I think people seem to have missed the caveat of “initially joining the u23s...”

Too right. The guy is as vacuous and transparent as they get.

@DE. except Nyambe - I agree. I think he lacks final product definitely compared to the rest but is easily the best defender, strongest, fastest, most willing to stick their bollocks on the line!

There is a massive difference between this and a paranoia about being replaced by DJ, thus putting him an position where his reputation cannot carry on growing. I’m genuinely flabbergasted that this threads got to this! Isn’t the sensible answer and rationale for his promotion; we’ve plenty of young players in the squad he’s worked well with...? I know that’s not as exciting as a power struggle, or doesn’t paint TM as pathetic in the way people may prefer - but isn’t the most obvious reason for something generally reality?

Legend.

See @DE. this is where I am - similar to you’re view technically on him, but a seeming lack of quick decision making or intent. Ironically, something Bennett does well despite the flak he gets. I’m not arguing he’s a RB, but I don’t think he is as bad as many suggest - and Nyambe has had lots of niggles/injuries too.

I don’t know his contract scenario but if benching him meant he left for less down the line, it’s easy to see why (in the financial climate of the championship) the decision was made to allow him to go now. Not pleased personally, but as I said in his thread - much of my reaction depends on his replacement. We all agree a less erratic, more vocal and box -dominant keeper would’ve been an improvement!

I genuinely think Bell has improved marginally in the time we’ve had him. My main issue with him is a lack of urgency, but I must say I though he finished the season well. Whilst I agree somewhat on RB - I just think Nyambe will eventually improve to the level we need him to be, so whilst we keeping giving him opportunities - Bennett is a decent backup.

Fixed - the only time it does it now is when there’s a quote outside the limits- see below

Again - the decision to recruit a goalkeeper came out in an TM comment in April or May didn’t it? Its hard to believe that they are literally scouring lists at the last minute when noises (and lets be honest, David’s performances) pointed out the need for a new GK months ago. Equally - the cash for Raya might have pushed us on from a free signing for that position to a more expensive investment. As I said to DE, it’s difficult to be too upset when we all know most of the business ends up in chains towards the end of the window. August 1st, many premier league clubs start to announce their squads. Is it so hard to imagine that many decisions might be on hold till then?

I am quite sure the club didn’t want to sell Raya - or at least made the decision based on a number of pros/cons in his future if he wanted to leave. That aspect has definitely thrown an extra spanner into the works, no question. However - again using comments from “Motormouth Mowbray” he already said he wanted an experienced goalkeeper to come and challenge anyway (before Raya was leaving). Hence why I doubt much has changed. The fact is he says a lot. I’m more concerned with actions, and despite the glaring necessities - I’m already quite please with Downing and (particularly) Johnson. Regardless of any comments from TM in the LET, I felt our team lacked leaders/nouse at times last season (particularly in the last few minutes of games!) Johnson is particularly the type of “shit” I’ve watched drag teams to 3 points vs us over the years, through quality but mainly a winners attitude. If we can add a centre-half and GK as a minimum - both first team standard, I would be quietly confident going into the season. Since most business ends up done towards the back of the window anyway, it’s probably fair to say we’ve done “ok” so far.

What value is there dissecting the comments of a man asked to speak 5/6 times per week? Especially when we and he knows that a “we desperately need a GK or CB” comment is likely to put 0s on any potential new signings cost!

Precisely. The presumption on a theory really gets my goat

7 plus ios 12.3.1

Strangely only in certain threads; have I broken it with my nonsense?

Oh, see now that’s something I haven’t actually said. Do I think having to wait till May to go to India and agree budgets is a good strategy? No. Do I think that the owners/pascha are completely ignoring “advice” or we have a perfect structure? No. If I’m looking at the previous two seasons, I do think it’s a overly critical to suggest there is “chaos” in our recruitment or a constant shift of plan? Yes. I just don’t think we can offer as much money, or are as attractive of a proposition to players as some might hope. That’s more down to current context of our club, position, debt etc- not down to Tony “too nice” Mowbray!

I don’t agree at all. I think the momentum of our u23s and the difficult of paying top championship wages means recruiting and developing for the squad isn’t as simple as “oh, young lads didn’t work last year, let’s get some older heads” From my perspective- common sense says plan is far more complex than that.

Thinner skin than Trump. You know, suggesting an opinion is arrogant is slightly different to calling someone a name? As I’ll say for the final time. Some notion that the club has “changed” tact purely based on one previous transfer “going wrong” sounds stupid to me, that’s my opinion. Do we agree on certain things, cons of bringing just youth in? Yes, certainly. But I don’t think signing Johnson and Downing is some acceptance that previous measures hadn’t worked.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again - There is a certain “arrogance” that comes across when posters/fans make assumptions like this - as if you or I are privy to their actual plan! Especially when it’s put into a context of “im glad they’re doing what I said they should’ve done..!” Theres nothing wrong with criticising the actions and decisions made, but please understand, if you’re going to make assumptions based on your perceptions of “the plan”, accept that others (like me) may think you’ve not the knowledge or connections to make that judgement! Especially when there are holes in the idea that we’ve shifted from young to old in 12 months, when you remember Jack Rodwell last summer and our first recruit this year (Hilton).

Yea, because to sign first team ready, top level championship players, we’d have to jump in front of several clubs with turnover probably 5 times our own. I would’ve thought that was fairly obvious personally! Rather than look for reasons to criticise the process we’ve took, isn’t it just as easy to see why certain decisions are made “despite” what our “Plan A” might’ve been?

I’m carrying this on because I disagree with your original statement and assertion. Plus - How is throwing nearly 10m at your squad a “slow build”?

Mate, you must remember that we went for plenty of more established lads last summer and lost out, you should remember why also. Plus, had no idea Rodwell was one for the future.. You've also the fact we had just left the third tier. I know we are biased and see no negative reasons for signing at Rovers, but you can understand at that time or in that climate Bamford and McGinn would’ve always picked Leeds and Villa! I think the fact Johnson was free this summer (like Rodwell) made it a wage we could pay - doesn’t this seem like more of our limitations coming in to play? As opposed to some bungled change of philosophy?

Is it? Firstly I’d be waiting till August before ever getting near that judgement, secondly I’d be trying my best to hope nobody mentions the promising u23 keeper we’ve already signed. If there’s one thing I agree with Nixon on, the market is mental. It’s not a simple process - for example many signings react to a big one ie when/if Maguire leaves Leicester, will they sign Tarkowski or Duffy, then who would the replacement at their club be etc! We are in a position that seems obvious to me - a decent amount to spend a season but not in the same wage ball park as many - who could blame the owners for keeping that side down after the way they had been stung previously! I just think the notion that they’ve completely changed tact because BB underwhelmed is another pointless criticism or negative suggestion without basis!

Ah come on, at least acknowledge that they have said repeatedly that they wanted some older heads in the dressing room and on the pitch to help “game management” and guide our squad that’s completely packed with youngsters in every position. If there is anything that stands out again (which may be impossible for some to accept) we are simply not at the front of any queue, miles behind in scouting and way off able to pay the wages of those joining the top teams in the division. Its hardly a surprise considering the last 10 years is it.

Doesn’t even try to hide his own personal bias, in one breath called Sam Gallagher a proposition to flip for 3x his fee in twelve months, in the next says buying to develop is a mugs game...!