Miller11

“Defensively, do we need another one? We’ll look, but only if it’s the right one who will bring some versatility.” This baffling obsession with “versatility” needs to stop now, it’s got beyond ridiculous. We need quality.

He managed 25 league appearances... so yeah, let’s not.

The players who helped get us relegated in the first place all seem to have got a free pass on that by sticking around and helping us get promoted again... which was an absolute requirement rather than an achievement. Coyle, and dross like Lowe, Ward, Guthrie, Akpan, Steele, Brown, Feeney etc all rightly get stick - don’t forget the likes of Mulgrew, Bennett and Evans were also a big part of that and the first two in particular struggled on their return to this level. Graham can obviously cut it, and hopefully Gallagher will redeem himself for that Preston fiasco by having a good season. Anyway, Mulgrew will need to be on his game on Saturday - I like Lyle Taylor as a player, watched him a fair bit for Wimbledon when he was there. He’s busy and has excellent movement. I expect he will find a fair bit of space. I’d like to be looking forward to the game more, but I’m predicting a back 4 of Bennett, Lenihan, Mulgrew and Downing. That fills me with dread.

Lenihan and Mulgrew have had more than enough time. Awful pairing with one relegation from this league already. Moving on from that is key to us doing anything this season.

I remember against Wigan, Magloire’s debut and Garner was squaring up to him. Not one of our players got involved. I thought it was shameful how none of our players backed up a teammate, never mind a young lad on his debut.

Can’t argue with any of that. Hope you are right about the January window, although this will be far less of an issue of this other defender does come along in the next week.

What are you on about? For starters, I’d quite like a captain who doesn’t look at the floor and meekly saunter back towards the half way line every time we concede a goal.

Why can’t you? Mulgrew needs replacing. Quickly. So what if he is captain? He doesn’t exactly come across as a great leader on the pitch.

It would be crazy to start as bad a defender as Mulgrew. It is crazy to pick Bennett at right back ahead of Nyambe. Pre-emptively defending Mowbray’s silly decisions is crazy too.

Adarabioyo eventually signing is decent enough, but doesn’t go far enough to addressing our defensive frailties in my opinion. A proven no nonsense centre back still needed. A dominant leader who wins headers and we might do something this season. We also need Mowbray to wise up to Bennett not being a full back too. Still fully expect us to line up with the same back 4 that started against Rangers against Charlton. Which is utterly ludicrous. “It might take him a little while, a couple of weeks to get to grips with the team, but then he’ll be looking to force his way into the side.” - Mowbray on Adarabioyo. Hopefully it will be Lenihan’s place he is pushing for, because we need a centre back better at defending than anyone currently on the books to make this much talked about assault on the playoffs.

Today’s Mowbrayism - he’s on about Wharton: “At this moment he has lots of quality, his physicality is something that three years on from his debut is something he needs to grow in to and I’ve always said that centre halves, the last thing they develop is the ability to play against big, strong centre forward who can knock them about.” Might actually be right Tony... it’s took Mulgrew 33 years and that ability doesn’t seem to have developed yet. Fingers crossed for this season eh?

He’s already said ‘Listen, I’ve got no defence. We’ve conceded 69 goals, it’s not good enough. Defenders are coming’ So I don’t think saying ‘We want to strengthen the back four’ or ‘we want to sign a quality centre back’ should cause much of an issue

“But as I sit here today I’m relatively okay with it but we do need some defensive options that can compete with the players we’ve got.” No Tony. We need some defenders to dislodge and replace the likes of Mulgrew. The young lads can provide the numbers. We need quality.

So it could be much higher than £5 million?

Good point. This would make sense.

Sharpe seems to “break stories” soon after rumours start on twitter. Don’t know how good his connections are but this makes me cynical.

Couldn’t agree more. I’m desperate to be proved wrong, but I’d be surprised if we signed any defenders. Apart from maybe a backup loanee.

He went back to training late to get his rest. He is an absolute athlete. He has already appeared in other friendlies. Etc etc etc. If he’s not sat on the bench in place of Bennett against Charlton, I’ll hold my hands up... I’ll even bow to an effigy of Mowbray if you like. He will be though won’t he?

Recently? Their last game was over 3 weeks ago. So I doubt very much our fittest player needs wrapping in cotton wool. I know it’s difficult to fathom why, but Mowbray clearly wants to shoehorn in Bennett. I don’t understand why people would rather come up with nonsensical theories to defend silly decisions than question them.

No. Because Mowbray and Waggott lied through their teeth at the consultation meeting.

I think Mowbray thinks he knows what his best team is... but he clearly doesn’t!

Also, if I was Nyambe I’d be sat on that bench writing out a transfer request as we speak.

If that’s our first choice back 4 for the season we will be very lucky not to be relegated

I’m a big fan of Nyambe. I’d have him starting all day long... at right back. Unless Mowbray has figured out a way to coach him to be 4 inches taller, he won’t be cutting it at centre back alongside Lenihan who is also not good enough in the air. Seems we are putting a lot of faith in our new keeper scaring wingers from putting crosses in... maybe Raya should’ve opted for a Halloween mask instead of that boring black one when he bust his nose to help him on crosses.

Any more takers for the Venky’s won’t buy defenders theory?