People talk of him as young. Shearer had scored a hat trick on his debut, played for England, transferred for a record fee, got a career threatening injury, overcome a career threatening injury and was lifting the Premier League trophy at his age. Gallagher has already played more than half the amount of games that Big Al did for us - so it's about time he learned the basics of striking. ...of course I'm mischief making but it is all true.

I'm not sure. As an option I think he'd offer something we don't have. Gallagher could do the dog work around him but to incorporate them both, we would have to have a plan b with proper wingers getting balls across the face of goal. Sadly, Graham is totally knackered now. A fantastic servant for us but a spent force who can still hold up and lay off but needs replacing asap. Rhodes can't command top dollar anymore and if we can get him in on 15-20k a week, I'd be interested.

Potential - at 24years old? At that age and price he should be well on the way to the finished article by now. Not needing basic advice to be ruthless and not to get underneath crosses.

Are we serious about promotion? I personally am but I've seen nothing since the signing of Rhodes to suggest we genuinely are as a club. We certainly weren't serious last January when very well placed and we've continued to overlook the obvious failings. Also, our choices of managers and lack of ruthlessness when they don't get results doesn't suggest those above are thinking of anything other than a half-arsed, living in a dream land approach. I have no doubt whatsoever that when the price is right, we'd sell any player to the highest bidder - regardless of the league they are in.

He does more than his fair share of clangers too.

I have no idea and not sure what your point is tbh. All I know is, our manager and CEO clearly are - as they frequently reference it as an excuse or fear.

Yes, I said a while ago that we would've sold him. Because regardless of our position, we simply wouldn't be able to invest and it amazed me how surprised lots of supporters were when the penny dropped regarding FFP - it's simple arithmetic. The terrible dealings have tied us in a tight knot and we HAVE to sell someone to improve the team. Add to the fact Dack isn't going to sign a deal, he held the card more firmly every day that goes by. Mowbray even did a piece in the Telegraph dropping a massive hint that he might have to go.

I think they knowingly replaced him with Holtby in September. I fully expected him to move on during the window but injury put paid to that.

Fair enough ?

I liked Downing, but he was one of many not to be used when needed. Sending him on loan last season was ridiculous, especially the timing of it.

Every wasteful signing is a fair leap towards FFP sanctions. This is proven by the tentative situation we find ourselves in now. I do think some people overlook and underestimate the wages that players are on and I can't agree that just because one injured player who has a potential value that the transfer 'strategy' during the Mowbray reign is ok - it is dire. For me, there's no such thing as a 'free transfer' and every signing should be potential players for the first team. Loads just aren't worthy of their thousands a week and many of them have been paid for nothing or paid to 'get up to speed on the grass'. To put it into context, the annual wages for five or six of those pointless signings equates to the entire revenue from season tickets - yet we get the sob story every year from Mowbray and Waggott that we need more people at the ground with the half season tickets deals etc. and it stops us competing. Poor business acumen, management and transfer dealings stops us competing.

He's a definite not yet though. Apart from his 60 min debut and the last game he haan't had much of an impact - the same as many on that list, either not used correctly, or barely used at all. I said it at the time, I honestly think Holtby was Dack's January replacement.

Sorry, yes I agree. On balance he hasn't done enough or been used enough. I didn't realise he signed Hart and Leutweiler and forgot about Caddis...so it's getting worse...at 22 years old, Brad Lyons must be considered too. At least twenty one permanent signings and only 3 decent ones who have made an impact. Woeful. I personally think Holtby will come good too and I live in hope for Gallagher to improve and contribute more.

I really like both. He doesn't and will pick Benno before either. I'm just pointing out the terrible returns on transfer investments. Chapman has been fit for ages and been waterboy until a few weeks ago, now we are led to believe he's after taking a multi-million pound punt on a young Polish right winger...when our young right winger only ever gets a cameo on the left! Also, how many of those have been long-term injured in training or suffered recurrent strains? Too many for it be a coincidence I feel. Something is fundamentally wrong in the coaching set up.

How many permanent TM signings have actually come good and had an impact that has anywhere near matched their contract? Dack - definitely S Downing - absolutely Armstrong - Yes P Downing - No. Now left Bell - No. Contract up in the summer Rodwell - No. Now left. Smallwood - yes league one, unused for a year so No. Contract up in the summer. Chapman - No. Samuel - No. Gladwin - No. Now left. Rothwell - No, only fleetingly. Holtby - not yet Davenport - no Brereton - No Gallagher - Not yet Johnson - No Whittingham - No. Now left. Nuttall - No. Now left. Hart - No. Effectively left. Caddis- No. Now left. Leutweiller - No Lyons - No Apologies if I have missed anyone but I think they are largely absolutely pitiful dealings and MILLIONS have been wasted in fees and wages. I wouldn't trust him with another penny and (alongside the poor tactics and selections) just don't get the love in with him.

