Just now, roversfan99 said:

The worry for me would not necessarily be the player, but it all boils back to this ridiculous system that Venkys insist on, making the manager wait until a couple of weeks after the season has finished to go all the way to India to plead with them for a budget, especially when our league status was confirmed with weeks to spare. Its essentially giving everyone else a massive head start.

Most managers meet with the owners to sign off the budget after the season has finished.

Just now, ben_the_beast said:

My guess would be nobody has been home for Rovers. Everyone is on their hols. Doesn't exactly inspire confidence in a player that they really are wanted when one club could be knocking on the door and the other is saying wait a few weeks until we are back from sangrias on the beach. 

I'm not levelling this at Mowbray. We knew what league we were in this year a long time ago. Yet with flying out to India then a well earned break and not a huge backroom team we are always going to be playing catch up

You do know they’re able to take their mobile phones on holiday right? 

If we do buy two CB’s then I expect us to play three. This would allow us to play three midfielders in front of them and two strikers or Dack in a free role off the main striker.

            Lenihan      Mulgrew    Bauer/?

Nyambe / ?                                            Bell

                                 Travis

               ?                                 Rothwell

                               Dack

                            Graham / ?

Just now, arbitro said:

Clearly I don't know but if he was and if Mowbray used that as one of the criteria for signing him I would be disappointed.

On the first point isn't that what I was implying?

To me, you were implying that Downing was being pursued purely as a role model. My point was that managers don’t pay footballers to do that. Granted, the ability to be a role model is attractive but it’s always about what they can add on the pitch first, surely?

11 minutes ago, arbitro said:

Chapman has already been with Downing for a few seasons. It's simply not feasible to have an older player on big wages simply to act as a role model for a youngster. I don't honestly see Brereton having learned anything off Graham although to be fair Mowbray hardly played him as a target man.

No manager pays a player ‘simply to act as a role model’. Downing is a player first and foremost. He’ll be signed to play and then to guide young players. 

Q - How do you know Chapman isn’t the one championing this signing because Downing has been an amazing role model to him?

11 hours ago, Herbie6590 said:

“So Tony...you’re bringing in Rhian Brewster on loan, Britt Assombalonga, Oliver Burke and Scott Dann...you must be delighted...” ?

This would be dreamy! 

1 hour ago, Wing Wizard Windy Miller said:

The more we are linked with Bauer, the less I like the idea.  If it's him and the 'younger' option is Cooper (Millwall) then great.  If Bauer is the 'main' signing for CB then I"m not really convinced.   I think the lad at Rotherham - Ajayi- would be a better shout and probably on much more sensible wages than Bauer (although a fee would be needed). Scored 7 in the champ lad season as well. 

I reckon it’s Bauer and Ajayi he wants.

2 minutes ago, Kamy100 said:

As Matt says, time and again over the last 10 years teams have managed to get promotion on tight "budgets".  It is all about being organised in the transfer market, having a clear playing philosophy and buying players that fit into that philosophy. 

I don’t think many have gone up on ‘tight’ budgets Kamy. Most in the last decade have had top 10 budgets allied with parachute payments following relegation.

But I do accept that promotion is as much about clear playing philosophy’. This is one area that is very much up in the air. Mowbray publicly stating that he wanted to change ours last year leaves a question mark on how this will develop this season.

Rightly or wrongly, Mowbray likes a healthy budget. I suppose it increases the chance of promotion whichever way you cut it. But I think this stance by the club has increased the chances of Mowbray going in the next 12 months (his choice or the clubs) exponentially.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/17705450.ambition-against-finance-the-balancing-act-for-rovers/

This is the biggest hint yet as to how the meetings in Pune went. It seems that TM went over believing he might get backed to buy some better, established players ready for a promotion push and was informed that he would need to continue buying young and developing them to increase their potential re-sale value. Utilising a mid table budget he is now hoping to emulate the likes of Sheff United and Norwich. But he knows they are the exception to the rule.

I certainly read this article as a dampening down of expectation. It explains why he came back from there and didn’t do any media stuff until after his holiday. Based on his previous comments and ambition to manage in the Premier League, he won’t be happy with this stance. For those who want TM out, it wouldn’t surprise me if he jumps at the first chance of a club showing more immediate ambition. So you may just get your wish...

Just now, Miller11 said:

The fact that he has only managed a handful of appearances is precisely the reason people are questioning the wisdom of the signing.

19.....he was 19!!! ????

