I disagree, but fair enough.

Has Cena ever taken a loss like that though and would he? Would certainly be good for Riddle.

No, I am trying to give you an out for saying we need 9. I think we need around 5. I would prefer quality over quantity.

Rothwell for LM. Davenport (hopefully) for CM. JRC in the mix too possibly for RM

Why can't Armstrong be Grahams replacement? It seems his good form there is conveniently ignored. Buckley will get better hopefully. He has talent. I would say JRC looks even more ready. Why can't we rely on him? Agree about Chapman, unfortunately. Butterworth looks good, possibly right wing? We signed 7 players last summer, but you categorize that as us struggling to get bodies in? I don't think we need double figures, about half of that. Work to do, but not the huge rebuilding job some maintain it will be.

You couldn't even see how silly you looked before that statement ? Blown out of the water LOL ??? Others will make their minds up on that. Indeed. Hopefully 1-2 in asap

We need to get 1 or 2 in this widow to have a chance at that I feel

Even what you say there doesn't sound like that huge a job. A GK, yep, no doubt. Another CB for sure. I suspect Mulgrew will only be here until summer before a mutual termination. I would expect Evans to be back next season., Downing likewise. We have a lot of CMs in the under 23s with potential. Armstrong is doing well up there, Holtby looks like he could cover for Dack. JRC, Chapman and Butterworth all have great potential. We have to give youth a chance at some point. 3-5 quality signings to help them out. All very realistic. Not as bad as some of you are making out at all.

You are moving the goalposts to fit into your viewpoint

But if we were 3 points off relegation you would use that as evidence of regression, correct?

The same way as I wouldn't get too excited about a player from their highlights, I wouldn't write one off either.

So the players performances wouldn't matter?

But no doubt you would be referencing our league position if we were near relegation!

I'm not sure how it works, I can't keep up with all the providers

Tosin has been better than ok and Downing has been a revelation. I think some of us expected him to decent, but then some don't automatically expect the worst with every player we sign! He has performed consistently in a number of positions. It doesn't matter. My point was they have improved us this season. If they played for PNE some on here would be asking "why didn't Mowbray sign them?". Some need to find an angle to criticize everything Mowbray does now and all of his signings.

I would swap Downing and Rothwell in your team. Bell at left back too. Not sure about Chapman....

Outside UK and Ireland

Do you want conclusive proof?

I'm not sure because we can beat anyone on our day (and lose in the same fashion) , so I mean we could be 3 points off at some point and conceivabley have a winnable game. I am pretty sure teams have gotten into the play-offs at the last minute having not been there all season before that.

I think the threat of FFP sanctions are being over stated on here and now used as gospel. I wouldn't say we are under any immanent threat. No doubt our recruitment needs to get better and not signing players early in windows is annoying, but we certainly aren't unique in that regard. For all the negativity and criticism of his transfers, both Downing and Tosin have improved us this season. Of course those who want to find an angle to criticize say that Tosin is a loan and Downing 35. I have no doubt if both played for PNE, people would be asking why didn't Mowbray sign them. We were unlucky with Cunningham too, another excellent signing. Mowbray certainly doesn't get an easy ride on here. I don't see how you can claim that he does.

Jesus don't I know. It's like an invisible force-field/barrier. Is it something legitimately psychological or is it just that we are unlucky or not good enough? I don't know to be honest.

We have won more games than we have lost this season, so what do you mean by rare? Of course it could change, but it could also change for the better. We aren't too far off the pace and there are no world beaters in this division. I think the "overall situation" isn't as disastrous as some on here are making out. We are doing fine. The proof of the pudding will indeed be in the next 18 games. 1-2 signings would be a big help. If we don't get them in, well then questions need to be asked. If we do, well we are in with an outside chance. I think we will come top 10.

I know, I am just saying there needs to be perspective. We aren't as badly off as you would think from reading on here. 6 points from the play-offs with a game in hand.

Ya, some of you would. Even without having seen him play. Anyway, looks like you were proven right in this instance.

Not sure about that, look at Liverpools signings. United could have afforded pretty much any player Liverpool have signed under Klopp and would have had a realistic chance of signing them. Their scouting has been poor. Us on the other hand, have a small budget and are competing with pretty much every club in this division, along with those in the Premier league. Very few clubs can compete with united financially.