on our full backs he’d improve.

Predictably, it’s injuries that force Mowbray’s hand in shaking up our poor defence. It’s just a shame that the one player from his preferred back 5 who actually looks decent is out. I’m hopeful that the enforced changes will have a positive effect, as is sometimes the case. You’d think his options would be limited, but god only knows who he will play where. Never happening, but I’d go with a back 4 of Nyambe Adarabioyo Williams Bell With a flat 4 in front of them Bennett Travis Holtby Downing Wingers who will put a shift in would protect the fullbacks adequately for a change, as well as the midfield pairing. If Nyambe isn’t getting game time with things as they are currently, he really ought to put in a transfer request for the good of his own career.

Went to the Dynamo show yesterday. Didn’t last long but was really enjoyable. Ian Brown making a special guest appearance was a wonderful surprise. Primal Scream on Saturday, which I’m sure will be great too. There is a real buzz around the town at the minute. Visitors are coming from far and wide, and some top quality performers are appearing. I’m sure a lot is being raised for a very worthwhile cause in Nightsafe. Civic pride is alive and well amongst many of the towns residents, including some very talented and creative people. It’s not just the adidas stuff either, the whole British Textile Biennial program has been great. You’d hope the council would capitalise on this, but they won’t. Also, I’m at a loss to explain why Rovers didn’t do something along the lines of a shirts through the ages exhibit... again, failure to engage in community events.

Money for Nuttall too

I failed miserably. Last night and this morning. More available on eBay than anywhere by the looks of things.

Are you sure?

Venkys shortlist: Glenn Roeder Lou Macari John Gregory Chris Kiwomya Judan Ali Mike Walker Alvin Martin Dr Jozef Venglos Steve Wigley Paul Jewell

I mean we are never going to get a no nonsense type while the lions are here. So I’d be as happy with Johnson as anyone.

Good post @JoeH We have been stung before with promoting excellent coaches and assistants to a managerial role. Haford and Kidd being prime examples. We’ve also had the glaring example of a prick of a coach blagging the job, but that’s a whole other story. @Amo rightly points out the Peter Principle... it occurs all over the place all the time, and football is no different. I really don’t know enough about him to suggest whether he’d be a success or failure, but I don’t think he should just be appointed on the basis he is already here. In all honesty, after all his impressive work with the youth set ups and U23s, I’d have liked to have seen a bit more of a noticeable impact on the first team in the games we have played so far. We still, for me, lack any real identity or playing style. I’m also not the biggest advocate of an overly statistical approach to the game, which I guess makes me a dinosaur in this day and age. If we are to roll the dice though, the type of manager I think we need is exactly the type of manager who would never work under Venkys in a month of Sunday’s. So on that basis I wouldn’t be disappointed if Johnson was given a go.

Well... I’ve just spent the last hour watching the Premiere of NWA Power. I thought it would have some kitch, curiosity value, but I wasn’t expecting that! It was absolutely brilliant! For those unfamiliar with the concept, it’s a throwback to the old ‘studio wrestling’ the NWA used to put out way back when. Just a ring in front of a studio audience in Atlanta. No entrances, no fancy sets... yet it’s the freshest, most interesting show I’ve seen in a long time. For all the talk of AEW portraying itself as a sports program - don’t bother now, you won’t match up to this. A few pre and post match interviews, a bit of a brawl, and plenty of good old fashioned wrestling. The roster is pretty well balanced. Some names you may be familiar with: Nick Aldis, Thom “Bram” Latimer, Ken Anderson/Kennedy, Rock n Roll Express, Aaron “Damian Sandow” Stevens, James Storm, Trevor Murdoch, Eli Drake, Colt Cabana... and Jim Cornette on commentary. It won’t be to everyone’s tastes, no doubt about it, but if you are tired of the over the top WWE nonsense, give it a look. For me it strikes the perfect balance of retro nostalgia and quality wrestling. And it’s only an hour long and broadcast via YouTube.

Do you follow our fortunes at all closely? Because that’s not a million miles from our current scenario. For the record, I would take a season in the Premier League, gaining zero points and scoring zero goals and being relegated by Christmas - because it would give us financial security and a possible end to Venky purgatory. We are currently losing millions every year just to maintain mid table mediocrity in the Championship. It can’t continue indefinitely. The only way we can substantially increase revenue is promotion. If we cut costs we get relegated.

I think I’m done with the main WWE product now. There are a few wrestlers I like on there, but it’s just the same old faces in the same old feuds week in week out, despite their hugely bloated rosters. It’s just so boring. I don’t think Heyman and Bischoff are going to be doing anything too radical, besides I’m not sure what would work. I’ll likely watch Royal Rumble and Wrestlemania. Maybe the odd match that grabs my attention after the event, or any anniversary show or the like where they feature legends. Didn’t think I’d be saying this, but AEW tops the list for me at the moment (this could change rapidly). I’ll also watch NXT U.K. time permitting and all takeovers. I watched a bit of MLW, which I quite enjoyed, but not to the extent I would commit to regular viewing. I’m really intrigued by the NWA Studio Wrestling idea, so I’m going to try and catch some of that. This on top of fairly regular attendance at indy shows I’m pretty spoilt for choice at the minute, so I won’t miss Raw and Smackdown at all!

The only thing I remotely cared about on the show was Wyatt. Don’t want to “spoil” it, but it was absolutely terrible.

Here’s a team talk for any opposition manager playing against us: Get at the fullbacks. Overload them because they will be isolated. Throw crosses high into the box at every opportunity. You can bully the centre halves with very little effort. Get an early goal and we’ve won the game. They will go hiding. Get in their faces, there isn’t a spine between the lot of them.

Brilliant post! ??

Chris Coleman recommended Steve Kean to Allardyce, so he can fuck off.

At the start of the summer, Mowbray was as critical as anyone about the lack of ability of our defenders. I can’t believe anyone aside from a few glass is overflowing types on twitter, who only chirped up after the event, genuinely believed Williams - a player who’d been playing under Mowbray for 2 and a half years, was suddenly the answer. The Tosin signing became a saga, Mulgrew started as Captain before being unceremoniously bombed out... there is definitely more to our frankly bizarre transfer business than meets the eye.

Sounds like he is sulking.

Neil Harris has legendary status at Millwall, far beyond what Mowbray could ever dream of here. He genuinely loves the club, and took the decision to walk away for their betterment. We are one place above Millwall on goal difference.