Agree with much of that but I think it’s a good tactic to have a good two or three shapes to use. I think we will have to rely on counter a lot this season, which could be benefitted by 3 Centrebacks and an extra forward. If it’s not working, change around. It’s not desperation to completely change what worked, it’s pragmatism to understand different options are necessary.

That’s without another penny or loan, and to be honest I still disagree. Under TM, that team or the unchanged 352 would scrape survival imo. Im quite sure we will see further recruits though. In a much better position than 2 years ago.

Just a look at whats currently on the books; Raya Lenihan Mulgrew Williams Bennett Rothwell Smallwood Bell Dack Samuel Graham Subs/backups; GK Leutwiler, Fisher Defence; Nyambe, Downing, Midfield; Evans, Whittingham, Travis Forwards; Gladwin, Conway, Nuttall. Thats a version of that team without any signings from this point on. They mentioned 5 today in the LET, but do we honestly need that many? The u23s from last season might see some loan time but perhaps Tomlinson, Platt, Magliore etc could be added to the backup? A version without further investment for alternate 4231; Raya Nyambe Lenhihan Mulgrew Williams Evans Smallwood Samuel Dack Conway Graham Subs/backups; GK Leutwiler, Fisher Defence; Bell, Downing, Midfield; Rothwell, Whittingham, Travis, Bennett Forwards; Gladwin, Nuttall. In the “352” be happy to see investment at Centreback to push Mulgrew to LCB (as mentioned earlier in summer, a big powerful style to counter anything and improve attacking/defending set pieces) and the obvious- wide attackers, to supplement the 4231 variant of our tactics from last season. As for the “4231”, I think this is currently weaker, without seeing Rothwell in his role and reliance on Samuel/Conway - hence why id be looking at some investment in those areas. Chapman and Armstrong would be two who instantly improve both versions of our recent tactics imo.

And useless at home to Doncaster, but then we also changed to it whilst chasing a few games later in the season and the extra player upfront helped us over the line.

I don’t recall it being a complete failure? I remember it being ineffective at times, useful at others. Similar to how we played 4231 and 442 times and it looked useless - ie Oldham away.

That’s not to say I don’t think the division has moved on a bit in two years, but I’d be quite happy to predict we’d stay up easily if we sign a couple more for key positions, and blood a few more talented youth players into the squad, I think it could be a big year for Travis, Tomlinson, Nuttall, maybe even Platt and Hardcastle. Improvements in Darragh, Nyambe, Raya - we’ve a real bag of potential quality to add to - even a few key players like Dack and Smallwood are a decent age to develop further. I think we’d likely start 4231 or a variation with 3 CB’s, which means Conway and Samuel are likely to be the attacking width at current, with Graham, Dack and backup of Gladwin (maybe also Rothwell?) as the other two attackers (number 9 and 10.) Those positions are the most in need of recruitment for me. Antonsson, Chapman and (mainly) Armstrong played in those wide attacking roles, and they’ve all left. Id like to see us add at least one more winger who can play left or right, instead of a striker out wide. Listening to sounds from the club, Chapman looks potentially setup and I’d not bet against Armstrong returning later in the window if he isn’t signed by someone else or given more opportunity at NUFC Back to Rothwell, there may be legs in the stuff from Oxford, about him potentially suiting a more attacking role. The article below suggests he could suit an “modern inside forward from the left” or withdrawn striker, so potentially he would be a wideman in our setup? https://eflreference.wordpress.com/2018/06/18/joe-rothwell/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

Have to disagree. This is a better team to the one that was relegated, that’s before any signings- imo obviously. Id understand that many would disagree but from the performances I’ve watched, and Tony’s influence - even statistically when he inherited a rock bottom broken team from Coyle - even with only a couple of loan replacements, we are a better “team” than that imo. A lot of that comes from spirit, character and organisation, and obviously id like to see us further up than just merely surviving but I think we are in a better starting point than a few others might.

There are examples of both working, and lots of examples of excess leading to further decline. We are a good example of spending money and not getting any value, however our investments haven’t all been bad, Cairney, Gestede, Marshall, Conway and Evans all cost less than a million, and all of them have/had at least one promotion from the second tier on their CVs. The general rule of thumb for me, sensible improvements and building of a “team” is the best way to achieve any goal long term. Ofcourse, Wolves and others are perfectly obvious examples of quick fixes done with big investments, but as Pomster and others have pointed towards, we’ve spent a lot of money in the past and had not much in return. I’m absolutely buzzing to hear comments and rumours about players being binned off in interviews because of attitude. We need to build a mentality, that started from the ground up 12 months ago and the solution for me is continuity, patience and pragmatism. One bad apple spoils the cart. I admit more funds would help us get those exceptional talents and characters but I also feel a small pot makes the staff seek the absolute most out of their means. A proper team spirit alone will win us points, and more quality around a few key players could help us surprise a few.

