4 minutes ago, Stuart said:

Someone remind me, is George Boateng still at the club? If so, could this be where the Dutch scouting mission has originated from? Maybe Boateng has contacts that he has been able to tap up.

That’s correct. He’s our under 13’s manager. 

Just now, Fraserkirky said:

Sensational stuff from Mowbray. “Defenders are coming” ??

He’s been watching Game of Thrones!!

5 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

No chance of Mulgrew going. Signed up till 2021, decent wedge.

Where would he go?

A Scottish homecoming? 

Or another championship club will take him due to his set pieces and reputation?

Really do hope Evans moves on. He just offers mediocrity. 

31 minutes ago, Norbert Rassragr said:

Yes, I forgot Madame was the real power. Still, it is odd and stupid that you have to get on a plane some time after the season, and then decide to look for players etc. when technology is there to do it more efficiently.

Well Tony might like having a nice trip around India. I for one wouldn’t mind enjoying a luxurious holiday all expenses paid ??

Just now, Stuart said:

It’s a good question but I can’t give you the answer you are looking for.

Chapman will obviously be the player who will be in the first team very soon. He is doing his bit for fitness and form in the U23s (which is where Brereton should be - except if I was Johnson I’m not sure I’d want him based on the way he sets his teams up).

In terms of last night, and to a greater extent the last home game I watched him in, he was a little underwhelming. Took his goal well and made good runs but was wasteful. He should be looking head and shoulders above the rest of the players but was just good. I think he’s lost some of his pace, which was lightening quick when he first joined.

I’m more a fan of Buckley, Butterworth and even Jack Vale. Hayden Carter was also excellent last night, and I’d like to see Rankin-Costello (and being greedy, Mols) get a chance in the seniors. The trouble is there are only a few games left so they won’t all get a chance an opportunity. It’s only my opinion, of course, and it probably comes down to expectation vs reality. I can also see Chapman getting injured again quite quickly. Hope not.

Thanks for the reply. 

Hopefully Chapman will be better with a full pre-season under his belt in terms of his fitness/pace

Where do you see Rankin-Costello’s best position? 

Ive not seen much of Butterworth, but think he maybe too small to play the striker role? Although I do like the look of Buckley in midfield. Take it you regard them as better opinions than Davenport?

Just now, Stuart said:

He was the third or fourth best player on the pitch for sure.

But he was the only player the plastics recognised.

Surely he must be the most likely in line to make the first team squad before the end of the season?

Who else would you say looks ready to break into the first team?

Just now, Bigdoggsteel said:

Very. Last season covered up a multitude I feel

Yeah definitely past it Mulgrew ??

196 pages and we’ve only signed one potiental first teamer. Key word being potiental. Underwhelming. 

4 minutes ago, JacknOry said:

they are certainly fighting tooth and nail to hold on to their playoff aspirations. Tipped by many as the team most likely to fall out of them.

Just seen on TEAMtalk that wolves are bringing another winger in so Boro are trying to bring back Traore. Gestede and BA look likely to leave....

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/17387825.rovers-boss-braced-for-selection-headache/

Never mind headache, more like a selection migraine if the three signings come in this week!! (HC, SG and BA)

25 minutes ago, neophox said:

Chapman at Ewood and hopefully permanent move for Reed and a loan in the pipeline.

Please stop this, everyone will start getting giddy. 

Even if the loan could very well be Gallagher? ?

http://bit.ly/2TjQUOU

Harry Chapman maybe be coming back this month on a long term deal with the possibility of being loaned out until the summer. Be a good bit of business if we could pull it off!

11 hours ago, Bbrovers2288 said:

Don’t think it’s a daft question and as I said I’m not suggesting we don’t try and get up, I’m asking if it’s beneficial for the club long term. I ask because I think we are a mile away from being able to compete in the prem. yes we would get the money but who is to say mowbray wouldn’t splurge it on more breretons. I’m suggesting it may be beneficial to let us grow a team that might have a chance of sustaining a prem lg future rather than fortunately going up when we aren’t ready. Of course it’s the end goal that we all want I was merely asking if a season of being whipping boys, more dwindling crowds, fans unrest again might set us back rather than forward. A recent example was it derby who sneaked up one year with billy Davies, gave out big contracts to sustain the dream, didn’t work and it actually set them back from where they were. I can see it happening to Fulham this year. Someone mentioned Huddersfield but they aren’t in a good situation just now, I wouldn’t tip them to bounce back next year 

I understand your point about steadily rebuilding, however as other posters have pointed out it’s far better just to get back into the big time. Take a look at Derby County, always considered themselves strong contenders for promotion and have tried to improve their squad. However their best players got poached by other teams, such as Hughes, Ince etc. 

