DavidMailsTightPerm

If the rumours I heard were correct - Reading offered more money !

Not based on some of the comments on here when we was 1-0 down

What was really interesting - at half time I read the forum and thought we must be 3 or 4 nil down - only to find it is only 1-0. It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that TM is trying different formations etc - and there will still be a big focus on fitness. Also - Rangers were always going to be sharper - as they are further into their pre-season. By all means whinge when the season starts - but I am amazed that people get so upset over a pre-season match.

I agree he has to start when the league starts - pre season not too bothered

TBH - I am not surprised as we only have a limited budget - especially for wages. Maybe if we sold more Season Tickets it would be different ?

One of my favourite keepers - on the whole we have been very lucky with goalkeepers

Grey shirts - ask Fergie - our players won't be able to see each other ? Personally - take away the big 10 in the centre and don't actually mind. Novel approach to keep halved shirts.

Blackpool have offered a pittance in comparison to us and Reading. Figures I have heard are a 1/4 of what we are offering and 1/6 of Reading. Plus - a commute of Poulton to Brockhall is far less than Stoke or Liverpool.

Rumour in Blackpool - we have bid to sign Adam - as have Blackpool and Reading. Though wages we are offering is less than Reading will still have a chance as his missus doesn't want to move out of area.

£78 million - no wonder so many question BB signing ?

If we can arrange some form of back stop so Lenihan can pass freely to his team mates - we will have achieved BREXIT before the Torys do ?

There has to be some departures - can't see him keeping all those forwards happy. Anyone else think that Gallagher type player is possibly what TM thought he was buying with Brereton ? Though may be interesting to see them paired up front. Two 6ft+ forwards who can dribble and have reasonable pace.

I think £5m is ludicrous - but only time will tell. Also curious as to how that deal has been structured - could be heavily based on things like promotion rather than all up front.

Is this the same Nixon who claimed a £50m transfer budget when Venkys took over ?

Football is a team game - and players need to play to their position. Reed was best on the right wing - TM was right in that Reed wasn't disciplined enough at times to be play in the centre. In no way is Smallwood a better footballer - but does hold is position better.

Interesting reading TMs comments in LET ?

With a few centre mid players unavailable - possibly doing him a favour to help him get his fitness up

That will be a concern until we bring in a new centre half. TM keeps his cards close to his chest - so let's keep fingers crossed

Think this is a little harsh. Also you need to balance those points he cost us - against some world class saves he did that gained us points. Overall though I felt he cost more than he gained.

Given how many times Raya was targeted by the opposition last year - £3m seems good money. Only time will tell - but we don't have the finances to turn that amount of money down for a keeper that many would prefer as a No 2 to a more experienced and commanding keeper.

Who is pushing for the move - Raya or the club ? Or is it just more Nixon rumour mongering ?

I do wonder whether TM is playing the market. Surely everyone knows we need a commanding centre half - and I am sure that reflects in fees and salaries being asked. Are TMs latest comments to give the impression we aren't desperate for a centre half to other clubs and agents. Let's judge this window at the end of it - rather than getting too stressed when there is over a month to go.

Never been overly impressed by him (except the odd game) - but we are operating at a lower level than he has played most of his career (even though I am shocked how old he is). As a replacement for Conway - he is probably a slight upgrade (taking into account his age). For a player that never really relied on pace - I am hoping his age isn't too much of a factor.

Defence worries me more than most areas. In midfield Davenport will be like a new signing - and TBH so will Rothwell given how little game time he had over the whole season. You can add to that the emergence of Travis as a genuine regular first team player. On the wings Chapman will again be like a new signing - as he spent most of the time since his signing building up his fitness. Defensively we need a commanding centre half and more competition in the full back positions - especially left back. Raya needs some genuine competition. Up front we have Samuel coming back - again like a new signing (though possibly not a signing many would make ? ) - and we saw better things from Brereton when he was actually played in the centre. But given Graham's age we do need another player to bolster TM's options. Other than central defence - I am fairly relaxed about the current lack of signings.

I think you need to look again at the squad we had that year - I see a quality spine from Friedel to Nelsen to Tugay to Bellamy.