Just now, roversfan99 said:

Im not sure the bottom paragraph is true. Brereton should only play up front if at all.

Has he played there?

4 hours ago, S8 & Blue said:

For every Whittingham there’s a Tugay, and every Murphy a Hughes.

 

Cant wait to find out. 

It's no coincidence those that worked out were proper seasoned players ie some of the best in their countries and those that didn't were wannabes and almosts.

if he can start a few and come on and make a positive contribution in the last 20-30 mind of games, then I will be OK with his signing. Conway was ineffectual, so an impact sub would make a difference and be an improvement.

however it is yet another signing in an area Brereton plays. I don't want a player taking minutes away from him. We cannot be pissing away 7m and so whether we like it or not, we must play him and do everything we can to make him a better player. For that he will need game time and Downing, could reduce this.

17 hours ago, tomphil said:

It is as are the people who think these types come to Rovers for 5 grand per week and a similar in appearance money.  He might be 35 he might be a millionaire but like Rodwell you still have to lure them here with more than just games when there are other packages on the table perhaps from clubs with a lot more loose change than us who don't mind chucking 20/30k per week on squaddies.

He won't be cheap, that's all I know, otherwise why bench him? I hope he can earn his wedge whilst with us.

I will always be apprehensive in regards signing older players after Murphy et al. Let's hope he's not one of those ?

35 minutes ago, toogs said:

20k x 52 = £1040000. IF 20 k is true  

Football is clinically insane  

 

 

I agree FIFA should introduce some sort of proper FFP, like the nfl. 

7 hours ago, blueboy3333 said:

No doubting Downing has been a quality player in his time but where will he be played? He won't replace Dack so it's either AA's position or Rothwells - wide left or wide right. I doubt he has any pace now so he'll be seen as a play maker from deep and out wide. I remember Mowbray doing something similar with Whittingham. 

I would guess he will play wide right as he appears to favour that role these days. I'm pleased it is a one year contract, as anymore would be criminal and perceived poorly. He won't be cheap, it's got to be at least 20k, plus bonuses. We will see but it's a good million quid less in the kitty.

2 hours ago, Mike E said:

If we used Mulgrew in midfield (money saver), and brought in Hanley and Bidwell, I’d genuinely be thrilled.

Mulgrew and Travis in a midfield should have enough about it to support an attacking 3 of Armstrong, Dack, and Rothwell behind a striker.

Whoever the striker is (DG, Ben, or new guy) would have to be confident holding their position though.

Losing Mulgrews passing and free kicks cannot happen. He was a midfielder his legs are gone, but he won't need them as a sitter. I don't want to lose his better qualities from the team, especially his free kicks as he'll score 10 a season. We need those goals ?

Hanley would be an improvement over what we have and he is a natural CB. Knows the club, some of the players and so should fit in easily with the group. Hopefully it's not at Lenihans expense as he's one I'd like to keep. He's still got some room to grow and perhaps having a brute ala Hanley alongside will benefit his game further. We can then get more for him next summer lol. Mulgrew for me would sit in front of them as I'd like to not see him wasting on the bench, he's one of our best passers and his free kicks are useful. Drop Evans and play Charlie in the holding role as an easy out for the defence. From there we can build, as opposed to lumping it.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/17708264.rovers-handed-boost-in-chase-for-charlton-defender-bauer/

1 hour ago, Dreams of 1995 said:

????

Yeah, you are right Dr X. Maybe attach your FM history to your CV the next time the job comes open...you may get it.

Glad you agree. 

4 hours ago, Biz said:

Isn’t able to play or isn’t able to dislodge the eventual player of the season?

Im not under the impression transfer business is simple, and whilst I’d like to see more cash hit the first team, I’d be happy if they’re putting the wage bill up and/or investing a few million in the team !

He makes a valid point. Did we need an up and coming player or could the 7m have been better spent elsewhere? He rarely replaced Graham, mainly coming on as a wide man. 

