If he does use 3 CBs its a big change after resisting doing it all the way up to WBA. I think he really doesn't want to do it, much prefers four at the back.

He's a great talent. Definitely will get more England caps that Dunn's one. But not sure if he will go further than other good talents who never quite fully broke through like Ross Barkley say or Jon Jo Shelvey... I know some will find that an offensive thing to say, but to get up and compete with the likes of Bellingham or Rice is a big step up. Main issue he has is whether he can mix it physically. Every Premier League team has elite 6ft+ strong pacy athletes in central midfield, it's one of the aspects of the game that has changed the most in the last 15 years. He's given away the ball quite frequently in dangerous central areas recently and that will ruthlessly punished. I think he'll do well and seem a good investment in the long run. But I wouldn't be surprised if he struggles initially.

If Wharton goes then the money should go on a top class striker. I wonder if we are tracking any? I wouldnt be too worried about trying to get a like for like replacement for Wharton. The issue is more who leads the line and a good keeper.

Yes, Palace is a good move for him if he backs himself. Straight into the team. Anyone else in for him (Spurs, Chelsea etc) have massive squads with players they paid £50M+ for in his position. He could never see the light of day. If I was him I think I'd prefer Palace. If he performs will move on again on a couple of years for the mega money.

If we play 352 id really hesitate to move Szmodics back. He needs to be up top for me. Hes a top top striker in a two.

McGuire is 6 ft 1 and pretty powerful. From his videos (always dangerous) does seem though more of a player who likes to run facing goal than a back to goal player though, not sure be can really be described as a target man. Anyone got a view on the type of player he is from watching him? Target men are a rare breed. Gestede was a superb one, and Danny Graham although he wasnt huge (6ft) or particularly good in the air was great at using his strength and positioning back to goal. Thats probably it in the last 15 years at Rovers. Most coaches these days are happy to sacrifice ability in the air for someone powerful and mobile. Gallagher and Brereton being two obvious examples from our recent history. I get the impression JDT is of much the same thinking.

Im hoping irrespective of outgoings that Nat Phillips (loan) and McGuire (buy) are planned to happen. If we get them both in terms of bodies and positions that is a good window (2 CB, 1 LB, 1 CM, 1 CF) though none of them are proven except Phillips so we are hoping they show immediate impact, particularly McGuire, rather than expecting it.

Don't think Newcastle are realistic bidders given their own FFP troubles. They need to sell key players themselves so I doubt they will be spending £20M on a teenager

Its more of a plan B thing than something we should use every week. Personally I think JRC does the role very well, and I would be happy to use him there against weaker opposition in the Championship - particularly if we are struggling and need to change something in the second half which is our real Achilles heel. It changes the whole dynamic of how we play. Against better sides where we are going to 3 at the back to shore up the defence I wonder if O'Riodan will come in there. Think he is right sided and can get forward? What I do agree with you on is that playing Sigurdsson and Dolan at wing backs as we did against Wrexham is suicide against Championship opposition. Obviously JRC is best choice for RWB but LWB is a bit of an issue. Chrisene needs to make the role his, but if he gets injured /it doesn't work out we will be reduced to Brittain there. I would bring Batty back onto the bench as he would give us another option.

Looking down the fixture list Im feeling we should be absolutely fine. Only two near definite losses in there (Leeds and Leicester away) everyone else we have a good shout with. Think weve got a plan B with this 352 setup with JRC on the right of the three CBs. Any more injuries could do us but we're through the mad bit of the season now - broadly one game a week till May now. Critical that Pears (cant believe I said that) and Szmodics stay fit.

Pears, Dolan, Gallagher and JRC back is huge for us. We'll be a lot better I am sure. Just need no more injuries.

Yeah hes a 10, but I think Id play Szmodics, Dolan, Moran, Garett, ahead of him. Sigurdsson has some quality and can find a bit of space in the box. But he doesnt do anywhere near enough without the ball. Doesnt make any runs or press.

LWB. Think we are Pears JRC. Hyam. Wharton Dolan. Garret. Moran. Tronstad. Sigurdsson Gallagher. Szmodics 352 with Dolan and Sigurdsson playing wing back is pretty punchy. But its working!

Only thing not working for me is Sigurdsson on the left. Id take him off for Adam Wharton, and move Garret to LWB. Shame Batty isnt on the bench - would be perfect for him. Chrisene could come on too as an alternative but he looked a bit poor on the ball to me against WBA. We should go for a big score.

I do like JRC at RCB. Its mad but it works. Hes strong enough, competes enough, and it gives him loads of time on the ball and the space to get forward. Is there anything he cant do?

Szmodics what a legend. Nice work by Garrett and Gallagher.

He looks good in forward areas but like Travis struggles picking it up on the turn.

Anyone got a clue whose playing LWB? Is it Sigurdsson? JDT is so attacking. Hope it pays off!

I reckon it 352 with JRC at RCB from the first couple of mins. Garrett is at CM.

Yeah, youd think given definite game time, and our relationship with Liverpool we should be in the driving seat?

I don't think it does really. Attendances have dwindled but Venkys have not been fussed. Their issue is they are not engaged, and reduced attendances don't catch their attention until there is a financial review, and then all it will lead to is reduction of the budget. Whatever is done needs to be something they will hear about and have to pay attention to.

Good point... !

Fun fact - until the industrial revolution Norwich was the second biggest city in England outside London as the economy revolved around the wool textile trade with Europe. Then the population growth moved west to staff the factories that exported out to the empire.... Blackburn is in a very unusual position that there are just so many clubs nearby. Only other part of the country with so many professional clubs so close to one another is London and obviously there is a lot higher population density and it is a lot richer. I think there are 12 pro clubs within 30 miles of Ewood - Rovers, Burnley, Liverpool, Everton, man Utd, man City, accrington, Preston, WIgan, Bolton, Blackpool, Fleetwood Way more density of clubs that Leeds (3 pro clubs within 30 miles) Sheffield (5 clubs), Birmingham (5 clubs), Newcastle (2 clubs), Bristol (2 clubs). There was a period of time around 2010 where I think 5 Lancashire town clubs were in the premier division at the same time (Rovers, Burnley, Blackpool, Wigan and Bolton). Then of course you had both Liverpool and both Manchester clubs. So pretty much half the division was Lancashire. Map that shows this density pretty well : https://www.myfootygrounds.co.uk/AreaMap.asp?view=ENGLAND

Undav who we just missed out on in the summer because of Brightons injuries has scored 12 goals in 16 matches for Stuttgart on loan in the Bundesliga.... 😳😳

Seems mad that Ipswich want to pay £2M for a player whose been injured so much and close to end of contract . But gives us options. I guess question is who we bring in. If Gally goes we need two established proven strikers. Yates and McGuire would maybe do it? Yates obviously solid record at this level and McGuire had about a 1 in 2 in the MLS and recently got capped by US so id be intrigued by that. MLS is a decent standard these days.