Bradley Johnson is also very good in the air. According to the Derby supporters he never loses a challenge in the air. Will help in both boxes in that respect.

You are less reliant on making reflex saves if you can claim the cross before it drops to an attacker. When I played as a centre back, I'd always prefer to have keeper who talked and dominated the area, to the one with better reflexes who was glued to the line.

Yeah sure, I was just providing context why there was little game time. I'm worrying less when I know that he wasn't sent on loan last season because Hughes thought he had a chance to make an impact in PL. Injuries prevented that under Hughes, and when he was fit he was considered good enough for a few appearances under the new boss.

He was injured for the first half of the season. Hughes clearly rated him before he got the sack. Got some very brief sub appearances under their new manager in PL. “He (Gallagher) is still injured. He isn’t an option and will be a number of weeks yet,” Hughes said. “It’s a shame because he is very close and this year I was hoping to give him a little bit of game time in the League Cup, but injuries stopped us having that option. “Sam has got a lot of attributes that would help us. He is a big guy, young, talented and a lot of power and pace. “It’s a shame he is unavailable.” https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/17243898.southampton-striker-sam-gallagher-is-still-injured/

Good point. A proper club would've had s European scouting in place for the manager to use. It should be part of the club strategy and survive changing managers. Also proves the major task Mowbray have in rebuilding this club. At least we're not buying players by asking Facebook for help anymore. You just hope that the structure that is being put in will live after Mowbray is gone.

He's a monster. Scored two header against us. People are Just bouncing of him. Can play a bit as well

Of course. We all see the world through our tinted glasses, wouldn't be any messageboards if the world looked the same to everybody

Not official yet, but looking very likely that a deal is in place. Sam Wallace wouldn't stick his neck out unless the deal was more or less done. Alan Myers thinks it will be announced on Monday. https://twitter.com/SamWallaceTel

A bit far fetched. Didn't have to quantify it, could easily say: "The owners is very supportive of what we are trying to achieve here. Unlike other clubs we don't have to sell our best players and there is some money available to add to the squad. We can't overspend even if the owners want to, because we need to comply with FFP"

Happy if Gallagher is coming now. We really couldn't go into the season without a decent option to Graham. Seems like we managed to fend off other clubs like Wigan, Brentford and Preston(?) Pretty sure he will play winger as well as striker. He did last time for us, and he did for Birmingham as well. Mowbray will probably say in next interview that he see him as someone who can play in there as well Messageboard beware..

Why would they say it if it wasn't true? Mowbray is at times too honest, and Waggott has several times stressed the need to comply with FFP. If they were supposed to be tactical it would have been wiser to say we have small budget to have a stronger hand in negotations.

You make a valid point. Some aspects I'd like to add: Adam and Butterfield not likely to be signed up, at least not both. Bennett likely to play right back / winger (probably not CM) Several players can fill different positions, but not at the same time. It's a squad game, so you need at least double options on each position for injuries/suspensions/fatigue. That means we should have a squad of 22 + youngsters when needed. Absolutely right that we should now have plenty of options midfield/foward and some likely to leave perm or loan: Nuttall (loan), Smallwood (perm), Evans(?), Butterworth (loan) GK / Defences low on numbers. You might count Wharton and Magloire but that's a stretch. If Williams is now a centre back, that means we lack a left back cover as well. Leutwiler not rated so might bring in two keepers, unless Fischer is seen as a number 2.

Brentford is a bit of enigma. They seem to have a great scouting network and are able to unearth great talent and sell for a profit. However looking a bit closer at their stats that doesn't translate into results in the league. They have basicly treaded water finishing between 8-11 for the last 4 seasons. Have a very high turnover of players, and there are several duds for each player they sell for profit. Sheffield United on the other hand have had a pretty poor transfer record the last two seasons, buying players who failed to establish themselves and dissapear after one season. They basicly went up with the same core of players that took them from League One to Championship in 2017.

You need 4 cms at least for rotation, injuries and suspensions. I think Travis, Johnson, Davenport and Evans are most likely. Downing can fill in there as well as playing a few positions. Davenport had a good half season for Burton in the Championship when we bought him, so I think he will stay. It will be very interesting to see if Buckley stays or go on loan. Will probably be better for most of our youngsters to be a regular on loan, than a handful of matches from the bench.

