Ryan Hildred

The manner of West Brom's winner, and one clean sheet all season does suggest that something needs addressing defensively. Indeed, I've felt like the last couple of games have exposed Rovers, especially with crosses into the box. If it wasn't for Balasz Toth at Bristol City, one of those crosses may also have resulted in a goal.

Teams go through spells in the season and although the goals for column does read pretty well for Rovers, we can't rely on outscoring the opposition with twos and threes all the time. Keeping it tight, especially against the better quality opposition we have coming up, is a real need now. Three centre backs helps that of course.

Tony Mowbray has never seemed like a manager that favours a wing back system. But he's also got the challenge of keeping four centre backs happy, with two out of contract in the summer and one who we're trying to generate some value for a future sale (Tom Atcheson).

I do wonder if the injury to Ryoya Morishita now gives Mowbray the opportunity to give wing backs a longer experiment. Jayden Fevrier still needs to grow his impact on the team, and the prospect of Ryan Alebiosu flying down the right would be a more worthy replacement for Morishita's loss to the side.

Whatever Mowbray does, it can't come at the cost of impacting the attacking output of Andri Gudjohnsen, Todd Cantwell and Dapo Afolayan. Outscoring the opposition in Mowbray's favoured 4-2-3-1 might just be our best route to success after all. 

Mark Hitchen

For me, it has to be a back four. We’ve looked all over the place defensively when playing with three centre-halves and, perhaps just as importantly, we’ve sacrificed some of our attacking threat without actually looking any more secure.

I think the time has come for Mowbray to simply pick his best defenders, and for me that means Carter and Atcheson together at centre-half.

I understand the argument for balance. McLoughlin is naturally left-footed, dependable and, crucially, seems to be available every week. Those are all valuable qualities, particularly given our injury problems. But for me, he’s a level or two below Carter in terms of individual quality.

The question is how much do we actually lose by sacrificing that left-footed balance, compared with what we gain by having our two best centre-halves on the pitch?

Atcheson’s ability to bring the ball forward, break lines and start quick counter-attacks is a huge asset. Alongside Carter, I think we’d have a stronger defensive partnership without compromising how Mowbray wants us to play.

We all appreciate the importance of balance and partnerships, but surely that can’t come at the expense of leaving one of your best players sitting on the bench?

Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one. Play four at the back, pick your strongest defenders and give them the opportunity to build a partnership.

(Image: CameraSport - Dave Howarth)

Rory Larmer

Rovers have conceded the same number of goals as Stoke City and Wolves, so a glance at the league table hardly suggests a defensive crisis.

However, without Toth's heroics at Ashton Gate, Rovers could be sitting on 12 points alongside Lincoln City in 18th. With just nine points separating the relegation zone from the playoffs, one disastrous week can transform a season.

My concern isn't necessarily the formation, but the alarming frequency with which our defending descends into desperation. Players must take responsibility for failing to prevent crosses, win second balls and make first contact.

Every goal conceded at The Hawthorns was avoidable, with multiple individual errors contributing to each. That points towards lapses in concentration rather than tactical shortcomings.

Rovers also allowed Bristol City 20 shots. On another evening, that could easily have ended in a comprehensive defeat.

Defensive rotation is unavoidable given the personnel available. Carter cannot realistically play three games in a week, Atcheson needs careful management, while McLoughlin risks becoming a victim of his own availability. Fatigue inevitably affects concentration.

Yet that necessary rotation may itself be contributing to our defensive uncertainty. Partnerships need consistency, something Rovers currently lack.

Ultimately, if we want to carry a genuine attacking threat, a back four remains our best option. The solution lies in better defending, not another change of shape.

Mike Delap  

I could be wrong, but I suspect my contribution won't be the general consensus this week.

I think given our personnel I would be an advocate for three at the back with two wing backs.

Setting up that way allows Atcheson more freedom to play out from the back and tap into his main strengths, whilst also masking the weaknesses of McLoughlin. I'd look to have Hayden Carter in the centre of the three due to his aerial strength. This in turn helps out Harry Pickering who has looked exposed down the left.

Defending isn't one of our key strengths (shock horror) so whilst keeping us a bit more solid, having three at the back also doesn't inhibit our attacking efforts.

Gudjohnsen is turning into a fantastic Championship number 9, so having an all-rounder to base our build up play on allows the likes of Alebiosu freedom to roam.

I don't think we need to look at three centre backs as too defensive, nor should we look to play super defensively - more just a protecting our assets whilst we play with the  freedom that has made Rovers a LOT more enjoyable to watch so far this season.

My main flag is that we aren't awash with actual centre backs! So I do view it as a gamble playing this way, as one injury back there leaves us short, but in my mind it's a risk worth taking to get the best out of us.

You can listen to Ryan on Lancashire Telegraph's Arte et Labore, find Mark on The Blackburn End and . Available on all podcast platforms.