Downing can still cross a ball. Not my first choice by any means. However, I'd be surprised if Mowbray thinks his presence would bring something to a young squad if he is not looking. Had we had brfcs.com back in the day there would have been "past it" comments about Cowans, Wagstaffe, Gordon Taylor and so on before they arrived... Having said that, it is silly season and we are third in the rule of three so doubt there is anything much in it. The Rangers and Sunderland approaches do seem to have legs. 650 career appearances and 60 goals. Was an ever present in his two seasons at Liverpool and didn't play much at Boro this season over issues with Pulis and his contract.

A promotion squad needs four if not five central defenders in it. Mulgrew easily good enough to be in the squad. So Lenihan, New big gobbed big beast, Williams 1st reserve, Mulgrew 2nd reserve, Magliore 3rd reserve....

Derby's defensive weaknesses exposed. One less "big club" to worry about with Villa promoted. They have some players who are Premier League quality from which to build around.

Talk about supporters' lack of imagination while playing Championship Manager...

Just assumed that was what they'd been drinking.

Laugh at Ed Woodward, not me.

Yes the frightening thing- the status quo without transfer "investment" lands us in FFP bother. This is why Waggott is so focused on gate and commercial income. In football terms, these are small numbers.

Nick Harris' estimate of what clubs actually made through winning the play-off final depending on whether they stayed up or not.

I guess Bauer to Rovers extremely unlikely after that. Quietly effective today after his no show against Doncaster.

There is a guy at Charlton called Phillips who is a wizz with back passes.

It has been crap for decades but now it has improved. Sorry if I am the only one to have noticed.

Good sign- Mowbray and Rovers keeping things close to their chest so Press simply speculate based on TM's past pastures Bad sign- Rovers' scouting is so under developed that this is all he can do. Truth probably in between.

I am talking about the workings of the State, how the Royal family interact with the power structures and how decisions to invest are taken.

or not...

You can also read United are close to signing James and Longstaff... You can think it absurd but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/17664143.what-we-can-learn-from-the-stats-around-rovers-right-back/ The discussion about the right back position is on the appropriate thread but just a shout out for Rich Sharpe and the LT. This sort of analysis article is exactly the sort of quality journalism that keeps local papers alive. I find myself clicking onto the LT for news and views about Rovers increasingly. Great stuff- long may it continue.

If he had done that the reaction would have been that he was forcing Conway out. I have no doubt it was all discussed with the player about how to handle it. Plenty of criticism has grounds but no way can Mowbray ever be accused of not talking things over or disrespecting players. Big thanks to Craig Conway for his service to the club and being a steadying influence in turbulent times. Top man.

Read up on Qatar.

Qatar did in 2011 and were rejected because Ballaji was persuaded by a long telephone call from the UK not to sell... Family rules are major decisions are taken unanimously and so Venkat switched to back his younger brother and so Mr and Mrs D had no option but to reject.

I was aware of a smell of something not right in South Ribble but this is now a full on stench. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-england-lancashire-48393541

https://www.ft.com/content/6e42c740-7f1e-11e9-b592-5fe435b57a3b?emailId=5ce9996c2b88b00004c4b06d&segmentId=ce31c7f5-c2de-09db-abdc-f2fd624da608

The FT are reporting that Qatar are in negotiations to buy Leeds United.

If we are not after players who are attracting that level of clubs, I am not interested. Will probably mean frustrated chases missing targets but over to Mowbray to sell Rovers and our ambition level.

You have to remember: 1) Man U still labouring under Glazer ownership costing them gazillions 2) Man U have the highest wage bill and in a post-Champions League era need to get the wage bill down 3) Man U not confident of signing targets with OGS as Manager and no Champions League football to offer I stressed Dack is on their radar, I didn't say expect an offer tomorrow. In terms of quality of my source, the Man U one is much closer to the action than the Everton one.

Liverpool recruitment system: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/22/magazine/soccer-data-liverpool.html?te=1&nl=morning-briefing&emc=edit_MBE_p_20190524&section=longRead