BlackburnEnd75

Ticks a lot of boxes though doesn't he No transfer fee Can play and cover both right and left back. Is quick From the north west Experience at a higher level Good age and could be sold for reasonable value in a future fire sale Only issue here will be wages. Same with iverson too, it makes sense on paper but we will be hesitant to pay those wages at this stage of the window. We will be looking for cheaper alternatives first.

I think you'd play ohashi as a 10 or play him ahead of Gueye. Or just play a bit more like a 4-4-2. If we were to go back to a 5 at the back, I'd go with Hedges left wing back and Pickering left cb.

We need to invest the vast majority of the szmodics fee. Whether we will or not will be remain to be seen. Judging by the lining up of keepers last week I'd say that they've been waiting for the cash influx from szmodics to make a few moves. We desperately need a keeper and getting a good one will go a long way to determining our success or failure this season. We need a left back, at least one who can cover Pickering even better if they are an upgrade. Ideally need to be left footed, probably a more defensive minded full back who uses the ball well. A bonus If they can also play cb. We need a left winger with pace. To give us a counter attacking threat and option. The left winger is clearly the width down left in what we've seen so far this season with the rb the width on the right. I'd suggest the majority of funds and effort go into getting the above. If the budget allows we can also do with: Another forward option, either as a striker or a 10 ala szmodics Another cm. Light on numbers but I count 4 so could potentially manage. A back up right back. I think Duru, JRC or Carter could deputise and I'd rather see the budget invested elsewhere.

I suppose the main selection headaches are further forward. Back 4, keeper and probably cm picks itself. Now szmodics is back into the fold you would expect him to start so there is your 10. I'd go with Gueye ahead of Yuki up top. Out wide it's a tough call. Weimann has 2 goals now, Hedges gives a natural left footed option on the left, dolan scored and did well vs Derby playing as a 10. Siggy was alright on Tuesday and JRC was probably the pick of them during pre season. Good to have options, I'd go Dolan and JRC

I think there's differences in how we have played so far this season (early days admittedly). Looks to have used pre season to bed in a proper system of play (4-2-3-1 with rb being the width on the right, LB holding and lw hugging the left hand side). We are quite varied in our attack, more balls over the top but can play through the lines too. Much better attacking movement has been the stand out thing for me. Wasn't a massive fan last season of eustace but he did the minimum that was required. With a full preseason and a transfer window he'll be judged properly and so far so good.

Pears Duru. O'riordan. Batth. Batty Buckley. ? Weimann. Markanday . Siggurdson Ohashi Subs: Second cm with Buckley I'd go for a 45 min split between tronstad and Travis. Subs Hilton Carter Hyam Brittain Travis or tronstad Hedges Dolan Gueye Vale If nothing has moved along with szmodics then there's a strong argument to give him an hour for fitness.

Completely disagree. I think Leonards off the ball movement is very good especially in and around the box. I think he's an average finisher at present and needs to mature physically, which won't happen if he keeps getting injured. Personally I rate him and think hes got a chance but he needs to stay fit for that to happen. League 1 loan till Xmas might be for the best though.

Would be a great signing. Thus I don't belive it to be true

There's a lot that doesn't add up with what waggott says if at first it's seems like a pretty bland interview. He's says transfer fees are available from the owner on request but that clearly isn't the case judging from this and the last window. We aren't even spending a quarter of the money we bringing in. The 'we get paid in installments' line is hilarious as an excuse for not signing anyone as it suggests that we would be paying for players up front. Unless he's saying that the money that's come in is needed for the cash flow in which case he should be honest and say that (as that's likely the truth as we know venkys aren't funding). Man's a walking contradiction. I can't wait till he leaves

Both Gestede and Wagggot mentioned we've signed 5 players. This may be just me being incredibly pedantic but it's 4 signing and essentially a Contract renewal that should have been sorted at the end of last season. It really winds me up. I don't know if it's just me but it feels like spin.

Agreed on this. One or two that go into the first 11 is preferable to 5 squad players. Look at last seasons crop: Chrisene - used as back up left back Ayari - used as cover Billy the kid - emergency cover Moran - used a lot earlier in the season but wasn't up to it. barely featured 2nd half of the season. Siggy - was clearly loaned till it could be made permanent. Fell out of favour under eustace. A lot will depend on what is available and where we have holes that need filling. A JpVH, an elliot or an Armstrong would go down a treat. Quality first then quantity.

Pears Brittain Carter. Hyam. Pickering JRC. Travis. Tronstad. Dolan Ohashi Gueye Subs: Hilton Duru Fadz Batth Buckley Siggy Hedges Weimann Vale

Any ideas on what the team was?

Yeah short term if szmodics isn't sold I think we could have a reasonable start to the season. Could potentially get a few wins going. Immediate issue with the first 11 is a lack of pace out wide to play on the counter. Problem is besides that first 11 there's feck all depth. Couple of injuries in most areas and we are scrapping the bottom of the barrel. Remove szmodics and there's no goals at all. Gallagher and pears can do it for you in an isolated 3 game period for example. Take them over the course of a season they are going to let you down either with injuries, performances or both. Behind them there is nothing. Screams a valiant but unsuccesgul effort against relegation.

I must disagree on walker. 2nd goal is his fault as he was miles out of position for no reason. Walker generally looked better as right sided cb rather than a proper right back for whatever reason. I wouldn't retire him but would be looking at different options.

I mean I'd bite your hand off for ayari and chrisene back on loan right about now.

Has finneran gone or not?

Scored more goals for us than I remembered.

This is a good point on Broughton. The opposite example is why didn't we offer Brereton a new contract early on in the 21/22 season when he was on a good run or at the back end of the previous season when he'd made progress. The joys of having Waggott back in charge of contract renewals.

He brought in JDT who for me was the best manager we've had since relagtion from the prem and signed szmodics. He's also being replaced by either waggott or nobody.

If its Ryan Gauld then that would be a great signing

I wonder why you keep suggesting McGuire. It ain't happening... he'll have other offers and he sure ain't going to pick us now is he.

I'd say the chances of McGuire coming are 0%. Not happening. More chance of Lewandowski coming.

Trigger the extension on Gallaghers contract. Then try to sell him. He doesn't justify his wage but we can't be left short in that area especially with questionable funds available. McFadzean, renew as back up , but only if we are committing to a back 5 which I wouldn't be doing. Fleck - shouldn't go anywhere near Dolan - trigger the extension. Guarantees us some money in a year if he doesn't renew. He's currently a pretty cheap back up. Chrisene - I'd try to get back. Ayari - not a priority but I wouldn't be against him coming back either. Vale can go. Gent could be a useful back up to a new left wing back Pickering playing lcb in a 5 makes him more useful. Hyam if he's only got 1 more year then sell. Szmodics. I'm resigned to him going, just about getting the correct amount of money.

I think there was a lot of interest. But because of ffp restrictions nobody really had the money available to make move with the exception of the top drawer clubs who don't have as much need for him. So palace swooped in.