Ossydave

He's on trial A normal thing in a friendly, usually listed as triallists on the team sheet but that'd be pointless when everyone knows who he is

Dunno but he's not starting

Meltdowns incoming........ ?

The post, if you care to read it refers to the SQUAD. Which in my opinion, and many others is not weaker than last season (pre losing Raya when the post was made, but we can't magic a keeper up within the space of an hour of him leaving). We should also be comparing like for like on the 3rd of August too not now.

How anyone can say its weaker is beyond me when we've only lost Downing really, yes that colossus of a BRFCS myth who's ended up in league one, again. With regards to Rodwell, I'm guessing they've had a chat and getting him tied down isn't (and rightly so) a priority. The player probably wants to weigh up his options and see if anyone makes him an offer, and Mowbray will see who else he manages to bring in. If in a few weeks time Rodwell is still looking for a deal we should be able to get him that bit cheaper, if he goes elsewhere so be it.

Yes, our current squad is better than last seasons. That's not false, it's my opinion and I know for a fact I'm not alone in having it. Who's the usual crew? People who don't whine constantly you mean?

I'll name you half a dozen? I don't even particularly want Raya to leave to be honest but to say he's the best keeper in the league os just nonsense

Erm Bollocks

Certain people need to stop being so obsessed with the age of players too. Some of our better players over the years have been 30+. The fittest person in a world class Juventus team is 34 for christ's sake. No I'm not making a direct comparison ability wise between Downing and Ronaldo either before someone chirps up. It's entirely down to the individual player, their lifestyle choices and their desire to play at a decent level as long as possible.

Can you elaborate on all the PL standard performances by Rodwell as I'm badly struggling to remember them? He looked half decent, composed on the ball, that's about it. Conway the bit part player replaced by a better player with much better pedigree and experience, absolute nonsense arguement there. Erm Reed has Johnson and Davenport to step in there, granted Davenport was technically a squad member last year but that's irrelevant when he wasnt available for the most part. Given Reed was often played out wide where he was largely ineffective you could also argue Chapman has replaced him too. Downing wasnt even a squad member hslf of last season as he was out on loan, when he was here he was hardly a pivotal player. Its just become some weird fantasy with certain people that he was any good, mainly as an excuse for a cheap shot at Mowbray by the cry babies. Regardless of that he WILL be replaced no doubt. IF Raya goes its unimaginable that he won't be replaced so that's a pointless argument. As it stands he's still in the squad anyway..... So yeah..

The squad is better than last season as it stands, a season in which we were well clear of relegation. Theres going to be more in comings too. None of the teams around us last season have strengthened much, if at all Stop spouting fretty shite its embarrassing. ¹

Hart would not be a good move at all, essentially has the same weaknesses as Raya, but older and on bigger wages!

I'd say the mix of age and experience is starting to look a lot better in the squad/potential starting 11 to be honest. I'd hazard a guess that the overall average is still in the lower half of the league in numerical terms. The lack of experience often cost us last season. Still undecided on Raya, my view depends entirely on who he is replaced with. He has weaknesses in his game that don't seem to be being improved upon, there's an argument that is down to inferior coaching though too. We could do a lot worse than him though and sincerely hope we don't. Pretty sure his replacement will be a lot more experienced, but I'm not against that at all. Raya is useless at organising a defence and I'd rather have a keeper bellowing at them all game, suspect Mowbray is thinking the same. I'm a fan of having a goalkeeper as captain too, they're in a great place to read the game.

Whilst 70m is outrageous for Maguire, it's about the going rate I'd say. It would be a disastrous move for him though IMO, his mistakes would be highlighted a lot more when playing for United, they get brushed under the carpet a bit more by the more lenient Leicester support.

Don't put it past him playing Downing as a wing back ?

Looks like its imminent, the club just tweeted about it....

The McGinn story is an Alan Nixon exclusive, you do realise that? If United sign him for 50m it'd be one of the most ridiculous deals in transfer history and show how far they've fallen.

Undecided on the Raya issue tbh. He's one of the best shot stoppers in the league but a few question marks on other areas. However, how much does a complete keeper come in at these days and who would we even get to replace him? I just KNOW he'd end up with a decent coach and being a world beater if he moved on too which is frustrating.

We would have conceded a lot less goals if Lenihan played more games last season, that's pretty much fact. But regardless of that I hope to hell he's not thinking we can rely on him staying fit all season as a reason not to strengthen (assuming he actually stays anyway...)

Boro opinions are very mixed indeed on him leaving. We'll just have to wait and see, not an ideal signing by any means but let's judge him on his performances at Ewood. I think if he'd been say our 5th and final signing it wouldn't have been met with as many moans and groans, alas it is what it is.

So a northerner with a beard? Sounds like his mate is just talking shite

Nobody on here will even know who it is

The more I think about it the more I think he's being brought in partly for his set piece deliveries because Mulgrew ain't gonna start next season (hopefully)

Cardiff are playing San Antonio and New Mexico United. 2 plodders from the USL. Similar standard to Newport and Cheltenham to be quite honest just a lot further to travel.