If I'd had 7m on FM, I wouldn't be signing potential. If we have similar amounts this summer, then I hope he signs, proven quality to enhance the 1st 11. 

1 hour ago, tomphil said:

A Championship modern era Dunn is as good a comparison as you can get I think.  Not on his level but similar enigma with the same build, refuelling, ego and bird issues it seems.

Dunny at least climbed to the top before he fell off his pedestal this lad will never get there unless he puts the graft in.

I agree, Dack could really benefit from sorting himself out physically and becoming more consistent in his performances.

Are you not gonna add in Ronaldinho?

3 hours ago, Sparks Rover said:

He will end up at a top league in Europe I reckon

Like the championship? ?

2 hours ago, Sparks Rover said:

Grosicki every time 

Good player and only one year left on his contract:

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kamil-grosicki/profil/spieler/37920

18 hours ago, philipl said:

Club always either in turmoil or about to be engulfed in turmoil.

Who could we pinch on the cheap? 

It's a bit like saying Danny Graham is the best striker we have had since Garner. 

??

1 hour ago, JoeHarvey said:

Callum Camps just isn’t what we need. Don’t forget he played against us in 17/18 and looked bang average if not worse. He wouldn’t add to this squad, and isn’t young enough to improve dramatically at 23.

I don’t think he’d be capable at all. Looked average in League One.

53 minutes ago, Butty said:

Avoid, I’ve seen many a tweet like this about him. 

Fair enough gents, I haven't seen Rochdale this season. He used to be quite good, perhaps he wants out? 

2 hours ago, laughatthedingles said:

Strong rumours over in Rochdale are we are close to agreeing a fee for Callum Canps.

Good player, he'd be more than capable of making the step up. 

I can't see Rochdale letting him go cheap. 

25 minutes ago, matt83 said:

We’re like a young lad on the pull. Starts the night with lofty designs on drop dead gorgeous girls. But finishes the hunt at 2am in the kebab shop with some rotter.   

Which is fine but don’t bang on about the stunners when we all know it’s an anything will do job

Lol that's a great analogy. 

Downing is a beer goggles beauty. 

He clearly wants a stalwart in the dressing room that the players will respect, because of his pedigree. Whilst I understand the reasoning behind this choice, one could also perceive a different viewpoint. It could be implied that Mowbray feels his relationship with the team isn't strong enough without a Conway backing him in the dressing room. As opposed to buying a better connection to the team, surely he should work on his relationship building skills? 

Not suggesting that this is the case, but the interpretation has merit. 

Just now, JacknOry said:

Didnt he get a hat-trick in some youth international tournament for Holland and ended up as the leading scorer in the tournament? Talk about judging a player on a few good games.

That's kinda how Brereton looks presently, he has had some great youth international showings. Sadly not so much here, to date. 

Martin Dahlin got me rather excited, alas. 

That list makes some dire reading, at least it was Mowbray who broke the hoodoo. 

30 minutes ago, AllRoverAsia said:

I'm 57 now and without wanting to tempt fate that's a decent age in my Family history. I hope I'm around to see it, almost a decade down the drain already and all due to an Indian family. RUNTS.

You'll see them leave and get to join in the celebrations with us all! 

Just now, bluebruce said:

So you didn't read those few new pages then, you just decided to assume we weren't being linked to anyone.

We are being linked with Glenn Whelan. Granted it might as well be no-one, but it's happened.

I read the most recent two pages and made an assumption, yes but you are right it might as well be no-one. 

Not very excited by either downing or whelan, hopefully they turn up elsewhere ?

Jagielka was also linked, seems an old head is on the cards. Just perhaps not in defence where most feel it is needed. I would like an experienced man alongside the less experienced Raya and lenihan. I think they would really benefit from the guidance and direction they could bring. What was Ashley Williams like at Stoke this season? 

21 minutes ago, AllRoverAsia said:

Yes, indeed, we can but dream.

Watching the Cricket helps too.

One day it will happen ™️?