Didn't we try 'no one down the middle' at Preston last season? Usual back 4 + Bennett, Reed, Smallwood, Dack, Palmer, Armstrong. Maybe Armstrong was nominally down the middle but he drifted wide and Palmer ended up being the furthest forward. Totally toothless in first half Graham came on at half time and scored with first touch. Maybe Mowbray saw something I didn't.

Still got a feeling it will be a surprise name. Not one mentioned so far.

What is Carson's contract situation at Derby. Can't see us wanting to pay much of a transfer fee. I still think the new goalie may be a complete surprise name. Not someone mentioned so far

And it won't be Hart or Carson!

I don't think it will be any of the names mentioned so far. Probably be announced once Venky's have sanctioned or refused the Gallagher deal.

I suspect a fee has been agreed for a while. No secret that Rovers is his preferred destination and Mowbray is very keen. I think the hold up may well be Venky's balking at his wage demands. He's on prem wages with 2 years of a contract remaining. Won't come cheap. I guess until this is sorted one way or the other, all other meaningful business will be on hold.

I'm sure both Mowbray and Waggottt stated, after the India trip, that the budget was similar to last year.

But if all 3 means blowing the money on SG and then looking for loans/frees in the other positions then, to me, it's the wrong policy. If we have to pay out to get a decent defender and GK and we then can't afford Gallagher, so be it. Gallagher is a luxury compared to the other positions

If we have limited money and it is spent on Gallagher in preference to GK and defender then there is something wrong. Everyone knows our priority needs. Nothing against Gallagher coming in if we can afford all 3 but if we can't then surely he would be the wrong choice.

I hope I am wrong but I honestly don't think we are going to be spending too much this summer. If we spend 4/5 million on Gallagher all of those 3 keepers will be out of our reach. I think we may end up with SG + various loan options in defence and a cheap keeper.

He's still very expensive and wages will be high. If we go for SG I don't think there will be many (or any ) more permanent paid for signings this summer. Maybe some frees and loans.

Feels to me like the budget is much lower this year compared to last summer. I think a deal for Gallagher would eat up virtually all the cash. So the choices are 1) Gallagher + cheap goalie + loan defender(s) 2) Decent goalie + money spent on defender(s) ( No Gallagher ) 3) Sell someone (Travis ?) allowing us to afford Gallagher + decent goalie and maybe a defender. Loan market not really active yet so it may all happen approaching deadline day. Just me thinking aloud. I'd go for option 2.

You may be right. If we really wanted Gallagher and he wanted to come to Rovers ( as reported ) then surely it would have been easy to finalise a deal by now if we had the cash ready. The fact that it hasn't happened means that Mowbray isn't entirely convinced he's the right choice or there are problems with Rovers offer to the player / Southampton. Alternatively Mowbray is waiting for the nod from Pune. Now that Wigan have made a firm offer we will have to enter a bidding war which can only be bad news. Snooze and you lose.

Exactly. Anyone who says otherwise is just kidding themselves. Slow build or slow death ?

Been there before - remember Tom Cairney?

Not Venky's by any chance?

I am hoping the sale of Raya has only been sanctioned because Mowbray has a suitable replacement lined up. We really don't want to start the season with just Luetwiler and Fisher on the books. I also hope the money from the sale is added to the current budget and doesn't disappear into a black hole.

or 4-6 as we did in the first half at Preston last season !

Just looked at the photos - everyone looks pretty miserable, including Mowbray.

I'm sure both Mowbray and Waggott have stated that our budget in this window is similar to last summer. Surely buying Assombalonga would blow the lot so there are 3 possibilities 1) the rumour is wrong 2) we have a bigger budget than last year and can afford him and some defenders 3) Mowbray has no intention of buying defenders As for Venkys advocating spending money quickly on players who are not necessarily Mowbray's main targets then they have learned absolutely nothing and are still meddling. They need to leave the football decisions to people who know football. In actual fact I'm sure they would love it if Mowbray spent nothing as long as we manage to avoid relegation.

Ah - Missed that. Cheers

appears to be an ambitious appointment by Forest

Frank Fielding was down having talks at Brentford a couple of weeks ago.

Preston fans don't seem to think Bauer is automatic choice but are gloating over the fact they got him: "We’re expecting Bauer to really challenge Jordan Storey straight away, as he fits the bill as a partner for Ben Davies. As for Blackburn, it’s nice to know that not only did we dominate them on the pitch last season, but now off the pitch too with a deal for one of their top targets." https://www.deepdaledigest.com/news/tony-mowbray-reacts-to-patrick-bauer-snubbing-blackburn-for-preston/ They also seem pleased they missed out on Armstrong "How did Armstrong fare last season? Featuring mostly as a left-sided winger, Armstrong notched just five goals and three assists in 44 Championship games. That’s not exactly a great return for an allegedly exciting attacker, and North End maybe won’t feel too gutted about missing out." https://www.deepdaledigest.com/news/how-have-prestons-club-record-targets-fared-since-2018-failure/

I seem to remember that Mowbray gave strong indications at the consultation meting that he had lost interest in Bauer - obviously not the case in the end.