Apologies to both, it was a bit of a half cocked message. They compete with similar teams to them (the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, etc), who have this London pull, and seem to do OK. I don't see why we shouldn't be competing with a similar team to us in terms of stature (Brentford) for foreign players. It's our scouting that's letting us down, not our location. Brentford's scouting is setting them apart in this league at the moment and they're reaping the rewards through the fees they've been receiving for the last couple of years. Interestingly though, the one bit of scouting we seem to do well, is picking up youngsters in the North West who've seemingly fallen out of favour or not made it at the bigger Premier League clubs.

I don't particularly buy the 'London pull' comments. Man Utd, Man City and Liverpool do pretty well at drawing in foreign talent and we're in that catchment area when you consider where the players are going to live i.e. Cheshire, Manchester city centre, etc.

Of those listed I like the look of 4231 and 442 based on our personnel. To play with wing backs, I feel like they pretty much need to be your best players (or at least your fittest) and I have big doubts about Bell and Nyambe. Quite happy with the prospect of Adam, but he needs another couple of games in pre-season before we should even consider offering him a deal. If he can keep himself fit and perform as he apparently did in the Barrow 2nd half, I'd be happy enough. With Rodwell looking like he's gone, it's a pretty cheap replacement without weakening that part of the squad. On formations, I'd personally stick with 4231 and just look to improve the playing style. I probably wouldn't alter the line up you've suggested either. Adam to slot into the middle when we need to rotate or for injuries/suspensions. Williams 3rd choice centre back. Chapman and Armstrong competing for the wing positions, with Brereton and Nuttall challenging Graham for the front spot.

I think we've got to trust that we've already sounded out potential replacements for Raya before we've agreed to any serious discussion with Brentford over his transfer. If we've not signed a keeper within a week of him leaving, we're blagging it.

Yeah, which makes it even better.

I was a bit hungover which doesn't help, but I could feel the cold in my bones at half time. I convinced myself that it would all be worth it if we won... Edit. On that basis, Raya can do one. I'll pay for his taxi down to London.

Looks a good team on paper. There's something about Bell I really don't like. He can look lazy on the ball and that led to errors last season. Have to admit that going forward, he does look dangerous. He carries the ball really well.

That was one of the worst match day experiences I've ever had. Coasting to a win and we threw it away with pathetic errors. What made it worse was the weather that day. Freezing cold and the rain after the game was mental. My train back to Liverpool wasn't for 3 hours as well. Awful.

Bradley Johnson would be a great replacement for Rodwell (should he buggar off as expected).

Freeman seems to be the main one who didn't move that window and he's just joined Sheff Utd.

That properly takes me back. The one thing I remember being crap about the shirt though was the felt-like sponsor stuck on the front.

Really nice shirt. Pleased with that.

And you're trying to lay it all on Waggott's feet because of the opinion of one person you know. Good that.

I haven't fallen for anything. I'm capable of having an opinion on something before the club, the LET or other posters try and impose their idea/opinion on to me. IMO Davenport and Chapman will both be in and around our starting eleven next season, despite not seeing much game time last season. You've got to factor that in when you consider our recruitment this summer.

In all fairness, he wasn't available for most of the season. So he will be like a new signing for us.

That was my first ever shirt. Loved it.

The squad is capable of a top half finish, but we've lost Reed and probably Rodwell from that. I think the recruitment over the next month or so will determine whether we can aim for the playoffs as a stretch target, or ultimately miss out on a top half finish.

Too old. He'd be another Murphy.

It is yeah. Hopefully whoever has designed the kit has thought more about how the logo will be incorporated into the shirt this time around.

Fair enough comment. I actually don't buy the idea that our centre backs are terrible. Genuinely think they are exposed more often than they should be due to the lack of quality at full back.

Three at the back? Adventurous.

Not sure what Rovers you've been watching, but any team without Travis in it is crazy. He's quite comfortably one of our better players, despite his relative age and experience.

On Payne, I messaged a Bradford supporting mate (also a season ticket holder) out of interest a couple of weeks ago. He responded with the following. "Payne was easily our best player last season but other teams knew that if you stopped him you’d stop us. When we had amazing form over Xmas and we were beating every 4-0 he was brilliant but as soon as teams worked us out, Hopkin didn’t really know what to do with him. We spent loads to keep him on and extend the terms of his loan and when he signed everyone was delighted but he didn’t put in one good performance after that. Bowyer ended up leaving him out the team and rightly so. Sure he’ll do well but he really suffers from being unsure what player he is. Not quick enough to be forward or winger and too small to be a centre mid."

I wouldn't mind Sam Gallagher coming in, as long as it was to play through the middle. I know the going rate for players has risen quite sharply in recent times, but £5 million does sound steep. £3 million would be fair for a player of his calibre and experience.

Sweet. Sounds good. Wasn't doubting you. Just can't see the comments section on his profile for whatever reason!