I was thinking that Batth still had something in his locker, but he has been horrible for Derby since moving there. Brittain has also been bang average for Boro. It will be very exciting to see how Trav does in Derby. He did play very well under JE in Rovers and as I have said earlier in the summer. He had his best football days under Eustace and they seem to be a very good fit with each other. I guess this also affects the desire to leave Rovers for Derby.

He's the type of player that keeps you in a game, but he doesn't win games for you. He's also a paper tiger - tries to play the hard man, but we all know he's soft. He's not an enforcer.

I can understand why Dolan ran his contract down and moved to Barcelona. He has played quite well for Espanyol and looks like he is in the first XI going forward. Watched him last match and have to agree I did miss him in Rovers color. At the same time he did all his twists and turns and put himself into situations where he was losing the ball way to much.

Game of opinions, but I think this is selling him well short. If you were a team managed by a Russell Martin type (or even a JDT type, even though they're very different) then I can see how Travis isn't the sort you want. He's technically decent - much better than people give him credit for - but asking him to play one/two touch football isn't playing to his strengths. But if you want a classic box-to-box type, how many are better than Travis? I'd say he'd be a key player for at least half of the teams in this league (much in the same way he is for us).

Think he is. Think he is just a shy and quiet guy. Probably why didn't suit being team captain.

Not aimed at you specifically, but I swear some people would prefer it if we signed Usain Bolt in his prime over Tugay in his prime. Pace is useless unless you can do something with it.

He signed a 2 year scholar deal in the summer so you would presume so.

💯

He makes Dolan look like he's standing still.

Can anyone explain what's happened to Higgins for Rovers? Is he still here? Is he not?

Elliott Jackson on his podcast said Ismael and Gestede were keen on Baradji all summer. Also on yesterday Rovers BTS video with Morishita and Ismael been on him for a few weeks

When Trav was linked with Derby beginning end of May? Who started that? I guess we were hoping that Trav would sign his contract or even run it down, but he made it impossible to carry on.

That's your opinion based on what Ismael and the club have released. You don't know that as a fact. My opinion is there are two sides to the coin and I'm inclined not to believe what the regime says given their track record. You and nobody else knows that Ismael answered honestly, or more importantly that the information he has been given by others including the lying Venky stooge, is accurate. Nobody knows with certainty other than those directly involved in the mess.

I think our biggest loss will be Brittain but each of those should be replaced their quality. We see if we had. But I'm looking forward and intrigued to see how Baradji and Morishita start. Alebiosu and McLoughlin have look good so far but it's Far too early to call any good or bad signings. On those who leave, thanks for good performances and effort..Enjoy your next club and good future.. Both former head coaches did a good overall. But you choose to ignore Eustace's move to Derby and his comments when he knew about the approach. I cant get past that.

Exactly - a spirited defence of the regime of the sort we've come to expect at around this time every transfer window from Mr. Mani. But you can summarise it all by saying the alleged "upgrades" (the T2000's) are slightly cheaper to purchase and a lot cheaper to run than the originals (the T1000's)! Will it work? Who knows? I doubt it myself, I think we're more likely to end up in League 2 or lower than achieve any success. But you can see why we seemingly had trouble sourcing a new manager before we happened upon VI who was happy to work under these conditions. "So Gary" (O Neil) "What we're going to do is get rid of all the established players with Championship experience and use a Moneyball type approach to source value out of players such as ones who have just been relegated from the more minor European Leagues." "Gary?" "Gary?" "You still there Gary?"

Indeed. They should replace 'fit and proper' with 'do you pay your bills on time?' as the only requirement of an owner these days. If you do that you are fine and free to do whatever you please. If you don't then you are evil.

Ismael (who I'm on record as not particularly liking) was asked a question about Travis and answered honestly - he's asked to leave and he's let the team down. I have no problem with that. It's not a hatchet job. Travis' camp's reaction tells you they're very unhappy with that as they were trying to quietly slip out of the door into Eustace's arms as the hard done to hero.

Ramones - Glad To See You Go

Apropos of nothing - watching Hyam on the various videos, he comes across as an extremely cold and detached person. Never came close to meeting him so maybe the camera just doesn't like him but he doesn't really look like he wants to be here. Anyone seen him full of the joys of spring?

For me the family feeling was almost gone when it was only aggression, swearing and Steve Kean out in the away end our last game in the Premiership away at Chelsea May 2012. After that the family feeling has gradually been restored. Mistakes are being done at all clubs, supporters are very quick to be negative with board, management etc. And they are entitled to it. However looking at the last seasons we have had a squad with Arte Et Labore. Players taking their time engaging with the fans, players to be proud. Other supporters hating on us for being pedantic or tough to break. Some great moments where we have stood behind the team. The downfalls also creates good memories. Wouldn't be without Leicester away last day of the season two years ago. Adrenaline rush! Football swings, and you can from hero to villain or success to failure in a very short time. Creating stability at the same time as developing is the only way forward. What has impressed me (which goes under radar) is how quickly both JE and VI got appointed. This is a small proof that there certainly is a plan on how we go about things.

If we were paying millions for a 27 year old captain of a Championship rival with 200+ games in this league under his belt and no record of fitness issues this place would be jumping for joy.

In some respects I'm sorry to see Trav go but I also think were he playing for someone else he'd be seen as a bang average championship player. It'll be interesting to see how he does at Derby. Although they've spent some money they also look bang average to me and I'll be amazed if they get anywhere near the play-offs.

Whatever has happened, we dont know. But he is being painted as the villain and its being assumed that hes this bad egg. A narrative pushed by the club but without saying what hes actually done wrong.

Pears is absolutely fine as a Championship back up keeper. Definitely far too accident prone as a #1, but adequate as a stand in. We were happy to have him a few years back once Kaminski was injured. Unfortunately we then made the wrong call to let Pears keep the jersey and sell Kaminski, but that's hardly Pears fault! If we get offered genuinely decent money for him (seems unlikely) then you take it, but I certainly wouldn't want to be chasing him out of the club. Not least because it's not as though Toth has really proven himself either just yet, so it's not even just injury we need to be wary of.

Absolutely this, I was thinking fans would be absolutely outraged that he has left but apparently (according to some) he won’t be a miss as he’s not “technically good” do some realise you need leaders?