Absolutely. I think its rare for a goalkeeper totally untested in senior football to go to a league club and play. Raya for example had to go to Southport to get game time. When I heard that Magloire was going to a League 1 club, I did think this may happen, similar to Platt at Stanley last season.

Obviously a financial penalty is not something a team loaning a player will expect to pay, its basically something that ensures that the team loaning the player doesnt just want him to pad the squad out. You may be right, it may be unrealistic, but we need to be taking far more care loaning our players out. It did seem incredibly unrealistic to loan Magloire to League 1 and expect him to play regular football.

He was repeatedly played with the kids in pre season, scored a belter at Bury, whereas Gallagher did nothing in pre season but ultimately pre season means diddly squat anyway, we lost every game before we won the title. We didnt win today, which is the thread we are in. Wins are the most important, but any home game we dont win is a disappointment, that has to be the attitude if we are serious about top 6. Today definitely was winnable, Cardiff have lost their first 2 away games and came for the point. Your point about having to play direct because we played Gallagher and Graham is absolutely ridiculous, the main issue was playing them both in the first place! I have repeatedly said that Gallagher is simply not a wide player, and yet again playing him there yielded nothing. Would rather Rothwell, Armstrong or Chapman played wide over him. I havent overlooked Downings form, I would have played him left, Rothwell right. And Dack whilst of course acknowledging that he is responsible for impacting games was always going to struggle considering the way we played. Again, get Rothwell on with him, buzzing around him, playing one twos, rather than the crap we had on show today going forward. It has been a good week, I just dont understand why you and others are acknowledging and praising the defensive improvement, which I have done and understand, but are dismissing the worries about our lack of attacking threat. If you think 3 goals, an own goal, a penalty and a header that may have been disallowed, are good enough from 5 games, accompanied with very little threat, then you are easily satisfied.

Seems to have been a bit of a repeated failing that we send players on loan to clubs who ultimately dont give them game time. Also noticed that Fisher was only a sub for Northampton. Definitely something that needs looking at, whether we are overestimating the standard that our players are capable of playing at, or need to start putting in small penalties for lack of game time as is becoming common practice, not sure but something needs to change.

Interesting conundrum is the Sheffield United team selection. I think Mowbray said post match that Downing will have the night off, and that Brereton and Adarabioyo are unlikely to be fit. For me, Chapman, Armstrong and Rothwell all have to start, theres no point giving the former 20 minutes at the end, let him start a game. The 4th place in the attacking positions I would give to Gallagher, to try and get him a goal. Dack obviously did get one in the cup, and theres an argument to get him firing but I would have him on the bench. Further back, its difficult to justify playing Williams or Lenihan, but if we put them both in cotton wool, weve seen that Grayson and Platt will lead to us getting our arses handed to us which does no one any good, they were out of their depth v Oldham.

Absolutely, I am very happy that the ref did get it wrong, because standing in front of the goalkeeper is definitely interfering with play. Dont worry, you are allowed to admit a dodgy decision went in our favour, they wont over turn it! Rothwell has started one game, what on earth are you on about that hes not been good enough. All the talk was about building a team with him in it during pre season, he barely played last season up until near the end of the season when he was superb. Start of the season, hes back on the bench. Gallagher has played all 5 games, 3 of which hes played in a position he clearly isnt capable of playing, as much as he does graft thats not enough. So why did Mowbray try and play Warnock at his own game and go direct himself when he has smaller, pacier players in Rothwell and Armstrong? Mowbray was primarily responsible for our display being boring and ineffective in an attacking sense, its been a common theme all season. Like I said, I am happy to give the manager credit for our improved defensive performances recently, but lets not hide the fact that going forward we have left a hell of a lot to be desired.

Agreed with the gist of this, just think its only fair to consider both the positive at the moment (a much improved defence) and also a massive worry. (our lack of ideas going forward) Theres no point pretending that both dont exist.

