I take a small comfort that until this afternoon, nobody had a clue he was coming.

Could do. He has everything we've been missing up to now. Pace automatically helps with both defending and attacking, and being a dedicated set-piece taker will help.

A good initiative engaging with an underrepresented demographic in our town. Theoretically anyone can go, you don't HAVE to go in to the Mosque beforehand or the club afterwards. Next job needs to be subsidised travel from potential hotspots around Lancs; Leyland, Chorley, Hyndburn, Rossendale, Lancaster etc

Hopefully loan with an option in our favour?

I think they were honest with us about it, personally. Ues he was fit enough to play football but was he fit/mobile enough for what JDT wants him to do?

They need Dyche. And they'd be the perfect club for Dyche to try and prove some European chops too

I remember that! Can't remember the name but it was funny.

Give over. O'Brien, Undav, Porteous, Haikin would turn this into a great window!

Undav apparently shown around the training ground today, according to a FB account (claiming source to be a coach at Rovers: Saviyo Sabu, never heard of him).

Feels like when we signed Kaminski.

I live in CLM, used to live in Darwen. Love both places, and easy links to other amazing places. The views around here are second to none. Only thing we're missing is the weather.

I knew that he would!

With news that the supporter who kicked Ramsdale will be given a lifetime ban, 697 Spurs fans have claimed it was them.

Re: the BBD pre-contract with Villarreal... Could we tempt them with a few £m to take him now? Similar to how we brought in Hedges last Jan. To me the money is more important than the player in his current barren spell. Although he goes with my best wishes for giving us a hell of a story. Even if it was a marketing freebie left in the drain by Paul 'I can't market my own club to my own son' Fielder.

Can I ask why he couldn't make it as a midfield anchorman? He sounds tailor-made for that more than centre back from those attributes?

Laying the foundations by increasingly giving time to youngsters and getting underperformers to improve where possible. On individual bases, I see the above as being the case throughout the side. What bothers me, however, is the tactics being applied. I'm hoping (I think it's what they are trying to do, at least) they are laying foundations for a specific set of tactics to be used with appropriate players, and I hope players with the talent of A. Wharton.

Ayala is better than Phillips, who is slowly being introduced this season. Ditto A. Wharton. Brereton was our top goalscorer last year, while Dolan remains an emerging talent. Dack is preferred to Szmodics, who was brought in with Dack potentially not meeting his previous level (still hasn't imo).

To confirm: Playoffs THIS season will be a hell of an achievement. I don't believe it can really happen til next season, but (pending transfers) I'll be expecting it next season. I'm happy that my words are important enough to cause debate. I do signed photos if you'd like?

Having listened to the podcast, it has solidified my confidence in this 'project'. Genuinely. I've said all season, the fun won't begin til next season, and that's still my opinion. There are people who say strike while iron's hot (which is true) but we equally need to keep building from where we are. Results need to improve, but I'll repeat that if we make the playoffs this season, it will be an achievement.

Sounds like what we need tbf!

I'm justifying it in my head as: 1. Porteous is equally adept as a midfield anchorman as he is a cb. 2. Sorting our defensive frailties has to be priority. BUT we definitely also need an effective striker.

I've only just watched 'No Time To Die', and I've not got over it yet. This phrase is haunting me.

I think that's what other clubs are trying to arrange (Udinese, I think?), so bidding for him outright may be how we get our man.

Make no mistake, while not a priority, I would absolutely take Porteous for a fee of less than £1m. That would be a genuinely amazing signing imo. Perhaps some intent on returning to 3 cbs? Or prep for Ayala leaving maybe?

Someone like Mees Hoedemakers in midfield would be perfect.