I know it isn't much but I'm clinging on to the old adage that no news is good news. That, and the fact that Madon's mate wouldn't be so crass as to say the deals off if he didn't know differently. Yeah, having read my post again, I know I'm clutching at the last straw in the bale....

Yes, he did receive a decent 👏 at the start of the second half and likewise acknowledged it back.

I left Lancashire when I was 12 and am now in my mid-50s. I attended Salesbury Primary and lived in Wilpshire, where I believe the Wharton brothers are from. There was a Wharton in the year below me but who played in the same Salesbury team as me, around 1979. I want to say his name was Andrew, but my memory is not the best with names. Does anyone know if he is their father/uncle?

Serious question. Does anyone think it is possible that JDT genuinely (or has had his hand forced to some extent) thinks some of the kids are ready for first team action, so is looking to now consolidate what kitty he has on 2-3 'marquee' signings and the wages required to secure them, so doesn't actually need the 6 or so being suggested on the MB? Could explain why so few names are being linked? He's aiming for the higher rollers and is biding his time/trying to negotiate with those in control of the kitty so they are prepared to sanction higher transfer fees and in turn, review the current wage cap? If he feels we did genuinely miss out on the lad that's gone to Sheffield United because they can offer more wages (assuming the fee was achievable), then this could offer an alternative and potentially more realistic approach to securing a few 'better than we've had' signings. Am just grasping at any hypotehtical scenario that helps me feel a bit better about the current situation.

Whilst that is the most likely scenario, if the club wanted to lavish a little bit of luxury on a young player (emperor's new clothes and all that designed to impress) and his parents, you could just charter a plane from literally any airfield and fly them to Manchester. Obviously would make little sense if the travel time was less by car, but not a lot makes sense with our club these days anyway. My wild stab in the dark is some other promising kid from Southampton (which has a decent airport) who will come as part of a loan make weight, following the failure of the Obafami deal to progress.

I think he grew up in Telford, so yeah, very much a homecoming for him.

Was speaking to a work colleague who is a Walsall season ticket holder about the lad, Jukes, whose name was mentioned last week. Interestingly, he is a CB but has been playing left back all season, having ousted their first two choices. Seems he is a better LB than CB! Can see why we might be linked with him then 😉. Has obviously not had opportunity to see him play live this season, but has apparently made a significant step up in performances, having been mostly bang average last season. If he gets picked up by a Championship side, he should do okay if he carries on playing like he is, but can't really predict as is playing League 2 standard, but is better than that. Is only 23, so can continue to develop. Is a good athlete, quick and physically imposing. Would be cheap enough. Would tick most boxes for TM.

If the Crewe fans are saying this lad is a good 'un then I believe them, so fingers crossed we are serious and ultimately successful. Done a bit of Crewe research as have had nothing better to do this evening and makes impressive reading. Considering Crewe have only played a total of 8 seasons outside the bottom two tiers in their history, with just two brief visits to the second tier in the late 1990's and early 2000's, they have managed to produce some excellent talent. Players who have either started or developed their careers there include some of the following internationals: Stan Bowles, Bruce Grobelaar, Rob Jones, Geoff Thomas, Danny Murphy, Neil Lennon, Robbie Savage, David Platt, David Vaughan Dele Adebola and Dean Ashton. There are plenty of others who have made an honest career in the Prem/Championship. Blackburn connection: In addition to the two already mentioned Frank Lord, Dave Whelan, Craig Hignett, Ashley Ward and Luke Varney. There may be others but have lost the will to carry this on....

That's how it's pronounced in Stoke, where he's from. Not an uncommon name locally, so probably how he says it.

This is the formation according to my Sky Sports app.....have just checked and that's Elliot Bennet playing centre forward???. Very random positioning to put it mildly, even by TM's standards.

He's not named as one of the 4 who are quarantined, which I guess makes it increasingly likely that he's the one who's tested +ve. If he is I think that means he only has to isolate for 10 days from date of test rather than 14, which the quarantiners will have to do.

I still think you could be spot on JoeH. I'm just hoping he's got a LB already signed up as you had heard. If he's not yet in a position to name them, then why not say it isn't as much of a priority i.e. I've got someone, but I'm not going to disclose that today. He's also said that Manning, would be a costly deal, so if he has got someone, he won't have splashed the cash in doing so. He's still going to need Bell as back up, so regardless of who it is, he's hardly going to throw Bell under a bus and say he's crap. Probably a load of bobbins on my part, but then again I am the eternal optimist.

