On the eve of the new season I think it's important to remember that we like every other team have 46 games, we'll win plenty and lose plenty but hopefully we'll give it a real go this year. The Championship is relentless and easily one of the best leagues in the world for entertainment, just so unpredictable. All the new players have potential, just got to give them a little time, the manager has his own ideas and with a window under his belt, a chance to show what he can do. I expect lots more twists and turns in this window, expect a couple to move on as well as a few more arrivals but I'm excited for the season. I think 10th would be a respectable finish but like I said, such an unpredictable league so anything really could happen. Lets back them all the way and make our 150th year one to remember!! Oh - Pasha and Venky's Out! COYB! West Brom 1-2 Rovers (Ohashi & Kargbo)

If we had got that Kapaudi lad from Leiga I would actually say our business has been pretty spot on. I think we’re a top end (in relativity) CB and RW from a decent season. Truthfully Carter is our only CB I really rate and he’s always injured…

Without a doubt, although I do have my suspicions that there is a nice cut for some agents, still lurking around, who get more than the norm, shall we say.

it really doesn't

Like you Tony, I have followed the club for over 50 years and have never felt like this at the start of the season. With living abroad, i have subscribed to Rovers TV to watch all the games, available on there and will get to the odd game, when I get back. I used to be fanatical, but have had this knocked out of me now and I am half questioning myself abut why I am still following it. It is that feeling of helplessness, more than anything, that hurts, as I have tried to do my but, as have you and plenty of others, but it does feel like a losing battle just now. Hopefully that will wear off and we can enjoy the season.

Agreed, I think it looks nailed on we will play a version of 3-4-3, what that looks like in terms of which CM drops in to help in build up or where the full backs play is anyones guess at this stage. What's for sure is we don't have any natural touchline hugging wingers barring Kargbo and even then he needs to be able to cut in narrowing the pitch.

Plus strikers cost well above and beyond our financial limitations that said a loan in that department should be looked at

Agree. I'm generally a believer in the 'if they're good enough they're old enough' theory but I think centre-halves are an exception. It is the position that is most about reading the game compared with technical ability. That's why players like Batth, Ayala and McFadzean can look so effective at the end of their careers - as long as they have some pace around them. Even if a very young centre-half looks good at a lower level, a step up in divisions can be really tough. Anyone remember the reaction to Gary Pallister when he first when to Man U from Middlesbrough? Or Tony Adams when he first played for Arsenal (although always being at Arsenal was only 17 when first came into the team)?

Mainly plays on the left and is currently injured, return date "unknown"

Why would we want another left winger

I'm intrigued to see if Yuki and gueye can kick on a bit more after a proper pre season and more time to adapt. Id personally rather see us go all out for a proper winger with pace than an expensive CF. Its hard to Judge the forwards when they had Dolan and Hedges supplying them. Yuki got 11 last season in his first season with a long injury lay off as well. A lot of unkowns in the side to start the season. Will it be a pleasant surprise or an absolute shocker?

Suspect we'll see a lot of Cantwell wide left, Henriksson wide right during this season. More so if we don't get a RW sorted!

That's not a his natural side. I haven't seen a single clip of him playing on that side. He's a left winger. We've had 20 years of wingers of being inverted and people still talk like it's a fad! I suspect we'll fill this space with a young PL loan. Hopefully it's more Elliott than Cozier-Duberry.

Completely agree Rev. We are really weak up top. Specialist right winger, striker (better than Woodrow!) and someone who can play across the line. If Trav does get sold, that's where the money needs to go. Not on a replacement midfielder. Tronstadt/Axel/Tavares/Forshaw/Montgomery is enough cover for 2 positions, given the issues further up the pitch.

Mentioned him loads but surely if we've looked at Miyoshi, surely we'll have inquired about Koko Saito?

Horrible feeling Kargbo will be taken off at about 50 mins clutching the back of his leg. Out another 4 to 6 weeks. Damn. Why am I so gloomy.

Problem is, you take Kargbo off the left and put him on the right, we are stuck with DeNeve or Hedges on that side. Wide and up front we are really short of attacking threat. Just don't see where the goals come from.

It's very evident this Suhail guy isn't a football person and despite being here a decade and possible affiliation with that agent/agency nobody has heard of he's still way out of his depth. Just a pounds and pence balance sheet man who looks and talks on everything in numbers, the lower the better it seems so it's no wonder they want to shrink the whole thing to a size they can easily manage. The prospect of trying to go the other way is not only beyond them but clearly terrifying.

I didn't think we made enough from matchday revenue & merch sales to cover wages? I don't have the accounts to hand but at one point they were > 100% of our income. To my mind it's being squandered on things like whatever % of loan players wages we pay, for which we get no return, 400k wages for a CEO, short term players like Wyman, Baath and letting players contracts run out and leave on a free.

We can nit pick all day long about what you actually call them, the bottom line is we're massive overloaded with midfielders and desperately short on attacking options. Using Mr. Mani's descriptors we have TWELVE "midfield" options of one form or another - but still amazingly find ourselves without a RW worthy of the name - and only TWO senior (sub 10 goal) strikers potentially backed up by a 21 year old who hasnt really cut it yet and a 17 year old he's inserted as an option in both midfield and attack. 2 more strikers and a decent RW and the squad would look balanced. Until then.....

We definitely need a RW, for sure. That should be the priority for the remainder of the window, as well as if they do decide to ship Travis off, in which case I imagine they'll take the risk on Baradji (if they can also get shut of Mafoumbi).

What would Ken be worth today? A complete midfielder. Had the lot in his locker including a cannonball shot - think he averaged something like a goal every 5 or 6 games for us. Would have eaten Travis for breakfast - twice the player Travis ever will be.

Anniversary shirt perhaps? Or is it too soon for that given the anniversary game is in November.

I think we are terrifyingly short on the right hand side, I think Miller will be a good addition though may take some time to adjust and Alebiosu is an unknown at this stage. Our only wide option is currently Hedges unless we try Kargbo off the right on his 'natural' side.

Will just be Alan reading out a list of players out of contract next year. Terrifying.