I think its hard to knock how Pep has dealt with Foden, he has become the player of the season and he now more often than not starts centrally although he still has that flexibility and when he starts from the left hes still got that licence to roam. Maddison has been in poor form for months after a mid season injury. We have Bellingham and Foden well above him as genuine world class difference makers and Palmer who is not only ahead but also more flexible. Eze is another who has been playing far better than Maddison.

Cant help but feel that there is an elephant in the room here. Perhaps aggressive budget slashing from the owners.

I never said that. Im not the one assuming that appointing staff implies anything about budget.

He plays as much as anyone at City. Has been the leagues player of the season.

Im not letting him off the hook. I repeat consistently that hes a Venkys stooge out of his depth and needs to go. If despite this, merely saying that our problems wont go until the owners do is defending him then I think thats your warped definition.

No. My point is just that appointing staff doesnt mean there must be.

I think somehow Foden is a bit underated in that he is at least on par with Bellingham for me, but because of the latters understandable and deserved hype he has become the main man. He is also unfortunate in that hes easier to move out of position as he can play from the left as you cant not play both and equally I dont think the balance is right with them 2 and Rice. It doesnt help that our weak spot is left back so he may not get the opportunity to drift like he does at City when he does go on the left.

I love the idea that any new scouts must have been promised a decent budget in order to join. As if literally no one, even if it meant a step up or a jump in wages from a previous smaller club or even one currently out of work would be attainable if the budget was tight.

I feel like it is dificult to ignore how poor a season he had, missing half before then not doing much when he was available after his ban. Both are a million miles away from Kane and neither give us what he gives should he miss a game, Toney would suit going more direct and Watkins would suit playing on the break. But the latter deserves to go. I think he meant that he would personally play Grealish ideally but if we went with that front 4 then Gallagher would be his choice to partner Rice. I think he is bang average personally, really limited in possession and provides good energy but often leaves gaps, he often played further forward for Chelsea. Wharton/Mainoo/maybe Trent could provide some composure next to Rice.

Maddison has now reportedly been cut which makes sense considering the quality ahead of him. He started the season well but got a bad injury and had a few poor months when he came back. Bellingham will play there, if he isnt available then surely Foden moves there and we also have Palmer and Eze.

"Good spells." "Would like to see more of." "Rated highly on Rovers Chat podcast." And they are some of the better ones! Suppose its somewhat to be expected when you are working on such a pitiful budget. I suspect the main reason behind this culling is more cost cutting. Broughton's "mutual" exit was probably more driven by him, he clearly was frustrated by both the budget cuts and Tomasson leaving, obviously he wasnt worth pleading to stay and there was also not room for both him and Waggott it seems. Then a lot of his staff have also gone, some to try and find normality in new roles elsewhere. It certainly won't be the owners disappointed by a lack of high standards.

And more importantly, all on the cheap.

Grealish tends to get the ball and turn back around and pass it sideways. Gallagher is poor on the ball. Wharton, Mainoo or Trent for me.

He left unhappy after the owners just refused to communicate whether his deal was to be renewed. So I doubt he would rush back anyway.

If you think its just a case of Venkys and their stooges not being happy with recruitment in a season of mass cut backs and running us as a club with high standards and ruthless actions if they arent met, then you havent paid attention over the Venkys reign.

Shame on Venkys. They forced it. Is it nailed on? I wish, but seems like a bit of a reach to suggest that not only is he nailed on to get the job, but that hes picking his England squad based on buttering up potential targets who would almost certainly join United anyway.

Hes ill. Hes a better manager than Eustace too, so cant see him being his director of football.

Was Park "absolutely hopeless?" It was another season of Venkys refusing to invest so it was basically all loans bar the odd cheap signing. Van Hecke, Khadra and Hedges were good signings, Edun, Clarkson and Poveda werent, then he went. He was mixed. But yes, I am sure its all part of a masterplan to get Mowbray back into the club, a man who had to leave an actual managerial job because of ill health. You think Venkys, with their 2 trusty stooges, have analysed the season in detail and decided that it falls below the very high standards they have otherwise overseen during their time here so chose to sack the lot and start again?

No way should or will Grealish be starting. I suspect it will be Rice and Mainoo/Trent/Gallagher (hope not the latter) with Bellingham, Foden, Saka and Kane.

Surely you dont believe this is the owners pushing for a sudden improvement in recruitment? Again, mistaking us for a normal club. The main reason its been shit is because of the budget. But even allowing for that, not arsed to see the scouts leave as even amidst that theyve not done very well. But its a sad indictment on a "new era" 2 years ago to see them all leave and says a lot about what has gone on before. Im sure we will get new people in, on an overall lesser wage, and then in 2 years yet another scouting department will go and more disruption. You mentioned acting quickly in terms of getting ahead with transfers. Dont hold your breath. Youve been defensive of our recruitment in the last 2 years so im guessing you are sad to see them go.

Who out of those 4 does he play ahead of?

Will the last one leaving please turn off the lights.

In most positions we have young talent playing regularly at a higher level though.

Is Maddison really going to get a kick when we have Bellingham, Foden and even beyond that, Palmer and Eze? Toney was banned for half the season and crap when he came back.

These particular friendlies are warm ups for a major tournament, but its understandable why Championship players dont get called up when there is quality above them playing in the Premier League,