5 minutes ago, Stuart said:

Can’t believe you’re championing Conway OVER Chapman.

Even by your contrarian standards that’s a shocker!

I ain’t, I pointed out scenarios they may differ in usefulness, I said I’d expect Craig on the fringes if Armstrong and Chapman signed.

2 hours ago, Stuart said:

 We can’t all be as well schooled in the game as you, Joe.

Lucky for us that Conway has the gift of eternal youth and his legs go forever. How long a deal should we have given him? In your expert opinion of course. 2 years? 5?

A. You think only experienced players can defend/mark at corners?

B. Conway isn’t catching his man. Certainly not an ex-PL winger.

C. Don’t try to be clever. You can’t carry it off.

Nice that you use an example of one set play as a reason to have Conway instead of someone like Chapman. No, not nice, desperate.

70 minutes from Conway in the Championship will be a big ask. I actually hope you are right and he can be a big player for us this season. But he didn’t really manage to be such an influence. last season, a year younger and a division lower.

Be honest, he is here for his experience in the dressing room not 70 minute matches and () helping to avoid younger players not defend corners.

A sensible 1 year deal, some performance enhancements and a potential step up to coach down the line - good sense imo. 

I think experienced players generally are more organised without the ball, it’s just natural with accrued game time, on top of the natural differences in marking ability. Conway certainly wouldn’t need pointing around like Harry did in those scenarios.

Craig also works fair hard, so whilst we agree his legs might be on the wane, the effort and intention isn’t. He’s a good backup and pragmatic option, especially if we can’t get the bodies in we might want. On top of his positive impact on the dressing room.

None of that’s clever, it’s just common sense. Which says more about you if it’s ungraspable!  

Just now, Oldgregg86 said:

Why. If the main winger gets injured i.e Chapman last year then Conway will be starting every week as we invested in him as back up instead of someone who can run

Flippancy does you know favours in this debate OG, and if you think releasing Craig without a single wideman on the books is a good idea, I dread to think how you’d manage a football team.

19 minutes ago, Oldgregg86 said:

Or is it d. After defending the corner he is blowing out of his arse and wba score three late goals because Conway is to slow keep up with his man. Rovers are pegged in their own half because he can't keep up with the pace of the game and rakeem Harper posts on Twitter easiest afternoon all season.

Late goals? I doubt he’d be on the park after 60/70 minutes.

Besides, if you read the initial post in full you’d see that I reckon he’d be on the fringes for most games anyway.

1 hour ago, Stuart said:

The only people happy if we were playing Conway instead of (hopefully) Chapman... are playing for the opposition.

Another one who watches a lot of football but never learns anything.

Example; 41 minutes into WBA vs Rovers at the Hawthorns, after a succession of corners, an unmarked player taps in after a scramble. 

Is it because;

A. The less experienced/organised younger winger left his man

B. Craig Conway was on the pitch to help keep it tight and defend the flanks for 60/70 minutes...

C. Jason Lowe.

Just now, RevidgeBlue said:

Have to disagree. Conway was dreadful for the vast majority of last season in terms of his overall play not just his non contribution in terms of assists and goals.

When I saw Conway, I saw in aging but experienced winger in a physical league. Quite a few performances that echoed the team early doors - poor, but generally decent. Made one or two key contributions though, so dreadful for me is way too far - and since we currently operate with two widemen, with only CC on the books, I think a realistic backup contract for a good influence is basic squad management.

If it turns out we’ve a tiny pot to piss in, and he is first 11 choice on the basis we sign nobody else for both positions he plays, (reminding a few he covers both left and right) I’ll be equally disappointed. 

I anticipate we will sign a few atrackers though, to support DG and Dack. I’d prefer two out and out wide forwards as opposed to strikers shunted out wide, but adding Armstrong and Chapman would instantly put Craig on the fringes again, and I’m hoping we add a few more than that.

Just now, RevidgeBlue said:

"An hour of Craig Conway running up and down working hard .......will at times be a better option than those flying wingers."

It really won't Tony - scratching around a bit with those comments I fear. 

Away against teams that are very recently relegated, chock full of internationals and will likely see lots of the ball? I think someone like Craig is preferable to Chapman in those scenarios personally. Especially for the first 60/70 minutes.

Its not scratching around, it’s common sense.

