That is more than a little unfair. We dont have a clue what was offered, and there is no indication that he has come back to us with his tail between his legs. Maybe he was unwilling to take a pay cut after a successful season, maybe he wanted a longer deal for extra security, maybe he wants to go into coaching whilst finishing his career or maybe he has no desire to continue playing at all, we have no idea so its very harsh to paint the situation as you have done. I know you are often keen to imply that posters on here are unjustly miserable, but I presume that Brentford fans are sad to see Watkins and potentially Benrahma and I am guessing that you have consulted Brentford forums to justify your stance that our response would be unreasonably "nuclear." That being said, I don't think the comparison to us losing Dack and Armstrong is necessarily totally accurate. Firstly, something you've touched on is the history of replacing players that they have there. If they are a little calmer than we might be, they have reason to have more trust in the process, ultimately at Rovers, we would know that it would add further pressure and an increased demand to improve for Brereton and Gallagher, which we would rightly be sceptical of, whereas Brentford have a long line of attackers that have flourished and been successfully replaced. You seem desperate to dismiss and mock Bannan but he would be a very shrewd addition for any Championship club, and ultimately he is not a direct replacement for any outgoing, just an improvement to an already impressive midfield. Ivan Toney is the replacement for Watkins, who himself stepped up to replace Maupay, etc, etc. Toney has started very well with 3 goals in 4 games. Brentford had been preparing for the sale of Benrahma hence the signing of Ghoddos who they had been tracking in France apparently for over a year. I would also say that they were proportionately less dependant on Watkins and Benrahma, there is still a third of their attack left in Mbuemo who is a very good player. With us, Armstrong and Dack are prolific, the other main 2 for us are Gallagher and Brereton which are anything but. The structure of the Brentford team is also far better, they had the second best defensive record in the league, conceding 25 less than us and have that same defence and keeper that served them so well. Brentford were considerably better than us last season, they finished 18 points ahead of us. They start the season expected to finish higher than us again, thats not being negative or miserable, thats being logical based on the vast gap between the 2 teams last season. We can only hope that their leaving stars are impossible to replace and coupled with signings we bridge that gap because Brentford may well be up at the top of the league again and thats where we want and need to be.

Im not sure he did "far more" because as I said he did very little himself but Bannan was very young when he came through at Villa, he has spent the main part of his career at Championship level. Im unconvinced that there is much evidence that possibly going towards the twilight of their careers that either would do much at Premier League level. Holtby has a more exotic CV but he came having been released following a season in the second division in Germany. I am not putting him down, Bannan is a brilliant Championship midfielder. Holtby has been a little underwhelming overall in a Rovers shirt but I am optimistic that he can have a better season this season.

Holtby has a more glittering CV but has struggled for consistency and durability during his time here. He is definitely talented but I am unconvinced that he could make an impact in the Premier League at this stage, indeed he didnt really impact on it much last time.

Not really, Bannan has been as good as any midfielder at this level over the last 10 years, im sure many regular watchers of the Championship might agree. Perhaps similar to Ayala as a CB. Is criticising the supporters of your own club as if they are some savage mob come matchday also a by product of Championship manager? Dack is an attacking midfielder, not the same position really, he could potentially be considered more of a forward. For pedantics sake, if Dack counts then maybe second best.

I wasnt really counting him as a midfielder. They arent really comparable.

Very true, he would be our best midfielder. Not sure where your quoted post has gone, but ultimately Brentford fans may be raging, but there is probably more trust there because they repeatedly sell players and replace with equal quality. Maupay, Hogan, Watkins, Gray etc. Now they have Ivan Toney who has 3 goals in 4 so far. When Armstrong and Dack go, the signings of Gallagher and Brereton come into sharper focus. Very true on contracts although I cant see promotion aside how it is in their best interests to commit their long term future to us just yet, especially Dack and Armstrong. They are in a position of power with a year on their contract should they not be satisfied with our progress, have productive individual seasons and attract interest as is very possible.

Where is this from? Makes no sense, he isnt an asset to the club, he will be 32 next summer as a free agent.

I see that Bennett has done another very well received (and deservedly so) interview today. I have to say that he has always come across as such a good role model, totally deidcated, a brilliant professional, a hard worker and a credit to the club. It does show the fickleness of football too. Playing devils advocate, if he wasnt such a good bloke, he would be criticised for sitting on a contract with little chance of playing like Mulgrew when they both offer equally nothing on the pitch anymore. The question would be, can we afford a player as a high earner offering only off the field input considering FFP etc? I suppose a potential unwillingness to have that drive and ambition to move on, and play every week, which I dont in anyway judge negatively, makes that hypothetical. As a full back, well out of his depth even as back up. Once did a job in midfield against Shrewsbury which people cling on to, but ultimately even in League 1 that had no longevity and even Smallwood is a better CM and he has long since been left behind. And he offers nothing out wide. But he could be key off the field as a mentor if he is happy to do that and then part ways in the summer ideally in a blaze of glory and with a deserved send off.

I dont think that it is in anyones best interests to see the best teams in the country move away from our league. As much as I am totally against this stupid project.

