I dont have a clue how. He was absolutely shocking in the first half of the season, no goals and very few assists as he played very ineffectively out wide (very limited striker Marcus Antonsson was far better than him on the other side) before he moved into central midfield for a bit and was impressive v Shrewsbury but ultimately the effectiveness of his partnership with Smallwood waned and he moved to right back to cover the (if I recall correctly) injured Nyambe, with Evans proving more effective in central midfield following that change. I get that he was full of passion, effort etc, but work rate wasnt a problem throughout the whole team, so that doesnt mean he stands out. Dack and Mulgrew were far, far better than Bennett, not to mention a few others.

Goals cant flatter a player, They are black and white and you cant discredit their importance, indeed the numbers of him and Graham become more impressive compared to the pathetic numbers of everyone else.

Raya Nyambe Lenihan Rodwell Williams Reed Travis Chapman Dack Rothwell Graham Subs: Leutweiler, Davenport, Conway, Nuttall, Butterworth, Armstrong, Evans Armstrong in next to Graham if Dack is unavailable, with Brereton on the bench.

An absolutely depressing and dispiriting performance against a Stoke side not in great form either but one playing almost within itself knowing we were never going to score in a month of Sundays. Not going to get into the Dack conspiracies, lying, pissed up etc, for me all I saw yesterday was we need Dack far more than we ever realised, Graham was playing in a different postcode to the rest of the team. To play a midfield trio with a combined goal tally of one was never going to work, was predictably ineffective against a much better 3 on their side of Allen, Etebo and Bojan, and summed up our lethargic, slow, monotonous, predictable and mind numbingly boring display. Bennett is the new Jason Lowe, and fans seem to be realising that. Rather than take Bennett off, the manager will always opt to simply take someone off in a different position and move Bennett there. His crossing was even worse than the general standard of crossing across the team and thats saying something. The worst player had to be Bell however, he really is a terrible defender, his lack of willingness to close Ince down was really poor but weve seen it time and time again with him. His reluctance to ever drive forward with the ball is so infuriating too. Raya deserves credit for 2 superb saves and deserved man of the match although I though he was poor for the goal. Not sure how Lenihan got man of the match, kept kicking the ball out of play. Age has caught up with Mulgrew, a mistake and an injury a further sign that a new deal was a poor choice. Nyambe was again all at sea too. Rothwell to be honest did little substantial but was the only player in a Rovers shirt who had any sort of urgency, any sort of motivation to make something happen, although he didnt really manage to. Armstrong again seemed to play within himself bar one good shot, Not one aspect of the side doesnt require reinforcements, a horrible indictment on Mowbrays recruitment. Need a new keeper really, Mowbray signed Leutweiler. Need new full backs on both sides, Mowbray signed Bell which hasnt worked. Mowbray signed Downing (before loaning him out) and a midfielder who he sees as a centre back, again, hasnt resolved our weak underbelly. He's signed plenty of midfielders but we are none the wiser on our best partnership in the middle, plus a lorry load of "wide forwards" leaving us woefully inept from wide positions, the crossing is a joke. And up front, despite signing Brereton, Armstrong Nuttall and the injured Samuel, only Graham is a reasonable option. Yesterday was right up there with our frequent gutless performances this season. We had no idea what we were doing, and no real desire or urgency to create something, there was no grandstand finish. We wouldnt have scored if we were still playing now.

