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.

Reason why is because your examples of our experience seemed to stop at Samuelson, Byrne and that nobody fullback from West Ham.. It’s wasted to mention some of our best recent signings started on loan - and if Chapman and Armstrong sign this month, that will be more examples of the benefit of using a loan system to add to a squad. 2015’s JHR wouldn’t have jumped to the conclusion that we’ve finished our business 20 days before the season starts. The same guy wouldn’tve suggested the “keeping powder dry till January” was a rouse/smokescreen for the owners to lie to fans. I look forward to you returning to the middle ground at some point.

The relevance is Rothwell appeared to be our scouts/managers first choice between the two. Settling with Payne because it was blocked. I enjoy “sparring” with people who are savvy enough to reply with edge but respect. You are one of the few who can. I must say though, we are poles apart at the minute - but that doesn’t mean I don’t respect your opinion. I do think the criticism of the loan system is mental though. Yes, we’ve had good/bad examples but it’s a key area for all clubs outside the top few, even the big clubs use temp deals.

But it’s a loan? Surely you should be criticising Bradford for making such a short term decision? If you had your finger on the pulse JHR, you’d know we only signed Payne after Oxford blocked Rothwell in January. On that basis, I think it’s easy to argue we have done better, and I’m sure your agree, since Rothwell is a permenant.

You can’t have it both ways. In one hand you want rid of the owners, the other you want them to spend millions. You don’t rate or think we should use the loan market, but you think we are worse than when did have loans. The Cherry on the tip of that steaming pile of convuloted nonsense, you start suggesting we will miss Feeney, or that he desperately needs replacing for his “championship” experience. That’s the very definition of clutching at straws to make at point. You know very well, that the youth players I listed aren’t specific to position, but it highlights how you and other ignore that natural development part of the post - all of those players will be somewhat better than last time. Ofcourse we need a couple more additions to give competition in key areas, but the windows open for another 3 weeks and your favourite, the loan market is open for another 7. That said, this is still a better TEAM than the one that started the 16/17 season imo, so the hysteria and panic seems a bit OTT if I’m honest, for example, suggesting the “we kept some money for January” line is lie to placate fans, even after the fact we bought a new left back for 500k and spent some on loan fees. I repeat, what have you done with the real JHR?

Since the only players to leave are either unwanted; Feeney/Ward, or came to us on loan, I find it insane to hear we will “start the season weaker than last”... That also belies the idea that our younger players are always improving. I’d say Nyambe, Lenihan, Raya, Travis and Nuttall are all better than 12 months ago. The reality is we might not have the type of investment to be spending a few million or 20k a week on someone, whilst some see that as a lack of intent, I prefer the sensible option.

Yea, I know what you mean.......

As this is the first time the season will start after the transfer window closes - it’s impossible to know how it will impact the market and especially the utilisation of the loan window, which closes 31st of August I think. I can see lots of business done August 5th-9th, across the leagues. I can see us adding 2/3 loans that will compliment the squad, late into August. Might not be a bad thing either, because players who cannot get into first team squads, but cannot leave permenantly, will probably looking at loans. Should also have a better idea of our championship “strength” by then.

Something in the week - ask @S8 & Blue unless I’m mis- remembering! Nothing concrete... Laughed at that!

Later in transfer window 500k + add ons. After seeing the posh chairman’s tweets, perhaps my glass half full attitude is telling me that we’ve almost signed Marcus Maddison. Either that or the 4 cans of Red Stripe...!

Two new deals for new players and more for Lenihan, Williams, Graham et al: that’s quite a few new deals, and since the quotes from Charlton suggest they aren’t prepared to accept our offer at the minute, I’m not surprised to hear reports we are looking at others (McFazdean or whatever he’s called) Still think we’re in a better position than 2 years ago, squad wise- no panic yet, for me at least. Dack signed 4 year deal 12 months ago, unproven in championship and therefore unlikely to be involved in big offers imo - I think he will sign a contract though, but wingers/wideforwards are priority for me.

Or we’ve agreed a deal for someone else so the funds for that mean we can’t or don’t want to meet Charltons demands? Hopefully a winger not a 3rd choice Centreback?