Sounds exactly like Travis to me?

Not saying it's impossible but I can't think of a championship player ever turning down a premier club. Can anyone think of someone?

Check out this bizarre rant by the chairman of Bury FC. Will brighten your day. https://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/latest-statement-07-08-2020/august/club-update/?fbclid=IwAR0dveZK_kNIuyLgQVFX9Al4sh_jZ2Qv6YQTTZGlHTiw6hfraI8odoBFXb4

Seems like a good signing. But then most of us said that about Walton last year so just need to see how it goes.

I'll be amazed if Mowbray goes back to 4231. He's obviously committed to 433/4312.

I agree it's bizarre we signed him considering deficiencies in other areas. But equally he does have quality so we need to figure out how to unlock that. Could see him having a really good season this year now he's settled. Much prefer someone like him whose obviously a talented player who always gives you hope, rather than a plodder. A centre 3 out of Travis, Holtby and one out of Evans/Johnson/Davenport is decent at this level. Strongest part of the team. Question will be what happens when Dacks back?I guess he will be playing false 9? Which I just don't think works imo. And then you end up with the lunacy of Gallagher and Breo on the wing. Or you go "wingless wonders" 4312 which at least let's you play strikers as strikers. But leaves us very narrow and where does that leave Dolan and Chapman? Have to say formation wise things look as uncertain as ever.

Team for me --------------------------Fisher ---JRC-----Lenihan-----Williams----Bell ------------------------Holtby ------------Travis--------------Johnson ------Dolan------Brereton-----Armstrong Defence looks very dodgy but best we can put together.

I just think who ever we played would stick a big man on Nyambe and punt high balls in. It's a major problem that the only player who can head a ball in defence (maybe the whole club to be honest) is Lenihan.

Nyambe is way too weak in the air for CB in my opinion.

I suppose an interesting question is how often has a player been promoted to the senior team and looked out of place. For me no youth players has been promoted and looked worse than the weaker senior members of the team. Sure they might not look exceptional, but no worse than Ben Brereton, Gallagher, Bell, Mulgrew have in recent times. I think there is an unneccesary reticence to play them.

Is he though really? He prefers to run with the ball than pass it. He's too "head down" to be a true CM in my opinion I think technique wise he could make CM - he can pass pretty well when he wants to, and has really good feet. But the way he moves around the pitch so freely and every time he receives the ball he wants to turn and run - sometimes quite blindly - is a real issue which he hasn't broken out of in 2 years. I cant really see that much of a future for him at Rovers to be honest. Obviously talented but lacks a clear role and path forward.

I would say Downing was in our top 5 performers last season so would definitely retain him. Obviously Tony is a huge fan. It's very odd that deal hasn't happened. Maybe his agent wants two years but we will only offer one? But that would be crazily ambitious from him. Or maybe an embargo on signing players without resale value? Anyone know?

Come on surely Tugay is number two after Shearer. Thought Duff was great, but Tugay was next level.

With Kipre you would think there is as much upside to that deal as an attacking player. Decent chance of making a significant improvement on an initial investment of £1.5m.

With Kaminski landing things are looking up. If we could get Cunningham and Kipre plus an experienced CB and a promising GK that would be a very good window compared to what I expected a week ago.

This is great news. Sharpe tweeted that we are targeting 2 GK, 2 CB, 1 LB which for my money is exactly right. If we can sign real quality and can keep the squad together that would kick us on and make us genuine playoff challengers. Only quibble I would have is he said once we fill the above we may look at midfielders. But for me after the GK/defence next stop should bringing in an improved striker and get one of Brereton and Gallagher out the door

I agree the whole Gallagher/Brereton on the wing thing has been an absolute abject failure. I however think Mowbray loves it and we will see plenty more of it. Interestingly today suggested he may actually try some wingers, but I am not hopeful.

I would say having better striking options would be good, but way down the pecking order compared to gk and defenders. As it stands we are going to play one up front but have 3 first team strikers (Armstrong, Gallagher, Brereton) and two young players knocking on the door (Vale, Butterworth). In terms of numbers that's fine. Main issue is Brereton and Gallagher have been very very poor to date, so need to seriously step up.

If he's another attacking centre mid surely we are selling someone? We've got four already - Dack, Holtby, Rothwell, Buckley. Maybe to allow Dack to move on?

On the surface of it quite promising. He was first choice for Genk who finished second in Belgium top league. Displaced recently though.

Does this mean we can actually start the links thread?

Ive started feeling a creeping dread we are about to go the way of Wigan and Bolton very quickly. So not enthused at all.

I would take Armstrong over him any day. Armstrong scores goals out of virtually nothing - probs half his goals last season were like that. Dack is more about the interplay and partnerships. If we're on the back foot the is less likely to produce something. That said our big hope this season is that we can keep both and get a good partnership out of them. I could see it working with Armstrong up top and Dack in the hole. Does beg the question though of what to do with Gallagher and Brereton. The obvious answer is to desperately try and sell at least one of them. I think Butterworth and Vale will offer us more.

Funny as it's sadly so close to the bone. Best side we can probably put out is as follows : -------------------------Fisher Nyambe----Lenihan-----Williams-----Bell -----------------Travis----------Evans --------Holtby-------Dack-------Rothwell ----------------------Armstrong Subs : GK???, Carter, Bennett, Johnson, Buckley, Rankin-Costello, Gallagher Got a decent - if very narrow - front line but defence and keeper is absolutely shocking.

The three players we absolutely have to keep are Armstrong, Lenihan and Dack in that order. If one has to go I would go for Dack as we have Holtby, Rothwell and Buckley who can all play that role. If Armstrong goes we have no decent strikers. If Lenihan goes we have no decent defenders. Perilous situation.