The mounting injury list

[champs95]

Dack - now suffered a slight strain and is though to now be another month behind. I dont think we will be seeing him until around xmas time.
Evans - out for 2 weeks with a bruised foot.
Gallagher - still unfit with a slight strain.
Johnson - just returned the full training, the one player we really could do without.
Travis is out for at least 3 months. Despite various reports, saying its 8-10 weeks, its not!
Malgiorie - out injured
Grayson - out injured.

We have only been playing 2 weeks, bit disappointing again. Most of these lads haven't actually kicked a ball either, but are still injured? Some obviously can't be helped. Travis flew into a challenge the other night that I felt he did not have to do. It was beyond stupid. Dack, when you have been out so long, you will always pick up other knocks that will add to the time you are laid out, hence I am still perplexed why people are pinning their hopes on his return. It will be delayed, and I am still very unsure he will be the same player. Its a huge ask.
The rest, seem to move from small injury to small injury, and we kind of need them.


The good news is, we are about to make a move to get this midfielder from Man Utd who sounds useful. And I feel we desperately need another decent player in that CM position.

[AucklandRover]

The injury to Travis is a real blow.
As for Johnson, Champs, I think you and I see him differently from some fans.
I see that he was given an excellent rating by Rovers Chat after the last game.
My grievance is his inconsistency. He has played well in patches, but he doesn't always get in the game like Travis does.
It looks as if Holtby, Johnson and Buckley might be the midfield three against Wycombe, so we are going to have to play the high press again.
If this situation continues, we might have to put Bennett in midfield in away games, and play 4-4-2. I actually think Bennett is the best one we have for covering Nyambe's runs - with Travis out. Mowbray doesn't like 4-4-2, though.

[champs95]

I have no real issue if he decided to play Bennett in Midfield. I am not sure he is any worse than Johnson being honest. And he had experience. I do feel he will cover his defenders better and may be better for the balance of the side. I think I would play JRC in midfield over Buckley tomorrow. Dolan or Chapman can play up front alongside Brereton & Armstrong. You would think Davenport would get in now? But I am unsure about him overall.

The high press is a good tactic. But you have be so well drilled for it to work effectively. Even if one player decides they aren't going to work as hard as the rest of the 10 outfield players, it starts to come apart. Plus it is talked about like its something new. when we had Sutton & Shearer, quite often they where our first line of defence. Often our best defenders.
Without being too ver-critical, tat is one of the reasons I feel we are not quite there yet. As I don't think we are that well drilled, and that does take time. If they stick at it, eventually it will all click and I do feel that's the best way forward.
But everyone has to buy into it. For me, there are 8/9 doing it, with a few not. Which is where it starts to fail.
Fair play though, they have slightly changed tactic and that can take time to bed in.

Tomorrow I would go with Johnson, Holby and JRC in the 3 in midfield.

[AucklandRover]

To be honest, Champs, I would have J. R-C. in as well as Buckley.
So the starting XI would be:
Kaminski
Nyambe Lenihan Williams Bell
Johnson Holtby Buckley
Rankin-Costello Brereton Arrmstrong.
(I'm assuming Ayala will be given another week).
It is a team that is high in attacking potential, but much weaker in defensive terms. That's why I thought the high press was essential.
We really do need an early goal. I think we would then be more relaxed and confident.
Of course, Travis's injury could also be the break Davenport needs. I get the impression, though, that Mowbray is lukewarm about him.
I'd love Brereton to get a couple. It would do him the world of good, although - to be frank - I still don't think he looks like a No.9.