Haha - you’ve got a point! I’d just woken up in the late sun of Portugal after a few lunch time Sagres.

Ridiculous. What is all this stuff about? “I bet we get someone on loan!!” So what? Villa got Mings and Tuanzebe on loan last season!? We need defender who are better than what we’ve got and an experienced keeper who is better than Raya right now. None of these should price too difficult to achieve before the window shuts. I don’t care whether we spend £10m, loan them or get them on a free. The spend is largely irrelevant because none of us foot the bill. The only thing that matters is we get the players above. Ive given up arguing with people on here. I cannot relate at all with those who talk about relegation etc. The same people banging on about Brentford who are basically whoring out every single asset they have and with supposedly the perfect business model bought David Raya - a keeper who we’ve all watched for two seasons and know unequivocally isn’t great.

I saw a post on here the other day which had a formation of 3421. I could see us starting there...with the 2 in the hole and 1 up top / one in the whole and two up top being any three out of Graham, Dack, Rothwell, Brereton, Chapman or Armstrong.

Every club spends more on strikers than defenders. They cost more and have better resale value. The key here is...will we strengthen in defence and a keeper? I think we will. If not, we’ve failed.

Exactly! ?

Yes pal, and you’re conveniently side stepping the very obvious change in tactics and playing style that the manager (and players) have been talking about for weeks.

£12m isn’t a lot of money in today’s market. Especially when you’ve got a 34yr Old currently holding the fort.

Interesting that he names Butterworth, Buckley and Magloire whilst intimating that he’s happy to sign older players because they believe in those particular players...?

Yup, Wallace is reputable too ??

@Bbrovers2288 is your man pal. ??

IF IF...what if we do sign the players we want?

It was pretty obvious what you were stating. Your point as I took it was that there has to have been considerable progress made by the manager since he took over because the clubs aim this season is to get in the top 6 and when Coyle left us that March we were a million miles from that expectation.

Brentford now back in for Sam Gallagher apparently...

I share your frustration but the players aren’t necessarily signed in priority order. They’re signed based on the availability of the players. Had the Bauer deal dropped in I think we’d all feel better. But I think @Bbrovers2288 has provided some insightful information which should give some comfort that we’re after the right calibration of player...

It’s not difficult to understand. The manager is trying to absolutely maximise his budget. To get the best players for the money he has. If he had 30% flex then you can overpay and get players in early. I guess it’s whether people see the value in us waiting and potentially finishing with Downing, Johnson, Gallagher, Ruddy and Hanley as oppose to the first three plus cheaper options...he’ll be judged when the transfer window closes.

Yes, again I’m not sure what else you can do when you go up. There’s a potential that some players were working towards those increased deals. Plus, you still need consistency in any squad. I don’t think there’s any suggestion that we won’t sign the GK, CB and CF we need. It sounds like we’re just trying to get the best deal. In relation to Travis. I always find it amusing when posters on here almost claim him as their own over Mowbray who was responsible for giving him his debut and playing him pretty much every week since the turn of the year.

Thanks you. Im happy with the Sam Gallagher situation and had similar info re him turning Wigan down (wasn’t about money). I think we’re right to dig in for the best deal possible. Still think that will happen this week. I know one of the clubs who fancy Smallwood (assuming he’s the main culprit) along with maybe Evans. The money isn’t massive tbh. But it’s a little rich for League 1. They’re just hanging on (like we are with Gally) for a better deal. Great news about Travis. I never doubted it because I know how much they love him, Buckley, Butterworth and Magloire. The appointment of Jonty into the first team set up is absolute genius in terms of bridging their (and others) transition into first XI. Sounds like the budget is similar but with us targeting higher profile players with championship experience, the wages are soaking up cash much quicker than last season. Thanks again for sharing. Try not to get your cover blown mate. You’re pitching this perfectly but they don’t like stuff getting out. Even when you’re as balanced as you are! ??

@Bbrovers2288 how’s this going mate? Any updates?

What a fantastic post. I agree with those rankings. I think that Downing and Johnson have an argument for being top 6/top half players, but for what it’s worth the rest of the ‘unknown quantities’ have good potential to be in those top groups imo.

I agree but I don’t think it’s for the reasons most would think.

I completely understand your point. But nor, did i believe that league 1, Patrick Bauer was going to change our season. The positions we have signed so far are fairly irrelevant in terms of importance because they only happen when they can. I would argue that the best is certainly to come because we currently have our budget plus the Raya money in our pocket. Let’s see.

The cost of the deal is unknown as is the depth of the V’s pockets. It’s not worth worrying about imo. Based on last years budget I think we could spend seven figures again. Especially with the Raya money. They sometimes pay a player like for example Ruddy, Hart or Forster a large signing on fee to keep wages down.

Let’s not get our knickers in a twist about Rodwell. (Not aimed specifically at any one person) Rodwell knows exactly what the deal is at Rovers and we have never wavered. My feeling is that he is history but TM being fair he’s saying that a deals still on the table to help Rodwell use it as leverage. Id be very surprised if he stays. Nothing to see here imo.

Tbf I said that Gally would happen as long as he still wanted it. Wigan have ‘backed away’ because he’s made a decision on where he wants to go. The ‘too expensive’ bit is just spin. i fully expect him to sign and as this would represent a reversal of the Bauer deal in terms of kudos on our side for getting over the line it will also be interesting to see the reaction.

Not really, TM told Raya he wanted to sign a direct challenger for him. He decided to leave, ergo we now potentially need two keepers. It doesn’t change the fact that we need defenders and the manager has said that too...direct quote ”defenders are coming”