Just now, JHRover said:

Cardiff employed a manager we messed about and turned down. Their ability to appoint him or his ability in getting them promoted last season was nothing to do with them being based in a big city. Their attendances even last season were rarely any bigger than ours were when Bowyer was manager, and with the exception of the Madine signing in January they didn't spend much, so I'm not sure why we can't compete with them. Cardiff might be a big city, so is London, that doesn't make Brentford and Barnet bigger than us.

I'd hazard a guess that Villa, Derby, Wolves, Wednesday, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, probably Brighton, have all spent upwards of £20 million on new players over a 2-4 year period. Some were successful, some had parachute money, but not all.

Are Villa in serious financial trouble? Lets wait and see. I've read plenty of rumours and horror stories in the papers but last time I checked they still had a very good squad and manager and weren't under any sanctions.

I'm not sure why spending a few bob on new players suddenly means that the club is being badly run or is going to end up in a mess or revert back to the agency days. We keep hearing about Mowbray's new recruitment department and his honesty and sense in what he does so why would spending a few million change that? Lots of clubs are 'run properly' but spend considerable amounts on improving themselves or trying to.

I just think that there's a degree of Rovers hiding behind FFP rules here as an excuse to not invest more money. I'm not advocating being silly like Forest but sensible investment in line with other clubs. What those big spenders demonstrate though is it can be done without suffering sanctions.

Compare, not compete - as in their turnover will fall into a higher grade. Sponsors, corporate - and I don’t think they’ve the same noose of debt hung around their necks. Their average is around 20, which is way above our 16/17 one.

If anything - I think Cardiff are a good example of what can be achieved without spending that much at this level. I don’t think it’s a bad idea for Waggott/Mowbray to speak pragmatically about spending either, it certainly doesn’t help to say “we’ve a 50m warchest”... might appease fans, show some ambition but also puts a 0 on the end of every deal and contract.

We disagree on what we’d want the owners to do though, I honestly would prefer them to simply cover costs and stump up a modest investment every 12 months. Not start putting money in their advisors pockets again! 

Just now, JHRover said:

Pretty much every interview I've seen from Mike Cheston and Steve Waggott refers to FFP constraints.

A lot of people on this forum frequently refer to them as a reason why we cannot spend money on new players.

I'm not the only person going on about it.

Which clubs have been sanctioned in the last 3 years for breaching the rules?

Aston Villa rumoured to be in trouble, QPR fined but haven't paid a penny.

Why do I want Venkys to invest? Because realistically that is the best chance we have of getting promoted. I can't believe anyone is comfortable with the idea of a future where we spend nothing and our rivals spend millions.

This talk about the club washing its own face and not needing long term funding is all nice and romantic but realistically isn't going to happen unless we get to the Premier League and access the cash there. Even if we spend nothing on new players we will still make a loss in the Championship, as every club does.

We aren't comparable to Cardiff? Seriously?

I think I've already accepted that Leeds, Derby and Forest etc. get bigger crowds than us and that obviously increases their revenues in comparison, and yes that means they can pay more wages if running on their own steam and not owners, my point was that no number of additional fans turning up will account for a potential £15-20 million difference in transfer fees paid by them compared to us. How much do you think their fans are paying for tickets if it enables them to spend £20 million on new players?

Cardiff employed one of the most successful league managers of the modern era to get them promoted. That required a decent backing but nothing ridiculous or expensive, easily contributed too when your a city club, which reaps the benefit of better attendances, corporate and sponsors. Yes, I agree I wish we’d gone for him and not Coyle.

Which of those clubs have spent 20m on players by the way? I know Wolves/Villa/Derby/Fulham have chucked a few quid at it, but Cardiff, forest and Leeds? I might be wrong but aren’t Villa in serious financial trouble for doing what you are advocating upon relegation and not succeeding?

I personally would prefer the owners to shut up, cover costs and eventually slink off to be replaced by someone less likely to be criminally negligent.

Id be more worried if they started interfering or throwing wedges of cash towards agents again. It’s not at all romantic to want a club that’s run properly again. As @Joar said, those great players I mentioned cost peanuts. We had a club that was run properly whilst still a sensible budget. That would be my top target.

10 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Firstly I was pointing out in jest that you ridiculed someone suggesting a 29 year old, based on the thought that Mowbray wouldnt be signing someone of that age, now hes come out and inferred he would consider someone of that age it goes against this.