I think the truth is (from good authority), his mum pushed for a move because it was damaging for his career with the relegation and how he had hardly been used (bit of a theme there for young wingers under TM). I wouldn't say it worked out but I imagine he got a pay rise - and Dorset is a lovely part of the world. I'd have said the same to my son too (at that point in time).

Some games I actually really like Walton. He usually claims crosses very well (I know not the case at Preston). Other games/moments he worries me also but there is certainly potential there and he'll get better. For the right price, I'd be open to him staying as short-term 2nd choice behind an older head - with a view to becoming number 1.

He was clearly joking. Maybe K-Hod and I have similar senses of humour - I thought it was funny and feel you need to lighten up a touch regarding this post and keep the toys in the pram - so to speak. From my point of view, Mods don't need to be soulless, opinionless entities (not your view, I know) who donate all of their life without showing a bit of personality, but certainly - leave moderation to them because they do a superb job on here and are extremely fair. The thread over the years isn't solely about people like Chaddy (no offence) hankering for vague info from genuine or non-genuine sources, Twitter rumours, or just back-slapping and blowing smoke up behinds. And to be honest, I've not read anything on here lately that wasn't already on Newsnow or something. Anyway, when there's something with real meat on the bones, I am sure it'll generate interest and that'll be all we'll focus on for a while - but do get used to debates on the edge of acceptability when things are stagnant.

Twelve months ago, we were perfectly poised to have a proper shot at the playoffs. We didn't invest either sensibly or appropriately and pedictably went on one of our trademark dogshit runs. Fast forward 12months, Groundhog Day again - but even worse because we've had one win in seven and can hardly invest without repercussions of FFP sanctions - due to a certain person (who has a thread) tying ourselves in knots with utterly terrible recruitment. We knew back then the basics of what the squad needed - it didn't materialize. We know what is still needed - it absolutely won't materialize again. I call it massive failure - neglectful in fact. Some package it up as consolidation and other cliches like keeping powder dry etc. and are already writing off the season in the make-believe scenario that we will somehow do basic things right, with money we can't spend and have a better shot next season (When three teams who know how to get out of this league , come down with even bigger budgets than the last time they we'd us how it was done). Make no mistake, we will be wasteful again and spend something for the sake of spending, probably on someone who won't be "Up to speed" for a month. At best, we'll get a Jack of all trades, master of none individual (midfielder no doubt) who will do half a job somewhere because he's quiet and easy to manage. We will get the inevitable interview saying our derisory offers for experienced players were laughed off (not with such honesty of course) and how we tried with a number of deals that couldn't get over the line because teams don't want to lose good players when they are in with a chance of promotion...or fighting relegation...or wanting stability...or *insert pathetic excuse here * Oh to simply have a plan and the bollocks to go for it.

You were.

It wasn't. Your rose-tinted specs got the better of you. Genuinely though, I don't value your opinions, they aren't often linked to reality or facts and now you don't seem to be remotely aware of the opinions of others or facts (regardless of people pointing things out to you: whether that be who, where, when, why or how much) - so I think it is for the best that we leave it because I do feel that you must be on the wind up...again. So...transfers? Any hope of a left back?

So that long list of clubs that outperformed us, can now join that long list of managers that would never have joined. Yep, all drivel ? Anyway, to keep the harmony - any incomings or outgoings today?

Are you a site admin?? Talk of transfers, transfer budgets and recent expenditure ARE clearly linked to this thread. It might not be the Champ Manager, suggesting random players eho take someone's fancy and make-believe stuff that litters the thread, or the hanging on the words of a man who know's a guy at Brockhall stuff (Twitter rumour) - but in all honesty, it all seemed ok to me before Mashed Spuds commented and people use this thread to debate the whole spectrum of transfer-related stuff.

It was a post about expenditure and expectations - what's the issue?

A predictable and a ridiculous response as usual Mrs Mowbray. What on Earth does the size of the town/city have to do with anything? The budget and facilities at Rovers surpasses that of Watford, Sheffield United, Bournemouth, Brighton, Huddersfield, Burnley etc. (When they were in this league) All teams who have had the bollocks and inclination to make forward-thinking decisions and go for promotion. Even Leicester and Southampton were our peers not long since. Each and every one of those improved their management and have spent time in League One not long before a promotion to the Premier League. As for your opening statement - check the Lancs Telegraph.