I get what you mean as a defensive signing in that I expected him to be the defensive winger that Tony loves but just didn't see him as a left back in a 4 or the left wing back in a 5 - not a bad option last 10-20 mins when we're chasing the game. Gotta say if he's been signing to play left back then thats a weird move from Mowbray

He actually could. At least they've played there before and at least Bell is mobile. I thought he's come in to play as inverted winger or as back up to Dack as a 10. No indication that we are switching to a back 5 in pre-season. Really haven't seen this coming

He actually could. At least they've played there before and at least Bell is mobile.

Are you saying Downing was signed primarily to play left back? I need to clarify this before I start lashing out

I don't get it, we've got so many players who can play out wide. Downing, Armstrong, Rothwell, Bennet, Chapman, The 3 strikers who Mowbray likes to play out wide.Then you've got Rankin-Cotollo, Buckley and Butterworth who could all get game time out wide. We're going to have to start cutting some players out somewhere.

I've said since the end of last season that if the first game of next season Charlie starts then we've got some serious problems at the club. If we end up getting 2 centre backs before next Saturday then I will maybe change my view. But he would still have to drop Mulgrew the game after Charlton.

I'd be happy with Ayala.

Jake Cooper?

We should send him out on loan now rather than hang around, he's got 4 strikers ahead of him and Samuel to come back too. Better for the lad if we loan him now

I'd go with Walton Nyambe Lenihan Tosin Bell Travis Johnson Armstrong Dack Rothwell Graham Subs: Leutwiler, Mulgrew, Bennett, Downing, Buckley or JRC, Gallagher, Brereton I think Mowbray will go: Walton Bennett Lenihan Mulgrew Bell Armstrong Travis Evans Downing Dack Graham Subs: Leutwiler, Nyambe, Hart, Johnson, Smallwood, Gallagher, Brereton

Tbf he was playing at left back. If we put Lenihan at left back I wouldn't expect him to do well.

Thought he was absent because his wife was about to give birth? I believe she had the baby yesterday Whats happened to Scott Wharton, he's wasn't with the 1st team Saturday either?

Maybe Walton will be loan to buy? Either way its pretty underwhelming.

I hope some of the selections yesterday were more about getting certain players game time rather than what team is likely to start the first game. I know Mowbray has suggested that the first team will play together after todays game but it still does make me worry. Travis and Rothwell would be first on the team sheet in midfield for me, I just hope he doesn't revert to type. If he drops Rothwell for Downing or Armstrong i'd be so annoyed, it'd be like he learned nothing from last season at all.

Looks the usual 4-4-1-1 or 4-2-3-1. Leutwiler flapping all over the place as usual

Does anyone know which players we are looking to offload? If we end up with 2 centre backs and 2 keepers and maybe Charlie Adam we’re going to have a massive squad

Its so bad I can't stop laughing I can't believe somebody okayed that, hwoever did could do with firing. One day they'll try the halves on the away shirt and it'll be the most popular kit we've had in years.

He’s 6’5 that’s encouraging enough for me

This is how I am choosing to interpret what Tony said. Mainly because it makes the most sense

Downing Travis Johnson Rothwell - team 1 Dack Graham Bennett Smallwood Evans Armstrong - team 2 Gallagher Brereton Plus Davenport, Chapman, Nuttall. Might as well start finding a loan move for the under 23 lads as the are way down the pecking order rightly or wrongly.

I disagree, doesn't matter how well they do in pre-season they won't be in the 18 for the 1st game of the season. We've got good numbers in midfield/attack so the easy thing to do would be to play the regulars, which is what Mowbray will do.

If I were him I'd go to Blackpool

Bit disappointing that Davenport is with the under 23's and Smallwood is with the first team. I'm just hoping that they've put the players who needed less game time in this squad. Like Nyambe, Gallagher and Chapman, along with the trialists.

I rate Zohore, good target man he's not particularly prolific though.

Nyambe has to keep developing his game, not just getting caught out of position but his crossing is dire. I'm not exagerating when I say he's the worst crosser of a ball I've seen at Ewood.