It’s a pointless debate really derby could easily be better defensively than us given that it is one of Eustace main strengths tactically and Val is a bit more open and expansive which is likely to lead to more goals conceded but you are right in terms of needing another cb that’s pretty vital and obvious

i can guarantee that if we don`t sing another dominant centre back in the batth style,we will leak goals,that likely is`nt happening so yes,i can guarantee we`ll concede goals at an alarming rate

I am not saying any of what you say is wrong. But you stated that you could guarantee something. That is not possible, if it was why don't you put your entire savings on a bet ?

This is on the assumption that batth performs to the same level and bare in mind he will have a new partner also I backed not giving batth a 2 year deal if the rumours are true that Derby have offered 1 then that is a massive loss on rovers behalf but again see above batths form (any players form) from the season before isn’t really relative when they move to a new club

did val want batth to go,i doubt it,especially when he was given the transfer budget,of course knowing the morons in charge they proably lied to him

Baath was also very injury prone prior to last season, chances he would go so well again this season at his age? I know it is easy to criticise everything going on, and I am far from happy with things, but can see the reasons behind some things, especially when you consider they are trying to cut costs, doesn't mean I agree, and as I said leaves us thin if one of the 3 main defenders gets an injury.

Carter is better than Wharton but neither have paired as well with Hyam as Batth did and that in itself is an issue. Never mind the fact Wharton will still be miles away from being fit enough to play a lot it was a career ender he suffered and if he's rushed he'll break down again.

batth held us together last season and was a big threat from set pieces,you really want to go into the season,with hyam and carter as first choice???with wharton,o`riordan and an academy player as back up hyam lacks character and carter is imjury prone,batth was an immense leader for the squad last season,he`ll do the same at derby,bring all the defenders together

Morris reported in places as £1.7million. Obviously, Batth and Weimann free and low hanging fruit. I'll wager a pound to a penny that they pay no less than £5million in fees this win̈dow which almost certainly outstrips Rovers.

No you can't. But even if you could, if Derby conceded less goals than us, they could still finish below us.

adam randell joins bristol city from plymouth for less than we`ve paid for sidnei,a battle hardened midfielder who`s got ooodles of champioship experience vs someone from the lower reaches of the portugese first division,thats our model at the moment😥

If batth joins Derby I can guarantee Derby will concede less goals than rovers this season

they don`t want to give travis,brittain,dolan and tronstadt an extension either,paying a 27/28 yr old a big 4/5 year contract is to much for them to bear,sooner replace them with cheap ***** from the lower leagues of europe,they still hav`nt learned that if you get rid of decent players and bring in ones that ar`nt as good,you will be relegated,i feel sorry for val,i hope he`s got his exit plan sorted

You're happy to lose a centreback with great experience and who played nearly every minute because two defenders who couldn't stay fit last season are coming back? Hyam looked at his best alongside batth.

I personally have no issue with Baath being let go when Carter and Wharton are fit, both played next to nothing for us last season, the issue is if they can stay fit as if they do then surely Wharton with Hyam is first choice and Carter as back up to one of them, also possible for him to play full back or one of 3 at the back. The problem is we have little back up beyond that other than O'Riordan, so something is needed or we are reliant on kids.

You can tell from Gestede's comments Rovers bean counters weren't happy with Eustaces policy of well paid older players steadying the ship instead of throwing young players in or cheap low fee/loanees etc to develop. Too thick to realise that policy contributed to almost seeing us relegated and Eustaces policy almost saw is finish in the top 6 ! So i think at the heart of the Batth/Weimann saga Rovers didn't really want to keep them even if the new coach did so i'd say they had a nudge towards Derby from this end but no doubt the truth will seep out in time, it usually does.

I actually thought Derby were going to back him with a reasonable amount (not crazy amounts) but as you say, the fact they aren't, just doubles down on how much of a circus things are at Ewood.

Yeh it's much more likely the roles are just reprised.

lol, they got us here anyway pal!

Eustaces first remit is have a better season than last and bring Championship stability to another big club who've been out of it ages and nearly went again in their first season back. He's doing it to another low budget backdrop Derby are scrabbling around for outside investment they have no real money so his second remit is bring their own players through and sign young loans, like here. So all he's doing is following his own formula which has proven to work and it's common sense, they'll take anything beyond that as a bonus. I'd say though that if they found themselves in the top 3 or 4 in January they'll suddenly find him some money from somewhere.

Unreal show, that. Gonna binge it with 'er indoors, once we've boxed off 'This City is Ours'. Did Mobland too, recently and some sketchy Irish accents aside, I enjoyed that.

Losing batth is a disgrace

I think the key to any successful sports team is having a setup that managers aren't desperate to walk away from...... Yet unfathomably inside the ground on a match day, some morons look confused by a Venky's out chant.

"That he's a snake." 😂

I think that's a really good idea Carl. There will be quite a lot of media attention (national and hopefully global) and a vocal and visual protest could not be ignored. The theme could be along the lines of the 135/15 year comparison which I believe would capture the imagination and hit home as to what a shambles the last decade and a half have.