Or the lad we want has 12 months left on his deal and his team won’t budge?

The last 12 months show a slight different trend, regardless of how insignificant you see the achievement of returning from the third tier at first time of asking. It also shows a trend towards gradual build, investment in some youth players, more sensible and less wasted wages, moves towards improvement in scouting, customer dialogue, social media and an actual team of directors in the uk with some level of perceived remit. Continued investment in the academy and the re-signing of our better players with more competitive salary contacts are all better signs. Im glad TM isn’t jumping the gun and signing players in panic no use to us, and if that means a loan or two extra for 6 months whilst we search for what we know will make a difference to the first team squad. There’s no rush like the previous 12 out in one go summer! Dont let all that distract you from bringing this thread though, (like a few others) to the common denominator; Venkys. We all can’t get enough talking about them, they’ve hardly had a mention in the last decade.

Hence why I was so happy to see us renewing contracts for our better players, purely so they either stay or will cost the right amount if someone above wants them. I also think costs are now in a position where a player sale isn’t necessary to cover a large shortfall, although wouldn’t be surprised if the Rao’s suddenly stopped the cheque for the difference. I think TM might’ve been surprised by the amounts people are asking, but it’s not hard to be surprised when you’re hearing Sam Gallagher is worth 10x a Bradley Dack. One thing I did feel more positive about, TM actually said he had 2nd/3rd choices should he not get what he wants. Could be just spiel, but it makes sense since we hadn’t already signed players.

Mulgrew, Lenihan, Downing, Williams, Nyambe. 5 players who you could argue are all further ahead in a back 3 or 4. In a 4, you can only play 2, he isn’t in front of Lenihan/Mulgrew and Downing would be arguably a safer shout, so I’d thought most cynics could see the benefit of him playing regular games against actual “blokes” in competitive games, as opposed to u23’s or sitting on our bench. Even with 3 at the back, TM and most managers prefer pacier/more technical defenders on sides, hence why I could see him behind Williams for the left, and Lenihan for the right. Again - the obvious answer is he won’t play enough here. Finally - I doubt a young Centreback with little to no senior experience above L2 would command such a wage that we’d need to move it out to necessitate further cheap/sensible investments. That’s not the opposite of cynical, it’s just common sense.

Maybe it’s simple? Lincoln guarantee him the games others wouldn’t? Maybe he likes Lincoln? I don’t think there is a huge amount of difference between the leagues of im honest, but there’s definitely a difference between a season with 40/50 games, and a season with 3/4 starts and a handful of sub appearances.

Nuttall again. Maybe he will one to step up again? Looks a potential alternative to DG.

It also might explain the current hold up on transfers. If Armstrong/Gallagher are 5+ million just because they have premier league clubs, I’d rather us look down the pyramid. Agree with a few yesterday on Pitman. Would be a great second Danny Graham. I still think we’d need a pacy “wide forward” style one to go with.

And you’re a hypocrite, since this is fantastic example of your “non-content” specialism.

Spot on.

Hilarious. The owners aren’t interested in what you think, IMO and via recent decisions, I don’t think they have a specific plans for the club, so I don’t have to see everything in Blue and White as their “plan”. That doesn’t mean I’m (as your entourage coined it) a “venkylover”, it means I’m prepared to judge situations without having to apply their past mistakes as a shadow. The club doesn’t have to be viewed as “venky rovers”, it’s a choice you can make. I personally choose to accept they’re here but view the management/progress in isolation. That plan seems pretty solid to me. You and others simply choose to wallow in the mistakes, for completely bizarre reasons. I think you personally can’t stand anyone else looking forward, or enjoying any aspect of the club - whilst you cannot. Being criticised for a lack of debate, by someone who simply makes the same point over and over about any plethora of club issues- I’m sure I’ll be losing hours of sleep over that

Seems quite obvious to me, pragmatic spending, keep the best players, add youth and potential, slowly move forwards. Do you think you’ll ever look at Rovers again without having to refer back in time?