This is a common mindset ive seen and its in line with what Mowbray has said but its totally illogical. Of course there is a long term aspect to some of the "experimenting" and with little risk of relegation thats something that can only be welcomed. But as long as the experimenting is done rationally and constructively, it is also of benefit in the short term. Because what we are doing at the moment isnt working. Mowbray keeps talking about players that know the league but these players have been playing during the last 10 games when weve been so out of our depth. Why would sticking to the old guard give us a better chance of getting that win we need to get to 50 points? Why have you fallen into the trap of thinking that changing the team is likely to result in a dip in results, which is barely possible? I wouldnt advocate throwing in half of the academy team wrecklessly, my suggested changes are incremental and in areas where we could improve. For example, out wide, Mowbray seems to like to play a wide forward one side and a defensive winger the other. The likes of Bennett, Conway and an out of position Reed have contributed precious little going forward and making the supposed extra provision to play them has done nothing to stem the crosses raining in and the goals going in at the other end. Armstrong should play right where it can simplify his game if anywhere but Mowbray has fallen for a myth that he offers something defensively and ultimately he has been very inconsistent attacking too. Weve got 2 alternatives who give us pace, flair, and could put us on the front foot from the start especially at home where we have a laughable 6 first half goals in 19 games. Theyd also open up room for Dack. I would also try Rodwell in his natural role, him and Travis could provide that front 4 (Graham up top) with a springboard to attack and Rodwell could both improve on what weve had in there recently (last week Bennett, Smallwood and even to a lesser extent Evans prior) and potentially earn a new deal as a midfielder. I dont think the formation is necessarily in requirement of a change but if Mowbray plans on doing so then he should make the change now. It makes no sense to share Mowbrays assertion that our best bet short term is to stick with the same players that have been in such pitiful form over a long period now. We have a clutch of players, Bennett, Conway, Smallwood, Williams etc who neither are good enough to warrant a start at the moment nor are going to help us in the future.

Chapman made only 1 league start, in which he was superb, came off after an hour and was dropped again and injured his hamstring as a sub. He could play an hour surely after numerous 90 minutes for the reserves. Alternatively, a cameo off the bench. Ultimately, the main reason he wont is because Mowbray wants to play those who "know the league" even though theyve spearheaded a woefully inept run.

Your theory implying we need a win to get to 50 points before experimenting falls down on a key area. The side hes picking, all of his regulars are not at the moment winning or even drawing football matches. Experimenting is not something that will allow us to blood players but is likely to hinder results as that hypothesis suggests. Changing players, bringing in players like Rothwell, Chapman, Rodwell in midfield these arent total novices nor are they massive risks to utilise, the likes of Bennett, Conway, Smallwood etc are not going to push us forward nor are they doing anything to stop the rot at the moment. Changing the team is not solely to blood them for the future, its to change a losing formula now.

I personally disagree with that particular formation solely because I think it would limit the effectiveness of our best player. That being said, I would at least appreciate the fact that hes tangibly looking forward, obviously assuming it doesnt involve shoehorning the likes of Bennett in for the sake of it. I dont think the problem lies within the formation, my suggested changes fall within a 4231. We need to start games on the front foot, 6 (?) goals at home in the first half is an embarrassing stat over 19 games. Id like to see us think about how we can be proactive and hurt other teams, rather than constantly fall back to players who whilst work hard dont contribute nearly enough going forward or even provide anywhere near the level of defensive support that the manager likes to think. Rothwell and Chapman wide please. Also think Rodwell could be a big asset in his best position. Give him a run in central midfield with the view to giving him a longer deal as a more important player. Back to my point. We shouldnt wait until pre season, essentially we have an extended pre season with promotion/play offs impossible, relegation incredibly unlikely and crucially, the current way of working failing miserably.

If that is his plan would you agree it should be from now? No need to wait.

The team is continiously backed on a match day so its a little unfair to even mention that. Wanting a manager out and expressing that (with potential replacements) on an internet messageboard and backing the team on a match day are not mutually exclusive. Ultimately the main flaw of the viewpoint that he will get it right in the summer and rectify our problems is that he got it so wrong last summer so what makes people think that will significantly change? Hes even unwilling to constructively experiment now when weve nothing to play for. Mentioning alternative formations he wants to play yet wastes a perfect time to start using them. And continues with the same old players when they are neither working short term nor are they the answer long term.

I also disagree with the idea of playing 433 as ultimately it doesnt have a natural place for our best player. But if Mowbray does intend on moving to it he should start now and use the rest of the season as an advantage.

Would go: Raya Nyambe Lenihan Mulgrew Bell Travis Rodwell Chapman Dack Rothwell Graham Subs: Leutweiler, Davenport, Armstrong, Brereton, Reed, Butterworth, Evans No point bothering with Smallwood, Williams, Conway and Bennett in the squad. Need to look towards next season not back to last.

