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!

But we have the added headache of owners on the other side of the world who are not easy to contact and probably are not that bothered if deals get done quickly or not. It's a definite disadvantage that may result in us missing out on certain targets.

I think that's exactly it. SG's transfer means Mowbray has less leeway in other negotiations. GK's agent increases demands due to interest from other clubs which means Mowbray has to go cap in hand to Venky's. We don't have the infrastructure to sort things out quickly so everything gets delayed and put in jeopardy.

It's been 'all but tied up' for weeks. There's a stumbling block that needs to be ironed out or approved in Pune .

Assuming you are referring to our top target, it seems like negotiations have been ongoing for weeks. Must be something that can't be easily agreed upon so if we start driving a hard bargain at this point it is more likely to go on until the end of the window. More likely we will eventually agree to their terms which will mean getting the nod from Pune but can't see that happening on a Saturday. I think it will drag on.

Didn't we try 'no one down the middle' at Preston last season? Usual back 4 + Bennett, Reed, Smallwood, Dack, Palmer, Armstrong. Maybe Armstrong was nominally down the middle but he drifted wide and Palmer ended up being the furthest forward. Totally toothless in first half Graham came on at half time and scored with first touch. Maybe Mowbray saw something I didn't.

Still got a feeling it will be a surprise name. Not one mentioned so far.

What is Carson's contract situation at Derby. Can't see us wanting to pay much of a transfer fee. I still think the new goalie may be a complete surprise name. Not someone mentioned so far

And it won't be Hart or Carson!

I don't think it will be any of the names mentioned so far. Probably be announced once Venky's have sanctioned or refused the Gallagher deal.

I suspect a fee has been agreed for a while. No secret that Rovers is his preferred destination and Mowbray is very keen. I think the hold up may well be Venky's balking at his wage demands. He's on prem wages with 2 years of a contract remaining. Won't come cheap. I guess until this is sorted one way or the other, all other meaningful business will be on hold.

I'm sure both Mowbray and Waggottt stated, after the India trip, that the budget was similar to last year.