I don't think it will happen but on the off chance the Obafemi deal really go through it is going to take some hell of a climb down from you Chaddy. It's a bit strange to be so steadfast in not wanting a player here. For what it's worth whoever is in charge of negotiations for us should treat the deal like Hughes did with Bellamy. Pop a reasonable release clause in his contract to tempt him into signing (£10 - 15million?). If he proves his worth he'll be off with an enhanced reputation and it's win, win. I'd love to see him here as from the bits I've seen of him he is significantly more talented then all the other players we've been linked too. And without rose tinted glasses, I totally see why he'd have initial doubts in signing for us and be biding his time to look at other offers.

Though I'm unsure on the quality of the players rumoured I'm starting to feel encouraged by the fact we are looking at permanent deals for a number of positions and not only loan deals. I really hope Kehdra is a backup if a permanent deal for another player falls through

Admittedly this is based on about 30 minutes of football but he looked class against Derby when he came on earlier in the season. I'd be very happy with him. I've a feeling we're looking at players who are cheaper than what he'd come for though.

If he signed I'd be judging him purely based on how he performs for us, however I do know what you mean. I'd be hoping anybody we did sign from the Scottish Leagues had significantly more assists, goals, or be at a younger age than 26. Still rather we brought Hedges in than Kehdra on loan though.

With Van Hecke and Edun it could suggest that a switch to wing backs could become plan A. Positive to that would hopefully mean that's where the width would come from and our 6ft wingers would play more central. There is maybe too much logic in that for it to come to pass though.

So the only two cash signings we've made thus far in the last two transfer windows are both left backs.... He might be a decent player. And I'm pleased to see permanent signings rather than loans. But it again strikes me that there is no serious planning to our transfer business.

If that did prove to be the case hopefully we don't go and get put trousers pulled down by whacking a massive 40% sell on clause in there this time

I saw a couple of Crewe games last year simply to check Pickering out. That and some online clips so I'd say no. I'm not in a position to judge. My comment was based on the limited amount I've seen of him. Wide forward, shoots with both feet, runs at players. Like Arma though he looks to me like he more knocks it past someone to make space for a shot, rather than, dropping a shoulder, changes of pace, Rothwell style. Which like Armw when wide can result in blind alleys, especially if an opposition defender backs off has a bit of intelligence and doesn't overly commit. Those are the similarities I've seen in snippets but I've not seen enough to form an opinion on whether he'd have the potential to develop further, or switch positions. To be honest there's a decent wedge of guesswork and assumptions in the above. And I'm only really commenting on him based on the fact his mum has suddenly had a social media splurge and followed a couple of accounts.

Dale doesn't look a bad player in the snippets online. Hints of Arma's style prior to moving centrally. His stats suggest to me though that he's a player who could disappear for long periods. Obviously it is very easy to cherry pick the best bits for a compilation video. Rumours of 500k bids as he only has a year remaining on his contract, plus apparently he is unhappy at the club holding out for more money whilst paying him very low wages. For that price he'd represent a good gamble in my eyes. I'd far prefer that than spanking the same kind of money for a player on loan. Big question is though. Is he an Arma replacement in Mowbrays eyes or a calculated gamble on an up and coming player. If its the latter and there are other more established incomings I'm all for it. The former and it is clear where our level now is financially.

Tell that to our full backs. Our players were a long way up the pitch. Standing like statues. Worst of both worlds. Positional play was gung-ho whilst the style was gung-slow

Personally I'm pleased Obafemi being a no go has been announced now. Better than playing delusions right up until deadline day. No excuses now. New targets to be pursued with a greater intensity. Not that I have any great confidence in this happening

Put me down for Qpr 19/10/21

At the same time, although yes we have conceded in all our games this season it has only been by one goal. Endless possession leads us to over committing players forwards and we looked so vulnerable. Goals from set pieces have seen us take points in games because we're not having to score 3 goals to win.

Takes some doing to face up to your own troubles privately, let alone publicly. Good to have you back.

If there were some way of totting up the cumulative wages of that group when with us in comparison to what they will be on now I'm sure the contrast would be enormous, truly highlighting the financial mismanagement of the current regime.

From the bits I've seen online he looks like a tidy passer who most importantly looks like he tries to always play the ball forwards. By the looks of things though he is going to need to have a telepathic reading of the game and a great first touch as he looks absolutely tiny. You can be that small as a footballer, but you have to be very, very good. That's my biggest worry. No way of telling until he's had a run of games though

My view is a very cynical view but my concern is the amount of time remaining on Mowbrays contract. I firmly believe he thought he could get us promoted last year. Spent every penny we had on a hugely inflated squad to the point whereby we were right on the edge of Ffp. So much so that it seemed there was no money even for extensions. Now we have a little cash and flex from the Arma sale. Mowbray has 1 year remaining on his contract. What is more important to him. Seeing us scrapping against relegation with a thin squad but assets tied down to long term contracts. Or bringing a number of players some temporary, some permanent and us finishing around midtable. If he leaves at the end of his contract there is clearly one option which benefits him and his reputation, but harms the club.

Another year loan would do Magloire and Carter some good. I wouldn't mind loaning in a centre half so long as they were decent quality. We can essentially tell our two going out on loan there is a spot available for next season. Let them fight it out. Who can put in the best performance in league 1. Bit of incentive and hopefully we see them step up. Centre halves of Lenihan, Ayala, Wharton and a top quality loan should be enough to see us through. There was negligence last year but the Wharton injury completely screwed us over. Ayala was predicted though.

I've not kept up with the Arma deal so am a little confused. Are we thinking that Arma has gone to Saints for £15million and that deal is officially one on its own. But we've been a little sly by Southampton agreeing to sell us Obafemi for cheaper than their true valuation in a completely separate deal to prevent us paying as much to Newcastle?

Thing is we are all debating whether Arma is top level quality and his worth. But on this occasion Mowbray is right. If he had 3 years left on his deal no club would have a sniff under £20million and we would probably be trying to milk them for closer to £25million. Whether somebody would pay it is another question. If Southampton are after a striker to replace Ings who they are 100% confident in and represents very little risk then they simply don't exist at the prices they are willing to pay. £8million was insulting. I'm sure in their heads they value Obafemi who's done nothing in his career at that price. If they want him. They need to pay up and do it now.

I think Mowbray just truly believes his own waffle. He wasn't trying to elevate expectations last season. He genuinely believed he was going to take us up and with 5 subs possible he decided to spunk our money on a hugely inflated squad size with nothing left over for contracts. So nothing untoward, but putting his own career first as he wanted another promotion on his Cv. That and cushy contracts for the boys. Regardless of anything this situation is of his own making.

Without doing this we are in an absolute hole and back in the position of close to zero assets

I constantly question whether some of the posters on there are real people or just fake profiles to give a false perception of positivity to those with stakes in the club.

They continue to stick their heads in the sand. The small step forwards we need to see are experienced directors with the power to make local decisions at Rovers. Their is zero future until this point. And I genuinely believe there is zero future under Venkys because they've not done it in a decade so I can't see them doing it now. Your post was a good one. But without that step there is nothing.

Who'd have thought Manchester City signing Jack Grealish could have an impact on us selling Arma. Grealish from villa to city Ings from Southampton to villa Arma from us to Southampton They'd best be willing to stump up a decent bit of cash now though considering they've just got £30million for a 29 year old in the last year of his contract.