Compared to Rothwell and Chapman, I would agree of course that Bennett and Conway would offer more defensively but I don't necessarily subscribe that they are particularly making a difference in terms of making us more solid, they will always put in the effort but Bennett in particular can be very rash. I dont think its the night and day difference between them and the younger lads. And our exciting younger players are going to need to be given time at some point and now is as good a time as any. You cant pick wingers solely on defensive capabilities. Im not convinced that we would be a different animal in comparing the competitiveness of the squad Mowbray inherited and the one he has now, aside from Dack obviously who has been a masterstroke of a signing and would be a big difference. Aside from that, not so much. The main hopes are young players with undoubted attributes but we are still in the dark as to whether they are competent Championship players. (Rothwell, Chapman, even Armstrong who for me bar one superb month has been cold much more than hes been hot) Youd still look in numerous areas and suggest that we need recruitment, our squad is very imbalanced. Indeed aside from Dack, the main difference is that alot of the crap that was soiling the squad Mowbray inherited (Lowe, Akpan, Greer, Brown etc) was out of contract at the end of his first season and is no longer burdening us. That and Travis' emergence.

-Conway and Bennett's defensive qualities are overstated by Mowbray. Even playing one or both doesnt seem to stem the goals going in, indeed when Bennett is asked to be a right back his defensive abilities repeatedly lead to him diving in and getting exposed. Neither of their work rates are ever in question but the defensive quality they provide is. -Armstrong is also apparently played for his running going back, thats a complete lie. -You've repeatedly defended Mowbrays summer recruitment. If we are having to name such a supposedly defensive midfield to protect our terrible defence, surely that says it all? -It may not work to stick Chapman and Rothwell wide, we dont know yet. But surely if ever theres a time to try it, its now, we are losing with the usual favourites guaranteed a place, and we have little to play for in terms of promotion/relegation, why not give it a go for a few games? - Why sign players he clearly has no trust in?

To be fair, in that instance he did so to overcompensate for that fact, something I sort of understood. Mowbray totally under-appreciates the intricacy of a 3 at the back formation however. When we played it v Newcastle Mowbray admitted that we hadnt really trained on it and it was a late decision. If he does intend on moving to that formation then hes going about it the wrong way, nows the perfect platform to bed it in. Look at Sheffield United, it works for them because their players play it every week and they know exactly how to play it.

He has flirted with the idea but what makes you sure that this is the plan. With Rodwell on the bench on Saturday, if that is the plan, it shows how forward thinking he is that he didnt play it on Saturday. Surely it would have made sense to play the formation he supposedly intends on playing going forward whenever current personnel allows, It would have allowed Bell and Nyambe to assimilate and stake a claim for the wing back roles, and perhaps have allowed the likes of Dack and Rothwell to start to gel together in a tweaked attack. I dont agree with going back to a formation that has posed more questions than answers in the past, but if that is the plan, I would have welcomed 8 trial runs starting at Villa Park as a sign of our manager thinking and planning ahead. But no, in went Bennett and Conway, Armstrong back in for Rothwell, back to the status quo. And that would beg the further question, why sign Chapman?

Firstly, when the payments are made is irrelevant, and purely speculative, point is we have committed that level of money, a very healthy budget to at least somewhat improve the first team. I don't see how his summer recruitment can be defended. We are within a process whereby Mowbray has repeatedly stated that the aim is to challenge for promotion. Following promotion, there is plenty of scope to improve a side, you are far from the point of development at a team that you can put all of your eggs into signing players seen as development players who in turn havent even provided serious competition, when its neglecting areas of the team that are not good enough for a progressive Championship side. You look at the individuals he has brought in, Reed is a successful albeit temporary signing, the Palmer situation on the flip side was handled poorly and has to be deemed as a failure. The Rodwell situation sums up how much of a priority he sees the defence as, reported interest in Bauer but his plan B was a midfielder who may well have proved a bargain in his natural position instead used unsuccessfully as a sticking plaster in our flimsy defence. Davenport may or may not exist and he has signed 2 attacking players in Rothwell and now Chapman who ultimately he has absolutely no trust in, and are quite clearly the polar opposite of what is in the Tony Mowbray manual of being a wide man. And the main bit, we only really have Graham as a central striker, to sign someone for 7m (with over 50 Championship appearances) who hasnt been able to put any pressure at all on an impressive but veteran striker is indefensible. I don't see him moving away from his set way of playing Armstrong one side and Bennett/Conway/Reed while still here on the other, he mentioned that even today and seems insistent on sticking with his favourites even though its quite clearly failing him at the moment. In general, I suspect that it is incredibly naive to expect him to ditch all of his favourites in a summer overhaul. He is far too stubborn and loyal to players who this season have ultimately let him down (quality not effort) numerous times. Also, he managed to combine conservatism (picking wide men for perceived and debatable defensive abilities) and a horrendous defensive record in incredible fashion.

