I think the squad is capable of mid table if they play to their strengths and Mowbray picks the right teams. However, I am very worried about the vibes emanating from the club. During that bad run starting in January we looked jaded and dejected on the pitch but managed to pick up at the end of the season I was hoping we would start this season refreshed and reinforced with defensive additions. It hasn't happened. The manager seems tetchy and even angry. He's said a few things that indicates he is hearing the criticism from fans. He has not fulfilled his previous promises and he knows that has not gone down well. I get the feeling that all is not well in the player's camp - Mulgrew's departure, Bennett's twitter comments - none of this helps. Waggott has been coming out with some weird statements about how we plan to improve performances ( without changing personnel ). A bad run at the start of the season will have a big impact, given the slightly depressed atmosphere at the moment, and I can see a relegation struggle and a fan backlash. We don't have players with enough bottle to really dig in for a season long scrap. So, if we have a bad start I think the wheels will come off. If we are mid table after 10 games or so I think we will stay there for most of the season.

Could be difficult for all concerned if it doesn't happen now.

So it seems that some people are happy with the window but not many. One thing is for sure, there is certainly not a happy vibe around the club at the moment. Mowbray's interviews are very tetchy and he certainly seems stressed. Waggott is making feeble excuses as to where we are spending money ( not on players ) The club captain is gone ( potted or jumped ) - this may not affect the quality of the team but what about the atmosphere in the dresingroom ? We are a couple of injuries away from having a totally threadbare defence. We've not looked like a happy camp since January and it now feels even worse. Meanwhile the 3 stooges will be sleeping contentedly in their Pune mansion totally oblivious that the club is really in a bad place just now.

I'm sure Mulgrew is aware of the stick he has been getting from fans and didn't fancy hanging around for it to become worse. Maybe he just asked to go?

As you say, I hope Tosin improves our defence but we also need to find more goals throughout the team to replace Mulgrew's contribution and find a new dead ball expert.

But continuity is preferable. We may be able to successful with loan players but that successful side will be dismantled at the end of the season. Surely a team that improves together over a number of yerars is what we need.

Been plenty of Cowboys behind the scenes at Rovers these last few years.

I work in Preston. PNE fans have been mentioning his name since Monday.

Apart from a good win against Derby and a few dead rubber wins at the end of the season we have been awful since January. We were also terrible in November. Nobody is judging on just one game. We look like a team who are getting the losing habit.

I honestly think Mowbray doesn't know the true situation from one day to the next. That's not particularly a criticism of him, it's the way the club is run. Both Mowbray and Waggott stated, more than once, that our summer transfer budget was similar to last year - that should mean there is a few million left and the Raya money on top. However, that doesn't seem to be the case. I am convinced Venky's decided that Gallagher would be the only signing with a significant fee attached. All other deals this window must be free or very cheap and not increase the overall wage bill compared to last year. We can debate all day long about needing new defenders - there is no argument there - Venky's aren't listening and even if they were they wouldn't understand. To them players are like stocks and shares. Strikers could result in a nice dividend in the future. Defenders? dead money to them. VO

If that really is the case then I wouldn't bother. He may be good but if his heart isn't in it he won't be committed. look elsewhere.

Absolutely. It shouldn't be difficult but we just can't seem to manage it.

I think Mowbray summed up our transfer problems in that article: Premier League clubs have all got loan managers, directors of football, technical director’s, tiers and tiers of people underneath the manager We have Mark Venus ( a coach! ) Even if we do make progress we then have to track down Venky's for the final sign-off: You have to agree a deal, then you have to take it to the owners, to the directors of our club and they’re difficult things to put together Our lack of infrastructure is a big barrier to our progress as a club

I think it's great.

Guys, Guys, Chaddy's back on BRFCS

like I said, and I think you are agreeing, 'We simply are very badly run and lacking in certain areas'

The main reason we are such a shambles is the lack of infrastructure at the club. We only have Mowbray and Waggott to sort all the finer details of transfers etc There should be a whole team of staff doing this sort of work. Mowbray's job should be to suggest players he would like to get in and then get on with managing the team. The backroom staff should take it from there. We simply are very badly run and lacking in certain areas.

Probably taken flak because Venky's want him playing regularly to increase his value. Mowbray doesn't think he is up to it ( or didn't last season - he said he wasn't strong enough and needed to develop ). I am convinced BB was a Venky influenced signing, fitting all their criteria. So if Mowbray has been getting flak it's for not playing him rather than buying him.

I believe that any free or loan deals can be concluded fairly quickly as long as the deal does not take the total club wage bill over a certain pre-defined level. Deals that require transfer fees and cash up front are different and every one must be approved by Pune. I believe an unnamed goalkeeper and Sam Gallagher were lined up a few weeks ago. Venky's decision was that they wouldn't fund both so Mowbary plumped for Gallagher.

The number one keeper choice has been kept under wraps and I don't believe it is any of the names mentioned so far. The deal hit a snag but could still come off. Walton was definitely a late, plan B option but could end up being first choice by default.

And sometimes they say NO!. The Gallagher deal pretty much blew the budget and now all deals are being questioned

Not in this case

I believe the 'roadblock' was signing Gallagher. It used up budget that was earmarked for a GK. Mowbray expected to get the green light from Venky's for both signings but that hasn't materialised so far. Not saying it won't eventually

Walton must be plan 'B'. He wasn't on the radar a few weeks ago. I think he is just contingency in case the number one target eventually falls through, which seems possible as it's been dragging on so long. Explains why the Walton deal is possibly only a loan. He might not be needed. Priorities seem upside down to me so far. Should have been CB at all costs then see how far the budget stretches to other areas.

Lucky old us!