And in central midfield when the Smallwood/Evans axis is in full play.

Swap Nyambe for Bennett & Travis for Evans and I think that will be the side that starts against Charlton if Hanley comes in. Williams & Chapman on the bench instead of Davenport and Butterworth.

I never really expected anything different to be honest. But, let's see what happens over the next few weeks.

The thought of trying to dislodge Williams and Mulgrew might be a bit much for Grant, I doubt it will happen.

Did it? I just thought it showed someone who was unwilling to give up his perfectly valid contract that his club had promised him?

Butterworth looked decent against Bolton. Buckley looked like he was an under 10 player given a run out in a pre season game for a laugh, he's nowhere near ready.

Of course it doesn't really matter, I just don't think it hurts, Plus Jason Lowe isn't a Rovers fan anyway... For me, Fielding has plenty of experience at this level and is a decent keeper. Much better competition for Raya than the Canadian, and also fits in perfectly with Mowbrays philosophy of not bringing in anyone who is better than what we have. Maybe it will happen after all.

Over 300 games in the football league, mostly at the level we're at now. Played regularly for teams that that have finished above us in most of the past 7 seasons. A Blackburn lad and Rovers fan to boot, we could certainly do worse.

I just get the impression that if we wanted Fielding that he would have signed by now, he was released from Bristol very quickly after the season ended.

How? I thought we let him go to Brentford, who then sold him to Sheffield Utd?

This isn't a new thing.

Never believe anything you read on here is the first rule of this message board.

I think we both know which scenario is more likely don't we?

Hmmm we'll see, but value for money Tone will probably pick the Aussie lad all day long. Plus it's pretty unfair to call him shit, I'm guessing the level he is playing at now is very similar to league one.

I thought he was only going Hull because he liked Adkins who has now left? Then you said he was going Sunderland.... I really doubt that we're in for Whiteman at 1.5m when we can get the Aussie lad for more than a million less.

Nyambe being away for the summer has played right into Tony's hands unfortunately, it's a great way to get Bennett on the pitch because "Ryan won't have had a pre season".

Worry is that TM seems to think a new centre half is going to solve all our defensive issues, yet will then persist to play Bennett at right back and wonder why it all goes wrong. Two new full backs are just as crucial as a new centre half but I doubt the budget stretches that far whilst we're apparently chasing another non goalscoring forward and already have a 35 year old winger on the books.

I don't know. I saw Tony mention it a few weeks ago when talking about Davenport.

Downing will play in the middle to "recycle possession" as he's a very talented left footed footballer.

All this talk of Whittingham, did he ever end up getting a club after we released him?!

It's not inspiring no, but it's about what I expected. Infact if all them happened then its probably better than i expected to be honest. Some of the names I've seen here have been absolute fantasy signings. From what we have seen of Mowbray so far, we all know he won't strengthen his first 11 with better players than we already have, its all about having a squad where everybody is about as good as everyone else. We had a stand out centre midfielder on loan last year but he didn't seem to like it for some reason and never played him there, I think he started 3 games all season in centre midfield and we won all 3, Bolton away, Wigan home and Derby home. I like Mowbray, but I don't half find his recruitment policy and general team selections baffling.

That, and the draw like many in recent years is just so dull. Had we got Salford away I'm sure there would be a pretty big interest.

Take out Nyambe & O'Neill for Bennett & Evans and that might not be far off. Bottom 6 side for me that, no goals in the side and Hanley isn't suddenly going to transform the worst away defence in the entire FL. Long old season ahead.

Downing said in his interview that he likes the way we play. Where has this myth that Mowbrays sides play "good football" from?

We haven't, won our opening game of the season since Venkys rocked up, and that is no coincidence.