@Bbrovers2288 how’s this going mate? Any updates?

What a fantastic post. I agree with those rankings. I think that Downing and Johnson have an argument for being top 6/top half players, but for what it’s worth the rest of the ‘unknown quantities’ have good potential to be in those top groups imo.

I agree but I don’t think it’s for the reasons most would think.

I completely understand your point. But nor, did i believe that league 1, Patrick Bauer was going to change our season. The positions we have signed so far are fairly irrelevant in terms of importance because they only happen when they can. I would argue that the best is certainly to come because we currently have our budget plus the Raya money in our pocket. Let’s see.

The cost of the deal is unknown as is the depth of the V’s pockets. It’s not worth worrying about imo. Based on last years budget I think we could spend seven figures again. Especially with the Raya money. They sometimes pay a player like for example Ruddy, Hart or Forster a large signing on fee to keep wages down.

Let’s not get our knickers in a twist about Rodwell. (Not aimed specifically at any one person) Rodwell knows exactly what the deal is at Rovers and we have never wavered. My feeling is that he is history but TM being fair he’s saying that a deals still on the table to help Rodwell use it as leverage. Id be very surprised if he stays. Nothing to see here imo.

Tbf I said that Gally would happen as long as he still wanted it. Wigan have ‘backed away’ because he’s made a decision on where he wants to go. The ‘too expensive’ bit is just spin. i fully expect him to sign and as this would represent a reversal of the Bauer deal in terms of kudos on our side for getting over the line it will also be interesting to see the reaction.

Not really, TM told Raya he wanted to sign a direct challenger for him. He decided to leave, ergo we now potentially need two keepers. It doesn’t change the fact that we need defenders and the manager has said that too...direct quote ”defenders are coming”

My feeling is that IF we are still in for him (as I suspect we are) then he is odds on to sign probably today. The only reason he would choose Wigan is for more guaranteed playing time. He has a relationship with several players and the manager at Rovers. I expect Gally and a keeper this week. Maybe even a cb as well. lets see...

Travis is half a season ahead of him. But I can tell you that everyone rates him as the best potential in the academy. Including Travis. Buckley is the one they fully expect to play PL football. It’s not just his ability either, also the most mobile and best mentally.

I haven’t. He’d be absolutely mortified. I’ll try..

Yes, plays on the half turn. Bursts into spaces and is technically much better than Travis who’s more a 4.

Yeah, sorry tbh I meant WILL BE much better than Travis.

Absolutely bang on. Without doubt the best of what is coming through. Much better than Travis.

Buckley is / will be better than Travis. Not that I want, nor would be happy if we sold him!

What makes you think it’s scattergun? So far it would seem that we’ve signed two and missed out on two (Maher and Bauer). The rest appear to be a combination of agents and journo’s surmising. There are a few worrying about the order of those signings as if clubs won’t move on their second priority signing until they’ve signed the first. The signings happen when the players become available.

Not a chance Gallagher would choose Wigan over us. If he goes to Wigan it’s because we’ve decided to go elsewhere. We’ve got the money.

Wait for it....

I could see this one having legs. There’s links between the management team and Dann. Plus Dann is a scouser so a move up North might suit. Could come down to what other options are available. For what it’s worth, I’ve since found out that the Bradley Johnson transfer was a scouting job and was planned ready for the eventuality of Lampard leaving as it was he who wanted Johnson to stay.

Thanks

Can someone screenshot his tweet as I’m blocked from good ol’ Al!!

Really?

I’m fine with it. As I said, kudos for editing before it was seen. Nice little deception tactic with the ‘typo’ part too...at least I know what I’m dealing with ?

Of course he does! Was just saving his skin. It wasn’t a joke.

The season was very good overall. Outside of that bad period we probably collected points in line with 6th - 8th in the league. The issues that lead us into the downturn such as squad depth in particular at CB where we were unable to adequately manage during Lenihans injury or rash decisions from our keeper, the inability to change our style of play due to lack of ability and the failure of our new star signing (BB) to make an impact in those moments all contributed. The Manager should have seen the potential for the defence to crumble especially when he let Downing go but I do think Mulgrews deterioration was so fast. So yes, the rational decision is to deal with what went wrong and then look to replicate (and build) on what we did well. imo we need a GK, CB and CF. I 100% believe we will get all three. I don’t want Adam but I think his (TM)obsession with them now is more down to the change in play that he’s trying to implement. He’s flushing out Smallwood and Evans who are miles behind Adam and Butterfield in terms of technical quality on the ball.