Don't do links so not sure this will work but in any event article states Jo Nuttall could be interesting Grayson at Blackpool. Doesn't clarify whether loan or buy. There is the obvious coincidence that we are playing them today, links between the two clubs etc. so could be pure speculation based on very little actual evidence that they are interested. http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/994302675?-11198:839

Just a quick observation which I hadn't considered before looking ar this line up. The average age of the left sided 3 is 33, the right, 24. Probably all 3 on the right are quicker and have greater stamina too. Obviously the addition of Bell and Rothwell (who I presume is one of your subs) would counter the speed issue but would also offer more balance and options in my opinion. I don't know if this is your preferred line up or what you think it will be, but looks a worry to me.

Blackburn agree deal to sign 18-year-old Louie Annesley from Gibraltar side Lincoln Red Imps on three and a half year deal. Being reported in Daily Mail online. Is 6 foot 4 inch centre half; one for the development squad.

He's referring to Coyle, I think, although he's never managed St Mirren. He did manage and play for St Johnstone though.

He's a Stoke lad and didn't the Potters let him go as a kid? Probably as good a game as ever to give him a start in his best position and then let's see what he's about.

To be fair Chaddy, the starting point in the sentencing guidelines for Assault PC is a custodial sentence, however this is usually mitigated down with a guilty plea, previous record, stated remorse etc. and a community sentence of some description will be imposed. If it less serious a fine or conditional discharge can be imposed. If you blatantly disregard a community sentence without good reason, e.g. health, you are effectively sticking two fingers up to the sentencing process and will be breached and returned to court by the supervising probation worker. He has now been breached the Order on two occasions so in lay terms he is taking the mick and has not learnt his lesson (what does it also say about his remorse for the original offence). A custodial sentence is actually a distinct possibility i.e. the sentencer can ultimately choose to revoke the existing order, resentence on the original matter and impose a custodial sentence. Happy for you to disagree with me but this is what I do for a living and I like to think my knowledge is sound.

Shows a high degree of naivity if he thought his community order would just disappear if he didn't complete his UPW hours in the allotted 12 months. Two breaches, plus an increase in the total on each of those breaches would ordinarily be sufficient proof that any further breaches are ultimately not going to end well with the court, but seemingly not. The hours can be completed in a number of ways (not just hard graft these days) so I can see the club offering an arrangement whereby he pays some of his dues i.e. hours, through community work under their existing arrangements. May therefore see him do this through a combination of local school visits, hospitals etc plus trips to Witton Park wearing a high viz bib and a carrying a litter picker.

Just read he hails from Stafford, but can't say I've ever heard of him before. Becomes our second Staffordshire signing this window after Ben Brereton who is from Stoke.

Been over 38 years since my family moved from Wilpshire to relocate to Staffordshire, but still have many fond memories of living there as a child. Keith's son, Craig, was in my class at primary school and Keith would show up for school football games occasionally (we played 6 a side for some reason). Can't remember him saying much to be fair, but he definitely cut the image of a late 1970's pro, although he was in the latter stages of his career at Burnley by then. I think Mick Rathbone's daughter was also in my class for a while. My younger brother and his mate used to play 2 v 2 against John Bailey and Paul Bradshaw in his mate's back yard! They were their lodgers at the time in Wilpshire and I remember thinking Bradshaw would play for the senior England side one day. Howard Kendall moved in a couple of years before we left and lived a few doors up from us. I know this sounds a bit like 'jumpers for goalposts' kind of stuff, but as I say, great memories and one of the reasons I have been hooked on Rovers ever since, as is my 9 year old son now.

Being the eternal optimist, I have crashed and burned more times than I care to remember. One that stands out for me is when in conversation with my brother, I said that I was confident that the quiet, self depricating Duffer wouldn't want to leave his tranquil Oswaltwistle home (did he even live there?) for the bright lights and noise of the Kings Road. Imagine my surprise when the next thing I see on SSN is him at an airport legging it away from the rest of the Rovers squad who were preparing to fly out on a pre season tour, so he could catch a taxi to Stamford Bridge.

If the other guy is in our radar, why have him in the crowd in close proximity to someone who is more easily recognisable and thus draws attention to both of them? Given TM is a bit browned off with reported targets being leaked, I find it odd that this guy is effectively in plain sight, as evidenced by a couple of dozen of us now trying to work out who he is. Probably find he isn't a footballer at all or there by invite of one if the players!

I'm hoping Reading are interested in him!

Considering there is no money, I find it curious that Forest are seemingly playing along with the masquerade that there is, as we have bid for him. The logical thing would have been for them to dismiss our interest as ludicrous and fantasy. The fact they haven't and reports are that the two clubs are haggling over the sell on clause, would make this all very real to me. I accept the figure may not be £8 million, but your point is that you believe there is no money. It's one thing to have the cash, another to snag the players you want with that money.