Bobby Moore really should’ve been a goalkeeper though tbf....

You seem to be doing a lot of “the negative” or “defending” stuff this week - as opposed to focusing on points. You ignored all my other responses but I’ll have another plump on this post. Looking at the whole picture, it would’ve been nice to see more u23s in the first team but perhaps it’s actually balanced to see reasons for keeping a largely unchanged team to the one that’s performed well last two outings. Especially with 2 games in 3 days, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Dack and Graham rested Monday. Equally balanced to say if JLeut is going to leave, or if our intent is to strengthen GK - why not give him a game (a dead rubber?) to see if they can rise to the opportunity? Travis did against Charlton last year, whereas Caddis opportunity in the same game pointed out his days as numbered. You can think it’s a different approach to your own personal one without criticism you know? The criticism of how Travis has been turned into a first team player is also without balance if it only focuses on “should’ve been sooner” - a more open and honest view would admit the decision not to loan him out turned out great, and perhaps the moving backwards after that red served his attitude and mentality on the pitch!

First paragraph - mentioned three who you want to play, who don’t play, I see it as finding/developing players that are turning into quality players through our system. Rothwell particularly - I’m sure I don’t have to point out the irony in “look, I told you he’d do well if he played regularly” when it’s the manager who has worked the particular player into the system in training, and the team reaped the rewards. Many will openly criticise the BB 7m disaster, but I don’t see anyone here praising Joe R’s signing adding way more than that cost into the first team for zip! Smallwood, Bennett, Evans, Conway - castigated for their inclusion at times, but a more reasonable commentary would be the senior players have played there part this season. Most fans know the dangers of changing things too rapidly, yet many here would sell/release 5/6 players without even blinking. I think some individual things could’ve been done differently, Elliott Bennett at number 10 would’ve never happened for me either, but in a season with 1000’s of individual decisions like that, we’ve got far more correct. (Despite TM ruining Bobby Moores career in a different life) On squad building - there’s an assumption it’s a simple task too - the way you particularly compared DJ’s squad assembly for the PL2 with TM’s for the championship shows how little you seemingly understand the competition for the better players in the top few tiers of football, and the huge jump between cost from second to top tier. For all the “warning signs” being ignored, I could point out good signs across the board, in the first team, overall squad, attitude and application at ALL levels, potential within the group, the u23s, recruitment, expectation et al. You think it will turn sour, and I’m not denying that possibility, but I think you and others need to start embracing the positive steps the club has taken in 25 months of the current manager’s stewardship. If TM walked tomorrow, the club he inherited is a completely different to the one he’d leave!

First of all nobody is saying that different routes couldn’t have been taken. My own perspective is the criticism of BB and the club on this was premature, and continues to be OTT. There’s room for criticism - but not much of it is warranted/fair imo. Fantastic example to say he has not shown any potential at all. We both know that is subjective, and from my perspective “bull shit”. If the standard answer is “when?” Just read through the thread, we’ve been at this part of the circle a few times already. In hindsight I think everyone knows the answer to that question. The difference of opinion lies upon my reluctance to completely write off a prospect as early as many did in this thread, and to suggest this is an utter distaster of a move, making little sense or potential to be “the worst transfer in 20 years” (or words thereabouts) Thats not in anyway suggesting there aren’t obvious signs of this being a panic buying, or legs in the young / English / capital investment directive from the board/owners. I do also think there are reasonable reasons to see why we’d end up with a punt like Ben, in our scenario - wage, current stature / promotion prospects / his availability et al - whereas many do not. Many see transfers as cost alone, not wages, taxes, personality, interest in club - so the idea nobody thinks transfer business is simple, is more on brand “Bullshit” Hence why I said more time. You’re correct that it was a waste of time though, Almost but not as boring as reading you use this one transfer to pad out every other criticism you post. Still waiting for you to blame Ben for ticket surcharges and then we’ve a full house

I don’t think it would be far off. You've also got to take into account the relative “pull” of clubs in regards to recent stature and wage bill. I know some here cannot accept that we aren’t going to be seen by players (and agents) as a favourite to get into the premier league. Signing a new player on 25k a week when the rest of your key players are on 15/20 will also cost you a dollop in renewals. Deep

As Waggott spelled out in an interview, the pot of cash we had to spend was for fees and wages. From my perspective we missed out on the Bamford’s and Celina’s et al because we didn’t have the fee AND the wages to pull this ilk in.

I’m not wasting more time on this thread talking about assumed figures. Like I said, I don’t think he’s one of the top earners.

