Yeah and the champions, Liverpool lost the charity shield, as they did last season which turned out ok for them...??

Please see managers take on Smallwood and Mulgrew as a reference. Bennett has had his day at Rovers now. He’s a utility man who plays when there’s injuries. He isn’t first choice and is out of contract in the summer when he will likely be moved on or offered a year on reduced terms. As I said, I’m not losing any sleep.

Haven’t seen any cheerleaders saying Nyambe is crap. But I have seen some sensible people refusing to accept that Nyambe has been unplayable for four years and should’ve already made 200 appearances for the club. Im sure if Tony had only noticed that he had a young Cafu in the ranks he’d have given him a 10yr contract! ? Nyambe has great potential. We know this because he can be a 9 or 10/10...the problem is that he can also be a 5/10 too. I’m not losing any sleep on this one.

?? bloody hell, let’s not get our knickers in a twist over a tweet from TC9!!

I don’t think you’re understanding.... Managers usually have the player kept away from the first team, full stop as well as scheduling extra training etc which forces the player out. Both Mulgrew and Smallwood have spent the last 12-18 months sat on their arses, picking up wages AFTER the manager told them they weren’t in the picture. But during that rime they haven’t been shut away from the first team. On the contrary, they’ve been a part of everything. One of those players acted with dignity, took his wages and accepted the managers decision whilst appreciating not being jettisoned. Trained all week with the first team and then played for 23’s. The there’s the curious case of Charlie Mulgrew. Clear enough?

Yes, played for. But he needs to keep his fitness up and isn’t part of the first team picture. He still trains or at least trained with the first team though..

I agree that something has likely gone on... But, I don’t understand where he’s going with this. The manager has the right not to play him. It would seem he’s been told he has no playing future with the club and won’t play. Having said that he’s still training with the first team whilst most managers make them stay with the u23’s to force them out? Maybe we’ve turned down a loan he wants because they won’t contribute wages or something like that? Either way it’s piss poor from Mulgrew who’s sat on a big fat contract for 18 months. I hope Mowbray throws the book at him. Fine and removal from the Senior Training centre. That type of attitude is cancerous to any team. I suspect he’ll be gone by Monday.

I wanna believe he’s been hacked or is having some type of breakdown. The lads won’t be having this at all. Whatever the manager isn’t he is fair and if anything too loyal. Hence the 2.5yr contract on increased terms Charlie. Hope it doesn’t effect the dressing room.

What’s he deleted?

Bollocks!! I’ve paid but I’m in Cyprus...is it not gonna work?

For most of the time Nyambe has been a complete tampax. Useful for a one week per month. It’s only this season he’s kicked on.

200 games!!!? Mate, I genuinely wonder sometimes if you actually watch the matches. Your opinions on players are unreal. I’m all for youth but Nyambe until this season has been the most inconsistent player we have. He has ranged from Useless to unplayable for most of his young career and has literally turned that corner in the last few months thus keeping the resident utility man out.

Opinions on Nyambe. I actually think he’s very well protected because he’s a young player. And I think he’s never been consistently good enough to make the position his own until this season and guess what? He’s played (when fit) in front of Bennett. Either way, I don’t think he’s anything special and as per, if he doesn’t wanna sign, get rid. Your point about Dack not relevant. So what if he goes next summer as long as he’s under contract. Which he will be when WE trigger his 12 month extension. You were suggesting that we could potentially lose him AND Nyambe next summer. Which is not going to happen.

I am absolutely DELIGHTED that everyone feels exactly the same about Mulgrews tweet. Charlie, what a mahoosive bell end you’ve been. Seem happy enough to take your £20k a week though. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!

Cool. What do you think about transfers though?

meh...Nyambe has potential but his performances are nothing to write home about. If he won’t sign, just sell him. You know there’s a 12 month Extension trigger in our favour for Dack though right? So basically our position is pretty safe.

I don’t know mate, I’m not the CEO nor am I a member of the Rao family. But it seems that the manager is safe for now and therefore my post was relating to transfer activity and the positions I would focus on.

2 cbs (assuming Williams and Mulgrew are going), Lb and a CM to play the 433. We have to go with the forwards we have spent money on as you said and he will live and die by their results.

Eh? I haven’t said anything about Mulgrew. Leave me out of your ramblings please Dickie!

I thought he blocked you at the same time as me during the Jordan Rhodes saga?

As I’ve already said, it’s a buyers market! ??

That’s it though. If WBA’s primary cb partnership is Ajayi and Bartley then surely they’re going after some Premier League experience? Is Kipre going to be better than Ajayi? I doubt it at this moment.... As I said, I may be wrong but the West Brom and West Ham links seem odd.

There’s a bit to go on the Kipre deal I’d say but it sounds like we’re in the driving seat in terms of having had a bid accepted. I may be wrong but I can’t see either West Ham OR West Brom having him at the top of their list. Maybe a back up and registered an interest but it seems odd that they wouldn’t have any better options than him with their finances. Weirdly, I feel quite confident that they will get this one over the line. The comments from Mowbray seem almost bullish. Like they’re confident on Kipre and the other (I reckon Lindsay on loan to perm).

Tbf he said “one of our primary targets”

That’s my only reservation. Though he’s mentioned having ‘a man’ back there...so maybe he just means a more physical presence?