Or perhaps maybe we should wait till we’ve finished business before having a breakdown on a 24 hour repeat cycle

Maybe... like... holding out for plan A?

Another year in championship therefore an extra 4m turnover compared to the previous year + a different set off FFP rules? Maybe the budget for wage + transfer is well above last years....

Yet

That’s nowhere near what Sir John Waggott said. He basically said bigger fees could happen if wages reflected a saving. Direct reply to a question after signing Brereton! Don’t make me post the link for the 47th time

You mean having my opinion based on a transfer, in one aspect using the bloke who likely inked the deals actual words? I’ll likely stick to just stick my own way of thinking cheers MB

As previously (132 times) stated, this was a waggott interview. Im not his agent.

Downing brought in to convert Adam finally into Mbappe?

Would be a more expensive transfer than the Brereton one if that’s the case anyway

Someone will be along to tell you this is because of the flex.. oh wait ..

I’ll take that bet

TONY Mowbray is looking to strike the right balance in his squad as he bids to compete at the sharp end of the Championship. The Rovers boss has so far added experience to his dressing room in the form of Stewart Downing and Bradley Johnson. Former England winger Downing, who turns 35 in 10 days, has been there, seen it and done it during his time with Middlesbrough, Aston Villa, West Ham and Liverpool. Johnson is 32 and having previously won promotion from the second tier and played in the Premier League with Norwich, was in the Derby side that lost out in the play-off final to Aston Villa in May. Goalkeeper David Raya has been the most high profile departure with Mowbray making it clear he wants a senior replacement for the 23-year-old after his move to Brentford. “We hope Stewart and Bradley can come and reproduce what they’ve done in the past,” said the Rovers boss. “They are very talented footballers. I know they are in their 30s but we’ve got players like (Dan) Butterworth and (John) Buckley and (Tyler) Magloire and other young players who we really like and think can push on. “We’re just trying to get a balance right with experienced players and the youth and exciting players that are coming through.” Downing was first through the door this summer, quickly followed by Johnson who has signed a two-year deal. Having played in the top flight during his time at Carrow Road, he was also a play-off winner in 2015 alongside Elliott Bennett. Down the pecking order at Derby, Mowbray moved quickly to get his man having been impressed by what he saw at close quarters last season. Johnson made 34 appearances for the Rams in all competitions in 2018/19 and started both games against Rovers, a 0-0 draw at Pride Park last September and a 2-0 defeat for Frank Lampard’s men at Ewood Park in April. “When we played at Pride Park last season he was the best player on the pitch, and by a considerable way I thought,” Mowbray said of his new recruit. “Even though we managed to scrape out a 0-0 draw against them that night he controlled the game with his left foot and his power and his composure. “I’m just delighted we’ve managed to get him on board. “I hope he comes here and enjoys his football and makes us a better team.” Work continues in the transfer market for Rovers who have also added midfielder Tom White and goalkeeper Joe Hilton to their Under-23s squad. At least one goalkeeper is set to arrive after Raya’s departure while new additions in the final third are a priority with Sam Gallagher continuing to be linked to an Ewood Park return.

Strangely saw the Johnson link a day before on a random twitter account and ignored it. I only posted the forum link to break the constant cycle of “Brereton is shit”. That was fairly well wrapped up. Not strange to expect the next one to be similar?

I don’t think survival was ever touch and go, that’s potentially stretching the truth However I do agree that he’s met the minimum expectations throughout - and that’s basically what we needed, so I’m at least happy to say he has proven capable. Compared to recent “great coaches” like (pains to say) Dyche - nobody could argue that TM has been that good, but this is a key season in his Rovers career. I think, in a few years, probably after he’s left - a lot of Rovers fans will be grateful for his influence in his time!

We haven’t finished signing midfielders yet...

I think Nyambe will go the same way - probably more specialist in a back three

Other than Raya - I don’t think we are weaker than last year really. Conway, Reed, Downing and Rodwell - Reed was the nearest to the first XI and most would agree he’s been replaced by Johnson. Take into account the improvement in a few of our younger lads - keeping hold of Lenihan and Dack; I don’t quite get the worry. You used Brentford as an example of a team more likely (I think it was you) however - how do you think they feel? Selling their top scorer and best defender to finance new players? I think many of them would rather be in our position, not having to move on our best first.

Nope.

Its an expectation that you've embraced above! You've raised it in opposition to what I consider a more realistic appraisal. You can't now just stand aside and say "this is what the club thinks, not me". You've played a stinker there imo! However, there is a caveat. Its whether TM can pull 4 rabbits out of a hat. All I can say at the minute is that I'm not hopeful from what's happened so far and its Brentford who look more likely to secure a playoff place than Rovers. They seem to be hijacking our targets! I can post what I like. You highlighted problems and suggested the manager lives a charmed life. As I said originally - balance is great mate! The fact it’s the club showing that expectation and aspiration means that it’s not my opinion either - the reality is TM and co have done well, even if a few with seriously short memories cannot accept that.

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2019/july/here-to-help-rovers-play-off-push/ This isn’t me setting the expectation lads, it’s the club.

Givet’s back (or Butterfield is homeless..)

That’s because most people use both pros and cons to analyse a scenario, and for all the arguments behind lack of defensive recruits - he’s pretty much turned the Rao’s and Coyles mess around to a position where playoffs look like the expectation! Balance is great mate

Agree on the chance of Sheff weds being crapper than us this year!

I personally have to say you’re out on this one bruv! Steve Bruce is a solid Championship manager. Fact he turned round “the worst team we’ve played at Ewood” last season says enough to me to suggest he’s still got it. Newcastle is a different story though. With all the crap going on, I would be surprised to see him keep them up!

I’m not speculating on his exact wage, I know he isn’t in a huge wedge because of the waggott interview about Ben last September. When the fantastic “flex” was born. All been done a thousand times. Its also funny that we’ve “over paid” yet you’ve just given ample reasons for why NFFC wanted 15m the previous January..! I don’t think everything is hunky dory at all either. That’s a classic response to avoid questioning! Just like the classic “oh stop moaning” response! There is no balance in taking everything that “could be/has been/will be” beneficial to our direction, ignoring that in favour of highlighting the potential of Ben B not reaching his potential! Look at the academy FFS. How many other league teams would bite their own fingers off to be given the steady influx of new players we have? Theres definitely lots of room for improvement - most fans would say that (bar Man City perhaps..) but you’re correct we will never agree if you think it’s a complete “shambles”. Donut muncher, Gordon Greer, Wes Brown, a bucket full of premier league loans and 250k for Derrick Williams total business. That is what I’d call “a shambles”.