I see the sense in everything he said last night, he said if we went out and did what Forest are doing splashing huge wages on big players then what about the players that are here; suddenly you have Bradley Dack on half the amount of the new guys. He would prefer to do things gradually and more naturally. He clearly has ambitions of getting promoted but I think realistically he thinks if you add 6 players this year and 4-5 end up mainstays of the first team and then next season add 3/4 more you could have a strong promotion challenge the season after. He spoke about winning this league before with Kevin Phillips and how you need a striker like him that you know will score when the ball gets to him, wonder if he’s heard of Jordan Rhodes ?

He didn’t speak too much about free transfers other than he’s fortunate to not have to be working just in that market. He sounded like he’s a huge fan of Travis, spoke about his passion for the game and joked that he makes him nervous cause he’s so determined even in training that he worries about him and Smallwood injuring each other! Definitely plans for him. Maybe a slight misquote, he did say he wants to bring in 6 or so players and players of quality and maybe Harry at this point wouldn’t be starting when we get to that point. Again he’s clearly a fan and would like him at his disposal but I think he wants to know that Chapman won’t be a nuisance if he finds himself out of the team. He obviously wants to see the desire in him to keep improving. All of this was just my interpretation as Mowbray was respectful and didn’t want to say too much about other teams players so spoke in broad terms

Mowbray did mention around 6 signings, his phone is ringing off the hook about Nuttall and Travis but he wants to see them in pre season before committing to loans. Theres cash to spend, he obviously didn’t say what but I’d guess 3/4 million and the dilemma he has whether to blow most of it on a main striker or spend less on one and balance out on other signings. He also said Whilst we may take a loanee if they are genuinely better than we could afford otherwise he isn’t keen on loans and would rather have contracted players. As I said elsewhere what I took from it was Chapman will happen on the cheap if he accepts that he isn’t going to be starting at least at first, Armstrong much less likely to happen, expensive and record at Bolton nothing to write home about. Mowbray was keen to reaffirm how much stock he puts into people and again referred to a bad egg that they needed to get rid of and he wouldn’t want to risk anyone coming in and disrupting the culture of the dressing room.

Reading between the lines on what was said about players, Armstrong wouldn’t be seen as value for money and won’t happen unless he took much lower wages than he’s on and even then it would cost a good amount up front. Chapman may well happen but it sounds like it’s down to Harry, he won’t be starting so he’d have to be happy with a place on the bench and fighting to improve. An interesting point for me is Waggott is clearly keen to redevelop the Riverside (spoke of hotel etc) whether that happens or not who knows

When was Nickos last piece of new info about us?

Me too As in I’m going - I’ll let you do the updates!

reckon the Ipswich manager has already done his homework on us.....he spent most of last season battling it out with us!

I think Derby away first game

Couple of stinkers today Suppose not every day can be a winner

Ronnie scores within 4 minutes, scary for Morocco

I’ll go for Morocco 2, Iran 2 and Saudi 4 Nurse!

VAR works well again Get in Salah, delighted for him

Shocking defending and Russia lead

Love this

Japan back in front

Remember when Jake Kean got a move to Norwich; even worse than Steele. Backup keepers can make a career of never being good enough to have to play.

Overall I’m In favour of it, it’s in credit with decisions so far, never going to be perfect first time around. 3 penalties could and should have been given today though when only one was.

I seem to recall @Stuart making a point a month or two back about if they would be consistent and replace Sunderland like for like with us, that’s been answered at least

I’ve got to say I almost prefer the days we aren’t playing in these group stages, it’s great to relax and watch two random countries either hoping to see the big boys perform or see an upset. Love the group stages but will also love the knock outs if we are looking like doing the business. 3 more games tomorrow to enjoy, bring it on.

Well we are as good as through if we beat Panama, and i would fancy our chances against Colombia or Poland (or Senegal / Japan) Of course in the quarter finals there is the potential of a Brazil or Germany but neither may make it that far themselves

We’ll top this group, I think we’ll at least get to the quarters then it’s anyones game!

Johnny on the spot does it again, he’s been poor all game and scored two

We look capable of mistakes at the back.

Alli and Maguire look half fit

Kane getting manhandled again