and Toisin wasn't as good as you were making out. At West Brom he ended up at full back because they thought they had better CBs than him. Granted he was better than what we had but to me he was not the type we needed. We needed a defender first and a footballer second.

If Armstrong is going to play wide though, it is something that needs addressing in his game. I remember one of his reasons for not liking his stint at Bolton was he was played wide and didn't like back tracking. I still think that the best position is playing off a big No.9 centrally. His pace running down the channels between full back and CB would terrify most CBs. The problem is that when fit this is where Dack wants to play. Brereton, Holtby and Rothwell also seem to favour this position rather than out wide. For his size, Gallagher should be able to play the No.9 role also rather than out wide. Mowbray has a vision that anybody can play wide but all of them as proved that is not the case. So tactically wise we need to sign specialised wide players as well as Chapman to have a chance to play most tactical variations not central players forced out of position. As Ive said elsewhere this reminds me of the dilemma that Bowyer gave himself because he liked signing players that also wanted to play in this position and could not shoe horn them all into a team and ended with Cairney and/or King out wide.

It just a shame he couldnt work out what to do with the other 10?

But isn't that a problem with Mowbray when he makes subs? He just moves the personnel round when it is clear that the system isn't working, often doing it twice within 10 minutes. I dont mind plan B is changing personnel from plan A but when plan C is also a variation of A then that shows little imagination from the manager.

Glad I'm not the only one who thought he wasn't that good defensively......but after watching Williams then anybody looks great.

Raya had his faults as had Walton but both have had poor defences in front of them at their time at Rovers. I've not seen enough of Raya this season to say if his improved performance is due to a better defence in front of him or he has improved as a keeper. Personally I don't think there are many good keepers at present but maybe it is the modern balls which don't help. I've heard that next season's premiership balls are being designed to travel straighter and maybe keepers may look better then.

Hardly say his record means he scores goals for fun. Let him get 20+ a season then Ill agree.

Joe, As you have the time to look at stats and Im lazy and cant be bothered but how many times did Armstrong not back tracking when playing wide cost us defensively?

Nope but I cant see him leaving honestly in the present climate unless he is desperate to play for someone

so which half are you paying? I agree that no one is going to pay him what he is on here but I cant see many going to pay half in the present climate. Heard on Talksport the other week of a young premiership squad player being shocked that he was only being offered wages of around £700/week to join a Championship club.

Only an option if he agrees to it. If you pay that then maybe Rovers may stump up the other half.

So was paying 1 million for 1 season for a CB a gamble worth paying? Id say for a limited budget Championship side that failed to get anywhere near the promotion race then no.

So who is likely to be wanted Mulgrew on 20k a week or Travis. Easy to say get shut of Mulgrew and the like and keep Travis. If the instruction from the money men is we need cash and quick then it is the saleable assets that have to go not Deadwood, unless you pay them up.

Armstrong has had a good season but still didn't get near the magic 20 for the season so lets not get too carried away but being English will add value. He was the one player I did consider as 5 mill + but I don't think by much. Silly prices quoted don't necessarily mean cash up front. The majority will be a lot lower initial down payment with add-ons..

What when all of them appeared in a squad before the end of a season?

I think any finances for purchases will have to come from somewhere. The players released have freed some wages but I suspect this will be absorbed by free transfers and loan signings. So I will be amazed that any signings for cash won't result in transfers out. Looking at our squad, with Dack still injured, I can only see Lenihan, Travis and Armstrong as assets that will bring money in. Even then I still cant see any of them bringing in £5 million at this present time. In past seasons maybe the sale of one would be enough but I fear all 3 maybe sold just to balance the books.

In this summer, with Corvid 19, budgets are going to be tight to say the least. With what happened last year in the keeper department, fans want to see that the position along with CB and LB are seen by the management as a priority. Mowbray seems to be following Bowyer in signing midfeilders in volume whilst neglecting other areas. We have vast numbers already in that department resulting in the likes of Bennett and Downing playing in defence so any budget for midfielders shoud come from clearing the deadwood before reinforcing it.

I think that may have been a case of reporters putting 2 and 2 together because of the maanger's international connections.

Brentford are a selling club so they will want to maximise any sell on for themselves. a % from a promotion is income from the premiership gravy train. Sensible business

But if we NEED a keeper and only have enough money for one player then the keeper becomes essential while an additional midfielder becomes a luxury. Same rule if playing FIFA or in real life. It can be arugued that Smallwood out creates a space in midfield but only if the player is better than the already bulging midfield dept. More need clearing unless this has been budgeted for well before this pandemic.

Many clubs will have to calculate this and why transfer fees this close season will be nowhere near what some people on here are estimating. There is no way our players will fetch what some on here are dreaming off. Getting the high earners off the wage bill will be a priority just to limit this blackhole.

Didn't the coach that wanted Raya at Brentford move to Arsenal when Arteta became manager?

i thought fans were an option in October

I agree but my point still stands an isolated winger is easy to defend by doubling up on him. Another factor that I forget was that he also needs players in the box that can attack a ball. The goal against Reading was the only time I saw SG attack a ball in the box, usually he is out wide or still on the half way line. Also full backs who know how to attack. As you say we are light years away.

How come clubs are allowed to have away kits in the same colours of their home kit? If that aint to give the opportunity of a money spinning third kit then why?