The only reasons are his work rate, character, personality, professionalism etc. These are not enough without offering something in terms of actually on the pitch. If they were, wed sign him up for 15 years more. And last season, sadly, he didnt offer that. A winger needs to offer at least some attacking threat, and he doesnt. His legs have gone. And for all the spiel about defensive wingers, if say we are away at Stoke or Swansea on the opening day, and we want one of our wingers to be more defensive, we already have Bennett.

I dont want it in Mowbrays words, think for yourself, please outline the reasons why you are happy he has stayed, without using the words character, experience, professionalism etc.

Out of the 3 reasons that I gave, you probably come under the category of being unwilling to question any of Mowbrays decisions.

Character, experience and professionalism are three of the characteristics we’ve especially lacked since we watched Emerton, Nelsen, Salgado, Ooojer, et al walk away without ceremony - to be so disappointed in keeping an aging but obvious good influence...

Questionsble. Or maybe it’s more along the lines of you’ve no real grasp of what it takes to have a successful squad! 

1 hour ago, JHRover said:

I'm advocating that we stop incessantly banging on about FFP rules as a club when another club (not in receipt of parachute money) is on the verge of spending £13 million on one player.

'If we get promoted it doesn't matter' is another myth - there's no evidence of any club being sanctioned even if they miss out - Villa are rumoured to be in trouble but lets see if anything actually happens.

Bolton were sanctioned because they failed to produce their accounts because they were going bust - not because they overspent or were found guilty of overspending

Cardiff and Fulham had embargoes that lasted a matter of weeks/only impacted on one transfer window and both have since won promotion so it clearly didn't do them much harm.

The only others were ourselves, Leeds and Forest, one of which is spending 8 figure sums on players so they clearly haven't learnt much of a lesson from it.

The extra revenue that the likes of Forest may have over us does not account for them spending £13 million on one player whilst we deal in loans and frees. Chuck in their January business and other signings this summer and I reckon they'll be pushing £20 million before wages are factored in.

Nobody is banging on about it incessantly, bar you JHR.

There’s plenty of evidence of sanctions if you’re willing to actually accept them, whether you think they make a difference or not. Transfer embargo’s, fines and future legal battles. 

You speak as if this is clear cut - I honestly don’t know if QPR et al will eventually be fined, but I do know they must’ve racked up a fair few million already in legal costs. If QPR lose their appeal, the precedent is set. 

Also, why do you want Venkys to invest more anyway? Seriously? I’d rather the club washed its own face, ran itself, without the need for long term funding. That’s the only way out for these owners imo, they’ve lost enough already.

There is nothing positive or ambitious about putting our entire turnover into one transfer fee and bring back murphy and best “esque” wages. If it goes wrong again, do I think the current custodians would accept another 100m of debt? I personally feel lucky that they haven’t carved up the physical assets already, throwing more money down that well would surely cause chaos if it’s unsuccessful.

We aren’t comparable to Big city clubs like Nottingham, Leeds, Cardiff either - the difference in basic turnover needs to be pointed out. That’s not about FFP, it’s just absolute fact- leeds average 30k + fans - can’t you see why that might make a difference the wages we can pay? 

36 minutes ago, JHRover said:

Because FFP is nonsense and they know it, and also because their owner wants to get promoted. Just like Wolves, Derby, Sheffield Wednesday and all the others, none of whom have been sanctioned despite tens of millions spent.

No doubt some will say 'but poor Rovers only get small crowds and they get bigger crowds than us' as though an extra 5,000 a week turning up in the Championship equates to that sort of money.

The only ones incessantly bleating about FFP are those who want to hide behind it and not spend.

What have you done with the real JHR? 

Just now, davulsukur said:

 

Dack and Lenihan are the priorities for new contracts.

I can understand why you are saying this but neither of those can speak to clubs at the minute - Dack has 3 years left and Darragh - 12 months.

The two we’ve renewed had opportunity to talk to others and would’ve been free to walk on the 30th of June. Hence why I feel it’s obvious they needed sorting first.

Just now, Leonard Venkhater said:

Agreed.I don't buy it either. Going a bit further, I am troubled by the decision and what it could imply....

why not say exactly what you mean? 

Just now, chaddyrovers said:

Im very happy we re sign on a new contract

His experience and knowledge will be assest this season. 

