Apparently Markanday hasn't even travelled, but Leonard is in squad. What sort of striker is Leonard?

Even if we signed O'Brien and Cook I'd still be absolutely furious that we didn't get a striker. Genuinely don't understand Cook btw.... he's 31? Has Ayala got a long term injury?

That's a huge statement in bold? Where's that info come from?

I think the way out of our dire situation is clear. Get on the phone to Lucas Joao pronto!

Surprised that name of the player (hopefully) over from France hasn't leaked out yet. Anyone got a scooby?

Then how have we been in the top six for most of the season?

I would take issue with us not being a top six squad. In this season and last weve spent huge swathes of the season in top six, and teams with less resources than us made the top six last two seasons (Luton, Barnsley) it seems bizarre to say we dont have top six capability. In terms of financial constraints what would be interesting is to see what the disposable cash Rovers have under FPP versus other non parachute teams. Us versus say Reading, Sunderland, Bristol City, Blackpool, Millwall would be interesting reading. At the moment it isnt clear to me how the disposable income for salaries and transfers varies.

Yeah - has scored 1 in 2 this season (though 4 of the 9 goals he scored were in one match). Prior to this season he's been a 1 in 4ish. So not prolific like Undav at all.

Seems more of a BBD run at the defence type forward than a box finisher based on the You tube vids I've seen. Good feet, not much of him competing in the air though. Does seem an achievable signing - St Etienne are League 2 which has a much lower profile than the English Championship, and his contract is expiring as others say. Could be the one?

Vale seems a likable guy, nothing against him, but I haven't seen him do a single thing in any game that worried the oppositions defence. Maybe a bit of pressing off the ball. But certainly nothing with the ball. Dolan on the other hand can scare defenders when he's running at them and has created and scored quite a few goals, while Markanday in his few appearances has shown real pace. I don't really understand why Vale is getting regular starts ahead of them. I hate having a go at young players coming through, but genuinely flummoxed with Vale. I have a feeling even if he drops a division or two he will struggle to score many. Hope I am wrong.

Well theres a replay Tuesday.... Whats frustrating about Rovers we can either play a big athletic centre forward who cant trap a ball (he must have mis controlled 4 or 5 good through balls on Saturday) or two or three various tidy players who can trap a ball (Vale, Dolan, Markanday) but who can't physically compete with centre backs. Either way the opposition is not quaking. It would be ideal if we signed someone by Tuesday who can trap, head a ball, and go toe to toe with a championship centre back. For what its worth lets try something different. If we havent signed anyone give Markanday a crack through the middle. May as well. At least he will offer a bit of pace in behind.

To be honest if I was a Brum fan the obvious question is "why didnt we just launch it all game" as we obviously couldnt handle it. When they tried to pass it were very very comfortable. But soon as they went direct we were buggered. Wouldnt be surprised if on Tuesday they just play long. If their managers got any sense that will be it.

Yeah whats weird is there are a lot of alternatives to Morton, four or five in the squad but he starts every week despite being very average for a long time (last time he was consistently good was back in October/early November I think) and recently turning into a bit of a liability. Agree thats no different to quite a few others. Difference is he has started 27 of 28 games I think. We know its feasible for loaning clubs to put stipulations in. Seems it must be happening to me.

Morton was a decent signing for me, nothing against him, played a significant role in getting us into the top six. But we should be able to drop him when hes off form. Thats the issue for me. It must be a financial penalty thing.

Thought we were overall the better team and should have comfortably won. We created a lot of chances and played some really decent stuff. But... we made lots and lots of mistakes. Both the Birmingham goals came from multiple errors on our side, ans we never looked at all convincing defensively. I can kind of see what JDTs trying to do. But we definitely need a better technical centreforward to do it. Also like others have said we have to drop Morton. He really needs a rest. JRC was excellent btw. Wonder if him drifting past players was a one off or something we will see more of. For a guy who was a liability two months ago the turnaround has been extra ordinary. On the other hand Scott Wharton who was absolutely superb last season is now an accident waiting to happen. And that accident did for the Birmingham equaliser....

Well at least we have created quite a few chances and its been quite an entertaining game, neither of which I expected. We are committing a lot of players forward all the time. Sometimes five strung along the Birmingham back line. Our passing is shaky though, brought a lot of danger onto ourselves including the goal, and defence does not look assured.

Much as I hate to say it there is a lot of truth to this, at least for anything outside the agreed budget.

Yeah not really sure how that will work. BBD is not a lone central striker. Wants to run facing goal.

God dammit I really want Jaoa to happen now... but we haven't been linked to him at all in any way so probably should dampen my hopes. He's a big lad but also good with his feet so would get a lot out of our wide players crossing, and build up play through the middle.

Had a look on the forums. Seems Paul Ince is not playing him (I mean Ince forced out Brad Friedel so if he's pushing you out maybe that's an endorsement?) Plus they've got a couple of big name big salary target men - Andy Carroll, Shane Long - so can see why Joao's being let go... No hint on the forums about attitude or anything. Seems perfect to me.

EFL player of the month Feb 22, scored 33 Championship goals in 77 starts in last 2.5 seasons.... pretty good? I will read the Reading Forums in interest.

Strikes me as the sort of player who could play well into his 30s... not particularly about pace. More strength, technique and movement. Like Graham could see him being a very good number nine up to 35ish. Danny Graham played for us from ages 31 to 35. If there is a realistic chance to sign him, and he passes medical, I'd say we should do everything to get him. But I suspect the Parachute teams will all be having a close look so not sure if realistic at all for us.

https://the72.co.uk/2023/01/27/reading-bracing-for-late-interest-in-29-year-old-says-journalist/

I liked him a lot. Is this a comment in terms of him being available or any news coming from sources at the club? Would be very happy with him. Good in the air, on the floor, strong, worries defences, achieved a 1 in 2 goal ratio in the Championship over a couple of seasons. Hard to think of many better options.

Are we still at 105% though after we lost a lot of senior players (Johnson, Lenihan, Rothwell etc)? What accounting period was the wage turnover for?