Sounds about right tbh

Slightly obscure one, but Tony Morris has died, 57, of kidney cancer. Presented with Lucy Meacock on ITV Granada News, winning a Bafta (first ever for a regional news programme) for coverage of the 2007 Morecambe Bay cockle picking tragedy.

Same age as Chester. We've had good spells out of ageing defenders before with Mulgrew, Short, Gale (obviously different levels). In fact I'd argue 29-34 is a central defender's prime. However I do agree his knee injury could be a concern.

Might be a combination of getting a Transfer C list defender so we can afford a Transfer A list goalkeeper? I can imagine Ryan Shotton similarly being a Mowbray target.

Not REALLY related, but Charlton seem to have a recent knack of having underrated keepers moving on to better teams: Phillips, Rudd, Pope, Etheridge, Alnwick, Elliott, Randolph in the last decade alone. I think Carson came from them too, joining Pope as an obvious highlight.

I think it might be desperation for decent defenders, whereas we're relatively spoilt by comparison in the attacking half of the pitch? Dack, Holtby, Rothwell, Armstrong, Chapman, all capable already in that 'wide forward' area. Admittedly we're a bit sparse in JRC's natural wing position too, but don't tend to play proper wingers anyway? He's possibly also getting unconscious comparisons to the last attacking academy product: Hoilett, who was a real breath of fresh air. Reckon JRC just needs to be played at RW, opposite Chapman at LW and see what they have. Dack in between, with Gallagher ahead of them with strict targetman instructions could be potent. Have Buckley and Travis sat in midfield, maybe.

My footy coach made me a much better defender by sticking me in goal for a few games. I knew what my keeper needed from me after that. Similarly JRC could learn where best to meet cross-field balls, or the impact on LB of his natural position losing possession etc. Plenty to learn.

It looks to me more like JRC is being touted for the first team PROVIDED it's in his correct position (down the right), while Wharton is seen as a back up option in defence.

I'd have Etheridge and Chester tbf.

Not forgetting one of our most notable players this century was a right-footed left midfielder.

My dad tells the story of Tommy Smith (Liverpool?) who used to do this every game. The story goes that he did this sort of tackle in a warm up game. 'Bloody hell, it's only a friendly!' 'Aye, just imagine what I do in proper games.'

Doncha know it's oy through watching the King of Ewood that Reed is as good as he is now? He'd be nothing and nobody without Smallwood! Yes, I'm joking...

Samba couldn't get a game for Hertha Berlin's reserves.

The only game I've ever practiced something and got worse.

Wharton has been regularly involved in 3 team promoted from L2 in 2 years. He's good enough for at least a bench place imo.

Be great to have Gary Bowyer as a second in command imo. Had an eye for a player that fella, just tactically too safe. Would be a great cautious assistant manager to more maverick tactics favoured by Johnson.

I like Downing but would sooner see him on a contract that includes coaching duties rather than full-on playing contract. There'll come a point next season where he'll only be useful to come on in the last 20mins when we're already winning to settle the game down, as Tugay often did in his final year.

Played as bad as I've played all year today, 102 gross at Mytton Fold. Never played there before but those hills are unnecessary! Too tired to play properly. Handicap 12 (11.7).

Agreed. Feel like they'd be obtainable given a bit of ingenuity though.

Some free agent keeper suggestions: Luca Zidane, 22, just left Real Madrid. Warner Hahn, been mentioned already from Heerenveen. Heinz Lindner Sinan Bolat

Bit of imagination regarding defence: Robin Knoche, 28, consistent back-up centre back for Wolfsburg, free agent now seemingly due to the ongoing global bastard affecting club incomes. Daniel Schwaab, 31, I recommended last year, still a free agent, although unsure why. Risk? Also Victor Ruiz, 31, just left Besiktas after a decent season there, similar financial reasons to Knoche. Ezequiel Garay, 33, now a free agent leaving Valencia. James Chester, 31, on loan at Stoke last season from Villa, now a free agent. Ryan Shotton, 31, free agent from Boro, surely a shoo-in for Mowbray? Grant Hall from QPR, 28. Robin Bormuth, 24, I'm sure has been suggested before from Dusseldorf? Now a free agent. Plenty of options in the free market alone imo.

Golf again: Handicap down to 11 (10.7) after my best ever round of 83 at the 70-par Accy course.

Anything yet? A meeting with the player last Friday sounds like we're further along than a bid?

Weird they'd say it didn't happen so definitively if it did, unless the club is keeping quiet lest they be accused of tapping up? Any update? Whiteman excites me, strikes as what Bradley Johnson was 5-10 years ago.

LiveLancs saying rumour of a meeting with Whiteman was untrue. Interesting how that came about then. Bond is an interesting option for GK, not one I'd thought of, but appeals imo.