I didn't say they weren't!

Charlton Athletic have passed on Elliott Ward which could end any hopes we had of signing Patrick Bauer City Watch seems to think the young Man City player we want is Lukas Nmecha

Portsmouth close to agreeing a fee in the region of £1.5m for Cheltenham United's exciting forward Mo Eisa. Sunderland had a bid of £1 million plus add ons rejected. He was someone we might have been linked to mentioned last week.

Isn't that the Preston NE player Eoin Doyle that is currently trialing with them?

Feeney and Ward are off the wage-bill. We also have the collective loan bill of Harry Chapman, Marcus Antonsson, Rekeem Harper, Adam Armstrong and Jack Payne off the wage structure with only two brought in who won't be on huge wages.

Has similar fitness question marks to Caddis. I know this is going to sound incredibly naive. But is anybody else sick of 'make do' signings as opposed to signings that really excite people? Yes we have some 'make do' signings last season that surprised many (Smallwood). But the only signing that I can think of from recent history that has genuinely got me excited has been Bradley Dack and even that came with a certain amount of risk. If anybody from Venkys reads these forums (which is highly unlikely) it would be nice if they took on board the absolute apathy when it comes to expectations come transfer window time. Apathy can affect players who become fans of a club that they are playing for as well, not to mention it seeping down from the terraces. Maybe being pleasantly surprised with not too high expectations is a good thing. But quality going into the Championship is essential and people can't help but worry. I have tried to stay positive and compare the number of signings we made at this point last summer to now. But I don't think think Venky's are aware of the gravity of improvement that is needed for us to hold steady in the Championship this coming season. I invite Venkys to prove me wrong.

Hector would be alright as an alternate to Bauer, but he wouldn't come to us as a bench option.

David Cotterill - Pass Duane Holmes - Uncertain (not sold on him) Patrick Bauer - A good option at the right price Michael Hector - Why would we need him AND Bauer when we have Mulgrew, Lenihan and Downing? Ryan Kent - Hyped up due to the club he is contracted at... We can do better!

Disagree. We badly need a striker for Graham to support!

Alan Nixon has the social skills of a man-eating lion. But he does from time to time have some valuable input. For instance when we were linked to Davenport it was suggested we would be signing him on loan. Nixon correctly said we would be signing him on a long-term contract. I am a member of the Alan Nixon blocked club by the way.

Still don't think that will be enough. 1x CB 2x Wingers (pacey) 2x Forwards = Minimum.

Armstrong's contract at Newcastle United expires 30.06.2020. So actually he has 23 months remaining on his current deal.

Out of contract at end of this season (2019): Jayson Leutwiler (Option for 1-year extension), Paul Caddis, Paul Downing (Option for 1-year extension), Sam Hart, Charlie Mulgrew, Craig Conway (Option for 1-year extension), Corry Evans, Ben Gladwin, Willem Tomlinson, Peter Whittingham and Danny Graham (Option for 1-year extension). Out of contract at end of next season (2020): Amari'i Bell, Ryan Nyambe (Option for 1-year extension), Scott Wharton, Elliott Bennett, Bradley Dack (Option for 1-year extension), Richie Smallwood and Dominic Samuel.

Charlton Athletic plan on playing Elliott Ward in two pre-season friendlies this week before deciding if they want to offer him a contract. The end result might potentially see Patrick Bauer making his move.

Who would we realistically want to see go out on loan or permanently depart with replacements: Loan: - Jack Doyle - Matthew Platt - Scott Wharton - Stefan Mols - Joe Rankin-Costello - Willem Tomlinson - Joe Nuttall Long-term departure (would need replacements): - Paul Caddis - Sam Hart - Corry Evans (maybe?) - Ben Gladwin - Peter Whittingham - Dominic Samuel (Mowbray seems to have plans for him) About right?

Correct me if I am wrong. But didn't Liverpool only have four players out at the World Cup. 5 if you include the newly signed Xherdan Shaqiri?

What have players and teams being out at the World Cup got to do with our summer transfer exploits? We won't be signing players who were out at the World Cup. Clubs continue to operate parallel to the World Cup buying, selling and loaning out players. As has been said before. Mowbray said he wanted to sign players on long term contracts and not have to rely on loans. That seems exactly what we are doing now? Ie: Relying on the loan market. Could it be that Mowbray is working out exactly what he can get on loan before devoting transfer funds to longer term signings? If so this might make sense. Are we aiming for a higher quality of player or has our working budget been cut? Looking at the players we had on loan, the players we have released and what we have brought into the club coupled with our struggles to bring in additional numbers. Something really doesn't make sense?

Fair point. Although it might have made sense to have an optional 12 month extension to his contract tacked on...

Just watching the Smallwood interview on IFollow on the Rovers site. Really interesting. Seems like there was an undercurrent of annoyance from Smallwood not only about how long it took to get the new contract finalized, but also the length of the contract. The contract is essentially a 12 months extension to his contract with likely increased wages. Personally I'd have liked him to get a longer deal and wonder why it wasn't a longer deal. Has anyone else seen this interview, if so what do people think?

Elliott Ward is close to agreeing a contract with Charlton Athletic. Wonder if that could free up Patrick Bauer to come to Rovers.

Sheffield United and Blackburn Set For Battle Over Premier League Strike Ace

Just seen this on Twitter.

Striker number 2 signing maybe? I wouldn't like this as our primary signing. Armstrong and Gallagher wouldn't be awful.

By whom?

Might be looking to deeply into this but... From: Blackburn Rovers boss Tony Mowbray satisfied with Vale workout (Lancashire Telegraph article) I know there was a question as to Caddis's attitude, fitness and weight last season. Has he returned to summer pre-season overweight and unfit? If this is how it is. Surely the club should look at cutting ties with him and bringing in someone who has a better attitude.