It is Pears' to lose, that's how it should be.

If we're changing keepers every time they cock up, they're going to be in and out like a fiddler's elbow.

That's how I see it. Pears will play on Friday and if he does well should keep his place there on in.

Be r8, it isn't like we're having to have a whip round on here every month.

We will be going into the season with Pears as number 1,he'll definitely play on Friday. Hopefully he makes it extremely difficult for Eustace to drop him.

If there was a clause/agreement reached as recently as December, there shouldn't be a problem either way. Either a club meets the recently agreed valuation, or Szmodics stays where he is.

Could also be that Szmodics is stalling hoping for interest from elsewhere.

This is where agreeing a sell on clause/gentleman's agreement or whatever should work in Rovers' favour. If both parties agreed a figure when Szmodics renewed his contract so recently, he can't really have grounds to take his ball home.

To be fair, Dolan was on real form last season, our form fell off a cliff after his injury against Birmingham.

To give him his real name, Leon Worst

I don't know if it's £8 million, or even if there is one, it's just the figure which has been mooted. It doesn't stop clubs coming in with a lower offer, but if both parties have agreed to the figure, then it stands to reason that the club has more power to stand it's ground, and the player has less grounds to take his ball home.

This is why I think having a release clause benefits Rovers. If, as has been reported, an £8 million figure has been agreed, then it should mean that both parties are happy at that figure. You can argue that £8 million isn't enough, but it should stop another club coming in with a ridiculously low offer to try to unsettle the player. I agree with the 9/10m valuation being realistic.

So, you don't know,neither do I .

Who are Oxford's keepers?

I'll leave the hand wringing of last season to others, it's a new season and a new start for me. That said,being in charge for that period should leave Eustace in no doubt as to what we do or don't need,it should be a big advantage compared to coming into a new job in pre season. I'm still hoping Szmodics may line up for us, if he's still here he has to play.

They were my thoughts, I'd be surprised if he left. To me, he looks like a player Eustace would want to sign, except we couldn't afford him. I never bought the line that the club farmed him out to Ipswich to save money, it never really added up.

It's just like Szmodics to ask to play,season is just around the corner after all. To be fair there hasn't been any word of him being unhappy. Wishful thinking I know, but i still haven't thrown the towel in.

Franco Baresi, or was he right footed? Difficult to tell. Interesting listening to the comments about our lack of pace at the back, Baresi said if I have to run fast, I've done something wrong.

He needs to get up to speed one way or the other, time is running out.

There's a difference looking for a starter or a back up. Either way we need one or tother.

To prove himself. I'm making the point that if he plays it's because Eustace wants him. Quite a few couldn't accept that Tomasson chose him, lots of hand wringing went on rather than accepting the facts. No doubt if he does indeed start, someone will attain/make up information that Eustace wanted another keeper. Let's be honest, if he wears a blindfold he can't be any worse than your man Wahlstedt.

Tronstad would seem the obvious choice, but I think Hedges might have a shout if he can prove his fitness.

I said weeks ago, if Eustace wants a keeper he'll get one. We'll have 4 new players by tomorrow and more to come, if one isn't a keeper it's because Eustace is happy with Pears, not because we can't afford one. Best thing that happened for Pears last season was getting injured, meaning Wahlstedt got a do, and that spoke for itself. After that, some of the more hysterical, ridiculous criticism died a death. He's young for a keeper, last season will hopefully stand him in good stead. I get the feeling he's got until January.

I described it as a big ask.

Duncan Ferguson, you've started something now 🙂