The squad is only currently bloated in Midfield and the forward lines which effects Buckley and Butterworth. I can see the latter going out but I’m pretty sure that Buckley will be in the match day squad (bench) straight away. Grayson, Magloire and JRC are right in the mix as it stands with us losing Rodwell and Downing as well as injuries to Williams and Hart. My personal opinion is that Buckley is ready to impact the first team now. The wildcard is Grayson. All would benefit from a year in league 1 but we have to look at our own interests first.

My point was that if we had players in the first XI good enough to have those on the bench then we would be ready to go up...

We need squad players of that quality if we want to go up. If those four start regularly this season were not going up.

I did say ‘potential’ that...I also agree that Bennett and Mulgrew will start which isn’t good.

How could we possibly know? There was a lot of talk early on in the window about Hanley, Dann as well as stated interest in the Barnsley lad and of course Bauer. Latterly we’ve heard about interest in Skrtel and of course Adarabioyo as well as Mowbrays previous admission of interest in Cooper. I also know (from a coach at Rotherham) that we were interested in Ajayi. So there’s a potential that we’ve enquired on a dozen defenders? As well as probably the same amount of keepers. It’s just a case of which one drops first.

Firstly, I think your assessment of Evans, Williams and Mulgrew as ‘deadwood’ is scandalous. They don’t deserve that and are handy squad players. Smallwood, Gladwin and now probably Samuel need to be moved on as well as a few youth loans. I said to mate at the end of the season that if we got to a position where we had 3 of Williams, Mulgrew, Bennett and Evans regularly on the bench then we wouldn’t be far off a team challenging for the top 6.

What makes you think that we’re any different to any club in the land? Think back to Jack Walkers days and the autobiographies and revelations since then. How close the likes of Roy Keane, Les Ferdinand, Zinedine Zidane, Christoph Dugarry, Robert Lewandowski. They were only the high profile ones. There would’ve been 100’s more. The only reason we find anything out (and most of it is fake news) is because of social media. No one is being conned. It’s just the way it is.

What is interesting though is that surely we now have to go and get another LB?

I’m not typing Adarabioyo very time!!

Nyambe, Magloire and Grayson have potential to be excellent cb’s. However, the issue in my mind is that Mulgrews back legs have gone and Williams is average at best. Which leaves us with Lenihan. Assuming Ada comes in that gives us a safer pair of hands than the other younger lads but it’s not enough to achieve our goal of challenging the top 6 imo.

Twice sh....errr no because he just stumped up another £5m on Gallagher in the same position!? I really appreciate your info and attempts to keep us updated but you’re making no sense. Spending over £1m in transfer fees (never mind wages) in League 1 is not ‘keeping himself safe’ or dampening expectation. It’s the opposite. Likewise spending £7m on a 19yr old in your first season back in the championship and then spending a further £5m on another striker this summer, are not the actions of a reluctant manager.

Yup, that’s exactly what he did in League 1!!...Errr nope he bought Dack and Samuel for over a million pounds in fees thus applying pressure to himself! As many have said, he had the biggest budget and therefore expectation on himself that year. But then surely he executed your plan last season didn’t he? Yeeee-no!! He spent £7m on a 19yr Old which heaped pressure on him.

Fiver!!? You’re confident then? ???

You’re right. I fully expect us to sign two defenders and challenge for the top 6.

Do what you want pal. I Just don’t see the point in going off like a hormonal teenager every time the manager says something. But each to their own.

I know something. It’s dead easy if you just stop hanging off every word and wait until the end of the window!! ??‍♂️?

I thought Grayson looked very assured tonight. Though Mulgrew is finished.

Yes pal. You?

Argh mate...bloody fantastic

Buckley though...???

Great post Biz. There’s no maybe about it. Massive changes integrated by Mowbray with the intro of Jonty and intense focus on pulling this crop of brilliant young players into the first team...Buckley, Butterworth, Magloire, JRC and Grayson making HUGE steps in preseason.

Haha - but only a person with a positive, clear mind sees that! ?

As stated at the beginning, I’m waiting for the end of the window. Then I’ll make my judgement. I don’t think that squad is far off being able to challenge for top 6 now. Still need Ada and one more experienced, tried and tested cb. Then I’ll be happy.

Of course it is to you Stu. Because you stated, you rely on past experience to create cynicism which you feel gives you the benefit of hindsight. I’d have been blown away if you’d agreed with it tbh.

All true at the most basic level. But the real genius lies in understanding that past achievements or successes do not correlate directly to future successes. So many successful people failed time and time again before getting it right. If they had been dragged down by past experiences, become cynical and relied on hindsight they could never have eventually succeeded. People (even Venkys) change because they learn. Their past does not dictate their future performance. This is why the glass half empty crew rarely feel the happiness that others do. Or the success.