Does Dack play for a top four premier league club? So why would PSG be a worthy element of any reply that suggests he may leave to them? Get a grip. You would be as angry or annoyed as me if we sold him like Cairney or Gestede. For a small fee to a potential or near rival. A new deal, a happy player - a corner turned?

@bluebruce you don’t get flak for having an opinion around here, you are welcome to it, and whilst I disagree I respect where you’re coming from. However... Got to keep these talismanic players who change games.

Have you watched football recently? That’s football for any club bar the top 4, and even then - the best are always likely to be tempted to PSG or another European giant.

Spot on. One or two more quality additions away from a “squad” that will do us proud!

There’s not much evidence for their involvement in the past 12-18 months, bar signatures on the share capital cheques they’ve injected and a couple of staff recruitments/firings in Senior/Waggott etc. At this point I think it’s safe to move away from the assumption that every deal is akin to those early championship ones, when Kean and Co setup a system to bleed us dry. A system where the manager gets directly in their ears to open up extra “specific” funds for players. I just don’t think it happens anymore. Weve already spent 500k on a player, which (by no means extravagant) is only 250k less than the reported fee for Dack last term, and I’d expect us to buy 1/2 more for similar fees. I very much doubt there is anything left to say to the owners for this season, I’m convinced (from recent evidence, interviews, examples) that the remit is set in quarterly meetings, and our management structure is expected to get the most value per penny. I hope they keep some of the pot till January too, it’s not a bad idea to have options for fresh loans or signings then.

Good, because you shouldn’t...!

I think that’s a bit of assumptious, if I’m honest. I don’t think that the owners will have much interest/say in the transfers of the club anymore, and I’m quite sure they wouldn’t have preference for permenant or loan. If they did, surely they’d be more likely to stretch the permenant? Chance for regaining fees? As opposed to a nominal loan fee and wages that can’t be recouped? Im now in the camp that believes the owners input is barely more than signing quarterly cheques. I also think this will work if they’re happy to keep the top facilities and academy running and still allow a modest “building” budget. I can live without us spending more than 1m in fees or big wages IF we can find young, hungry and potential improving options. That takes time, hence why I’m still relaxed. I still think this squad will go into the season in a better place than the one that was 3-0 down to Norwich in our previous championship opener!

I’m Rovers till I die, I’m Rovers till I die..

I really don’t think we are in the era of “green light” on deals, I was under the impression, there is a budget, and the management are free to use that in anyway they want. That was* a massive problem imo, that need for individual consent on everything. ”is the budget big enough?” is a different debate entirely *whether you believe the club management/structure has final say on deals within a previously agreed budget.

For me, the sponsor ruins a good shirt.

Welcome to the biggest club on twitter. I’ve been on that block list since 2014

I don’t think calling someone an arrogant smug twat in a sly backhanded way is “nice”

I agree that he’s one of the best posters on the site, hence why I moved on and gave up trying to have a discussion with you many yonks ago..

Thought I quoted JHR... One aspect that has gone unmentioned, we are an attractive proposition for premier league talent to cut their teeth at present- going on staffing and facilities. The game is so dominated by money, the young talent is sucked towards the top - hence why so many young English players are struggling for consistent games. Heck, id love to see us go out and buy 5/6 proven players and make a real effort to go up first time but I think it’s fair to say the knock on effect of failure after investment, is harsh at this level. The income just doesn’t support it. Call it an excuse, lack of aspirations, whatever - I’d sooner the club develops a system for keeping costs in line with expenses but still keeps punching above its weight. A system that John Williams perfected. If we can add another 1 or 2 in the ilk of Davenport, (potential prospect and reasonable price) hopefully in attacking positions, then supplement the squad with a couple of well scouted loan additions - I will see the summer as a success. At this point, we are a couple light imo but I’d sooner they took there time to get things right in this scenario - it’s testemant to the current management that we aren’t looking for 12 or so new faces again, like last season. Many of those brought in last season will be of use in a higher league.