I’d play him through the middle too...but that’s the managers call

I understand why. But it was the managers choice to pick him. So the ‘hate’ towards Bennett is / was still completely uncalled for imo. Bennett has literally NEVER walked onto a pitch for us and not given 100%

It’s all pretty irrelevant really. There’s lots of players bought for nowt in real terms who will play huge parts... If Gally and BB chip in with five goals each whilst Dolan (free), Dack (£750k) and AA (£3m) score 50 goals between them and our back 5 (Kaminski, Nyambe, Lenihan, Ayala, Douglas) combined fees £200k keep enough clean sheets then we’ll prob go up. I get your frustrations re those two. I feel it too but I still think there’s a top player in BB and a 10 goals a season man in SG.

Wow...love this term. Powerfully accurate ?

He’s definitely the teachers pet but the more you get to know him the more understandable if is. He’s just such a decent guy. The perfect man to lead our club...and he’s had a good career too. Played at the top level. Now he’s not playing and still a brilliant influence on the group. Not many of these types around. He’ll be missed when he’s gone.

Tbh I don’t think there’s been any hate on here for Bennett that I can think of...sure there’s lots of negativity but kinel if that’s a yardstick then this place is the most hateful place on Earth! ?? Some of the stuff he gets on Social media from fans is disgusting though.

Hate is an intense dislike. Whilst I don’t believe many / any Rovers supporters ‘intensely dislike’ Bennett (why would you?), some of the stuff he gets thrown at him by so called Rovers fans is very close to the bone. Especially on social media. Those choice of words are often hateful by definition, whether they mean it or not.

In general, there is a bit of hate towards Bennett. It’s completely unjustified and unnecessary imo. But I haven’t seen any recently.

I don’t get the hate for that guy. Sure he’s not our best footballer but he’s everything else you’d want as a human being, captain and leader. I do think he’ll struggle to get a new contract in amongst this group though Joe.

Squad player...bloody decent ‘last gasp’ option though!!

Benno is probably a gonner in the summer. Though you can never have too many positives influences ??

Looks like it!! I suppose if you had the budget to fill it then Downing is the perfect choice...great experience, versatile, model pro, positive influence in the dressing room and still a very good footballer.

Yeah...doesn’t leave too much room though! ?

So, I’m assuming of the first team regulars that’s Buckley, JRC and Dolan? The rest need registering?

Fair point. Bloody good option to have I guess. Mowbray being backed to the hilt! Get Rothwell, JRC and Nyambe signed up to long term contracts by Christmas and we’re rocking!!

Does the u21 / academy rule count to all players from our academy regardless of age (eg Nyambe, Lenihan, Trav etc) or just to those from the academy who are still 21 or under?

A - Only if he’s ready to banish Bell ala Smallwood, Mulgrew etc - which I don’t think he will. B - if he’s willing to put him on the bench before Buckley, Trybull, Evans and even Rothwell once Trav is back...

I saw this on twitter last night and laughed...but seriously...Dolan, Dack, Elliott and Arma ? ?

Yeah, that’s a pisser because if he runs his contract down we’ll get nothing! ?

There’s certainly a chance of that...maybe even some coaching? I love Downing but i don’t want him playing every week in front of some of these guys.

They must’ve done their numbers!? Im waiting for Joe or one of our other top guys to run a predicted 25 to see who makes the cut and which players aren’t included in the numbers (u21 / academy etc)....My heads spinning now!

Interesting. See I also agree that he’ll be lickin his lips at the prospect of Douglas swinging crosses to the back post for Gally to throw himself at....but he’s loving this new set up and I think he’ll want to get on the training ground with them both first. Maybe he’ll throw them both on at some point. See if it clicks.. If Rothwell isn’t fit I’m almost certain it will be Evans Johnson Buckley which is more balanced. Evans fitness is a pain but when fit he very rarely lets us down imo. Trybull is a 6 (Pivot) by all accounts. Plays at the base of the three, breaks play up and distributes. He’s covering Johnson who won’t be able to play twice a week until Christmas and based on last season could just fizzle out completely. Davenport, if he can kick on is a natural successor for Johnson next season. Trav, Holtby, Rothwell, Evans and Buckley are 8’s. High energy, ‘up and downers’ with varied skills sets..(Evans and Trav more combative whilst the others are more creative). Nit sure how I’ve got into 6’s and 8’s ?? but it’s clear we’re trying to emulate something like Klopps Liverpool...

Just read that...I’m one of those who wanted Downing back. He was our best player until Covid imo - but where on earth does he fit into a 25 man squad with the depth we now possess?

I still genuinely believe both of those players will play a part in our success this season.

Can’t see him throwing Douglas or Trybull in From the start without a full days training. Either way, what’s good is that even with Travis, Holtby and potentially Rothwell out we still have some good options left in Johnson, Trybull, Buckley, Davenport and Evans. That’s 7 players for 3 spots...once Trav gets back they’re going to have to release Davenport on loan imo.