From this, i've taken that you believe everything you read, and that you have far lower standards if you feel that Bennett LAST SEASON, Samuel or Gladwin contributed enough and made you happy. In Bennetts defence, he has performed better previously.

I think your problem is you believe what people like Alan Nixon say, even though its total shite you believe it and judge based on that. Just judge on what hes done, hes signed Rothwell so far and not sold anyone so little to judge. If thats the case, its more understandable, but we would still need 2 new wingers. The whole debate is hypothetical and getting stupid really. Im sure Mowbray isnt stupid enough to sign a player to play him out of position, and Bennett didnt contribute nearly enough from that position, again at a higher level, and was more effective in central midfield and at right back. If both of them would be above Chapman, an actual winger with pace who did contribute with goal contributions in his rare minutes on the pitch, then there would be something wrong. He's never played 3-4-1-2 before (he played 3-4-2-1 to be pedantic) so no reason to think that, dont want a debate on it but hope he doesnt play 3 at the back full stop. And Chapman wouldnt feature then anyway. Starts etc, I dont know, if hes not getting chances then there is a problem of his own making as our other attackers had chances. My point is he hasnt done anything to suggest he will step up and be good enough. He didnt pre-Rovers and his meagre contributions at Rovers, nothing is saying hes definitely capable if he gets a chance. I agree on Whittingham, im not saying he will be a success, there are big question marks, but he at least HAS proven that he is more than capable at Championship level in the past. Samuel has no track record.

But I feel like whats being missed is how good (or otherwise) Lenihan was when he played in midfield for us. His ball retention was nowhere near good enough, and he struggled to maintain a starting place despite the competition being Lowe, Akpan, Guthrie etc. He moved back to centre back and him and Mulgrew struck up an excellent partnership, and are 2 of our key players and consistent performers. I feel like their actual defensive contribution is underestimated, neither are giants but they are decent aerially and they would be a lot less effective and leave a massive gap if they moved into midfield.

Not sure they are the calibre of players that will keep us in the Championship. Baldwin in particular. Maddison is a very good shout.

You've not given me any examples or any historical evidence that Gladwin is anything but useless but we can leave that there. I know what hes been doing but you said you are happy with what hes done this summer, he hasnt actually done anything! So does Alan Nixon in your mind... Please can you look at my unanswered points below: Im not saying that Chapman is the finished product. (Although in his only start we kept a clean sheet) Or that Mowbray is dishonest. I dont understand why you or Mowbray would be in favour of signing him to be a sub only. Surely you sign hin to fight for his place like any other position? We have no wingers bar a past it Conway who is also coined as a sub. We need 3 new wingers if one of them is Chapman as only a sub. As a general rule of thumb, we need to sign players that IMPROVE us, not players to make up the numbers ie signing new subs. Enough to score more than 0 after November! He didnt score enough or assist enough at League One level or perform consistently enough to suggest to me that he can score/perform regularly at Championship level. Presumably because Whittingham has a career full of seasons proving that he can be a big asset at Championship level. Only question is his age but hes never been fast anyway.

His distribution is the weakest part of his game, he was really underwhelming when he was playing in midfield to the extent that he couldnt get a guaranteed place amidst the shite group of central midfielders we had at the time. He moved up a level when he went back one to centre back, his athleticism as @Ladyboys of Bank Top allows us to push up a bit due to his recovery. He is also very brave and hes the reason I find our constant yearning for an old school centre back slightly puzzling, when we have Lenihan who will put his head where it hurts but also has that athleticism. Theres also the added dynamic of why would we want him in the "Smallwood role" when we have Smallwood?! Lenihan stepped up his game a lot when he moved back to centre back. He is a good centre back at Championship level whereas he leaves a lot of be desired in midfield.

So most of the games you have enjoyed yet you arent interested? The World Cup is always exciting when it comes around and this time it has been brilliant. Quite surprised youll happily watch some of the crap on offer in League 1 but turn your nose up at the World Cup.

Gladwin played in them and was horrendous again, yet you seem reluctant to acknowledge his incompetence for some reason. The point in bold was addressed to me but has absolutely nothing to do with my points on Chapman, Samuel or why Whittinghams track record gives me more hope of him stepping up. I never at any point bemoaned our slow progress in the transfer market. How do you know all this? Just seems like estimating and guesswork.

