I saw yesterday that Chelsea left back Baba Rahman is interesting some Championship clubs as a loan. He's one of the perennial Chelsea loanees, but at 26 needs to be playing regular football (Chelsea want to loan him out again). I imagine he's on astronomical wages, but he'd be a very interesting acquisition if it was possible.

1 minute ago, simongarnerisgod said:

what are the chances of this aleesami loan happening??,don`t know anything about him tbh

Think he's on a free. Left Amiens in the summer. 

Kids got glue on his gloves.

27 minutes ago, Sparks Rover said:

If only we could be so creative.  Good player 

4 minutes ago, Fraserkirky said:

What on earth is there in that for Olympiacos?

Same owners of both clubs. So a loophole used to get the deal done.

23 minutes ago, Sparks Rover said:

I'll see you in 12 years.?

Maybe, but one's played 26 games in the PL, the others made a PL bench twice.

Just now, Sparks Rover said:

What, to the 23 year old premier league player who will probably go on to represent the Ivory coast at World Cups and Africa Cup of Nations etc......? Ayala has been nothing but a bog standard middle championship player all his.career.  ??

Same applies to Kipre so far. 

Going off this season so far, it would've been a bigger blow losing Del rather than Lenihan for the game. Imo Lenihan has been one of our poorer performers (although it's been a high bar set), he's made a few mistakes and has been caught out of position on a few occasions. 

I think TM has even said that he wasn't expecting Ayala to be involved until after the international break, so his hand must have been forced. 

1 hour ago, roversfan99 said:

Obviously it is the League cup, but was unsure where to put this.

But Sky Sports couldnt have seemingly chosen 2 less educated and less informed pundits in regards to a Championship club in Brentford and a recently promoted Premier League club in Jamie Redknapp and Paul Merson.

Considering the amount that they charge (I think I have a good deal getting the sports package on Now TV for £25) the regularity in which the pundits fundamentally do not know what they are talking about is crazy.

The pre match coverage consisted of Merson dismissing Benrahmas value "because you can get Barkley on loan instead and Benrahma didnt even show up at Wembley" and then the pair trying to figure out exactly what Antonee Robinson was in terms of a left back based on a brief montage having clearly never seen him prior.

Sky seem to have had a cull this summer but I am not sure how Jamie Redknapp and Paul Merson survived it, and indeed what the likes of Akinfenwa who has been on Championship duty despite not knowing various fairly well known names is beyond me.

What do people think about the standard of punditry in general? Roy Keane is a bit of a guilty pleasure in spite of his presence purely to cause friction, and its difficult not to like Souness and Shearer. In general, the actual knowledge behind it seems to be on the wane.

Hargreaves is decent on BT sports, refreshing to have what used to be a standard ie a bit of actual knowledge, and they do have more expert analysis albeit usually of other European leagues, although the commentary of Steve McManaman is as aggravating as Jamie Redknapps punditry.

Agree on Keane and Souness. Hard to stomach the former, but I like that he says what he thinks - even if it isn't the favoured opinion or one that I particularly agree with. 

Of the newer generation. I think he gets a lot of stick, but Neville is relatively neutral. And I do think Carragher does a good job of breaking down some teams tactics. During or after the game. 

BT sport should cull everyone and start again. I actively turn off anytime I hear Mcmanaman, Owen or Hoddle. 

47 minutes ago, JHRover said:

What's stopping them?

Not sure, that's why I asked about what the financial regulations currently were. In a section of my post that you haven't quoted.

11 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

Further clarity on the sell on not affecting the budget.

Not a massive surprise, I would imagine the same with Raya to if he moves in the window.

Clearly up shits creek without a paddle unless we get some financial assistance. I'm really not clued up on any of the financial regulations in football - mainly because of my own laziness, but i'm guessing Venky's can't just chuck any sum of money into the club (if they were willing) to keep things ticking over?

