Antonnson isn't all that convincing although he is getting the goals. Seems a bit lightweight and is certainly no target man.
Dack I'd say has more devil in him than Marsh. There is imo more a touch of Speedie about him. Surprisingly good in the air for a small chap with good control and the one player that we have who has the rare ability to turn and beat an opponent in attacking midfield positions. He'll become a crowd favourite or I'm a dutchman.
Mulgrew is weird. Seemed to be made of glass and always limping off UNTIL Mowbray made him Captain. Healing powers? How does that work I wonder? Not sure he's best captain material but as you say he is a class above the rest of the squad.
Nyambe is poor in anyone's language. Strong and willing would be the best that I can say about him.
Raya is a really good shot stopper but quite simply wouldn't be here if he could could catch crosses and was commanding in the air.
Smallwood ... every team needs one of these. A getter and giver with a bite in the tackle. 100% effort sees him cover lots of ground in most matches. Far removed from being another David Silva unfortunately.
Nuttall.. Jury is out on this lad. Resembles Rashford but the resemblance finishes there. There is something to be worked on though. I believe from his positioning that his instinct is to play off a target man not become one. No idea if he's any good in the air cos I've never seen him head a ball. Strange deficiency for a big lad. As it stands at the moment if we are to play 4-4-2 I'd have Graham at CF with Samuel playing off him with Nuttall coming off the bench when needed.
Compared to that wage thief Lowe he's a shining beacon of light. I was watching his body language coming out the tunnel last weekend and he looked and acted like a captain. Lowe should have a managers graveyard named after him and how you can call Mulgrew's captaincy into question in comparison is laughable. Lowe couldn't lace Charlie's boots.
There was a poll on twitter yesterday with votes saying Lenihan should be on the bench when he returns. Why would you leave an asset like that on the bench? I would personally play him at centre back with Mulgrew. Is that fair to Downing? In all due respect who cares about being fair and nice? The guy is here on loan and even if he joins permanently shouldn't keep his place ahead of Lenihan.
Who would I play in midfield? Probably Smallwood in the holding role but you don't need Evans alongside him (or preferably Evans anywhere at all) or another player of that type. Its league 1 why do you need more than one holding midfielder? Seriously Smallwood and Evans against Bristol Rovers both in the lineup at home? Its not like they did much to prevent being caught on the counter either particularly Evans. Didn't win that game because of good defending or anything the holding midfielders did.
I do think Whittingham has something to offer though uncertainty is there. I look at Cardiff fans though and think there must be something that made him very popular there. Harper is interesting albeit here on loan but there's a difference because Smallwood isn't gonna command much of a fee. Lenihan is one of the valuable assets and if he's gonna be left out for Downing then the club may as well sell him. Certainly I would play Dack and probably Bennett.
Of course there's Gladwin too but he seems forgotten at the moment though the likeliest player he would replace is Whittingham. I haven't forgotten Chapman but of course he's injured. Up front there's been a lot of rotation but its not a bad thing in some cases when all the strikers make a claim. Maybe others would prefer two outstanding strikers but the problem is none of them are absolutely outstanding though Graham at his peak would have been in this league. The good thing is though all 4 have at least been playing well enough to stake a claim.
EDIT-Forgot Conway. See Gladwin and Chapman notes.