Armstrong was also stood in an offside position and interfering with play so its moot whether it was a foul or not. No I didn't, and I am not professing to know how he has played for the reserves, but he has been impacting on games with goals and assists. My point is that I don't understand why he is nowhere near the first team squad in the first place. I don't necessarily have bigoted views about wanting to play fancy football passing it out from the back, what I do expect is us to be dangerous and creating chances. Quite simply, we have not done that this season. Our goal haul is terrible, and we have not threatened in games. Charlton, rubbish attacking performance, 2 shots on target. Fulham, no major chances, no shots on target. Boro and Hull, slightly improved, 4 and 5 shots on targets and 1 goal in each game. Today was horrid to watch, theres no way of dressing it up. Mowbray repeatedly bleated on about how we have been working on attacking styles and I have seen no signs of it. We don't look like a side that has worked on how it attacks. Gallagher is a further example of Mowbrays beloved wide forward experiments that repeatedly do not work. A real bright spark from the end of last season (one you personally predicted to be our player of the season so I know you rate him) in Joe Rothwell has been unceremoniously dumped, and Armstrong (slightly more deservedly, but hes miles better wide right than Gallagher) joins him on the bench. Is it a game we would have lost last season? We beat Leeds and Derby at home, and drew with Villa, all top 6 teams. I have repeatedly said that I am happy with our defensive improvement, but I am not going to ignore our attacking failings. I don't just mean today though, as I've said, a fluky own goal, a penalty and a goal that shouldnt have stood are not enough from 5 games, and we havent really deserved more than that.

The 2 main talking points are that we look far better defensively, and totally inept going forward. Seems folly to ignore either side.

Great chances is a huge exaggeration, especially if thats the highlight. We are having more of the ball than last season yet look even less dangerous, because its just lethargic passing across the defence, that ultimately results in the same long ball forward. Our attacking play has yielded a fluky own goal, a penalty and a header that should have been ruled out. Nowhere near good enough.

Dont get how a side with supposed top 6 aspirations offering again zero going forward in a home game can be seen as doing well. That said, defensively much much better.

You said that Gallagher is a player suited to a technical game. Whilst I totally disagree, why do we now have to play direct with him in the team? And why is Chapman at a stage where he has to prove himself for the reserves to even warrant a place on the bench when our current attacking players are not performing? Even so, hes got a goal and an assist this week for them. You have been very vocal on our need to play more entertaining football. Do you think what we have seen in the first 5 games fits this criteria, baring in mind we have 3 goals (a penalty, an own goal and one from a free kick that only counted because the ref failed to blow up for Armstrong impeding the goalkeeper whilst offside) and a lack of clear cut chances and shots on target represents progress in this area? We regularly dominate possession now, as we saw today that comprimised of slow, lethargic passing across the back line followed by an aimless hoof right into Cardiffs hands. You mention Rothwell, after a superb end to last season hes ended up right back where he started, whereas Gallagher cannot perform out wide, rarely won headers and offered no threat.

Yep, suspect that Jones will be at the job centre this week, Hughton would be ideal. Bielsa's Leeds I suspect will go one better than last season and get top 2.

