I actually thought this was a dig at EFL.

For me this potentially stops with the CEO. There should have been proper planning prior to even the start of the window - going through each potential scenario with dummy runs to ensure requirements fully understood, estimate timings etc. It ain't rocket science. Also, even if not directly involved, swanning off to Birmingham on transfer deadline day is unbelievable. Even allowing for the farce of what happened - what if one of our earlier targets became available at the last minute, and he is stuck on the M6 ? I will add one caveat to this (based on what is currently happening in wider industry). The owners could be directly at fault (besides choice of staff) if they have cost cut administration staff to a level that makes it difficult to do their jobs to the appropriate level for times like this. Though even this would also involve the CEO

When did John Williams cheaper Season Tickets come in - this will have influenced attendance as well.

Could be that EFL delayed the checks on contract situation - and that is the defence ? TBH who knows - just wait and see - but doesn't look good.

Doesn't matter how many deals you do - look at Chelsea and PSG

Yes, the more this goes on, the more worried I become. It would be so easy to put out a message - could even by a teaser - eg 2 signed, but who, find out at 10. Lack of anything makes me worried they are just trying to line up their excuses for the media

What is even stranger is that they announced Markanday going out on loan. We just have to hope that the signings are that good that they wanted to make a big announcement rather than it being hidden amongst the chaos of transfer deadline night (not holding breath though).

If rumours are true - nobody offered £10m. Did we not get £15m for Armstrong in the final year of his contract ? Not unreasonable to expect similar for BBD. Though the same argument holds - he only moves if he/agent wants to.

BBD's agent holds all the cards - even if we agreed a deal with another club - we can't force BBD to move. (unless we can come up with a deal with his pre-contract club)

If he gets back to form and we end up top 6 - even better promotion - couldn't give a monkeys.

Even though probably only a rumour - it shows how far down the pecking order he has gone that there is even a rumour that he would go to Millwall. No offence to them, but it isn't long ago that he was rumoured to be interesting lower premiership clubs. After a good start to the season, his form has fallen off a cliff.

?

Liverpool v Chelsea was hardly a good advert for the best league in the world 🙂

I think the biggest change is how the Premiership hoover up talent at youth level and from the lower leagues. Anyone decent not picked up by Premiership sides is invariably picked up by relegated teams with parachute payments. You could probably add the Bosman impact - previously it wasn't as much of a worry if a players contract was up - as the club held his registration. None of these pre contract agreements back then. I always remember the season we sold Jim Arnold - and bought Terry Gennoe, Ian Miller and Norman Bell (if my memory is correct). I am sure, even then we had two transfer lists depending on whether Everton stumped up the cash for Arnold (excellent keeper btw).

Though frustrated - I am prepared to wait for the end of the window before I judge. I am sure we are treading the usual gambit of trying to get the best we can with our limited transfer and wage budget. I also wouldn't be surprised if they are waiting to see what happens with Diaz - as it has the potential to drastically change the landscape. Our DOF seems to be getting some stick - but it can't be easy given all the variables in play.

With Lenihan and Nyambi they offered new contracts well in advance of them leaving. With Rothwell it was a strategic decision not to sell - based on our league position. It was a gamble that didn't pay off - but hindsight is a wonderful thing. Also, if we had sold Rothwell to a rival - how many would have accused the owners of lacking ambition ? Raya is an interesting one - we got £3m for a Championship keeper - plus (if rumours are correct) a sizeable sell on fee. Now it is rumoured he will leave Brentford for £20 - 25m - but we have to remember that is for a Premiership experienced goalkeeper. I struggle to think of a Championship keeper with no top flight experience going for that amount of money. Also - how many months did he have on his contract when we sold him, could we have ended up with another Diaz ? Also - did we need the money to balance the FFP books ? But I think you miss my main point - nobody really knows what offers have been made to BBD's agent - and yet many blame the club. Unless of course you have some great insider knowledge. In truth I am not defending the club - just pointing out that things aren't always as black and white as some seem to think - i.e. BBD goes on a free transfer is totally the fault of the club or the owners.

For all those moaning about BBD potentially going for nothing need to look at other clubs. In the post Bosman era we have seen numerous examples of players running down their contracts. The blame by many seems to be placed on the club - I have no idea what efforts the club have made to keep BBD - and I doubt nor does anyone on this MB. Can anyone categorically say that the club haven't made repeated offers to get him to sign a new contract - and that it isn't a deliberate ploy by his agent to run down his contract. The pre-contract links to foreign clubs started over 12 months ago - coincidence ?

A quick question - were the tactics last night, mixing short passes with long balls, typical of what had gone before ? Last night was different - and at times effective. The only time we went a bit suicidal at the back was when down to 10 men - prior to that we was playing it through the lines well.

I am sorry - pointless having creative players on the pitch if you are being overrun. We needed fresh legs to close them down quicker.

I am glad you mentioned the penalty - watched it on Sky and not one person mentioned he actually touched the ball.

I agree, I thought we played well in the 1st half - could have been at least 2 up. Manager got his tactics spot on.

Seen a replay of sending off "incident" - if that isn't over turned there is something desperately wrong. It was thrown by a smiling Buckley with no force - it was stupid, but when you think one of there players should have been sent off for two yellows in the 1st half, it is an unbelievable decision by the referee.

A good workout for our youth team - hopefully JDT will have learned some valuable lessons. 1. When Edun looks a 100 times better than Mola - you know it is time to send Mola back to his club. 2. Hirst - didn't get great service - but no time for a player that consistently pulls out of 50-50 challenges. 3. Philips - could become a good player - but not ready yet, especially poor positional awareness and pulled around by a good Forest forward line 4. Travis - not a right back, even JRC looked better against Norwich 5. Scott Wharton - needs to realise he isn't Beckenbauer - in a poor run of form 6. Adam Wharton - see Scott 7. Pears - best match in a Rovers shirt 8. Markanday - reminds me a little of Dolan. On the first half showing, not certain why he has been frozen out. Some players will have (hopefully) learned some valuable lessons. Pears, Edun and Markanday will have done their loan chances no harm at all. There was some very good passages of play - unfortunately intermingled with some awful defending, poor choice and execution of pass. If tonight ends up with Hirst and Mola going back to their clubs and replaced (with hopefully better) - then it could end up being a good night 🙂

I thought both teams played well in patches - but over the 90 minutes just another average Championship game. Without doubt we were lucky - the first goal is so important at this level.

Though don't agree 100% with JDT assessment - if players don't move to receive passes it leads to players either making too ambitious passes (and giving the ball away) or getting caught in possession. Pass and move is the corner stone of most good teams - and if done properly can overcome limited players. However, when not working, possibly due to good press by the opposition - surely you try going longer to negate the benefit of the high press ? Playing through the lines of the high press has occasionally led to some great team goals, but more often has led to opposition goals.