How do you know they were one sided if you didnt see them? Haha. South Korea and Mexico both beating Germany, Spain held by Morocco and only just beat Iran who also drew with Portugal. Switzerland drew with Brazil who also didnt score v Costa Rica until injury time. France just beat Australia. Iceland drew with Argentina who also toiled v Nigeria. Uruguay just beat Saudi Arabia. Barring the odd exception (Panama) the smaller countries held their own, creating a lot of interesting games. Part of the beauty of the World Cup group stages are David v Goliath ties and now we are at the serious stage, and already Germany, Portugal and Argentina are out. Been fascinating.

Did you not see him in for example the Checkatrade games at Ewood? Or the Burnley game? A few more too. If you think he was decent in any of them games then youre in a minority of 1 id suggest. He hasnt done anything this summer bar sign Rothwell? Im not saying that Chapman is the finished product. (Although in his only start we kept a clean sheet) Or that Mowbray is dishonest. I dont understand why you or Mowbray would be in favour of signing him to be a sub only. Surely you sign hin to fight for his place like any other position? We have no wingers bar a past it Conway who is also coined as a sub. We need 3 new wingers if one of them is Chapman as only a sub. As a general rule of thumb, we need to sign players that IMPROVE us, not players to make up the numbers ie signing new subs. Enough to score more than 0 after November! He didnt score enough or assist enough at League One level or perform consistently enough to suggest to me that he can score/perform regularly at Championship level. Presumably because Whittingham has a career full of seasons proving that he can be a big asset at Championship level. Only question is his age but hes never been fast anyway.

Been football of the highest quality, as you saw with France v Argentina. Agreed on the next World Cup.

The whole tournament has been really enjoyable to watch. Cant beat the World Cup, shame the authorities with a winter world cup and expanding it to 48 teams seem intent on ruining it.

Your answer is not related to the points I made. I asked if you agree that Gladwin was awful every time he put on a Rovers shirt? In regards to Gladwins good past performances that youve seen, your brief, non-committal answer suggests they are a figment of your imagination. His career before Rovers and in particular his performances we saw with our own eyes suggest he has nothing to offer, especially at a higher level. You dont have to keep telling everyone how much you like Mowbray and how honest you think he is. I never said anything to the contrary. Its is irrelevant however to the debate regarding Harry Chapman. Please be aware that you can question things he does, you can suggest things different to what he does, and you can have different opinions, all whilst respecting and appreciating the job hes doing. In regards to Chapman, im just saying that, over a month away from the season, in a position where we have no Championship quality players, there is nothing to be gained from the statement/attitude of only seeing Chapman as a sub. Not least because why would a young player join a club in the same League when hes been told he wont be starting games? Regarding the 3 whole games he scored in that youve mentioned (although it was the introduction of Graham as much as Samuel that got us a win v Bristol Rovers) im not denying that. However, the record of 5 goals and 5 assists is not good enough in League 1 to suggest that he can have a consistent, meaningful impact in the Championship.

The thing is, either potential quarter final on paper is v a weaker side than Colombia, so if we went out at that stage, obviously they are useful sides themselves, but it would still be met with disappointment.

If Armstrong came back, I feel like we'd have to go back to Armstrong wide, him and Dack buzzing around Graham was a superb combination.

They are a big dark horse, alot may depend on Cavani's injury as if hes out its arguably the best strikeforce of the tournament ripped apart. As mentioned, add to that in my opinion the best centre back in the world and his club team mate who is also terrific. Then 7 players perfectly drilled to press and defend as a team, that may be not of the same quality as the main 4, but play for the likes of Juventus, Inter Milan and Torreira who Arsenal are signing and youve got an outside chance.

Maybe theres no shame of going out to Colombia, a very good team, but of course how far we go should be a barometer for success. The group we got put in was incredibly weak in that Tunisia and in particular Panama are far inferior. Progression from that whilst of course being positive to see should have always been fairly elementary and so it proved. The route we have is also favourable, if we go out to Colombia in the last 16, its hardly a minnow and they might feel the same about it, but it would not be a successful tournament if we go out on Tuesday night. I think you are underestimating the quality in the England team too, Kane, Alli and Trippier are all key for Tottenham, Lingard and Young for Man United, Stones, Walker and Sterling for City and Henderson for Liverpool, thats the majority of our team playing key roles for the Premier League top 4, we are short of the likes of Brazil, Spain and France but we arent of the quality (or lack of) that renders last 16 elimination as a success.