Just now, JoeHarvey said:

Initially I'd have to disagree, once the figure rose and rose and the fans got more used to it/knew he was off, they then played the, "we didn't want him anyway" card. Much like most transfer situations he's the best thing since sliced bread until he's no longer theirs. Can guarantee if Dack got a Premier League move, some people would be playing him down and saying he'll never make it there etc.. despite raving about him for a few years anyway.

Exactly.

Just now, Mattyblue said:

Not true about the Forest fans being 'outraged' by the way, it was certainly a mixed view.

I remember a lot being outraged at the time. Once they knew it was happening it turned to apathy.

Im not saying B.B. has been a great signing. I think he’s been poor in most of the games I’ve watched and didn’t begin to look like a player until the end of the season when we played a more possession based game.

Just now, roversfan99 said:

So you feel that it is justifiable to spend 7 million pounds on a player who "has no real first team pedigree?" You say what do you expect like it is normal but as @Stuart asks are there any similar deals you can remember that could compare? If he proves people wrong no one will feel stupid because it will benefit the team they support. Your suggestion of him becoming worth 25m plus and firing us to promotion within 2 seasons is baseless and ridicilious sadly.

I can’t comment on if it’s justifiable or not because I haven’t read umpteen scout reports on him, watched him play youth games, spoken to several top coaches about his potential, or had to make the decision to sign a player for now or as a prospect. If I had all of that information I could do that.

What I do know is that when we initially tried to get him the Forest fans were outraged and insistent on social media and their forums that they didn’t want to lose him. I also recall Mowbray stating fairly early on that B.B. was one for the future.

Premier league teams spend that type of money on prospects all the time. They don’t do that because they have more money to lose. No one sets out to buy a bad player or lose money. They do it because they see the potential for that player to become amazing. To be worth 10 times the fee...

And I haven’t predicted a single thing. The point about his value, goals and future achievements was made as a rationale as to why these players are signed. It would be baseless if I or you made any assumption on his potential. The people who have made that judgement and risk assessment on the potential rewards are in informed positions.

It is absolutely ok to question the clubs decision if you feel we would have been better served by an Assombalonga right now. But they chose another route to take...

My primary point here is that to judge a 19yr Old on his ability to be a top level player based purely on a cost you have not even had to pay is basically, brainless.

49 minutes ago, K-Hod said:

Nah you're right, it isn't.

If we are almost equalling our club record fee on a player, with our balance sheet, he needs to come in and be more like Graham sooner rather than later!

It's obviously not Brereton's fault he cost that amount of money and I really hope he does end up being amazing by the way!

Kenny, come on! Our transfer record was set in 2001 when we signed Andy Cole mate. That’s 18yrs ago! The fact that his (B.B.) total fee is going to cost or equal what we paid for someone 18yrs ago in a market where Championship players are regularly bought and sold for 8 figure sums is barely worth a mention.

He does need to come good. But realistically at 19yrs old he wasn’t bought to make an impact right now. He was bought because they REALLY rated him and the opportunity arose because Karanka didn’t like playing young lads. 

Whether you agree with the decision the club agreed to make on him or not, judging a 19yr old (or writing him off) is wrong. Regardless of what we’ve paid for him.

This is like any other risk / reward investment. With B.B. they believe the potential is HUGE and are willing to invest X to get it. But they knew that the timeframe to receiving that reward (Goals / promotion / £30m) needed to be longer term. Of course it’s a risk but they decided that wanted this over paying for example £10m plus £70k per week wages on Assimbalonga.

Either way, there’d be no expectation that B.B. would replace DG ‘sooner rather than later’

7 hours ago, gumboots said:

You've got to be kidding. What exactly are you suggesting Brereton offers to the team because from what I've seen in the matches I've attended I'd have been almost as effective as he was

This isn’t difficult. BB was 19 when he signed for Rovers. He is an England u17 and 19 international and has won some youth honours. He is very highly rated as a future top level prospect.  He has no real first team pedigree and so was obviously bought for the future. He’s two years younger than Joe Nuttall and Armstrong.

People are SO fixated on the money but when you buy a 19yr old what do you expect?  He will be expected to kick on this season and be the main man the season after.

If there’s no progression then absolutely begin to worry. But I feel the people who are determined to judge him now will end up feeling pretty stupid at some point. If this guy becomes the player they expect in the next two years he will be the one who fires us to promotion, worth anything in the region of £25m+

3 hours ago, Butty said:

Made up with what? Words means fuck all until we actually get some players through the door.. I’m looking forward too seeing who we bring in but come on now Paul stop trying too piss people off. 

