Never commands his area. Came flying out for a challenge and completely whiffed - fortunately we had a defender covering. Nearly got caught in possession several times. He's a bad, bad GK.

I don't think we make any more signings if Szmodics stays.

Poor sod.

I only saw Gent play once in the preseason but he didn't look rapid.

Derby will score a lot of goals from set pieces this year. Their delivery was excellent.

Cost a lot more too.

I think we should put a cheeky bid in for De Gea if he still lives in Cheshire. See if he wants to earn some pocket money for his kids. He doesn't even have to train or play away games - just turn up at Ewood Park once every fortnight. Anyone But Pears. ABP.

I'd just settle for somebody competent.

Never understood why teams leave it so late. You're wasting the first 6 weeks of the season getting players signed and bedding them in.

Pears #1, Hilton #13. Jesus Christ.

We'd sold our only CM capable of playing that way.

I mean if he doesn't back himself to displace Pickering then he's not up to much.

That's why they're way down in the pecking order. Duru would probably be 4th choice RB (after Brittain, Carter, JRC - and hell maybe Travis). Tyjon similar.

I actually don't mind those options at those positions - I'd add Sigurdsson as a #10 too (and Markanday if they insist on keeping him). We desperately need pace out wide on both flanks (Markanday, Dolan and Sigurdsson are crap out there), a LB (preferably a starting one, but at least a backup) and a starting GK.

I can't stomach the man so I haven't watched the interview. Did he really say a top half finish? He's away with the fairies unless he knows of 5 quality signings lined up.

It should be considering money is clearly incredibly tight (if not non-existent) and we're still lacking a GK, a LB and a couple of wingers.

He's what the American Football fans would describe as 'soft'.

And it's Ajax, so they have money and aren't going to give him away.

Who said he's not training? Whoever is going to buy him will be livid - he'll be miles away from match fitness. I thought we were just holding him out of friendlies after he pulled up against Stanley?

You're fucked with Pears in net anyway - whether he's full of beans or down in the dumps.

He's not saying 50% of the starting 11 are inadequate. He's saying 30% of the squad is inadequate - which is pretty much universally agreed upon here.

You were right the first time - we'll sell him on August 31st. "Didn't have time to bring anyone in".

We need a GK more than a backup CF. Keep that last Visa spot open.

Pears will relegate us. I hope they have more GKs on their shortlist.

Is this cos someone on Twitter has said he was absent from training this morning?