Armstrong is undoubtedly quick (as are Rothwell and Chapman) but he doesn't help out going back and doesnt have a defensive bone in his body. I have no idea how he has garnered Mowbrays unwavering trust out wide when Rothwell and Chapman (mainly last season of course) are ignored. You say Chapman and Rothwell may have to wait but surely if ever there was a time for experimentation (structured, not mass throwing in the youth teams etc) it is now, amidst a rotten extended run of form with very little but pride to play for? His reluctance to do so makes no sense in that he trusts the likes of Bennett implicitly, and whilst his effort and work rate are unquestionable, his output offensively is dire and defensively he is not that good either, save for always being willing to run around.

I would love someone of the ilk of Wagner and Jokanovic with inventive new ideas and recent success in this league but suspect they will be unrealistic. I would strongly consider Cowley at Lincoln, doing a great job and would be an exciting appointment, I would also take someone like Karanka or Rowett any day over Mowbray.

You perhaps quite fairly question his numbers but considering a similarly primarily substitute role thus far, havent you defended Brereton and his lack of goals? For me, them quotes suggest that he is not considering a change of approach any time soon. His line about Armstrong is a load of bollocks, he is just as negligent defensively as anyone. But ultimately, he is choosing all 4 midfielders based on their perceived defensive capabilities first and foremost, so surely that is pretty galling considering our defensive record is so poor?! I also dont think Bennett is as reliable defensively as Mowbray seems to think, and hes next to useless going forward. Also, why even bother signing Rothwell and then go and sign Chapman, if he quite clearly has no faith in them whatsoever?

For me, the weakest and most illogical argument in regards to keeping Mowbray is that surely he deserves another summer. The reason being is that in a summer that he had 10m to spend, he hasnt improved our team at all, so how can that be the crux of your plea to keep him?! I also dont really get why people are so sure that he is suddenly going to become much more ruthless. Unfortunately, he crazily rushed to sign Williams and Smallwood on longer contracts, and hes said in his quotes above that he maintains that he needs a Bennett or Conway out wide, oblivious to the fact that neither are up to it.

If you are looking at a potential starting 11 for next season, youd probably struggle to name half of one from the current squad. Graham is definitely one that has proved his ability at this level. We definitely need an alternative but Graham is still a big player for us. And its a myth (one especially peddled by RevidgeBlue whose agenda against him is crazy) that our current tactics are to the benefit of Graham. We are lucky that he is able to do as well as anyone reasonably could with such dire service by limited players and set up by a manager with a seemingly limited tactical skillset and a preference for very limited players such as Bennett and Smallwood.

Wasnt that the plan last summer when he spent 10m and didnt improve the first team?

Dont understand how Graham is one of the players to be ruthless with. He has been our best player this season.

Seems a bit too nuclear considering youve missed out players like Dack and Graham who will be here next season (youd bloody well hope) so surely we should try and fuse players around them and see who can work with them? Agree in playing Rothwell and Chapman, feel like theres scope to see between maybe Rodwell and Davenport as potentially a partner for Travis, and the 3 other young lads in and around the picture, but I'd like to see experimentation done a tiny bit more structured than that. The key is to remove the likes of Bennett, Conway, Smallwood and Williams from the squad entirely.