With Trav and Tronstad injured and Dolan waiting to move on a free then Pears is the next one in line. After a decent half season, still relatively young and having seen what our previous keepers have achieved i can see an offer of 2 maybe 2.5 million rising to 5 being acceptable for potential buyers. As with strikers - the reasoning will be that we have already done enough to stay up and Hilton will be no 2

Garnacho to Chelsea for 180 million. In the summer utd sign 3 Chelsea reserves for 120 million on long-term contracts - everbody happy and PSR breach avoided…

I’m sure he was very candid and forthcoming about it all. For reference - my comment is about how it works with a head coach. Clubs are starting to catch on to the continental way of having a “system”, recruiting players for said system and even coaches being chosen because they align with said system (making Man United’s current crisis even funnier) But yes - I’m sure that JE saw a list of strikers in the summer and said Ohashi and Gueye are who I want… 🙄

It is usually even worse: the head coach identifies positions to strengthen and perhaps certain attributes. The DOF and receuitment team compile list of targets whilst looking for other positions in case someone is available that they think would be an asset to the club. At best the Head Coach gets asked about the names on the list and in some instances may have a veto or say in preferred targets

Contracts might be between legal entitities and not an employer/employee relationship. Terminating early may have penalty clauses - minimum buying out the contract but could be more if one party is not in agreement (ie our owners)

Funny that the Emirates FA Cup badge was still red…

Eustace might want to bring him permanently but either Rovers or Brum (or both) weren’t willing to do that.

Theoretical: would anyone pay ALL of BBDs current salary for a loan? (I’m guessing that is what will be required and would probably be 25-30k a week)

Back heel to Beck or Brittain - he’s a creator not a scorer… 😉

Are we chasing playoffs? For real - are the owners and management genuinely looking to aid a promotion push? IMO: no. Why: I have absolutely no idea but as you say - any of our rivals would be looking at more ambitious targets and using every possible means to help the cause (not least after the sales we have made)

Made me chuckle and I get your point but anyone that improves what we have available for selection for games is sort of the point.

Both more reliable players than the current options in our squad - do you disagree or is it you that doesn’t know anything about Sanderson and Forshaw? TLDR: would you prefer our current options or are you suggesting that the signings are promotion caliber???

Buckley, Garrett or Forshaw? McFaedz, O’Riordan or Sanderson? Personally i think the signings improve the squad/options when injuries kick in but it signals that our ambitions are top 12 and not top 6

Suspect the loan fees are somewhat lower for our current targets than Elliot, Van Hecke, Tosin osv.

Suggests McFaedz might be moved on or back 5 on radar… I also wonder if o’riordan will be sold as we seem to have been the wrong move for him. Short version: Sanderson as backup is upgrade (pacewise) from McFaedz. Probably available for perm in summer as well if JE still here/wants him. Forshaw: absolutely no idea

I genuinely believe that the number of points accrued means that the “leadership” won’t invest a penny. Promotion isn’t the aim - avoiding relegation is and it is not unthinkable that the current squad (injuries included) can scrape enough points together to make it over the line. Bakers wage and possibly selling a low value player will cover a loan or short term contract for a player that is not a guaranteed starter…

Quote from JE on rovers website: We’re a work in progress, we’re fighting, we’re scrapping and the 22,000 Rovers fans who came to support us today can see that we’re trying to do the right things. Wonder who gave him that number - the Loons in Pune will be impressed with Waggots work at bringing back the fans

Sorry if i missed it earlier in the thread but was Eustace saying to Parker at the end?? seemed pretty agitated

Contract ate the computer and dog couldn’t work the back up fax machine. Waggot was offsite on an important event (bowling night) whilst Gestede was in Belgium trying to scrounge a plane ticket for a 32 year old striker whose never scored… But we will appeal and try to get the deal for O’Brien reinstated Edit: forgot to mention the 5 year extension for O’Riordan before loaning him out to Bamber Bridge

A big question is if he will be allowed to quit or if he would need to pay to leave. Not sure if WBA would be willing to cover that additional expense and the pissing about that the Vs would do (unless he mentions Suhail in a presser to speed things up…)

When you are resorting to Harry Leonard and John Buckley to transform a game against your historical rivals who are known for being strong and physical then the head coach must be almost as pissed off as we are…

It is on Viaplay if you know a subscriber (should also be on in most sports bars if you can to one and tell them to switch from skiing and hockey repeats… 😉

Worth keeping in case Tron, Baker and JRC are out/knackered? Low wages and I think he could the job better than Buckley but I might be being unfair…

When are Wharton and Carter expected to be “back”? Can’t see signing a CB being priority if they are back next season whilst we still have mcfadz on the books. Dolan I like but I think he feels undervalued and will get more money (if not game time) elsewhere Buckley - taxi please Striker needed, winger (or modern equivalent) and a left back are next on the list. Will we sign anyone other than loans - no because we are already achieving the requirements (ie staying in championship) edit: Leonard needs to play regularly for someone and possibly work on adapting his game to the modern game as my feeling has always been “poacher” in terms of skillset

No Leonard on bench