Unfortunately the white balls do nothing - the fielding team actively tries to scuff it up and soften it to make it harder to slog. Compare that to the red ball, which they treat like it's a precious commodity.

That's simply not true, is it. Derby, Reading and Sheffield Wednesday (off the top of my head) have all been sanctioned for breaching FFP rules. If Middlesboro carry on in that vein (I've no idea about their actual finances) they'll be sanctioned too.

I think they've both got to the point where they're frustrated with the contract offer from Rovers and have left. We can easily afford both - especially if we're willing to fill the squad with Academy kids rather than expensive knackers like Downing and Johnson.

Nice strawman. All three were good Championship quality players. We've also had five PL loanees walk out the door (of varying quality). By some accounts we were paying Poveda's full wage while he was here - god knows what we were paying the rest, in addition to any loan fees. When you add Davenport (I've always been a fan, horribly mismanaged by Mowbray) and Johnson to that list, that's ten senior pros missing from the side that bottled finishing in the Playoffs last year. Those ten will have combined for a massive portion of the wage bill. That's huge, any way you slice it.

Lenihan was Chief Lemon Drizzler - I still remember him holding the cake for Mowbray's birthday / 5 year anniversary at the club. Captain by default, not a leader.

I meant literally, he's got the UEFA Pro License (top coaching badge) and Football Association Technical Director qualifications.

This season, at least pre-World Cup, was always going to be a struggle because they spent 5 weeks faffing around appointing a manager (or Head Coach, whatever). The only reason we have a manager is because Broughton took that shitshow by the reigns and headhunted JDT. All of our deals should have been lined up weeks ago. Instead our manager took training with the players for the first time about 10 days ago. Buckle up and enjoy the ride, it's going to be bumpy.

I've said my piece. Broughton and Tomasson are the two most qualified appointments we've made during the Venky's reign of terror. The Venky's have backed managers in the past - we've splashed enough cash on enough dross over the last decade. If they don't back these two then it's a change of tack from them - and both will be off sharpish. I'm concerned, but I'm not going to be sat here wringing my hands with the usual suspects because we haven't brought in half the Malmo or Bodø/Glimt squads 3 weeks into their tenure. I'm on record as saying we're fucked if we don't bring in 6+ starting quality players this transfer window - I stand by that. The Academy graduates can only be relied upon at this early stage as squad filler.

Broughton and JDT have been here what, 3 weeks? I really do think people are expecting miracles. If we've made no progress in another 3 weeks then I'll get on board with the complaints. Right now it's just far too early to judge. They're no mugs, they know we need 6+ starting quality transfers.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/20256806.first-professional-deal-just-magic-monty/

These last 4 wins have basically defied the odds - record run chase after record run chase.

Steady on, now.

If only we hadn't faffed around for 5 weeks hiring a manager, eh?

Most fans knew it was a complete rebuild this offseason - as it has been for the last 5 seasons as Mowbray relied upon loans (5 of the 10 players you listed above) to fill out his squad. JDT has now had a week to look at his squad in training - he'll know what he needs (I assume he had a very good idea just from watching a few matches on tape), but the up-close look will have confirmed what they are and aren't capable of. I'll start worrying if we've signed nobody in 2 weeks time - unfortunately this was always on the cards because the manager search dragged on and on. JDT and Broughton have to be given time to bring in the right players to fit the style of play and formation the head coach wants to play.

I'd hope we can do better than Khadra. He was alright, but hardly pulled up trees.

I expect him to sell Brereton before deadline day so the money can be reinvested into the squad. Sitting on £20m for 5 months and having to play Academy kids isn't going to benefit anyone.

I'd sack Broughton if he sold Brereton on deadline day.

If he's being paid double by Sheffield Utd there's not much you can do about it.

Didn't need time away when the IPL was paying him a fortune though, eh? Convenient that.

He's a brilliant man manager, he just only has one trick - he alienates one player in the squad as his whipping boy (at Man U it was Shaw) and installs a siege mentality. Obviously it's not a long-term strategy, which is why he moves on so often, but for those 2-3 years players will run through a wall for him.

We don't currently have a team - I don't think people realise how threadbare this squad is.

As Mowbray never built teams to last (loanees and contracts running out), JDT basically has a clean slate - he needs to bring in 5/6 players regardless. They can all be guys that fit his high press system.

Having driven both - no chance.

They do it in College Football in America when Head Coaches are moving teams.

It's a trek from Manchester to Sheffield - almost as long as the flight from Malmo to Manchester. Surely a small plane like that could land at Leeds / Bradford?