Well Ayala has to be an upgrade on any other CH at the club (and I include Lenihan in that bracket). Kaminski is an unknown, but the bar wasn't set very high by last seasons number one. And I won't waste my time talking about Bell.

Well if indeed a LB has finally signed on the dotted line. Then at least the 3 weakest areas have been addressed.

I don't know what they're paying at QPR, but I wonder if there's any chance we could nab Ryan Manning off them. I know he's been linked with some PL and Championship clubs, but there's been no movement yet. He's been frozen out at QPR, due to the contract stand off. Best as a left back and also decent playing left midfield.

Jesus christ. Just imagine, he'd be one of our top earners nowadays. ?

I'm pretty critical of him, but fair play to Tony Mobrawy to be honest. If we'd have been relegated to L1 under any other manager during Venky's reign - you imagine he'd have been given a new deal. But within a few months - he's seen as not good enough and is moved on. You do wonder if that may have been part of the catalyst for an improved academy. If he's the best we could produce at the time - it doesn't say much does it.

Personally I would've expected someone of Ayala's experience and ability out of our price range before today, and I think most of the board would agree with that. That alone shows you how good a signing it is on the face of it. An experienced centre half we can call our own (a huge bonus) , with vast experience in this league. I imagine it's a free transfer most fans at every club in this league would be happy with. I wonder if he's the trigger for this so called domino effect with new signings.

Looks like the dingles aren't too pleased about it. ?

One on one, got something to it but don't think he could've done much more.

I think Nyambe points at Lenihan, half tracks his run and ends up playing him onside.

Another angle too is that Kaminski and Ayala are our players. No need to worry about being back to square one in 12 months time (all being well). And still opportunities to use the loan market, although I'd rather concentrate on using that for other areas such as CM, RB where we could do with cover.

Also will not need to quarantine according to Rich Sharpe.

If Evans is injured, this is why I'd get rid of him. He's probably one of our higher earners and we can't get 5 games on the trot out of him.

Yup, sounds as though we've probably given him an extra year. For what it's worth, I thought I'd ask Rich Sharpe on twitter if there was any indication we'd improved terms. He suspects there's no wiggle room on the wages, so likely an extra year to entice him in. Not too adverse to that as he'll be 32 in 3 years. So still has some left in the tank you'd hope. To be fair, we've needed an experienced head back there for a while now. And some experience for the likes of Wharton and Magloire to learn from can't be bad.

I certainly will be if we get a shithouse of his quality in the back 4.

If that's true and we can get him in budget, then we need a left back and we're laughing.

Yes, my biggest concern is at the back. I think going forward we are relatively well covered, even if its with players that have minimal experience. As you say, it's a disaster waiting to happen at the back. And I am not comfortable potentially having to rely on magloire, Wharton (just yet) - if Darragh is out for an extended period.

Genuinely meant to write isn't, I'll blame autocorrect ?

I know the CEO comment isn't aimed at myself. But it's been 52 days since we finished 11th. With a solitary signing since. Im not exactly chomping at the bit for the season to start.

Ahh, sorry, I didn't realise we were using a single pre season friendly as a benchmark....my bad.

It's a bit difficult to look at today with optimism when we are well aware how short we are in certain areas. Realistically it's a squad either equal or worse off than last seasons, which finished 11th. Hardly sets the pulse racing does it?

So which one is it Chaddy? 1. We had no official bid in for the player at the time. Or 2. We clearly had a bid accepted if he's to come in for talks. I have no personal issue with you Chaddy and its clear you're rovers through and through. But you do tie yourself into knots at times.

Okily Dokily.

May have misunderstood here, but are you talking about Edwards? If so, he signed a 4 and a half year contract with Stoke less than 12 months ago. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50181844

The Dolan part I can agree with, the won't improve us part is wide of the mark.

Messi in as attacking left back, learning from Bell.