I would suspect there will be an initial agreement for him to join in January once Toth/Kargbo work permit status can be changed, with an option to push it forwards if Rovers can offload Mafoumbi (seeing as he will apparently be unavailable anyway after a foot operation)

I don't think so either, but he edges Montgomery for me.. Just personal opinion though.

I personally think Baradgi deal still gets done. EJ confirming deal still on table and still in talks

terminating his contract would also involve paying it up (or at least coming to a financial agreement on it), but he probably isn't on huge money, so is a possibility

with an extra years option too! https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2024/july/31/rovers-swoop-for-flying-frenchman/

We signed him on a 3 year deal. At least Rudy got this one tied down. 🦾 That possibly limits us just giving him away or terminating his contract.

The only way to remove him from the esc calculation is is he is no longer on the books (as in either sold or released, he would still be on the books if loaned too)

It's fixed. He wouldn't be able to train or play for the U21's without it. (or be employed by the club) Only way to free the space up is for him to leave the club.

Work permits are government issued. Registration is an FA issue:

So no one should criticise aspects of the performance at the weekend because its pre season, but we should be assured that we suddenly are good at set pieces because of pre season? Ok. It would help to have a better taker. We dont currently have any set piece specialists.

Sorry, that's what I meant - can we de-register his esc slot and not play him without actually selling him or is it fixed once he's been given it?

Did you see the look on the umpire’s face after he raised his finger for the first one? This, and the time he took, says to me he guessed.

It isnt, of course you can be creative. But it would help if we had a good taker.

No, the issue with Mafoumbi is his work permit status (with him requiring an esc slot), not his squad registration (he doesn't need to be included in the 25 man squad because of his age)

Sums up a lack of joined up thinking. Gestede clearly always had intentions of going abroad for players, so why tie down an ESC slot on a punt on a kid nowhere near the team?

The Rolling Stones - Beast of Burden

We shouldnt need to get shut of Cantwell. We are signing players who will be coming on lesser wages, there should be enough scope to tie these players down. Cantwell is an important player.

Is it possible to de-register Mafoumbi from the esc slot without selling him (assuming we can't or for some reason don't want to) - just have him on the books without being able to play him in a competitive fixture - or is there a legal impediment to that (i.e. employing someone without a work permit)? It seems mad that he's taking up one of the four spots and wont get near the team. edit - clarity

We contributed to our own downfall by dropping so many catches, as well as a couple more brainless shots to add to the collection (and yes, despite your century I'm looking at you Harry Brook!)... ...but, you have to tip your hat to India for seizing their chance both yesterday afternoon and today and I think 2-2 is a fair outcome. I also thought there were two poor LBW decisions given against England this morning. The second one was rightly overturned (it would have missed another two stumps down the leg side FFS) but the 'umpire's call' one looked incredibly harsh as well in real time. Great series though, thoroughly enthralling from first ball to last.

They’ve been filming the first team pissing about, what more do you want?

I see Mafoumbi was in the squad for the U21. Batty with an assist.

Obviously hindsight is a wonderful thing because if Brook hits another six (instead of being dismissed) everyone would be applauding. That being said, hopefully the team (and management) will learn a lesson from what followed him getting out. I’ve just heard a glimmer of hope that they will - Brook said in hindsight he wishes he hadn’t played such an aggressive shot, I feel previously he would have said something like ‘that’s just the way I play’.

Maybe the "transfer thread" should be replaced by the "exiting strategy" and the "non-renewable" contract" thread? What`s the point if anyone of any value is not given an acceptable contract renewal? Agree, get shut of Cantwell and use the proceeds to get renewal contracts over the line for Travis & Hyam. In fact re-appoint Broughton. It`s not gonna happen,of course.

All allegedly Leonard..;-)