Genuine question - does anyone feel any sort of emotional attachment to the players these days? Maybe it's just me and the standard being so poor - I used to love Tugay, Emerton (for all his faults!) etc. This lot are mostly just replaceable cloggers in my eyes - nobody to get attached to. You don't feel like you're watching anything special. At a stretch I'd say I'm fond of Travis.

Bottom 8 is generous. If we played a competitive Championship fixture tomorrow I'd put my mortgage on us losing.

I'd give that honour, comfortably, to Lenihan. Bang average Championship CB on his best day. Earned the captain's armband due to seniority rather than on merit.

I think he's fantastic defensively 1-on-1. If he's able to stand you up you might as well just give the ball to him. He has lapses of concentration at times (don't they all) and his end product is poor going forward - which is why PL clubs haven't come calling. I think it's a big loss in terms of its another hole we have to fill (no thank you to JRC or Brown playing any meaningful minutes at RB), but he's not a world beater of a player.

My point stands. We quickly hired JDT after Broughton was appointed. That's no coincidence.

I won't applaud him when he returns to Ewood. I would boo him if he signed for Burnley.

Hiring JDT after Broughton was appointed.

He doesn't have to - they clearly want to keep the U23 (or U21?) team strong. If he's a decent contributor at that level then there's no harm in extending his contract to provide depth / options at that level. He won't be on good money.

If we sell Brereton for £20m and don't invest half of it back into transfers / wages, then yes we have no real desire to compete.

Yep, sadly that's the stranglehold the PL has on the game in this country.

Well firstly they both took 3 years to blossom, so you have to plan accordingly. Secondly, that's why you have Broughton in place - it's his job to find said talent. Otherwise why is he here?

Brentford don't have an Academy, so there's no model to follow.

There are lots of good players available for free in the Championship. The days of big transfer fees are in the past at this level - nobody has any money.

It's a big blow, but as I understand it JDT relies on his FBs to be offensive outlets. That isn't Nyambe's strength at all... so I wonder if they put a cap on the salary they were willing to offer him?

Welcome to the Championship - you have no leverage over disgruntled players. Also I reckon that's an easy 9 points that's walked out the door - he's a fantastic keeper.

Interestingly, as one of the earliest and staunchest defenders of Brereton, I want him to go. It's best for all concerned - we get a much needed injection of cash, we show that we can be a stepping stone for the next young player and quite frankly we don't have to worry about whether it was all a fluke. Obviously Ben gets his big money / opportunity. He's not a £20m player.

I'd just point out Phil Jones to him. Fabulously wealthy, but a laughing stock. Utd absolutely ruined him.

Well they're 5th this year so he was doing something right!

So they sell their best Keeper and see their three best CBs walk out of the club... They were never formidable in the first place - Dyche ground out wins. Kompany has a massive job on his hands.

Are you Irish by any chance?

Absolute waster that lad.

That shirt was awful... so your mate was right.

Resigning Downing when he skipped all of pre-season was criminal. Signing his mate's son, Pears, warranted a sacking.

Oh we absolutely need a striker (two if Brereton leaves [I think he will]), I'm just not throwing Gallagher on the scrap heap just yet. 15 goals for him next season is achievable. If he does that and makes himself a nuisance he's worth keeping around - I doubt anyone is lining up to take us off our hands with his contract.

Again, I'm not his biggest fan, but he'll score goals for you in this league if you play to his strengths. Mowbray playing him out wide did him no favours at all. I imagine a World Class striker like JDT can teach him a thing or two too.