12 minutes ago, JoeHarvey said:

Graham played out on the left in the same way Brereton and Gallagher played on the wings. To his word TM didn’t play anyone “down the middle”. Just three forwards that interchanged throughout. 

It worked when we had the pace and tenacity of Buckley pressing high, but as soon as Downing, Mulgrew and Bell took “control” of things second half, the whole tempo downgraded. Yes a younger side is a riskier side, but that second half (bar a great run from Arma at the death) was a sight for sore eyes. We created bot all.

I don't think you mean to say what you have. If it was a sight for sore eyes, what you saw in the second half was pleasing. Sorry for being pedantic!

I'd have been happy with Forster and Skrtel (although I did think they seemed very unlikely at the time they were mentioned). I'd pass on Sinclair. Struggles to get a game for Celtic nowadays. He's not at the level he used to be. 

Just now, Bbrovers2288 said:

Martínez from arsenal 

I literally know nothing about him. Is he meant to be any good?

2 hours ago, Bbrovers2288 said:

It’s from folk I speak to in and outwith the club, as I said I thought it was pretty common knowledge. Hence we are still looking at wingers

Sorry if it's been covered earlier in the thread, but have you revealed who the goalkeeper target was that we were trying to bring in? I assume it wasn't Walton and we might've missed out on them. 

Just now, Bbrovers2288 said:

Came to shore up the left hand side from collapses late in games. Def a defensive signing more than an attacking , which is what he has been for a few seasons. People were asking why he didn’t have an assists or goals last term well it’s because that isn’t his game these days 

Personally I don't buy these comments and I mean no offence by that. In his signing interviews Downing specifically talked about how he likes Mowbray's (perceived) attacking style and that it would bring more out of him than his previous manager did (I'm sure that was Pulls and Karanka before that?). Sounds like he wants to get as far as away as possible from being a more defensive player. 

That's not to say he won't play more defensive from time to time. After all, we know Mowbray loves playing people out of position. 

Just now, Bbrovers2288 said:

Still think there is a winger to come. I wanted Jamal Lowe or Maddison but I’d settle for Alan judge. All likelihood it’s another prem lg youngster on loan, which aren’t my favourite. I’d rather have our own players to flourish

Alan Judge for a third time? No thanks.

Just now, JHRover said:

And I'm entitled to mine that a couple of fitness exercises against crap sides isn't evidence of him being good enough for the Championship.

Completely fair comment. I just wouldn't use his limited performances for us in League 1 two seasons ago as a stick to beat him with. He's apparently had a good season in League 1 since and turned up in pre season looking an improved player. 

Just now, JHRover said:

Whatever. Whenever I saw him play for us his was way off and that was in League One.

Bit of a difference between being 'excellent' for a relegation threatened League One side and being good enough for an aspiring Championship one.

There is such a thing as development you know.. I haven't been impressed by him either when I've seen him, but I'm happy to reserve a bit of judgement on him until I've seen him play again. He's hardly had any opportunities for us to date. 

By all accounts he's been playing well in pre season and people who have actually seen him play live this pre season seem to think he could be a viable option at left back. Seems strange that you would outright dismiss that. 

I'm fairly pleased with the Walton signing, if not a little underwhelmed. All the big names we seemed to be linked with and we've ended up signing a young (but promising) lad on loan. I think it speaks volumes though that Brighton see him as a potential number 1 (seen this pop up a few times on twitter). Seems to have done a decent job at Wigan. 

What an awful away shirt. Can't see many people buying that!

Just now, OJRovers said:

Genuine question- I don’t watch them play, so could someone explain how Liverpool’s system works? Seems like Mowbray is try to copy it. 

They play with a high press. None of the front three play in the traditional striker role. Mane and Salah play as wide forwards and often cut inside, whilst Firmino plays as a false 9 linking the midfield trio to the front line. 

We sort of have the players to play the system, but not in terms of quality obviously. Dack would be the most likely to play the Firmino role, which I can see, but only if he does play deeper, allowing the two wide forwards to play more centrally. The natural fits for that role would be Gallagher and Armstrong; capable of playing wide, whilst also having the fire power to score goals through the middle (we hope).

AAK/Dreams of 1995. Excellent posts, both of you.

I've no issues with the signings made so far. In fact I'm really pleased, as long as we bring in a good keeper and centre half.

It's quite clear that we were lacking a bit of nous last season. Even just focussing on the times Graham was rested/injured/was subbed last season, we struggled to make an impact up front. It didn't work out for Brereton unfortunately, but I can't see Gallagher having the same issues in regards to influencing the game. We've seen first hand what he's about. His signing in isolation instantly makes us a tougher proposition next season. 

1 hour ago, OldEwoodBlue said:

Correct.

