I haven't actually heard any whispers about us ever being interested in Bowler whereas I think we've always been very interested in Styles. What was the reason Glen gave for any potential deal being held up a while back. Was it something to do with add ons?

I actually thought the opposite to be fair, no-one even knew this deal was in the offing until Thursday evening was it? Completed by Sunday evening. A far cry from previous windows and if philli is to be believed a lot quicker even than the decision time for the Brittain deal. Perhaps the carrier pigeon winging his way wearily to and from Pune has been given his own private jet! 🙂

"Not sure on Hirst, had mixed messages on that one" Lol: Roughly translates as "I haven't a bleedin' clue what's happening so I'll hedge my bets either way".

Striker and someone decent wide right would be the priorities for me now and that's if Brereton stays. Can't for the life of me understand why people are clamouring for him to be replaced by someone worse. If he stays and we get 2-3 more good additions then that's then edging at the last minute towards a lot better window than has looked likely all summer. If he goes and I'd replaced with someone vastly inferior it'll be a disaster imo.

Anyone who can score a goal at this level?

Not really as it's the only time he's played at Championship level.

Smart arse reply but the stats don't back it up. Eight out of the starting eleven were here last year and Phillips was also at the Club but not used due to his age. You could also argue he's only currently in the side through necessity rather than choice due to Mowbray and Waggott failing to tie down Lenihan and relying so heavily last season on a loanee (JPVH) Only two of the starting line up JDT signings, Szmodics and Morton.

No way we need 3 CB's. We would already have Wharton, Hyam, Ayala, Phillips, Carter. Why would we need 7 CB's? Even if you only then brought one of the Van's in as well, who do you leave out? Ayala, Wharton, Hyam? I would have preferred JPVH permanently to Hyam but such is life. I think Phillips showed yesterday he is already finding his feet at this level, would hate to see him unable to get a game and we can't really loan him out unless he signs a new deal first

The whistle went and the Stoke players stopped. They were both one of those sort of occasions when a player gets flagged when running through but carries on anyway and ends up putting the ball into a virtually unguarded net because everyone else has stopped. I agree the second half in general yesterday gave cause for encouragement, possibly the best we've played under JDT. I certainly don't blame him for our woes, he was left a pile of shite to contend with by Waggott and Mowbray, and, needing considerable support from Waggott and Broughton has had practically none.

Just checked his stats on Wikipedia, it would appear his record at Championship level is 0 goals in 31 appearances in 2020/21 for Rotherham! Think we're having the proverbial extracted out of us if he's brought in.

I think we can summarise this long winded debate as follows: We probably deserved a point on the strength of our second half performance but didn't deserve three points as you can't play one half like we did yesterday and hope to get away with it. And maybe deserving a point isn't good enough at home. As a side note it's nonsense to say we had goals ruled out yesterday. The referee blew long before the ball ended up in the net on each occasion.

None? Christ, one player like Gallagher on the books is one too many without adding another.

Two defeats, six unanswered goals and a crap transfer window?

Just don't get the Hedges love in, he buzzes about and adds energy, but when the ball goes to him everything usually breaks down. Average at best, and I think that's being fairly kind.

We haven't replaced Armstrong yet. You trust Waggott/ Broughton to replace BBD in 5 days?

Ouch. You've had enough stick about Buckley. I think you're entitled to give a bit back.

Not sure where you're coming from with that comment but a fairly pointless jibe. Thought he was quite good second half. First League start for about 520 days according to the radio on the way down. Different class to Szmodics anyhow.

No we didn't, we scored nil, we'd still have scored nil if he'd been on the pitch, and probably wouldn't have looked as fluid with some of our build up play as we did second half.

Great post. Spot on.

People do forget this I think when saying things like we'd be OK with a CB and 2 more.

Big Sam tactics aren't really "winning ones" though are they, it's win one, lose one, draw one - Liverpool/ManU away today - take the day off - win one lose one draw one - well done you've made it to 50 points - take the rest of the season off !

Did he not start for Southampton today?

Having seen the improvement in Phillips today I'm beginning to change my mind on needing a second CB. I really wouldn't like to see us wasting money on Caulker, we'd be better looking at LB and cover for RB. If we can wrap Adam Wharton in cotton wool we might be able to cope in midfield as well. Need some width on the right and extra firepower however.

Better than anyone else. Need Brereton plus someone else decent.

Who's going to score any goals if Brerrton goes?