For every team what gets promoted, there’s teams what struggle as you’ve mentioned. But there’s teams what have managed to stay in the league such as Bournemouth, Brighton, Watford, Palace and Burnley unfortunately. 

You make a point about Brereton, however we do not know how it’s going to play out. He’s only 19 after all. 

If you look at Mowbury’s record from his past clubs he’s had more successes than failures.  

3 minutes ago, Bbrovers2288 said:

Genuine question- how would folk feel about going up at the end of this season- not that it’s remotely likely but if we were to sneak into the playoffs and defy odds to creep up, I would be worried that we would be cannon fodder which would set us back instead of up. I’d prefer a steady progress so that we are prepared if we ever do make it to the promised lands. Not saying we shouldn’t be looking to finish as high as possible I would just be worried of the state we would be in after a season of being battered

Think that’s a daft question in all due respect. The amount of money the club gains, is surely worth going up because it puts you in a different bracket to other clubs in the leagues below. 

Also look at the success other promoted sides have done most notably Huddersfield. 

We all can dream, and let’s be honest Mowbury is the best manager we’ve had for a long time, may perhaps since Hughes? As well as our acdemy which is producing a good generation of new players! Not to mention it looks like stability behind the scenes with Waggot being at the helm. Far cries from the days of Kean, Appleton etc

Just now, Tom said:

Poor Chapman - not on Boro bench tonight and they haven’t even got the new lads in the squad yet 

Obvious he was supposed to be confirmed but paperwork didnt get sent off in time or Pulis sanctioned his move too late. He’ll be here in Jan. 

Wonder if Tony will go after Freeman again

Hold your horses! Apparently Boro have signed Saville from Millwall so could see our little beauty back in the blue and white half’s!

3 minutes ago, Darwen Rover 007 said:

Anyone know if Chapman is expected to be loan only or loan with buy? 

Can see it being a loan to buy. His contract runs out next summer. 

I’m sure it’s just mischief making from journalist agents. Why would Rovers consider selling him for that amount when if he has a decent season like Maddison he could be worth 20 million plus or could even fire us to the Premier League. 

In addition isn’t Dack best pals with Chapman? Pretty certain he’s coming here and that friendship must have played an important part.  

Just seen on Twitter that Hart is off to Rochdale again on loan from that Pete O’Rouke

Good points, however Mowbury has always made a point of having Artists and soldiers in the squad, therefore they will always be a balance in the league games no matter who we are playing. Think the team will be like this if everyone is fit

      Raya

Nyambe Lenihan Mulgrew Bell

       Reed    Evans

Armstrong Dack  Bennett

                  Brereton 

Subs

Canada, Rodwell (cb cover), Williams, Smallwood, Palmer, Graham, Rothwell 

Can see Chapman definitely coming through the door as long as Boro get the guy from Millwall  

Think it will be interesting to see how Armstrong and Palmer compete for the attaching wide player role and we’ll see how Brereton and Graham rotate for the striker position. Also it remains to see if Rodwell gets back to some form of his previous self. 

15 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Where is Whittingham?

Probably eaten a nice meal in one of the boxes. Few glasses of wine before sitting down to watch the match. Day off from training tomorrow due to he wasn’t part of the match day squad. Back in light training on Thursday before having the weekend off. Could take a long weekend to a European city, heard Bordeaux is nice this time of year. 

Life of a 9th choice midfielder. 

Just now, neophox said:

Or a double deal for Gestede and Chapman!

If only! 

6 minutes ago, Neal said:

When discussing Armstrong and Chapman I'm sure he said they were "in the mix"... Which would imply he has interest in him, unless some can correct me otherwise.

Yeah that’s correct. He said they are like b and c list if I can remember correctly. 

Also Tony said a few days later that the fee for Armstrong was too good to miss. Being a bargain his exact words were. 

I’d like to think we can put Reading to the sword tonight and do what we couldn’t against Hull in the first half. Hoping we take our chances and be 3 Nil up. If Dack is fit, same squad as Saturday.

I’m starting to wonder if they’ll be any loan signings at all...

4 minutes ago, AJW said:

I agree , I am probably going to be in the minority here but I wouldn't want us to spend £8m on one player certainly not a 19 year old with "potential"  I would much prefer to spend half that one someone who like Chris Martin or Rudy Gestede or Scott  Hogan or someone like that  who albeit older but less of a risk and the other on improving midfield and defence

How much do you think Gestede cost Boro or Hogan cost Villa? It was nearly 8 million for them both. 

Strikers have always come at a premium. 

Someone made a good point about his wages, he wouldn’t be on that much compared to other strikers in the division, so if you worked it out over the length of four years say?