I get the fitness worries about Douglas but otherwise and on a temporary, I cant see how a kid who has only ever played 3 senior games would be preferable to a left back who has been part of 2 promoted teams in 3 seasons. In regards to "can attack" Douglas very much can, you can see by the goals and assists he has at this level. Also an expert from dead balls. Having pace is not critical to being able to get forward. Bell has pace but it is rendered useless because he lacks the urgency in his play and the technical ability to take advantage. Douglas would lose in a sprint but he can whip in a dangerous ball. To be honest, it is defensive misgivings that would make me prefer someone like Cunningham who is good going both ways. But I would be happy enough with Douglas.

No, and ultimately it might not be their direct responsibility, but youd think that they would be perturbed to see the current state especially having received complaints. For what its worth, and for their own sense of pride, id expect them to clean it up. Again, I find it strange to see anyone defending the clubs continued lack of pride under these owners. But there you go.

Obviously in a perfect world, but litter does get about sadly, and you think the club would have a little more pride rather than shrugging their shoulders and saying "not our problem."

"Any" left back? With the supposedly additional scope given to us by an extended European scouting network, if we end the window with just the proven to be inadequate Amarii Bell as a sole left back, that isnt demanding that we should blow money on someome not up to it, that is a failure in terms of recruitment in that position.

Its also very difficult to manufacture importance for a new tournament. The World Cup and a tournament for each one is enough. That feeling of a summer tournament with numerous games a day ,(in the same location, not across Europe with an asymmetrical format!) the beer gardens, the wallcharts, mapping out your route to the final, the build up, thats all worthwhile. The Nations League will never have that.

It would be on the face of it a good window if we got Douglas over the lin but of course there are some ifs and buts in there. The main signing that stands out is Ayala, if he stays fit he should be exactly what we needed. Douglas would be a good short term stop gap to the left back position and a proven player again assuming he doesnt get injuries, although we would be in a similar position next summer to what we faced this summer in goal, with no players there. That being said, if we dont go up this year I suspect there will be a few major sales. In goal it is all a bit more uncertain. Kaminski has started well although he hasnt been called upon very often so time will tell if he is the real deal. And the other fella is a total unknown at this stage but in an ideal world will not be called upon if Kaminski stays fit and in form. Aside from that, Dolan is a nice little bonus. There would be questions about squad depth though, our bench has looked very weak for the first few games and I still think we could have done with quality cover for Travis and a wide player with real quality but if, and its a big if that we get Douglas, we have at least addressed the main 3 areas.

But friendlies obviously are also unnecessary at this point too. Qualifiers ultimately are a lead to the only popular aspect of international football, summer tournaments, and the process beside play offs was completed before this season. Like I said, the idea of the nations league pre pandemic is a good one, simply as a slightly more competitive alternative to friendlies. At a point in which the season is starting late and there are already major risks in terms of fixture congestion, the nations league (or indeed any friendlies) are totally unnecessary and a needless addition to an already overly packed schedule. 3 games within the break is bonkers.

Absolutely crazy that there is another round of nations league games this midweek. The initial pre-pandemic concept was nice, as an alternative to friendlies. Totally unnecessary burden at the moment on players for a competition that no one really gives a shite about. Should have been scrapped this time but that would have required common sense.

Also @JoeH did you have reservations over Cunningham in the current team due to his lack of pace? Douglas is no faster but then again, Bell is fast and does absolutely nothing with it. Not an issue to me but would this be a reservation regarding if we signed Douglas in your opinion?

I would disagree with the latter, I think Cunningham is equally effective both ways. That being said, Douglas whilst being weaker than Cunningham defensively is as good as youll get going forward at this level.

Hes not the best defender, no. When he was at Wolves he was brilliant as a wing back, he never was as good at Leeds even within Bielsas system which often reverts to a back 3. Thats not me saying I dont want him.

As said previously, it is a myth that Cunningham is just a good defensive player without being able to attack. He is very good going forward too. That being said, I would say that Douglas is stand out going forward, with his set pieces a particular highlight. I personally prefer the competence at both ends, but there is no doubt that Douglas would improve us.

I don't think that Douglas is the best defender in the world but he is definitely better than Bell and also would give us a new dimension from set pieces where I think we are really lacking. Also as a temporary signing, I would prefer a more experienced player rather than a kid. I would have preferred Cunningham who could work both ways but maybe he holds the key to this deal, his presence may mean Cardiff are more willing to allow Joe Bennett to go to Watford which eliminates competition.

Thanks.

Where from?

And now he is seemingly back on sky sports, trying to play the charming old man routine and fabricating stories to try and appear insightful. He was telling a story about Benjani last week, saying that City offered 10m on deadline day after he hadnt scored all season, so Redknapp supposedly had to coax and convince him into reluctantly moving, before he fell asleep at the airport and nearly missed the airport. Lovely ancedote but Benjani came out in the media a day or two after and said that it wasnt true, he was actually top scorer in the league at that part, he didnt fall asleep at the airport and the fee was less than half what Redknapp claimed!