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.

Tosin Adarabioyo. Bloody hell, I haven’t been this excited about a defender since Phil Jones (Aged 17) schooled a peak Drogba at Ewood. Tosin could be a very special player. Wow

Agreed. ??

TOP TOP signing. There’d be a queue of top Championship clubs and some with much deeper pockets than us wanting Dack I don’t think he’s quick enough to play in the PL personally. Which makes him an out an out number 10. Not many PL teams play with out and out 10’s. I think his best chance at the PL is to go up with someone. Edit - I also think Dack is very lucky to have TM. A manager who excuses his bad games and provides him with the tools, support and ammunition to play exactly where he wants. Dack would have to ‘fit in’ at other clubs. I think he’d have the potential to go off the rails...and I think other clubs know this too!

You’re making a really good point mate. But we’re talking about two different things here. Whether or not you or I rate the players bought. What is clear is that the manager did in fact buy them to take the place of the previous incumbents. Some (Downing, Tosin, Cunningham (whilst fit) have taken that opportunity. Others (Johnson and Gally) immediately displaced old players but haven’t found their stride but could easily come back in and play the vast majority of remaining games. Whilst Holtby will likely becomes more and more influential. My point is that the manager saying he wants to ‘create competition’ is his way of managing the group. In truth he’s trying to upgrade and therefore replace what we have.

That wasn’t the point. The point I was making was people worrying over words like ‘creating competition’ when it’s clear from the summer business and with the fact that Mulgrew, Bell, Smallwood, Evans (up until recently) have all been removed from the first eleven. So regardless of the terminology he uses to define new signings, old players ARE being replaced. For what it’s worth, I believe Gally will succeed Graham and do well for us. Whilst Johnson on the bench is a much better option than Smallwood.

I also reckon Dack will go in the summer (Assuming we won’t go up). He is making noises and the manager is backing them up. I’d have no problems with it so long as some of the funds were reinvested.

Downing, Johnson, Gally, Tosin, Cunningham, Holtby and Walton have all pushed lesser players down the pecking order. Stop worrying about words.

Chill out with the semantics lads. He can’t very well say that he’s bringing in players to replace his ‘error prone’ keeper and ‘crap’ left back can he? Whether you thought his signings were good or not this summer, every one of them was bought to, and have in some way replaced those before them. He doesn’t have to piss the group off whilst they’re on a fantastic run and on the eve of the game to prove that point....

100%. Get a LB and Gk. The key after that is to keep our current formula and pattern of play. High tempo. Target man up top and get Rothwell, Dack, Arma, Holtby etc playing off him. Gally has all the attributes to succeed Graham in THAT position. If we can stretch to CB cover and a loan move for Kodija or Brewster then I think we can be there or thereabouts

What I want is for the manager to dispense with his idea to ‘transition’ us into Tika taka football. This group of players love playing heavy metal football and Wednesday was a fine example. We don’t need 70% possession of the ball to beat teams.  I want Mowbray to keep that 11 and blueprint of high octane football with uncompromising centre halves, workman-like midfielders, lightening quick wingers and a little un off a big un, up top. Everyone busts a gut to get forward and everyone kills themselves to get back. It suits the players and us as fans. We were all buzzing after Wednesday.  The progression is simply to buy better footballers to suit this mould. Upgrade the quality but keep the identity of the team.