A horrible, horrible performance to have to endure, and another toothless display going forward. Cardiff were more dangerous but ultimately it was a load of shite all round. Firstly the positive, a third clean sheet is undoubtedly a massive improvement. Lenihan was the stand out centre back for me, Williams fine bar one mistake that led to Ralls (I think?) hitting the post in the second half. Bennett was fine again, three in a row. Bell is a joke, summing himself up when the ball was cleared to him from a corner, he had no idea what to do and ultimately did absolutely nothing and they countered. Nowhere near up to it, Cunningham back is a massive relief. Has to be massive question marks aimed towards the manager and his tactics, he seems happy post match but I've no idea why, bar obviously the improved defence. Today, it was obvious that if we went direct, Flint and Morrison would eat everything for breakfast, yet he left Armstrong and Rothwell on the bench, and we had no pace, Downing had a shocker and Gallagher again plodded up and down the line offering bugger all going forward. He spoke at length all pre season about practising ways of playing in terms of attacking, we have appeared blunt in attack all season, 3 goals in 5 games (a fluky own goal from a corner, a penalty and a header from a set piece that shouldnt have been given) is nowhere near acceptable. We repeatedly dominate the possession statistics but its just laboured passing at the back for the sake of it, that ultimately usually ends in a lump forward anyway, its been even worse to watch than last season. We arent creating good chances, we rarely if ever look like scoring. The Gallagher wide experiment surely has to end now, he can quite obviously not play that position, its another game that he has failed to score in, or indeed come close to scoring. We had 2 pacy players out wide at the end of the season, getting fans off their seats and ultimately providing goals and assists. How is Gallagher above them in the pecking order for a place? Or even Chapman.

I've yet to see any of these strengths but fingers crossed.

Don't get why people are suggesting different solutions that involving breaking up aspects of the team that are working. Williams and Lenihan have done well at CB, yes I appreciate we are short at left back, that Cardiff are a big side, but we shouldnt break up them 2 within a back 4 unless their form dips or one gets injured. Downing was superb on the left on Tuesday, theres no need to move him either. Also, dont understand this desperation to not upset Man City by ensuring we get Tosin back into the team ASAP, whether it be by formation changes, moving Williams out to left back or even randomly bringing in him on in midfield. If Williams and Lenihan continued their form up until January, no one, whether it be the player or Man City could expect us to change it, if that meant incurring financial penalties, then so be it if it means continuing with a winning formula, and if it meant they recalled him, fine we will get someone else. As it is, I'd be amazed if firstly their form maintained right throughout and we continued plucking out clean sheets, and also both have history of injuries, so Tosin will get another chance, especially with us so light in that position with only 3 players.

Agreed that its a different option. Sticking a tall striker wide gives us a further option for a longer ball since we have become a bit more pragmatic and gone direct, as he tends to have the height advantage on full backs and he does put in the graft going back. Dont think he at all fits the technical type of striker you mention, not where his strengths lie. Ive no idea but its still a worrying stat. As I said, I personally disagree. I think he should be played central if at all, and Graham is still miles in front at the moment. Gallagher a clear front runner as first choice back up to him though

Ultimately our 7m striker doesnt get into our matchday squad on merit, think thats fair to say.

Why do you have such a desire for him to stay? Surely its better for more of our rivals to be struggling. Found his team selection baffling yesterday. His stubbornness with a midfield diamond that clearly isnt working. Continued attempts to turn McLean into a left back and Ince into a number 10. And the likes of Mark Duffy, Sam Vokes, Stephen Ward, Tommy Smith and Peter Etebo all not playing. Ultimately he did a great job at Luton but 2 wins in 22 is not good enough to expect to keep your job.

Main decisions are clear, left back, up front and right hand side. I would have said bring Tosin in at CB and push Williams to LB but on the back of 2 clean sheets its impossible to justify splitting up a CB partnership that has shown promise. So its between Bell and Hart, both significant and worrying downgrades, I'd go for Hart. Gallagher doesnt deserve to start for all of his effort based on his lack of goal threat and incapability to play wide, and Armstrong has not done much to demand a shirt. Graham is a given up top for me, easy decision. Would go Rothwell right. Gallagher, Armstrong and Chapman as subs.

