Has to be. Wouldn't be surprised if Gestede has been using just missing out on the playoffs as a bargaining chip. Then dressing up to the press that it cost us 1.7m as if we're spending big money.

You've sacked Garrett off and replaced him with a bloke from Chorley FC. Poor lad.

And Blackpool

I imagine the 1.7m is made up of adds on that will never happen, like promotion etc. It will be low fee up front like 400-800k, going off history of the last couple of years.

Agreed. To me it seems like a cheap signing in the thousands not the millions. On top of that they're trying to dress it up as some sort of coup for us. He was a squad player in a team that would probably struggle in the championship.

England V India started earlier today in Leeds, England won the toss and elected to field. Should be a good test series, England can bat with anyone in the world, but the bowling is the issue for me. Looking forward to it. India 36-0

Costs nothing to get Nixon and Jackson to propagate suggestions that we are paying millions for a player. Doesn't mean we are doing it. Whatever it is will go down as 'undisclosed' and we will never know the truth, but in the meantime the shysters running the club can convince some that we are serious and investing properly.

I personally think the fee quoted is absolutely bollocks

I can't wrap my head around signing this lad for this quoted fee. He played half the games for a small club in Portugal last season... I know inflation has driven the price of players up but 1.7 million for a lad who only started 15(?) games last season. Something feels off.

Absolutely nailed it there my friend...this is the project. Our shit future under these Goons.

The pattern is obvious, we're following the declared business model. It's not about football and winning games/promotions. The two new signings are young and presumably their data shows that they have a shot at developing and therefore becoming more valuable. On the other hand they may not. It's a roulette game, take a spin. Sign another one and you've a reasonable chance that 1 in 3 will work out then we sell and bank the money somewhere offshore. Who cares if we win matches, what's important is that we pick well as will be evidenced by the fees we receive further down the line. You get promoted by ADDING proven, respected players to your squad. Our signings are business (likely replacement) deals/gambles only. Venky's don't want promotion or relegation, they want Championship status so we can generate self sustaining income by getting lucky on picking up prospects who develop. To paraphrase Tina Turner "What's football got to do with it? What this about winning a promotion".

Chuck Berry - Too Much Monkey Business

Getting subbed off at half time at Millwall and not getting stuck in will always stick in my mind. Pretend hard man

And that is where the departure of Travis will leave us exposed and i don't want to see a return to the Bowyer days where teams regularly strolled through our midfield. People can say what they like about Travis but having a ball winner and tackler in there when he first emerged was like a breath of fresh air. Pansy he isn't.

Travis will be sold and so will any of the others if offers come in that are tempting. The name of the game is doing this under the charade of 'rebuilding' or 'revitalising' the squad - i.e. bringing in a couple of cheaper alternatives whilst ushering the established players out the back door. Most of us with sense can see what the real game is - it's the same they've been playing for 2-3 years now and will continue until there's nothing left.

For all we know maybe the Colorado manager told him that he has no defensive responsiblities. Hopefully he can perform well for us if we sign him.

Interesting that Jackson still seems to think we are after Sagnan and Nade, not sure we get either, but Nade would be more doable. Surprised as well that we haven't gone back in for guys like Guebbels and Youan who were linked to in Jan, think both would be good signings.

Maybe when Sid signs, they are 90% done?!

Agree here. Buckley and JRC should be moved on. Buckley need to play regularly and he won't here, and JRC need to move on for himself Forshaw will be squad player starting few games but mainly off the bench he will.used in my opinion Probably the box to box midfielder Ismael wanted

Rovers back pre season on Monday. Going to have to be a pretty hectic weekend if VI wants his 90% of transfers done 😄

Never heard about Tavares before. Went on youtube and watched the highlights from his debut for Colorado Rapids against LAFC. He is number 10 in the video. I know it's just one video but he looks lazy and disinterested. Is he really a defensive midfielder?

Think in an ideal world you need 5 central midfielders. Trav, Tronstad, Big Sid, Montgomery and Forshaw seems a sensible balance, 3 starters that will be rotated to suit, a young lad coming through and an experienced head for when times need it. I still expect Trav or Tronstad to leave, I think Trav goes this window and Tronstad leaves on a free next summer.

If Forshaw is the sorta player-coach 5th choice CM then the signing is ok, if he is 3rd choice then it is a problem. I'm worried because we haven't renewed Trav or Tronstad and we still seem likely to get rid of Buckley and JRC.

We haven’t re-signed a first team player on a long term deal for what, two years now? So use that thing called *logic*, Chaddy. We obviously can’t or won’t pay the going rate for our established Championship players.

Think it’s a decent pick up in all honesty. Unless he’s a replacement for either Tronstad or Travis. I can stomach Forshaw as a bit part player, he’s nowhere near as bad as people claim.