18 minutes ago, TruRover said:

Would be against this, save the little finances we have for players of more proven quality in positions of higher importance such as left back, centre mid or back up GK. Personally I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t bring anyone else in, especially with how quiet things seem to have gone. Felt like ages since we’ve had a proper rumour.

I think it's another one for the U-23's.

Liverpool were looking to see how he progresses this season before deciding what to do with him next year. However, with Jota's arrival - they may offload him.

But I agree, we should be prioritising other problem positions in the team first.

1 hour ago, darrenrover said:

I agree, at least since Buckley's through ball for Armstrong to score last week!

Aye, to be fair that was a peach too. 

We haven't had a midfielder who could play a pass like that for Armstrongs goal since Tugay*. 

*This is not me advocating he's as good as Tugay was, he isn't. 

He is definitely a different animal this season. He was absolutely shattered by the end of the game and he put a hell of a shift in. 

When he runs at people he looks ungainly, but he does have a knack of keeping hold of the ball. He holds it up well and brings others in to play. I've also noticed that Kaminski seems to look for him as soon as he's got the ball in his hands for the counter attack. 

His final pass and shooting needs a bit of work, although he was unlucky to hit the post for Dolans goal. 

I've got to be honest. I can see why TM went with JRC instead of Nyambe. 

I've seen him get drawn towards the ball three times where the opposition have then got in behind us. 

I think that's an accurate picture of what we need in the LT. 

I'd like another CB as well, but if the budget can't stretch that far, then so be it. We'll have to hope we don't get many injuries there and see if there's anything we can do in Jan. 

7 minutes ago, Paul Mani said:

On a third years salary for Ayala? 

No wonder we're skint If we're including a players wage from the 2022/23 season, in this years budget.....

1 minute ago, magicalmortensleftpeg said:

He’s not going to say Bell isn’t good enough. Saying that Bell is ‘doing alright’ is hardly a ringing endorsement.

Why don’t we wait and see how the window pans out before jumping on every word.

Yeah that was my thought when reading his comments. 

He's not exactly singing his praises there. 

And look at it objectively. Saying we need to strengthen in a few areas rather than just at LB is an accurate statement we can all agree with. He hasn't said LB isn't one of those areas, in fact, he's openly stated its an area he wants to improve. 

If it's not addressed by the end of the window, then that's a different story altogether. 

7 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Huge if at this point, and again like the Bellingham one, it is a crazy comparison to make so soon.

Eze was QPR's stand out player for 2 seasons, with many goals and assists.

It is a huge if, but the same form over the course of a season, theres an argument to be had.

I imagine his form will dip, its natural, he's a young player. For the time being, let's all enjoy watching his talent unfold.

7 minutes ago, Paul Mani said:

As good as we were today and it’s VERY hard to find negatives from a performance like that...but Amari’i Bell is just, truly awful.

 

Maybe the pitch. Someone said it looks well, and it does before a game, but it doesn't half cut up easily. 

54 minutes ago, J*B said:

Let’s have a bit of fun whilst we wait for a left back. 
‘Premier League Club’ make a 5m offer for Dolan. Do you accept it?

No. If he continues in the same vein over the course of a season. He's be worth at least as much as Eze has just gone for.

Cut throat move. Playing Rothwell a bit deeper really suits him. What a pass to Armstrong. 

@arbitro Is the rumoured £10m bid for Dolan? ?

3 minutes ago, Hoochie Bloochie Mama said:

Agreed. And I know nowt about Ryan Manning so I'm heading over to Youtube. 

Very good player. He's a cracking left back both in defense and attack, it's actually part of the reason he's played in midfield on a couple of ocassions. Technically very good and not shy getting stuck in.

I chucked his name out last night based purely off the fact that it looks like the kind of deal Rovers are looking at these days (which I saw someone else allude to earlier). A player who's probably available for less than their actual market price for one reason or another, who would add some real quality.

If it turns out to be him, i'd be ecstatic because he's probably PL quality IMO.

Just now, rigger said:

Manager ?

Touché