We did try to win!! We just didn’t manage it. ?

Good post. I think they’ll keep Buckley in the 23’s with JRC and Buckley. I also think they’ll keep Brereton for the run in as cover for that forward position. An injury to DG or SG puts him immediately into game time. Hart, Davenport, Chapman, Smallwood and Samuel are prime to go out. First team players with no real potential of playing. After that, Fisher might leave if we sign a keeper. I didn’t even include Gladwin

Yes, hopefully we make some solid additions experienced keeper, Cooper and George Friend please. Not to labour the point but our Chief Exec specifically refers to Buckley aswell. ?

I haven’t seen anything you haven’t. I’m just aware of the fact that he is the one they rate (which is shown by his constant inclusion with the first team). More importantly though. If I knew absolutely nothing, I would never slaughter a young player based on an accumulation of about 40 mins of football? 15mins of which (vs Sheffield Weds) a few posters on here attributed his introduction as the ‘turning point’ in the game!

Never. I specifically called out Buckley at the same time as I spoke about the introduction of Jonty and the technology. Buckley was a surprise to me too at the time as everything had been about Magloire before. At the time I also mentioned Butterworth and JRC as being around the squad but Buckley is ‘the one’ in their eyes.

Mate, you’re arguing about this in December 2019 whilst we stand a point off the top 6 and 2pts off third and they’re struggling week in week out to stay in the league. After we finished above them last season. This is the very epitome of nit picking and tbh that’s being kind to you. Crap argument, just let it go ?

Agreed.

I think you (and a few others) are being very harsh Joe. No one has seen enough of Buckley to make that type of judgement. The “wow” was because I cannot believe how quickly our supporters are to write off their own. I rarely see that level of criticism for academy stars at other clubs. I said in the summer exactly what the club thought of Buckley. That has stood up as he is the only one close to breaking through in spite of chatter around Magloire, JRC and Butterworth etc... The club 100% see Buckley as the next big thing. He hasn’t got into his stride yet but they believe he will. At 19 or whatever I’m willing to give him another year or two and trust the professionals before I write the poor lads career off ??

Holtby hasn’t got Rothwell’s pace but his quality effects games much more often. Personally, I think Rothwell is better coming on for the last 20 mins if we want to counter or disrupt the flow of our opponents. He’d get one more chance for me and then I’d be looking to give Holtby a decent run. Downing and Holtby on the left would provide some real quality.

Me too. Hate Wigan, Cook and Morsy. I love Rothwell but he’s skating on thin ice at the moment in terms of hanging onto his place in the first XI. Especially with a quality player like Holtby behind him.

Correct. So probably upwards of decent as oppose to average? ?? Either way, one decent game does not give him the right to move in front of Downing who’s been class all season.

Wow. Just wow!

Average? Decent? Much of a muchness really... Anyone who’s been going to the last 6 or so games will know that Downing has been a good, solid fullback and very good attacking outlet because he rarely misplaces the ball and generally plays forward. I cannot, will not believe that Bell plays in front of Downing at home to Wigan on Monday.

100% BUT, for those suggesting Bell goes in for Downing...WTF!!? Bell has been absolutely dog sh*t for two years, has one decent game and now people are picking him ahead of our player of the season so far? ? Holtby, Gallagher and Johnson are the only ones with even a chance of breaking into the first XI for me.

I don’t think Howson and Holtby do the same job tbh mate. Howson is more tenacious and defensive minded. I see him as competition for the likes of Travis, Evans and Johnson. I think one of the biggest positives in our current run is that energy in CM. We have the Berkovic signing in Holtby. He just needs to get into his stride which is difficult with Dack in that position.

We still need the players we were talking about months ago: keeper Cooper (cb) Friend (LB) What about Howson to fight with Trav, Evans and Johnson for those two midfield slots? Also, we COULD be third come Jan 1st. Wonder if Venkys will really invest? Interesting...

Lady Luck!!? ??? Give it up mate. You’re right in some respects. The changes have helped. Those changes were by the manager. BUT yesterday’s team and consequent performance proved that there’s much more to winning than simply removing players who you wanted out. Then again, we have a manager who’s been in the game 40yrs along with a team of professionals so it makes sense that we all accept they know more than any of us.

Could’ve said the exact same thing about Sheff United. Success is about much moRe than star names. IF TM gets us up then the club and the fans should back him with everything we’ve got.

I would genuinely rotate Rothwell with Bennett for away games.

I’d go back to the lads who’ve been winning every week for us. Gallagher, Holtby and now Johnson are hammering down the door. Which keeps Graham, Evans and Travis on their toes. Player most at risk is Rothwell. He blows hot and cold but I think he’s done enough to hold off Holtby for now.

That’s the thing. I don’t think he has ditched it. He’s just married it up with the hard work we historically do. Some of the goals and passing moves we’ve played and scored in the last few weeks have been amazing. We are a VERY different proposition to last season now.

Jesus lads, what did you expect? The lads were dead on their feet on Wednesday night. The manager has dropped several hints about resting players this week. I posted a team with a similar number of changes on one of the threads this week....it was very obvious what was going to happen. Be interesting to see how we actually line up today rather than Rich Sharpes guess. Im glad he’s giving BB and SG a start. My biggest worry is Bell at lb who is about as useful as a handbrake on a canoe.

https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/transfer-news/best-championship-players-preston-north-17410110 Some good quality players on that list who we could potentially get on the cheap with a few months left on their contract... Bialkowski? Shea looked decent for Luton.. But it’s the defenders who I like...Ayala, Friend and Cooper would be fantastic additions.

He explained that he didn’t think about taking him off because he trusted Dack. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

We’re playing a 442 now with Dack off Graham. This works because when we are defending, Dack drops in to make a 5 in midfield. He gets through a lot of work. Maybe an unpopular opinion but I’d make a few changes on Saturday. It’s hugely important that we don’t lose our best players over Christmas where we have 3 very win-able games. walton Nyambe Lenihan Tosin Bennett Arma Evans Johnson Buckley Holtby Gallagher Could still bring on Rothwell and Travis with 20 to go.