There were claims that Eustace was at the end of his tether last summer and ready to walk, and the stooges buckled and allowed him to bring in Batth, Weimann and McFadzean to give him the experience he wanted and ensure he didn't quit. This time around we've heard Gestede's textbook talk about developing players and the younger end of the scale. I suspect Ismael has less interest in experience and is going to be less forceful when it comes to signings. We ain't giving them a pay rise when a year older and the stooges will fancy not paying them from June to August and then hope they renew at the last minute.

If it wasn't for Venky funding we'd go the same way as Derby you know

Last of these for this season, seeing as technically Markanday is still our player until the end of June 1:01pm kick off Markanday - score/update - game on Sky Sports Football

Yet the previous talk also mentioned a policy of higher wage short term contracts for experience being Eustaces preferred method ? Seems Jackson has done a bit of a 360 on that now. I think Weimann will have been on a decent wedge at Bristol and i'm sure there'd have been other interest in him so i'm not sure he'll have signed for peanuts to come all the way up here from down there. Batth maybe a bit different given his career trajectory was on its way down - something i hope he remembers when Rovers rescued him - but similarly he'll have been on good wages at Norwich previously.

According to Jackson, both Bath & Weimann signed up for less than market value last summer to prove their fitness/worth/etc. So any new deal for them will need to be on higher wages "Batth and Weimann both signed on low-cost contracts last year, such was their enthusiasm to join and prove their value. Having done that in excellent debut seasons, any new deals would need to be a fairer reflection of their Championship experience and pedigree." So yes, negotiations have stalled due to low balling them and also, given that they are on "low cost contracts", it is entirely possible that Derby are offering much more

Says it all. Brittain is decent. Better going forward than defensively but also picks up knocks/strains regularly... and he's our best player. Whoop.

They're after more free credit by dripping Nixon stuff. Close to, aiming to, trying to, talking to, will be sorted soon honest, all meaningless. We've heard it dozens of times before. All that matters is actually getting pen to paper on a proper contract extension. Brittain, Travis, Tronstad, Hyam, Dolan, Carter and Batth needed them months ago. I suspect some are already too late now and the others we are rapidly running out of time on as agents and rivals get busy. Rovers will not be getting a shred of credit from me for claims of being close to something. I've seen this one before and it ends with 'admin errors' or 'changes of heart' or something unforeseen changing the situation. As I've said many a time. Feeding Nixon and the rest talk of trying is free, easy and meaningless. Actually getting stuff done, deals complete is tricky and costly. We're good at the former, and have totally failed on the latter.

Look Danny we want you to stay you are one of our main men and will play every week as long as fit and in form. Here's the same wage for another year and we'll give an option for another year on top for you as a bonus if you hit x number of starts. Nothing simpler as that but you can bet your backside there is some low balling going on or talks have stalled altogether due to the Indian court situation. If Derby are offering thousands more then we'd have to swallow it but i really can't see them taking that risk so football wise hes no need to leave here but he has to be made to feel wanted obviously.

For me, Brittain is the best player at the club and so having him on a new contract would be my first priority, closely followed by the same for Tronstadt and Travis. No point looking to sign others when we may then need to recruit into those positions as well.

A once in a generation player at his peak for England.

Assuming Brittain is still here next season, then Duru needs another loan I think it is more of a case that he will need proper minutes, and wouldn't get that if he is playing second fiddle to Brittain.

Be great news if we get Brittain tied down to a new contract. We'll need a backup, if Duru isn't considered good enough.

If you offered Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland a fourth bottom finish now I'm sure they would snap your hand off. I think, Palace, Brighton, Bournemouth and Wolves,as well as the three promoted clubs, may be in the relegation battle next season.

Players thrive away from united. Its like a graveyard for players. Its hard to tell the true ability of a player whilst they're wearing a united shirt

If you offered Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland a fourth bottom finish now I'm sure they would snap your hand off.

I'd be very surprised if they offer Brittain a deal that's worth signing. When was the last time we managed to get somebody to sign a new contract who was entering there final year? Just doesn't happen here.

A club going into a transfer window with identified key targets and seemingly ready to make signings happen. What is this madness?

Fulham and Bournemouth only went up 3 seasons ago and now in the top 10 cos of good quality signings but having a good head coach and shown how it should be done

probably not but they can grow their squad and improve it. I think Leeds will probably stay up I think next season and I think Sunderland might surprise a few teams next season

One of the most recent policies that did work was spending as much as Forest did. The gap is getting bigger.

That is Nicko's story that PNE will go big for Small and he is one of their key targets. Probably will play one of their wing roles there.

I wouldn't agree but you need to know how to manage them and get the best out of them. I think selling McTominary was a mistake and you look at his impact at Napoli and their title win.

Contributing more than Hedges is not a very high bar.

this shitshow of a window is off to a brilliant start

Small will sign for Preston i think. Really good player who i think if played on the right wing would contribute more than Hedges.