But you are suggesting that he (taking us out of the equation and assume a bid has been accepted or even as to whether he should want the move) that he skips a guaranteed Premier League opportunity (and wage boost) in favour of staying in the Championship with a club unlikely to be pushing for promotion on the off chance that when he is about to turn 30, that such an opportunity might remain. It might but taking out our Rovers bias, why would he take that risk? He technically has 3 years left as we have an option in his deal. Soon to be 29, especially in this modern day where recruitment tends to focus on younger aged players, for sell on opportunities etc, it could well be his lest chance. Wharton was sold purely to keep the lights on, our terrible owners desperately needed the money and our negotiating position was very weak, and the need for funds was urgent.

Which individuals? Saying that he wont be happy should we not allow him to join Ipswich doesnt mean that we should allow him regardless of the bids that come in. I havent seen anyone (personally, like I said they may have hence why I asked who as I would disagree if so) that have suggested that because he naturally would be gutted to miss out on such a big and potentially final chance at the Premier League, then go to on to say that we should just accept whatever bid to facilitate it. Im not sure weve been accepting offers because players deserve Premier League football either. Weve done it because the owners wanted the money. But even if that happens, he will have a chance at a season in the Premier League. He might never get that chance again. Plus he will get a considerable wage increase. And following that in the worst case scenario for him/them ie relegation. He is at a club with parachute payments on a bigger contract even allowing for a wage cut at a club most likely well positioned to fight for promotion. Is he more versatile than those 2? He always plays centrally and those 2 can play wide. Plus those 2 are considerably younger.

Who has said that? Someone may, and I have missed it. But the points made seem to be around the general concept of a market value being what someone is willing to pay. And that Szmodics will naturally want to take a potentially last chance at playing in the Premier League with a big pay rise and will likely be pissed off if it doesnt happen. Has anyone said, as a result, we should just accept whatever is offered out of kindness?

Its realism.

He wouldnt turn down guaranteed Premier League football (and a considerable wage increase) at 29 on the off chance that he might get it here in a year after signing a J League player and a loanee, lets be real. The only reason he would stay is if we dont accept a bid, which would obviously annoy him I suspect.

You cant compare a 21 year old with a player about to turn 29 when justifying a price. Nor a goalkeeper. Its apples and oranges.

*Venkys.

Im guessing that even though we obviously wont get a reasonable chunk of any Szmodics fee to reinvest, that a sale would at least slightly Its hard not to fear that there is a chance that because the Szmodics deal is not completed, that we proceed with loans and then the sale is done near the end of the window, weve already filled the positions we needed and the money vanishes again. Also if our main goalkeeping target is domestic, and why it isnt just revealed I do not know. I suspect it might be a veteran, potentially Ruddy. Whatever happened to the July deadline? Turned out to be a load of shit. Eustace said post match that it needs to be done soon but he can easily see it running the course of the window.

The point that Szmodics will still want a Premier League move regardless of winning on Friday night and will likely be pissed off if he is denied it is not mutually exclusive to the fact that we as a club shouldnt feel obliged to accept a bid below our valuation to accomodate it.

Szmodics wouldn't directly replace either of those out and out strikers.

Im not saying he turned these players into flawless players. But Lenihan was in and out and often used in midfield where he struggled prior to Mowbray, and then became a good Championship centre back capable of playing in a promotion chasing side. Armstrong scored 28 goals and became a consistent goalscorer before attracting a Premier League side. And Rothwell went from in and out of a League 1 Oxford to attracting a Premier League side. All 3 noticeably improved under Mowbray.

Im sure he said last week that Germain wouls be our 4th ESC player so he must have got that wrong. We need a pacy winger which Germain is not. Sigurdsson can go but we dont have the depth without 2 signings to let Buckley go. Based on what are we chasing a domestic target? Probably pensioner Ruddy.

Considering that Eustace doesnt seem to want to dominate the ball and is happy to play longer, more direct football, it could be a balanced pairing for him.

He is an ok passer at best and that has never changed. The season he had in Mowbray's final season where he was beside Rothwell in front of a back 3 was arguably his best to date. Brereton, Lenihan, Armstrong and Rothwell are amongst those who certainly didnt regress under Mowbray. I dont think Travis did either, if he regressed under anyone then it was Tomasson because he didnt suit that style of play and it led to a season in which he barely played. Mowbray played passing football for one season which didnt work and was a wasted season and then went to a counter attacking style often with less of the ball when Travis and the team massively improved. Hopefully he will also suit Eustace's football as he should do considering we are quite direct and also he has Tronstad as the perfect foil. You said "his real ability was stifled" but he has never really changed. He is not a player you want in a team that dominates the ball.

I am not saying that the link between Mowbray and Pears' dad isnt there, and didnt play a part. But he was signed as a sub in the same summer as Kaminski for a nominal fee. Problem being as is the case with quite a few, he has been promoted to a role in the squad beyond his capabilities because the money/competence wasnt there to replace Kaminski when he left.

Worded poorly. More that his passing ability hasnt declined. Passing isnt and never will be one of his main assets. I dont agree with the idea that Mowbray caused him to regress.

Presumably Eustace will take it as a chance to rotate from the few players at his disposal. Would assume that Ohashi, Weimann, Batth, McFadzean, Buckley and maybe Sigurdsson will be given a game. Be interesting to see if Szmodics features. Could do with the match fitness so him not being included might say a lot.

So do you think that he has forgotten how to pass due to Mowbray? He has never been a good passer.

Yeah that source has predicted that the Szmodics deal will be completed on about 20 days this window.

Surely whether its domestic or perhaps more likely, we can do better than Dembele. We are talking about someone who Birmingham fans would seemigly be happy to let go, he was dropped from the squad last year. Undoubtedly quick and tricky but no intelligence and poor in the final third

Dembele is starting for Birmingham.

I thought the same initially when I saw tbe table but then remembered. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/sport/football/68790604.amp

Theyve had 2 points deducted.

But he has made a rod for his own back by making so many mistakes. Now everyone including probably his own defenders is on pins anytime the ball is near him. Id have to see their second and specifically his positioning again to criticise for that.

His biggest error was the one where he rushed out into no mans land. Against quality, they score that. Im also not convinced that a keeper can make what is deemed to be a really good save when facing a direct corner!