The squad was good enough last year and so only needs slight tinkering - If that is true then Teams don't go down in the second season. The squad plus Lambert plus his tactics was good enough last year to finish 12th - we don't have that now. Hughton is different to Lambert and might have difficulty working with Lamberts players. Would last years squad have finished 12th under Rodgers or Pullis? I doubt it. The Manager works the players he inherits into his system - In the short term he has to but the players he inherits won't change the way the Manager wants to play. Rodgers has inherited Carroll - he won't change his preferred system so Carroll has to go. If Hughton wants to play one up front that is what he will do and If Holt cannot play that role then he will end up as ' Plan B option ' on the bench. New players are brought in to provide competition - more often, especially with a new Manager, they are brought in to replace existing players because the Manager does not think that the existing player is up to what he wants. Look back to the Lambert era. Every new player was brought in to ' give the lads a hand ' but inevitably within weeks they were regulars in the team. Tierney was brought in to replace Drury and the new left back has been bought to replace Tierney. Turner and Bassong will be first choice centre backs leaving Bennett as cover for injuries or suspensions unless CH wants to play a back 3 and 2 wing backs. Bunn is good cover for Ruddy and allows one of the youngsters to go out on loan - without Bunn one of the youngsters could still go out on loan with a suitable return clause and, as with last year, the other youngster gets valuable experience with the first team squad. Look a bit deeper. Bunn is 27 and is getting fed up with being understudy to Robinson who, with the best will in the world, is nearing the end of his career. How is Bunn going to further his career by moving as understudy to a 25 year old currently in the England squad? Is Ruddy on the move? Does CH share our opinion regarding Ruddy's ability or, for that matter, the potential of Rudd and Steer. I really do believe that the next few days are going to be hectic and we could be faced with a few shocks.
Reading Blackburn fans' views on Bunn wanting to leave, it is apparent that they rate him higher than Robinson and were hoping he would be played as No.1, I believe he would be a good signing as experienced backup. As much as we agree that Rudd is a top prospect, he doesn't play regularly enough yet to cover Ruddy in the event of a prolonged injury spell effectively enough. It would be good for both parties for Rudd to play at a Championship club on loan with a recall clause attached. Ryan Bennett, even if he is No.3 choice, will get plenty of games this season, no CB plays the whole 38, this league is too physical and injuries happen often to the CBs. Whittaker, Martin Turner, Bassong, Bennett, Ward, Barnett (+Ayala on recall in emergency) Garrido, Tierney That's defence covered until January, now just a DM and IMO we are good to go. It will be a big difference with Bassong and Garrido playing, and when Whittaker returns. Add a good DM and we should have improved a lot from last year in terms of conceding, obviously Saturday was a one-off, as Fulham are a good team, still doesn't excuse the manner of capitulation.
