You may be right in some ways, but they’ve nowhere near the funding or facilities we have. The quotes of their chairman online last summer, about the Armstrong transfer and us “blowing them out the water” would point me to think that anyone we wanted “as much” as Preston, we’d get before them.

Well I’m just thinking, since he told us all our manager wasn’t that interested in this lad, you’d have to be assuming he is talking rubbish if you’re using the argument that this happened because Preston are a more “normal” club aka run better...

Mate you could’ve posted that after I replied. @JacknOry - ah harsh to hear mate, I hope for good news too.

So @Miller11 is a liar then?

Hold on... That’s not a straw man is it? Who’s the official BRFCS judge on such matters?.. Being serious for a second though, I too have concern that money needs to be spent on defence, but my first assumption or expectation isn’t “Oh well, we didn’t get Bauer so that’s definitely a cockup by us, definitely because of TM being a poor manager and/or the owners messing us up, and/or a result of Waggott’s incompetence” There is no need assume the worst. As @DaveyB put “It’s almost as though people have entrenched views and use every action, inaction, rumour and whatever else as confirmation of those views”.. We all know the club turned its nose up at paying a million for this lad 12 months ago, isn’t it just as feasible to argue we’ve moved on. Then one of the most vocal and active Rovers fans mentions TM’s direct words about not being that interested in this lad, yet he is ignored for the sake of assumption that this is down the Rao’s making our staff travel to India or because TM isn’t “modern or forward thinking” like Alex Neil...! Theres no need for any of us to be upset, or get out our pram on the internet about different opinions, but even you can’t argue that the “defending mediocrity” comments are just pathetic wummery! Especially since you’d be an expert on such matters

1. I don’t think being unwilling to cry about Preston signing someone we wouldn’t pay 1m for last year is “defending mediocrity” personally (buzzwords of the constant moaner btw) 2. Again, being currently unwilling to be critical based on rumours, Sharpe’s assumptions, Daily Fail articles or Nixon isn’t a crusade to be “a better supporter” it’s just an opinion. 3. Read @Miller11 ‘s post, and remember the LET surmising isn’t TM’s words. 4. We do have a weaker squad, losing Reed and Conway - however there’s no way anyone could judge this window yet, and as you say - the signings we will probably make need to be probably a step up from Bauer ilk, especially if we want the club to “strive for success..!”

BRFCS summer transfer thread reading tip; use http://www.gizoogle.net/ @gumboots

I’m not sure, but if 24 clubs have so far only mustered 4 transfers in total, it’s difficult for me to be too to “antsy” about our perceived hindrance in getting started. Equally, who we are linked too is of little importance until they’re announced. Most clubs tend to start pre-season at the end of June/July - I would anticipate the transfer market is going to hot up over the next fortnight.

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/championship/transfers/wettbewerb/GB2/plus/?saison_id=1919&s_w=&leihe=0&leihe=1&intern=0&intern=1 I’m not sure if this is up to date, but there must be a fair few clubs hamstrung by foreign owners agreeing budgets too late if transfers are anything to go by.

Agree. Would love to see ol Big head back at Ewood personally.

Yea, the most you can get for less is obviously the better way but there’s other factors, for example; a new lad on say 20k + PW is going to cost you a lot in wage rises for the other key players. Particularly last summer - having shed most silly wages by the time we had returned from league one, I’m quite sure the likes of Dack, Graham, Mulgrew, Evans et al would’ve been our top earners below 20k PW. Stick a Bamford in there for 5m and 25k pw (remember the average pl wage is now +50k pw) and you can guarantee the better players would want parity.

We’re all on the same side aren’t we? This is a Blackburn Rovers forum after all! I must be Brereton over-sensitive because I was convinced the “he can head a ball” was a thinly veiled Ben dig...

Another reference to Brereton in reply to me (do you have anything else to say btw?), Since you’re obv desperate for Big Ben chat, I am genuinely excited (oo er) about the potential through the squad; even if one of those lads might cost 7m one day. If that’s the summer plan from now on, Im far more encouraged than days of Murphy/Etuhu, to summers of Browns, Varneys and Koitas! Also to add to people’s criticism of the article earlier from TM, he talked about “other clubs offering 5k a week more” aka Cellina/Bamford et al - I’ve seen nobody mention how much a 5k per week raise costs a club if it goes above your previous wage limit/average in renewals.

I rate Nuttall personally - I think many see the ball bounce off him and think the worst, but I think he’s less a target man, more of a poacher off the last man, he’s regularly in the right spot and it’s hard to teach that. That said - if he wants to be a regular in the top two tiers, he needs to add a bit more too his game. There’s a reason why his cameos are generally up top as a straight swap for DG, he is in now way fast, technical or clever enough to play anywhere else.. YET! 4th choice behind DG, BB, and AA for me. Definitely a place in the squad, but maybe it’s better for him if he goes on loan..!

No but maybe judge u21s with more patience even if they have a potentially large fee.

I think that word is just a bit over critical personally. He had a dip with the team, looked to be “over-trying” at times or appearing to force things. Mediocre is a word I save for Evans and Williams generally! Would his lifestyle impact his fitness and ability? Yes, possibly, but so does his personality - the audacity of his play at times coupled with his talismanic impact on and off the pitch.

You know what would be nice? Having a discussion that’s not based on previous disagreements.

Honestly Sparks - you do realise you’ve just described him as mediocre?

I was being sarcastic. “If that’s all you’ve got” sounded like something the Wolf would say to wind his foe up. AWOOGA If you don’t want talk football Bruce, and you simply want to start arguments and call people obtuse, don’t @ me. Ah so because I was skeptical about the fee being as much as 7m, I’m now not allowed to say I’d be happy if the owners put a decent figure in again.... Makes perfect sense that mate, well done. Plus, using the actual chairman’s words to put into context why his fee was higher is not “arguing vociferously” neither has my opinion changed much. Now if you’ve finished with gish gallop, I still hope we spend a good dollop or “nearly 10million” this summer. @gumboots - I disagree, I’ve seen positive and negative aspects in his play, but the overall feeling I got was he needed more time in a central position, potentially in a 2 upfront. In the entire season, I remember him having one clear cut opportunity and he scored.

Respectfully disagree m8

If that’s all I’ve got? Do you read your own posts, it’s not gladiators mate. ..and as for 47ers wish that we don’t waste money like last summer. You may have missed it - I don’t think it’s a waste yet. As I’ve said previously. I hope we invest a similar amount in the team, preferably more potentials and punts, as opposed to the bigger waged older Downings and Whealans mooted!

Still though - as I originally stated, I’d be happy to see us pumping a similar amount into the team this summer! Transfers are never straight forward either, you rarely get them all right - and since last summer we added a few decent players, I’m confident we will again if the same amount is available. I’m quite sure that none of us need the cyclical and boring arguments about how much he actually cost. If you’re desperate for that - I’m sure you and 47er can find the Brereton thread, save rest of us the repetition.

Ah so it was an attempt to dig up 8 month old arguments! Put it this way, if we spend this summer, a decent dollop on a young lad who’s not quite ready to usurp one of the other key players, I won’t be calling it a blunder before they’ve even had a proper chance!

No worries, I personally wouldn’t be judging any u21 without even a handful of starts! Each to their own.

Isn’t able to play or isn’t able to dislodge the eventual player of the season? Im not under the impression transfer business is simple, and whilst I’d like to see more cash hit the first team, I’d be happy if they’re putting the wage bill up and/or investing a few million in the team !