@DE. What does the previous 9 years have to do with my opinion on the current squad? Answer; nothing There are several issues with last years squad and tactics, no doubt - I’m not arguing that the team was a whisker from being playoffs. It says a lot about this forum that I can’t use positive inference (even slight like “step up”) without being instantly reminded “venkys ruined us!” We dropped lots of points from good positions. Game management comes from more experienced players on the pitch. A more vocal goalkeeper would make a difference imo, and Downing& Johnson’s experience can’t hurt. Is that so surprising really? Maybe even the younger recruits / home grown lads like Lenihan, Nyambe, Bell, Travis etc will have come on from last seasons experience?

Same as many other clubs - competition for players can be fierce. I find it strange more people aren’t impressed by the seemingly “silent running” that the club operates in these days. The closest person to the club (imo) is Sharpe - and he’s convinced Carson isn’t the front runner. I still hope J*B’s Adrian snippet comes off.

For all the points we dropped from decent positions, an experienced GK + better “game management” would’ve made quite a difference IMO. That doesn’t mean I think Wes Fo and “Ad” away from the playoffs btw. There’s always more middle ground than the extreme! Say Hanley re-appeared too, (on top of two new GKs, the City loan) perhaps as Norwich’ squad shapes and he is 4th choice - id be more confident than I’ve been at any point since the Rao’s took-over.

12 points off the Playoffs? It’s hardly miles away BB. When would a “step up” equate to “all the difference”too? Semantics bent to disagree per chance?

Sponsorless long sleeve version of this... We’re all getting laid.

I get the point about Morrison being a good shout but perhaps he had a mate (like Bennett for Johnson) at Reading, or he liked Berkshire? Transfer business isn’t a simple process, and whilst we’d agree things can and should improve, we’d disagree on the level of suggested incompetence. Whilst “Ad” would be a loan from a big club that you aren’t impressed by, it’s easy to point out his previous exploits in this division as a promising sign. If a GK arrives (an upgrade on Raya) - I’m still convinced we will be a step up from a team not too far away last season! As for Johnson - I’d expect him and Evans/Travis to start the season at this point going on the back end of last season. Injuries / sales could change this, and the only player in the centre I see us signing, (if any) would be Charlie Adam; and he is very much “a ready made player who would expect to gointo the team. No good for us.”

Like Johnson?

He was touted a bit back but had a bad injury I think. Looked decent as a RB on Wednesday night, very comfortable on the ball, fast, agile, can pass with both feet and tackle. The only thing I think he lacks (similar to a few others like Buckley) is strength / power!

For anyone who plays FUT - this is guaranteed to be popular next year! I like the shirt. The design on the front and colour is “cool” Id definitely buy a reduced none sponsor version.

Actually... sort of like that Shirt... Sponsorless.. would definitely go into the drawer of “gig shirts” with the Boca Juniors home, Boavista and Puebla FC among others. Green and Grey till we sack Mowbray?

Neigh arguments there. I would add - recent history is a better barometer for near future, and thus I’d be shocked to see “none-footballing” reasons come into decisions with the current structure! Thus - my main worry “is Tony good enough?” and what a relief to be focused on actual things the fans of well run clubs think about! As for that question, I think this is the biggest test yet (this season) and I’d argue we are a good GK and CB away from an exciting team. A far cry from the day Mawbs took the job!

Whoa - chill. None of this changes my opinion that there’s far too much presumption of incompetence and/or expectation of dodgy business!

I agree but think that this shouldn’t be seen as an accident or “easy route” though - even Davenport was chosen because of his potential + ability + close relationship with a few of our other young lads. Gallagher could be seen as another easy route - but I think it’s obvious that his wage for us was only possible due to him willing to take a cut, and this was down to liking the club, fans and having friends here!

Or with 5 minutes research - you’ll see Butterfield and Johnson are mates, and he’s here on trial. We all know agents are involved in transfers but I don’t personally understand the desperation to find or presume nefarious “none-football” rationale.

From a twitter account with about 150 followers

That does sound ridiculous, although I’m sure (as it was a limited event) they’ll likely offer some sort of recompense.

@jim mk2 @Exiled_Rover Cheers S8- see above. I agree it’s obscene and off putting to think they earn so much - but I’m talking about the wording + motivation for choosing the specific footballer!

Classic Daily Mail “how dare black people be successful”

Yea of course, just like I could suggest the immediate response of worry seems a weird reaction Especially if it’s based on one line of an interview. Double especially if that man is known to “wax lyrical” and is interviewed every day of the week.

This could be taken a few ways. To me it just says “less knock downs from DG” but I’m quite convinced that if we need to do that to pick points up, we will. Surely (like the transfer window), the judgement of any new formation or style comes during and after performances? Rather than having any emotional response to a line of dialogue from someone interviewed several times a week, sometimes numerous times of day?

None of us predicted Johnson - I wouldn’t be surprised if GK is the same. That said - of all the rumours, @J*B ‘mention of Adrian is the one I want to believe the most!

Does that apply to all the other first and second division managers still searching for new players?

Impossible to say based on that but I would argue that he’s not as far away as some may expect. He works hard, looks mobile, stronger than before and gets his head up. On the other side of the coin - he didn’t do much more than Joe Rankin Costello (also looked decent), he is rather one footed and him and Smallwood have the standard “Keith Andrews” cut... Would probably release him on that alone tbh..!

Ignoring the standard “Tony only plays his favourites chat” I thought we looked decent. Particularly Butterworth, Buckley, Hart, Brereton - I was quite impressed by Fisher and Grayson too. Downing appeared to play much deeper too - his bit of play with Travis made Arma’s goal. All in all - decent run out, happy to be back at a game!