We’re never going to score bucket loads with Brereton up top. I don’t blame TM for wrapping Arma in cotton wool because he’s the only steady source of goals until Dacky’s back.

‘The challenge for him is to now win the shirt off Del’...

TM would have Evans or Johnson in for Rothwell every day of the week.

Yep, simply has to be number one priority now. Then back-up GK, Garner and perhaps a Graham replacement and we’d be laughing. Of course we could do with better strength in depth at LB, RB and CB too, but I don’t believe we’ll have the money nor the time.

IF we get it over the line I have a funny feeling we have Mrs’ Ayala to thank. And perhaps Mrs’ Mowbray’s lemon drizzle too.

I’m not celebrating quite yet until that scarf is lifted above his head. BUT if he does sign I’ll be bloody delighted!

By all accounts he was injured early in the year, fit after the Covid restart, but they didn’t play him as they knew he was off. I didn’t realise that Ayala initially joined Boro having been ‘scouted’ by Mowbray, but then signed by Venus who was in the caretaker capacity.

He’s certainly not been great since the tail end of last season, but it’s certain to say we’re a Lenihan injury away from being up it without a paddle! I’d even expect the same lack of urgency in the market if it did happen.

Why can’t we get a few more of the under 23s involved for tomorrow’s squad?

They’re probably yet to warm to him - very easy to upset the holiday/pal mentality culture here at Rovers.

Hedge your bets on any CB/LB signing having Boro links too. Ayala was almost over the line - wonder which North East figure they’ll target next after Pears.

Defenders, by any chance Tony?

Same old same old. Fail to bring in new defenders - yet again - and this is why you get.

Never seen a more lackadaisical footballer. Simply have to get a new LB, but we’ve all been saying this since Cunningham got crocked.

How many more times do Bell and Del need to prove that they are simply not good enough Tony? Not one striker on our bench to come on either. Pitiful.

Not many attacking options on that bench, jeez. COYB let’s catch the cherries off guard.

Would anyone be surprised if we’re discussing the same two players ahead of the 21-22 season? I certainly wouldn’t.

JH Rover and you nailed it. Williams will start the season with a half decent performance, so Mowbray will say ‘we’re only looking for one centre half now - Del has really made the position his own and his understanding with Lenihan is second to none’. Wharton will have a stormer in the cup, so then it’ll be ‘we’re now well stocked at centre half’. Expect similar guff about left back too even though Bell is one of the worst full backs I’ve seen in my time following Rovers. All so entirely predictable with us and transfer windows isn’t it.

IF true (have my doubts) shouldn’t we talk about the shocker Mowbray has had in letting him go for such a small fee instead?

I reckon we’ll have heard every excuse under the sun come the close of the window.

Hey, it could be Shebby Singh. Wonder what that t*sser is up to nowadays?

‘Defenders aren’t coming.’

Yep. You push the boat out for an Ayala - a guy who is in his prime years and got out of this division before. A ‘man’ that Mowbray says he is looking for. Yet we’ve neither taken a sh!t or got off the pot by the looks. As I say, we’ll end up with another kid on loan at the back (at best) is my bet.

Ex Boro too - always a larger pot there in itself for those folk.

Yep. I’m actually amazed we got the Kaminiski deal over the line - especially with him coming from overseas. Can only assume the competition was little to none (not knocking him before he’s kicked a ball for us btw).