I’m not sure why I’m wasting my time replying, but you know as well as I do - if it simply came down to funds, wages and transfer fees, we would’ve returned to the top flight at the first attempt under Kean. Cardiff hardly spent a penny in transfers last summer, other than Madine - and he hardly made an impact. Clever, patient and long term business, not spending money for the sake of it.

I agree on this. Only just read the article but it just reaffirms the overall improvements in comms, customer service, social media etc since he arrived. Granted there is not much concrete in the article, he talks about keeping the ground up to spec, possibly investing in the riverside which could turn Ewood into a more day to day venue, hotel/restaurante etc and also integrating and improving the academy and senior training centre. It’s all the stuff we haven’t actually heard discussed for years, ways to actually improve the club in the long run. It’s still only talk till it’s done though! Combining the safe standing idea with a riverside re-fit could be a good idea, so could converting part of the stand into some sort of venue - a new Northcote or Bowland brewery esq establishment might work that side of Blackburn.

Cairney..... Gestede.... It’s part of the game, so much of the talent is dragged upwards towards u23 teams, look at the horde some prem clubs loan out. To ignore it is barmy. Watford practically loaned their way out of the league. What book is that, the “Jal’s big book of BS”? If I wasn’t in such a jovial mood I’d simply ignore your absolute rambling nonsense. Good day sir.

Massively agree. Still expect us to sign a couple of important players on loan after the season starts

Way I see it, if we are signing up and comers, young projects to fit round a nucleus of a squad - the likes of Rothwell are sensible options. I have said it before, I’d be more worried if we started chucking 30/40k at some aging premier league player. 2 or 3 more of a similar ilk, adding value and potential to the main group, supported by the youth coming through and supplemented by a couple of season long loans once the actual transfer closes in August, sensible business.

You’ve gone and done it... I’m excited. A midfielder with technique, both feet and head up... Its Carlos Villanueva all over again...

Said in his interview it had been going on since January... I do remember the link but can’t recall from whom.

If he has ambition then it’s a logical step if DJ ain’t going anywhere.

Young? yes value? Less risk in a free/lower league wage match so probably but the proof is in the pudding. Position we need? Yes, an option for Evans/Smallwood Potential? Yes, rated and ex prem youth. All around looks sensible to me. Also a fantastic first name...

Maybe he just wants to move on? I mean, why is everything some sort of conspiracy or problem?

He’s one of the best players in the world at the moment, the beauty of the World Cup, it puts club football aside. For me at least. Ofcourse it’s good news for any neutral to watch a game with the best players. On reflection, he’s not made much difference first half though, but both teams have had poor final ball or cross.

Some of the worse refereeing I’ve ever seen.

I think he just said what he’d like, infact the more I think about it, the more I’m thinking the initial comment was Waggott. Ill investigate later

I don’t think he’s disagreeing with you mate, I just think he’s pointing out how much of an exaggeration it is to be up in arms because we haven’t managed to sort more business out early. Id have to find the original article with the exact quote - doesn’t he say he’s “like to get everything done” which is not a statement of intent, it’s just wishful thinking in reality - Id like to take Olivia Atwood out for a Sunday lunch but I doubt I’d be criticised much if it never happened. BDS and Dof95 are right, there is no need for such exaggeration. To suggest we are on our way back down because we have signed anyone yet is absolute garbage.

I ain’t, I pointed out scenarios they may differ in usefulness, I said I’d expect Craig on the fringes if Armstrong and Chapman signed.

A sensible 1 year deal, some performance enhancements and a potential step up to coach down the line - good sense imo. I think experienced players generally are more organised without the ball, it’s just natural with accrued game time, on top of the natural differences in marking ability. Conway certainly wouldn’t need pointing around like Harry did in those scenarios. Craig also works fair hard, so whilst we agree his legs might be on the wane, the effort and intention isn’t. He’s a good backup and pragmatic option, especially if we can’t get the bodies in we might want. On top of his positive impact on the dressing room. None of that’s clever, it’s just common sense. Which says more about you if it’s ungraspable!

Flippancy does you know favours in this debate OG, and if you think releasing Craig without a single wideman on the books is a good idea, I dread to think how you’d manage a football team.