Agreed, Gallagher has got a lot of plaudits for his willingness and effort but its 4 games, 0 goals and hes not looking like scoring. Theres no point playing him wide when we have Rothwell, Chapman and Armstrong all far more adept there. We need our 14m strikers to step up to the plate this season, the moneys been spent and we need to become far more threatening in the final third. We are totally reliant on Dack and Graham because the rest have yet to show they can be relied upon. And @chaddyrovers whilst the final ball definitely needs working on it is always a concern when a striker is not really getting into goalscoring positions, and when a striker hasnt scored for 21 games. I dont doubt his work rate but we havent or shouldnt have signed a 5m striker for his ability to run back as a wide man. He shouldnt be played out wide, he IMO didnt look totally comfortable there or offer an attacking threat in either game, he needs to step up and start offering an attacking threat and a goal threat. He definitely has more to work with than Brereton in terms of his power and his aerial threat but we need to get some goals back on our huge investment in that area. Armstrong needs to step up too.

Gallaghers main attribute so far bar undoubted work rate has been his ability to beat primarily full backs to longer direct balls and flick them on, either way he needs to start scoring. Hes not offered a goal threat so far. Very poor decision yesterday to head the ball back across. I dont understand this myth that Gallagher would be right at home playing technical passing football. We need far more from our expensive strikers. Brereton has consistently been out of his depth. Gallagher has offered an outlet but simply must not be used wide, he should be Grahams main competition. Armstrong in a Rovers shirt has undoubtedly been the most effective of the 3 but was poor last night and too often looks half arsed. He needs to improve on his numbers this season. Between the 3 of them we need plenty of goals because whilst the puzzle is coming together we still lack a goal threat so far.

That wasnt a result of Graham playing away from home, more an example of how he isnt suited to being an impact sub. He has to start to make an impact. I dont recall 2 clear chances against Charlton for Gallagher? And I have personally not seen any evidence that he will become a "top top player" for us and wasnt surprised to see that hes gone 21 games without a goal. He doesnt look at home on that right hand side either. A big question mark at the moment for me is getting a return from these 14m worth of forwards that Mowbray has signed. A lot of the rest of the puzzle seems to be coming together but for that sort of output we need a cutting edge and some goals from those 3 very soon. Armstrong I felt was quite ineffective as a central striker, repeatedly being caught offside and when he was played in, let down by a heavy touch. I certainly wouldnt doubt that Johnson was a very good signing and a massive improvement on our central midfield. Has plenty of qualities that we lacked But giving the ball away isnt "because hes trying to pass forward" he seems to struggle picking the ball up on the half turn when we play it out from the back and it has happened at least once in each of the 4 games this season. He is somewhat cumbersome and clumsy taking the ball on the half turn and at times lacks awareness as to whats over his shoulder.

Really. Commented on his work rate but looks a fish out of water out wide as an attacker. Offered no goal threat so far. Out of our 6 signings, the one ive been least impressed by.

An imperfect but very impressive win. Walton with a couple of excellent catches and a superb penalty save, otherwise well protected. Defence was superb, difficult to seperate the central 2, both excellent. Cunningham again terrific, looking an outstanding addition although very lucky in injury time, switching off to allow their RB to blaze over before a clumsy challenge that somehow wasnt a penalty. Bennett beaten once or twice but still think he was much improved on normally and im usually a big critic. Johnson a massive asset and at times a liability in equal measures. Stupid challenge for the penalty and repeatedly guilty of being a huge issue with any attempt to play the ball out. That said, a monster who offers a threat going forward. Travis brilliant, composed and tenacious with one particularly superb tackle. Though Dack showed some superb touches and turns to knit things together and technically superb but needs a goal perhaps, Rothwell impressed when he came on and Downing was brilliant, great game management and his decision making and quality from open play and set pieces was great to see. Lovely bit of pace at one point too. Armstrong and in particular Gallagher very poor. Gallagher without a goal in 21 now and cannot play wide, thought for all his effort he was ineffective there on Saturday but far worse today. We lack a cutting edge and the worry is with a team around it starting to seemingly piece together, we need our 15m worth of forwards to give us an extra dimension. Very lucky in terms of the ref too. Our goal shouldnt have stood and they should have had a stone wall penalty at the end but we will take it all day. Hull bottom half fodder reliant on the wide 2 to keep safe an otherwise really poor side.