The club signed him. The club continues to employ and utilise him. Another example of the overall decent level of recruitment. I’m not suggesting it’s perfect and I’m sure we both know the club probably expected more from BB this year. That doesn’t make it such a disaster in my opinion - criticism from certain posters is way OTT now, as it was premature back before he hadn’t even started a game for us! Even if he never kicks on, how ridiculous is it to suggest “in 20 years time people will be talking about him as the worst signing in the clubs history” when Dixon Etuhu is fresh in memory. I don’t think that at all. I don’t think he’s our top earner by any stretch either, however I’m sure any of those three players you mention would’ve at least be in the same bracket as Graham/Dack/Mulgrew- to convince them to join BRFC above any other top half championship team. Naivity is how I’d describe the views who see transfer business as simple and easy. It’s as if you dismiss any competition, as if Chris Wilder isn’t a fantastic manager doing a great job.

He’s come on leaps and bounds in 12 months, and I see no reason why this cannot continue.

Horrendously poor - I prefer to save that for Danny Murphy-esque performances, or team displays similar to Oldham away in 2017.

Nuttall is looking a fantastic acquisition, and a potential, that’s a plus for the club’s recruitment from my perspective. Not an excuse to criticise someone else. Plus, this assumption that transfer business as simple as we’d want it to be is a fallacy. How many top end championship players could we sign for either a) less than 5m or b) on a wage comparable to a 19 year old ? If you think this is simple stuff, I can only assume you’ve completely ignored the constant and exponential growth in transfer cost/wages for the last 30 years.

Horrendously bad is utter hyperbole as per MB.

86th minute. You know how stupid it sounds to read such criticisms when lad was on the pitch for 1/20th of the game.

Jesus, continuation of arguments from November - you do remember that one of the key points in the discussion was a 19 year old was probably on a more “reasonable” wage comparable to our current crop? Remember the “Wagott flex?” I only ask that, because you’re quoting TM as if everything he says is fact, when you’ve done nothing but point out his “guff” for 23 months. Surely nobody thinks we could’ve added 5 or 6 first team players for his initial cost and the same outlay in wages?

Suspect I knew what? You say we have a defensive approach, I say if we did, we’d concede less. Im all for playing Dack deeper or Rothwell next to one sitting midfielder, however not when you’ve got a defence not up to it. Its a similar simple theory for the wings. Better full backs who make better decisions = less work and responsibility for the wide midfielder in front!

Probably true but I guess if the defence isn’t good enough, and the staff feel that way - two more sitting CMs are likely! I think Travis is potentially the one to make it possible for us to play like TM said earlier in week (1 sitting Cm) if he keeps improving

My theory? You mean the quote from the article right?

Ultra defensive approach? If we paid more attention to defence, we wouldn’t be conceding so many goals. Tony deserves criticism for aspects of his approach but being too defensive is something I doubt many would say! More organised and resilience is what I think we need to be. On the original point you made, have arguably 4 players who operate on either flank. Conway, Armstrong, Rothwell and Chapman. From their statistical impact, it’s difficult to argue against Craig and Adam starting - yet its painted here as if the two best aren’t involved.

I very much doubt the that the players are given instructions via the press!

There’s a chance I’m becoming a parody of myself in saying that I genuinely can’t find anything wrong with what TM is saying again... In fact, the “We want to win a game pretty quickly, and if we can get to a point in the last five or six games then maybe we’ll see some more young players getting an opportunity” is pretty much something I’ve heard you say, others here and at games, and a few other mates who watch. Oh and for some balance, Rothwell has 29 apps in all competitions to Conway’s 23 and I bet you don’t know who’s statistically made more impact....!

You never seen the depressed smile meme? I thought it was apt for the current feeling on BRFCS!

This season consolidation next season a playoff challenge? Fair cop that.

I agree - I highlighted the part especially, I mean we’ve conceded all types of soft goals this season from defensive / GK clangers, last minute chaos, set pieces galore, and Ofcourse the individual errors, switching off and giving the ball away in our own half. Thats at home too - although I take your point that the record away is far worse. Perhaps things to add to your list, better quality opposition, lack of depth in key defensive areas, many inexperienced at this level and a lack of sheer grit/anger/nastiness throughout. Another key aspect I agree - I don’t think we’re far off. I think the improvements need to come but I don’t think we are behind (or that far at least) where we should be.

@Don Said I agree in some aspects and I guess the biggest area is the lack of impact recently. I think that’s down to a lack of confidence more than ability or fitness. His performances have included quite a bit of over-playing, trying to hard to force a shot or a dribble. It was always going to be the case he would be isolated by the opposition. I think he has potential to grow into a deeper sitting player, but his finishing is exceptional too. That’s why I’d hope we keep. If there one guarantee with the Rao’s, it’s signing cheques to cover reasonable annual shortfalls in revenue. Since that’s the case, I don’t see why we’d have to sell anyone without it being a huge bid. The wage bill to squad quality is at a better ratio than any point in the time we’ve been out of the premier league in my opinion too. I know that’s not difficult when the parachute splurges happened, but it just means this summer I’d like to think we’re in a position to add as opposed to replace.