I wonder if Andre Dozzell will come onto our radar as a midfielder. Not saying he should necessarily but he is free, decent age and should be fit straight away having been on trial at Sheffield United all summer.

I feel like the mistake v Sheffield Wednesday was so bad, that it actually took the focus away from the fact that he made so many mistakes across the course of the season. He is a liability in general but now all that people refer back to is that one fluke. I definitely agree that he played his best football at right back. I felt like he was not half as effective in midfield, maybe him wide/further forward will be beneficial.

If Brittain picks up an injury this week, would you start Duru or put JRC there? Hopefully Sigurdsson does go. Not good enough, same with Markanday. Even if its a case of buying a winger and loaning one, fine.

Why did you want Begovic or a similar old keeper when you agree that one for the longer term would be more suitable? A number 1 for a few seasons is what we need for sure. Not someone who is past their best. Someone who goes into the team immediately because Pears isnt up to it. I stil think we could do with a couple on top of that ideally. Probably another winger because we dont have any pace at all (would want more than one pacy player and would like players who can cross) and a right back.

We cant afford to lose either. The squad is still small, we need all 3 midfielders plus at least 1 more. I dont have an opinion on this De Lange as an individual as I have never heard of him. But I have been very consistent in wanting a goalkeeper of a good age that can be our number 1 for a few years. You have defended Eustace for apparently wanting Ruddy and have been quite welcoming of the idea of signing an old fogey. (Begovic, Krul) So in terms of the idea of signing a goalkeeper who was number 1 at a side that has done well in the Dutch League, a decent standard, for a fee, good age, I think it ticks a lot of boxes assuming that he signs and is any good. I just hope that any deal is done soon and he starts the first game. I dont want Pears to be in the team and I dont want any new keeper to be eased in. He will cost us points.

I suspect that assuming that we do sign 4 more, there will be some loans in there.

But im giving my opinion. Just like you gave yours, which matches mine, so im not sure why you are then going on to defend Eustace on something you disagree with.

Pickering is not a 37 year old who was good but has now declined beyond the standard.

Well obviously. I am giving my opinion, that Ruddy is not good enough, and that if he wants Ruddy, then Eustace has poor judgement on goalkeepers.

Ok then, a better way of putting it. We would have 2 very poor goalkeepers at this level which would likely cost us a number of points over the season.

Obviously not. He wont stay but if he did, why on earth would he spend 3 years in the reserves?

One is Jamie Cummings. Former Chelsea, on loan when they got promoted. I never said I had one. I said IF Eustace actively wants Ruddy then he cant judge goalkeepers. We dont know if he does.

If that was the case, then Eustace clearly cannot judge goalkeepers very well. Pears and Ruddy would be by far the worst set of keepers in the league.

Saying because Eustace wants Ruddy doesnt validate it any more you know.

His judgement is not perfect. Ruddy is not good enough anymore. Somewhat contradictory. So is Ruddy first choice or De Lange?

Im confused. Why is Ruddy still on our radar if we are after one of these Dutch keepers? Stay away from Ruddy. These 2 fit the criteria id like much more, coming into their peak to be number 1 for a while.

Its not about tonight. Just a general comment based on what I have read about him in general.

Did Waggott mention a deadline?

From what I read, lots ot chances fall his way (that isnt a fluke) but he is not very clinical.

Surely they will arrange a game for the likes of Weimann, Batth, McFadzean etc behind closed doors otherwise they all go into the season with no game time.

He is still full of energy, but he was never technically particularly good. Batty clearly isnt ready though.

I think thats recreating history implying that Travis was ever anything other than what he is now, an energetic and destructive but technically limited midfielder. A manager cant make a player forget how to pass. Its interesting how people can see a game differently. I think Pickering positionally and in terms of intelligence is good and it often protects his lack of pace. That being said, it can only do so much.

Surely one of the new strikers (probably Gueye) will start even if it means Ohashi replacing him. Nightmare? If we fear a romping at home to a promoted Derby side full of journeymen, then we may aswell pack it in now. I know they are friendlies but pissing goals to the likes of Shrewsbury and Barnsley in pre season may evaporate some of their momentum.

His positioning is not awful, far from it. Pace is his main issue but he is a steady left back at this level and has proven so over a number of years. Whether he is a top end one, I would say not. I would say average Championship, he certainly though IS good enough for the level. Point being, you seem to go well over the top with your criticism of average Championship players implying that many arent good enough for the league at all. Yet generate unsubstantiated opinions of players who havent or have barely played senior football. Surely there is a middle ground? Why do you think letting Gent go is mental?

Im guessing that there will be a second game perhaps behind closed doors now we are at the end of pre season as the players now need 90 minutes. Maybe the first team/players with the most fitness will play v Stockport, but that would only include maybe one of the new strikers. Just a guess. Batth, McFadzean, probably Ohashi and perhaps Weimann may not make that team. With the usual suspects, Hyam, Pears, Pickering, Brittain, Carter, Tronstad, JRC, Travis and Dolan and maybe Hedges playing tonight along with perhaps Gueye.