And people forgetting Tony saying we would probably need to sell a dack.

Expecting one decent money player out to fund the defender / keeper we need.

One from Travis, Dack or Evans sure to leave. Just waiting to see who.

Apologies if you're ITK, but this post reads like pure guess work. Have you actually heard this from someone reliable?

Just now, Angry_Pirate said:

John Ruddy. (Not my opinion).

As in that's who you've heard is in talks? I'd be happy with that. 

55 minutes ago, OJRovers said:

Out of interest, how much is the usual home game ticket discount for 1875 members?

 

It's £3 per ticket for category A & B games (so effectively all of them). They've promised further discounts for the two category A+ games, but haven't disclosed that information yet. 

So I'll be able to get a ticket for £22 or £25, depending on who we play. Unless the discount is massive for the category A+ games, I won't be going to those because £40 is ridiculous.

Just now, Dreams of 1995 said:

I'm sure he called them out in his interview where he stated he had no defence and that defenders are coming.

He obviously didn't rate Raya, has made moves to replace him. From what little rumour we have it seems a centre half is incoming also. I'd say he's making moves to address those problems.

I'm pretty sure he made a thinly veiled dig at Mulgrew in regards to injuries around the time we were really struggling. I think it was around the time they seemed to be having a club v country debate. 

Just now, Bigdoggsteel said:

He was the best of a bad bunch with Yakubu. He wouldn't have got to stay in the Premier league otherwise. 

The good thing with the signing of Gallagher and Carson/Dann if we get them is a big increase in height in the team. All are 6 foot 3 or taller. We badly missed that last season. 

I personally feel like he got that Palace move in spite of his performances here. More than willing to give him a chance if he is someone we're after. He might feel as though he's got some unfinished business here, if he does come back. Yakubu was a class above. Sickens me that we relegated despite him scoring so many. Shows how poor our defending was that season.

Agree with the point about height. My girlfriend always finds it funny that we have a team of 'midgets'.

I've had the 1875 membership for the last two seasons (when I also had a season ticket). I travel to the games by myself from Liverpool, but it was handy to have for the ticket discount whenever my partner fancied coming to a game. The initial club cash off my shirt purchase effectively offset the membership cost before that anyway.

I'm not renewing this season, so I've bought the membership to make use of the discount on the games I can make at Ewood, as well as to get the slight priority on away tickets before they go on general sale.

Just now, Paul Mani said:

He struggled under Kean but who didn’t? Iv read articles suggesting he is their best ever premier league signing, pound for pound.

Agreed, we were awful then. He was brought in for decent money though and with a really good reputation from his time at Birmingham. Completely failed to reproduce the form here. 

Wasn't impressed by Scott Dann when we had him. Plenty of Prem experience though and you'd imagine he'd be a good player at Championship level. Would be interesting to see how he got on. 

Just now, Bigdoggsteel said:

On Ampadu

Lampard explains Ethan Ampadus absent because he could be going on loan for the season. He is a big fan of the player and wanted to sign him on loan for Derby last season, so is hopeful he can play a lot of games somewhere this year.#CFCinJapan

Ampadu would be an amazing signing. He's another centre mid though isn't he...

Just now, MarkBRFC said:

Cant see him slumming it in the bottom half of the second division.

He could still command a decent money move to the US or something surely?

It's hard to make a judgement on that before a ball has even been kicked. The players seem to have bought into the playoff push rhetoric this season though, so why would anyone coming in think otherwise?

He might well be able to get more money in the US, but in terms of league quality, he'd be better off in the Championship. Depends what he values more; his football or his bank balance. 

Just now, Bbrovers2288 said:

Goalkeeper in this week barring any last min complications, some will be happy, some won’t. Nature of the position, it’s hard to please everyone.

i think it’s an upgrade on raya personally, can see the logic 

Screams Joe Hart to me. 

5 minutes ago, DE. said:

I think he was officially announced as "ill" in the friendly he missed, although my first thought was that the word was being substituted for injured so people didn't get upset. 

I've said before we simply cannot rely on Chapman being a regular starter for our team. We'll do well to get 20 appearances out of him in a season imo, and that includes coming on as a substitute.  

I completely understand the concerns over Chapman, but I'd rather have 20 games where I could call on him, than not have him available at all (i.e. if we'd not signed him). He's brilliant. Given his probable low salary and transfer fee, he's worth having IMO.

I think the risk on our end has greatly reduced as well with the additions of Downing and Gallagher. Downing as a potential option out wide and Gallagher as a genuine contender to replace Graham, leaving the likes of Armstrong available to play out wide. 

Just now, joey_big_nose said:

Could Rangers be resigning Adam? That would make sense. Just a case of crossed wires in saying it's a Blackburn player.

Liverpool link there as well with Gerrard. Could be right with that.