Just trying to keep things balanced in here pal. No point just picking all the negatives out of everything. Ying and yang! (? vs ?)

There’s a fine balance, but I’m positive we will recruit well.

“We will sign some young ones that will bubble under and burst through and become first-team players.

“We have to sign some experienced players to get the job done” - Mowbray.

TM has just told Myers that Dack isn’t going either....

WOW! This sounds amazing! He’s come back from Pune absolutely buzzing and ready to deliver on his plan. Fans have to be made up with this...right?

Just now, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

Given the money he will have made in his career it probably takes him all his time to roll out of bed in time to report for training at 9.30 in the morning. Exactly the sort of player we shouldn't be going anywhere near. 

Has Bony been linked? I’m not sure on him...

Just now, tomphil said:

Spin and twist ?  Oh you're good !   Just where in that post did I mention I wasn't prepared to do that ?   Or where did I mention or quote you ?  I just read people talking about comparisons so why the rush to defend yourself ?

Oh and by the way why do you only ever usually pop up in or around transfer windows and summer looking for things you assume to be negative ?

As for supporting the team I've been going man and boy since 1981/82 so you stick to your limited knowledge of comparisons and levels of support and i'll stick to my rather more experienced version ! Cheers ?

“To say they are the hardest working side since the Prem winners is pure spin“

Direct quote....?

Just now, Stuart said:

Good to see that you’ve spotted your mistake and are now backtracking. Fair play.

I’ve always judged him in that way. His approach before he came to Rovers was why I didn’t want him in the first place. Funny though, people said exactly the same thing about Coyle.

No change in my view...and in relation to the point highlighted - WOW! ?

Just now, Stuart said:

It’s a shame you didn’t get a seat that faced the pitch before Mowbray rocked up. You’ve missed some great players.

Getting promoted from League One really has turned Mowbray into some kind of footigod!

Anywho... I’ll be once again be judging Mowbray on his recruitment and approach to games and not how much better Paul Mani thinks he is at getting players to work hard.

Nope, as per my actual comments (be better if you read them before replying). The players we have aren’t great. And Mowbray is no God. But his team DO work hard.

I’m glad you are judging the manager on his recruitment and approach. This makes much more sense than calling for his head before a ball has been kicked.

Just now, tomphil said:

This squad works hard mostly and that helps cover some limitations at times but doesn't over a season but no question they play for the manager and the shirt with the odd exception.

To say they are the hardest working side since the Prem winners is pure spin and regardless of budget there's very little comparison between Mowbray and Allardyce and Hughes  or Souness whose side tended to work hard and be very robust like their gaffer until he lost interest followed by the plot.

TM could however prove to be a lower level version of them if he got us a few top 8 finishes in coming seasons on the budget he has.

??? How can it be spin? I don’t work for the club or have any vested interest in Mowbray. I’ve openly said the team aren’t brilliant players. I’ve also said that if he fails to sign the right players and cannot get near the top 6 then he’s completely at fault. BUT, I watched the Hughes, Souness and Allardyce teams and I genuinely haven’t seen a harder working team than this one in 24 years. I don’t care whether anyone agrees with me...

My feeling is, we’ve got a good honest manager and a hard working set of players. So, regardless of who we sign I’ll pay my money and support my team. If you aren’t willing to do that then that’s upto you. 

Just now, roversfan99 said:

Putting aside the ridiculous nature of the suggestion that no team in the last 24 years has matched Mowbrays for effort, something thats irrelevant to the original point you made. I've no idea where you've got this agenda from, whereby people who are not attending ("putting their hands in their pockets") are complaining about a lack of signings. Do you have any quotes that can back this up, if so then fair enough. If not its just blatant fishing for a reaction that you have clearly got. And to be honest, just because someone doesnt attend doesnt mean he/she doesnt have a vested interest and passion or that they dont want it to do all it can to succeed.

The fact you’re so personally affronted by my opinion says more about you than it does me. I haven’t called any one person out. If you can justify not going to the match then that’s fine by me. ??

Moreover, I don’t need to justify myself to any of you. I don’t constantly ask for justification on all the ridiculously emotional rants on here. This is about opinions. 

10 minutes ago, Sparks Rover said:

Just heard this. Let me see if I can find out where we are with it.

Thanks ??

Just now, blueboy3333 said:

Pleasure. Try to get quicker at understanding posts, and slower at being outraged.

All the best.

The irony in the tone of this post is sensational - Literally the epitome of trolling?