I agree, especially since we have 0 out and out wingers at the club. Will be a good backup/squad option

Just now, roverandout said:

If le tissier had been french or spanish or brazilian, he would have had about 80 caps..should have left southampton instead of being a big fish in a small pond..could have been as good as zidane..that goal he scored at ewood

I personally don’t think you can compare one or the best of all time with a Le Tiss. 

Dont get me wrong, I think Le Tissier was fantastic, great shot and technique but his consistency and level never touched ZiZu, in any form.

He knew he would’ve flopped outside of Southampton because he never had the fitness/attitude you need ON TOP of the natural technique and ability.

Just now, blueboy3333 said:

They do, but I wasn't being serious. We will get them when we get them, and if it's anything like last summer they'll be names that haven't been mentioned in the national press.

Hopefully. I hope too that these are well scouted, young, hungry and players with the correct personality.

TM said he worked on experience and advice from colleagues last season, according to him and Waggott, they’ve a better setup in place so hopefully that will help.

Also - loans can be made up to the 31st of August, (as opposed to new early transfer window) so I expect that business to happen after the first window is closed. Certain players won’t be available until the season starts and they aren’t in the first team.

5 minutes ago, blueboy3333 said:

That's too vague. I need a date? Not that kind of date and certainly not with you, although I'm sure you're lovely. Well lovely-ish. Look, just forget it, I'm not interested in anything like that. This is a football forum. Leave me alone.

The comments in paper today suggest TM wants new permenants sorted by 25th of June for Austria tour if possible.

Just now, Stuart said:

I dismissed most of it as pap as I was scrolling down.

Although I’m really not sure what you added to the debate (or any debate) by posting a photo of a bloke absolutely on his arse for comic effect.

Again.

Irony. You’re complaining about adding to debate - what on earth does that add?

Im sure you could’ve easily made the point to Gladwingone that some league one or Scottish/Irish league players would be an improvement, I even gave your “boy” Rhodes as an example - signed from division 3 - did well here.

You should know that - remember when you argued with any criticism of Jordan, again.... and again.... and again....!

Just for you though, I found a better Eye Rolling picture for replacing the previous one. Custom made. 

Dont thank me.

4 minutes ago, Bigdoggsteel said:

So no, you didn't read the conversation. 

Obviously not.. However you can understand my confusion if you’ve not been directly quoted AND he’s referring to “English arrogance”... as you ain’t English.

Apologies either way.

6 minutes ago, Bigdoggsteel said:

Did you read any of our conversation? 

Your response is bizzare 

I was responding to dry horse who i assumed was replying to WUM because of Irish/Scottish players jibe.

10 minutes ago, Stuart said:

You are really overusing that picture.

It’s perfect. Aren’t you at all going to point out how stupid the quoted post is or do you accept that sort of “wummery?”

2 hours ago, Dryhorse said:

So your saying Scottish players are not good enough for EPL

Typical English arrogance especially since you guys are lucky if you have watched him more than twice

We will see were he ends up but with the solid amount of Scots stepping up out the championship this year you may be wrong

Don’t put the rest of us in with that moron. Some of my favourite players are/were Scottish.

3 hours ago, K-Hod said:

Maybe for you. Meanwhile, over here in the real world......

Seriously though, we'd need to spend a lot of cash even getting to that level.

Why is it that most people who consider themselves to be “boycotters” expect big signings, lots of money spent and have high expectations?

Surely those things are irrelevant to people who are only concerned with the prospect of new owners? Surely, those who say NAPM wouldn’t care if the owners spent money or not?

As Bob Fleming pointed out, the veil slips so often with “MGPINSERTNEWNAMESLAYER” and Jal that they’re both a complete laughing stock. Real world indeed..

3 hours ago, Gladwingone said:

NO THIRD DIVISION PLAYERS

NO SCOTTISH OR IRISH PUB LEAGUE PLAYERS

 

46 games to reach the play offs. THAT is THE expectation.

We need to bring in Championship or PL quality players and soon.

Just a reminder that Mulgrew and Graham were in the side which were relegated. We then added some good quality 3rd division players and got promoted from the 3rd division.

We now need to assemble a squad which is FAR superior to the one which was relegated.

 

No 3rd division player? You mean like Jordan Rhodes? Or even Dack.