No Chapman announcement yet. Although I'd imagine his medical will probably take yonks given his previous.

As I keep saying, it's not that simple is it when a player has his heart set on breaking into his boyhood club.

Would they have been due compensation, including a sell on fee, should he have left in the summer when his contract was up as he’s only 21? Could be a reason.

Sure I’ve seen many people, including managers, criticising his attitude before, so imagine it would be one that TM would swerve as he’s all about bringing in ‘the right characters’.

I’m confident the V’s would fund the move, but there’s the little issue of Reed himself here. He seems determined to force his way in at the Saints from what I’ve heard, so I think we’ll need to wait for the summer on that one.

I hope we’re not leaving Gally and Britt to our deadline day fax machine, which never seems to operate unless it’s a loan out.

Chappers and Gally?

Not a chance he’d be coming to play as a super sub. Regarding my question of suitability to our style of play, I came across this on a Boro forum. He ain’t no Graham replacement by the sounds of things: ‘I think the critics look at other parts of his game and notice certain limitations. His hold up play and touch is very poor, because of this he can't really bring other players into the game with his back to goal. His work rate isn't very good and he's not someone who can run into channels and stretch teams. In my opinion these limitations in his game mean you can't really play him up front on his own. I think you'd get the best out of him playing a very attacking line-up with another striker just in behind him and wingers who can put crosses into the box. The question with Britt is he good enough to lead the line for a team who will challenge for promotion, I'm not sure he is.’

I know you’d look to fit a £15 million pound striker in somewhere - but where does he fit into, firstly our side and secondly, into our style of play? Unless TM is changing formation (personally don’t see that given his success with it) then he has to displace Graham who is the focal point of our side and plays that role expertly. BA is no target man. Perhaps someone who has seen more than I have of him being a fine goal scorer (no arguements there) can elaborate? And for the love of God nobody suggest to play him out wide.

I am a tad excited by the prospect but then I remember - when have we ever had a blinding end of a transfer window under this lot? Deadline days are always the biggest of anti-climaxes for us Rovers fans.

Interesting. Can’t see him sitting on the bench every week, so IMO he’ll play the majority of games out wide.

Sounds like he’ll be off on loan if he his brought in. Bit strange - would much prefer him as an option on the bench to say, Conway.

Fantastic victory this. Great to see us put the yards in for the whole 90. Won’t hold out any hope, but is there a slim chance that Blingy may loosen the purse strings with the play-off spots not a million miles away?

Their comeback (he says in jest ?).

Happy in principle with him coming back so long as wages are low. Too many ifs regarding his ability to stay fit.

Villa were offering Mepham more than Bournemouth. I bet Boro did the same with Mikel in comparison to other clubs. He’s obviously a greedy bugger having gone to China in his prime.

I don't bloody blame 'em IF Brereton was TM's buy.

They must be paying huge bucks. Don't know how them and villa keep getting away with it.

I tell you what, TM is putting a lot of bloody faith in Mulgrew and Rodwell staying fit for the remainder of the season.

I think he’ll bring Mulgrew back in this weekend. Firstly he’s his captain, and secondly, our most potent threat are his set pieces. He’ll either bring him straight in for Rodwell or revert to the dreaded 3-5-2 to accommodate both. Only IMO, of course. Be a bloody tough game this, reckon there will be one goal in it.

They’re not mucking about are they! Seem to be doing the business right now for them, anyway.

Can’t say I’d be keen on him at 33 and for me we’re well stocked with ‘soldiers’ but isn’t it bloody good to see a transfer link even if it most likely is absolute bobbins: https://the72.co.uk/123942/stoke-blackburn-sunderland-keen-sign-middlesbrough-captain/

Obi Mikel off to Boro. Can only hope his desire is way out after a couple of year's lording it up in China.

To be fair he does fit the profile i.e. ex Coventry under TM.

Exactly the type of player we need. Fast, direct but with an end product.