Neither good enough or doesn't have the right character. Went on strike/"head not in the right place" when forcing his move to Wolves in 2017. I can't see Mowbray having that. What an amazing group the 17/18 was. Anthony Stokes etc, also remember a picture of Joao and Emnes sitting on some boxes in the hallway after coming late, Mowbray wasn't having any of that

Don't think he is ready yet. I think he could do with a loan to compete with men, especially in the air. He's had it to easy with the U23 where he can outmuscle and outrun his peers. Joe Garner and Steven Fletcher dominated him quite easily in the games he played for the seniors. A year on loan learning to play the position and compete, and we probably have a machine on our hands. Quickest player in the squad as well.

I'm pretty sure Mowbray decides who should get a contract while Waggott will negotiate the terms. The transfer setup should be similar, Mowbray and the team has their list of A, B, C targets and Waggott/money men does the negotations regarding fee/wages. Think this is common for a lot of clubs. Whether our struggle landing targets is down to unrealistic targets or fee/wages being limited is hard to say. FFP and wages will be a factor. That works both ways, so having players you want to move out sitting on good contracts limits your ability to land new. At the same time you want to tie down the best ones.

I have to agree. I'm very much a fan of Mowbray and what he is building here, but he is not perfect by any standards. One of his downside is that he is too loyal both in the contract situations and persisting with the same players. Seems there is very much a black/white attitude on here regarding Mowbray. Either everything is perfect or wrong. Truth is usually a balance between the two.

Fair point made. He was nearly snapped up by Carlisle a couple of weeks ago. They couldn't agree compo with Gateshead. In his head he is not coming to play U23, it will be a stepping stone to break into the first team and be a Championship player. You would probably find a lot of League One/Two players backing themselves to do the same. Although I don't think the club will let anybody block progress of our best talents. Proved that last season with Hardcastle and Tomlinson. Both very influential when the U23 were promoted to PL1, Hardcastle captain. Both were kept out of the team by Buckley and co. Hardcastle shipped on loan and in the end released with Tomlinson.

There are several others in the U23 with potential. Rankin-Costello, Hayden Carter, Lewis Thomson and Jack Vale. They could all do a job on loan. Vale is probably the most exciting one. Just turned 18, good allround striker Who led the line well for the U23. Gave 40mill Mangala the run around when they beat City. Highly rated by Mowbray. Probably need one more year before being considered. Damien Johnson Will be vital in bringing these Kids through

Who knows? A 22 year old non-league player would be considered a gamble by most clubs. Seems like a late bloomer Who had a breakthrough season this year. Odds against him becoming a Championship player, but let's see what he can make of it

Pretty acurate. Evans is left back I think, Vale is a striker. Mols is attacking, similar is the Lithuanian kid Who has only played U18. Buckley, Butterworth and Magloire is too good for U23 and will probably either be involved or go out on loan. Mols and Lyons might to which makes sense to bring in White. Expecting more loans this season, several enquires were declined last season because of not enough coverage. Nuttall had many offers and might go on loan to be a main man with regular game time. Hopefully some of the U18 Will be good, or else the U23 might struggle to renew itself. Wonder how they Will cope without D. Johnson as well

Interview with Tom White out. Apparently been tracked for a few months. Seems a like determined young man with a point to prove. Would be a great story if we could unearth a diamond form non-league, although unlikely. https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2019/july/whites-delight/ Some very positive comments from their fans as well: He’s quality, best midfielder in the league last season. What a move for @T0mWhite very much deserved. Unreal for us last season and thankfully someone took notice. Very well done sir, very well done. Absolutely chuffed for @T0mWhite more than deserved. His work rate, ability and attitude was second to none for Gateshead. Can't wait to see his name in big lights.

Soccerbase is pretty good for stats: Amari Bell 2018/2019. Scored against Reading, Rotherham and Villa. We lost all 3. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=70917&season_id=151

Good points made here. Bell actually scored 3 goals from February onwards, which is not so bad. But in general very poor stats. When you also have a central midfield that never scores there is room for a lot of improvement. Evans, Smallwood and Travis scored 1 goal in total(!)