I'm not sure players that "will do" based on 3 goals at League 1 level, even if they were important, is what we need at a much higher standard, but he will still be here, definitely need someone better aswell to push and eventually replace Graham though.

He didnt contribute his share of goals, he didnt score post November! Thats a terrific cross but we didnt see the likes nearly enough and thats what people are saying. Everyone hopes he does well next year, goes without saying.

Quite right. Firstly theres the assumption that weve gone out to purposely lose, which is for me total rubbish. Imagine Southgate telling 11 professional footballers to do that. Also, the lack of passion line is one that people seemingly always go to first, for me it was a lack of quality from our squad players cobbled together. Dont think Sterling is the same player for England (hardly surprising) in particular in front of goal but his link play with Alli and Lingard is key and something Rashford doesnt offer. Meanwhile, what a game weve been treated to there. Best game ive seen in some time. Shame for Messi to be surrounded by so many rubbish players, and in a couple of cases, horrible people. France have gone up quite a few gears.

Going for the money but seemingly either not realising or not caring that hes at risk of knocking peoples nose out of joint, closing the Darwen End, rolling over to allow early kick offs to convenience away fans etc.

Unconvinced by that, based on how he used him last season, and then when he went, he brought in Payne and used him in the same way.

Such a boring, patronising and provocative argument without any substance. No one is suggesting that they should run the club, just like if someone is to question Mowbray for a transfer/lineup/substitution they arent asking to take over as manager. Think youve forgotten what a messageboard is. People have valid questions and criticisms and employees of the club dont need apologists to defend them. Why are we changing our kick off times for games with no real historical incidents of trouble, for no apparent reason? Do other teams do likewise for non-derbies? (id suggest not, if so, I hold my hands up) Are supporter needs considered when this decision has been made? Particularly home. How does ensuring home supporters are not inconvenienced rank as a priority as say; getting as many away fans as possible into the ground? Supporters have the right to feel inconvenienced as paying customers and at least may want to know the reasoning behind what on the face of it seems like decisions made without thought of them. Same as the choice to take away the option of sitting in the Darwen End, again to cater for and convenience away fans. Waggott is promoting himself as the main decision maker, in the country anyway, so its only right that such questions are made directed towards him.

How many games of Swindons did you watch? I'll hazard a guess, very few if any. Looking at his stats he had one season where he got 8 goals from midfield, in League 1, considering he spent 4 seasons there that suggests its the exception to the rule. In the Championship for QPR he far from impressed. You aren't arsed about their views because you only take on board positive appraisals of our players. Crucially, neither of us really know how he did aside from at Rovers, we dont see him play for Swindon or QPR, weve seen him in a Rovers shirt and every time he put one on he was shocking. Agreed? You dont have to be apologetic and defend every single action Mowbray makes. I dont get why you are already deciding that team selection, the seasons over a month away and we have no idea what other wingers we will have. You are only saying it to back up Mowbray so its difficult to debate with you. You say he used Chapman the correct way. He started him once, at home to Portsmouth, he got an assist, he was excellent and he proved that he could have an impact from the start. Their defence had no idea how to deal with both him and Dack together and we comfortably won. Then he got dropped for the next game, we offered no attacking threat and he came on late and got injured and we never saw him again. If he did sign, I would want it to be permanently and I would want Mowbray to take off the shackles a bit. He wouldnt sign to sit on our bench anyway if he has anything about him, but he could offer us a great counter attacking threat if he was given starts.

It is quite ironic that the good work in terms of winning the first 2 games actually forced Southgate into a lose lose situation and I do feel like the reaction on here and in general is massively over the top. The way that the draw has opened up means that for me, and its a ridiculous thing to say considering our recent tournament history, but id be very disappointed in anything less than the semi finals. If we lose to Colombia, who are a good team, and far superior to Japan but a team we are slight favourites over, then Southgate deserves criticism for only getting us to the last 16, it is an underachievement and he would deserve criticism for that, but not based on his team selection for the game before, its irrelevant now. Southgate certainly doesnt deserve credit for "engineering" a favourable route either, lets be clear, but I don't for one second think he tried to lose v Belgium, his priority was to keep our best players intact, one I agree was critical to us going far. This also gave the chance to give our squad players some game time as we will need a couple of them going forward, sadly they didnt take the opportunity to push for a start.