If that's true and we can get him in budget, then we need a left back and we're laughing.

Yes, my biggest concern is at the back. I think going forward we are relatively well covered, even if its with players that have minimal experience. As you say, it's a disaster waiting to happen at the back. And I am not comfortable potentially having to rely on magloire, Wharton (just yet) - if Darragh is out for an extended period.

Genuinely meant to write isn't, I'll blame autocorrect ?

I know the CEO comment isn't aimed at myself. But it's been 52 days since we finished 11th. With a solitary signing since. Im not exactly chomping at the bit for the season to start.

Ahh, sorry, I didn't realise we were using a single pre season friendly as a benchmark....my bad.

It's a bit difficult to look at today with optimism when we are well aware how short we are in certain areas. Realistically it's a squad either equal or worse off than last seasons, which finished 11th. Hardly sets the pulse racing does it?

So which one is it Chaddy? 1. We had no official bid in for the player at the time. Or 2. We clearly had a bid accepted if he's to come in for talks. I have no personal issue with you Chaddy and its clear you're rovers through and through. But you do tie yourself into knots at times.

Okily Dokily.

May have misunderstood here, but are you talking about Edwards? If so, he signed a 4 and a half year contract with Stoke less than 12 months ago. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50181844

The Dolan part I can agree with, the won't improve us part is wide of the mark.

Messi in as attacking left back, learning from Bell.

I was gonna suggest David CrackingJohnson* to fill the void left by Graham. *If he's still playing football that is.

Who's off and for how much?

Very very talented player. But 300k shouldn't be spent on a 19 year old midfielder.

Defenders are coming.

Seems to be direct from Mowbray himself post game.

I think ironically whichever of Armstrong or Brereton Mowbray decides to play down the middle - they have a quiet game. Both seem more comfortable coming in from the wing.

First time I've seen Dolan and I was concerned about his size when he first came on, thinking he'd be flighty. Don't think I've seen him knocked off the ball bar two obvious fouls. Intelligent with his body.

You can tell he's a converted midfielder. If you didn't know any better, off today's game. You could be forgiven for thinking Wharton was our steadfast centre half and Lenihan the perennial loanee.

Dolans got to be ahead of Chapman in the pecking order now.

I don't want to see Bell wear the shirt again. Absolutely terrible, looks completely disinterested and incapable.

Agreed. Going forward on the overlap he's made 2 or 3 intelligent runs this half. But it's obvious defending isn't his forte.

On another note. Someone's going to get injured this season if the pitch remains in this condition. Huge pockets of grass and soil being dug up, players losing their footing. And at least one poor challenge partly caused by the turf.

Holtby with a peach of a free kick.

Saw him a couple of times last season. Always looked decent. He is a left footer as has been mentioned. Bit of a cult hero at Charlton. On a free on the face of it, looks a good signing. I can't find it at the moment. There's a video somewhere of a ball he puts in the box for Lyle Taylor against Forest last season. If it was Robertson or Alexander Arnold, Sky would be waxing lyrical. Edit: found the video, looks like it's been filmed using a potato.