While I agree a high press would be the best tactics against Norwich, I really don't think we have a team that can execute that well. Certainly not the starting 11. You need a high defensive line and with Gueye, Cantwell and Forshaw lacking intensity in their press I fear Norwich would play through the press and open us up. Certainly not something you would be able to drill in one or two days in training.

You are correct. I've done some research and I see they didn't spend much on transfers. They mostly signed well known Championship players on a free. They actually started the season well before falling off a cliff. He was let go after 1 win in 11 games in this run:

Did a great job at Barnsley and played at their strengths. His WBA stint was a bust though. They spent and was aiming for automatic promotion back but ended up mid-table before he was let go. He tried to replicate the Barnsley platform with direct football, but neither players nor fans bought into it. Wouldn't say his manager record is poor, but think there must be better candidates out there.

Loan deal is probably the only thing with a chance to get done this late in the window. That said, not very confident in the club managing any kind of paperwork

Yes, needs the Danny Graham blueprint. Quite similar when he was young. Skinny teenager at Boro who grew a fat backside on in the lower leagues and didn't come into his own untill mid 20s.

Spot on. I watched plenty of the golden generation (Wharton, Phillips, Leonard and Batty) a couple of years ago. It was appearant that Leonard was an intelligent footballer in his positioning, decisions and was also a good finisher. Thought he had some similarities to Teddy Sheringham. However I predicted that he would need a couple of years to be ready for the first team. Since he's not quick, he needs to bulk-up and get senior experience. I know he was out for a significant time as 17 year old, and seems like he's been plagued with injuries since holding him back. A loan to league One would be good for him. Jake Batty a bit similar with injuries. Have a very high ceiling offensively with his pace and directness, but was never tested defensively and has had a lot of injuries. Hope he will grow from his Accrington spell and might be a good option for next year

Not a big fan of Asante. It's obvious that Eustace now seems to have much bigger say in the signings. After the more "exotic" approach in the summer with Gueye, Ohashi and Tooth, it's now all about "proven" Championship operators. Since our tactics is mostly sitting in and hitting on the break, they probably view Asante as a mobile and quick option to hit them on the break. Probably different from what we have, but very same in that he doesn't get much goals. We are very much to be solid, boring mid-table side. Some might argue that's better than playing your way into relegation like we did at the end of JDT's tenure. Personally I'm torn.

I agree. Having been critical of him in the past, I've seen a lot of improvement in him over the last season. Better decisions, better output, stronger. His final ball is still lacking at times, but for me a very valuable player to have in the squad.

Rovers should be all over Kristian Arnstad who wants to leave Anderlecht with one year left on his contract. Norway U-21 captain with massive potential. Much younger version of Trondstad, who can dictate the play as a sitting midfielder. Probably in our price range. I see Rangers linked, so forget Cantwell and pick up him instead.

I'm also very much against the manager signing "familiar faces" approach. It too many drawbacks: 1. You are limiting yourself to a very small pool of players. Not likely a good a use of limited cash. The selling club will also be very aware and push for max profit. A lot of opportunity cost in it as well. 2. The other is that any change of manager will cause massive issues as the those players are likely to be loyal to the previous manager, and another squad revamp with the new manager's players. Any progressive club like your Brighton and Brentford will have a proper recruitment plan with long-term scouting both and attributes/personality/culture-fit. They will determine what the squad needs together with the manager and then let the recruitment team bring in the most suited candidate. The manager/head coach position should be similar. Already tracking candidates that fits the profile of what the club has determined as philosophy in regards to style, squad, academy etc. This is the case of most clubs in Europe. The all-ruling manager approach is now an English thing to some degree.

Seems like with the return of John Park, Nixon has been on the ball again. Stansfield would be an excellent signing. Played a lot on the left wing for Birmingham. Quick, excellent work-rate and can score goals. Great on the break. However it seems very unrealistic to spend that amount of money when there are limited funds and big holes in the squad elsewhere. I know Birmingham have tried all summer to resign him. But also the fact that the Fulham manager publicly stated he was staying only 3 days ago, makes it unrealistic.

That was in League One. But still sad to see his career path after leaving us. That pace and ability, seemingly left down by attitude and application. Now playing in Non-league at the age of 26.

Very much agree on Big Mak, big upgrade on Gallagher. Never going to be a clinical finisher, but far more mobile and pacier than I expected him to be. What I really like about him is that he seem to have a football brain. He's hold up play is good, and seems to understand where to position himself unlike Gallagher. Will be a good foil and focal point to have upfront, with the added bonus that's he is great in the air. A type of player we haven't had in a while, and very useful for the Championship. Also impressed with Ohashi. Two very good finishes for the two goals he has scored. While his first touch was lacking at times yesterday I think it's usually better. Also seem to have good positional sense esp. around the box. Absolute bargain if we only paid 150k for him. They both also been here only a couple of weeks.

Spot on! Especially true for defenders. The standard of the top two tiers of Non-league has improved greatly. For most parts National Conference is on par with League Two and most teams are full-time professionals. U21 is too much of a playground with a lot of quick technical players having a field day against stand-off defending that are better ball players then defenders. That's why a lot those matches are 4-3 etc, and why when stars at that level get a reality check when they go out on loan. A football league defender earning a wage to provide for a family will smash you before you attempt the first step-over.

Waching the game. Think I saw him sitting on the bench even if he's not in the squad