Yes. We are not only in the same league as Bournemouth, we are challenging each other for promotion to the most lucrative league in the world. They're doing it to unsettle us at least as much as to actually sign the player. It's a bit of a dick move. But I'd definitely do it back to them now they've drawn first blood 😛 (Not really though, as their players will be much better paid, and Bournemouth would just turn to Joe's agent and say looks like they can afford high wages after all...)

I've seen this sentiment expressed a little today, and whilst it's not literally the end of the world of course, or the end of the club being competitive etc, it could very much be the difference that stops us winning promotion. It would be a perfectly fair sentiment in the summer, but midseason and sitting 2nd, it isn't. Signing someone at very short notice who will hit the ground running and suit the existing style without having a preseason to get is very far from guaranteed. Especially if you want like for like, as Rothwell is a fairly unique player. It would likely be someone with a very different skillset, which could mean that midfield unit doesn't work as effectively. I very much hope all our first team players stay. Although as I've said before, wouldn't mind Butterworth going out on loan with Vale and Chapman to fill the emergency cover role.

That does suggest that your sources are not entirely sure about it themselves.

What sale?

Eh? What Bournemouth player have we bid for?

I can envision this so easily...family member of Rothwell's thinks 'Joe's missus wants to go to Bournemouth, I'd best tell a random Rovers fan. Think I'll trawl on the FB page, pick one out and give em a ring.' Alternate story, they know the fan and decide to tell them in absolute confidence. Fan then immediately splats it onto the ole' Face like the moneyshot on a porno. Their friendship will assuredly remain untarnished. Either way, sounds legit.

I tended to think once the pre-contract was signed they'd be disposed to selling him now on the cheap. I expect some very bitter comments from their manager about it.

What is it about him you like the look of? I haven't seen him, but nothing I've heard has inspired me about him. It wouldn't be anywhere near the first time if an underwhelming signing came up trumps of course.

I considered that but I'd have to say no! Technically a different club that never entered the Prem. Dunno if they've been relegated to that level or not either, didn't they just reform in non league and get promoted back up?

But we are in that position now, and they're still not committing.

If you think the most we are paying is 10k, I'm highly confident you're very wrong. Talk in the past has been of more like double that being the ceiling. I'd be astonished if Dack is on less than 15k.

Those would cost 3 times as much as a keeper most likely, or more. We aren't approaching the end of the season, it's January.

Pears was barely challenged in those games. Our goalkeeper has already had an injury, hence Pears playing, and was down not long ago looking like he might have another. Yes, if he never gets injured it won't matter who the backup is, but if he does, we are SCREWED. It's a big risk to take when the position is so cheap to recruit.

We weren't digressing. This is a transfer thread and we discussed squad strength and where we need to strengthen. You think our squad is fine as is, which is lovely (we will revisit that when an inevitable injury crisis dicks our best chance at promotion since we came down), but if you don't think we need any more players I'm not sure what you're doing in the transfer thread other than maybe trying to antagonise people who do think we need signings.

Our backup strikers aren't as below par as our backup keeper. It's not even close.

Not remotely, I've been super clear about that. Surely you see that if Kaminski is injured we are absolutely boned?

So you're admitting they're not remotely good enough to be stand-by for a promotion chasing side then, if you don't think someone in League One or Two would take them on loan.

Yes, he tried and failed once. Same as he did with the main keeper situation. Walton, then Kaminski. Pears, then hopefully someone better. The goalkeeper is the cheapest position on the pitch, as it's the most underrated. And it's the only position in which we are utterly fucked if we get one serious injury in it. I can't see a clearer priority for our budget than this, personally. Pears and the others can also potentially be loaned out to help offset the cost a bit. Pears might surprise us once he has been an established number one again somewhere for a bit. Looks nervous as hell right now though.

No, I'm advocating that we acquire a second choice keeper that won't throw the ball into the back of the net under minimal pressure.

The process of ensuring your squad is good enough absolutely involves asking where an injury will put you in hot water.

How happy will you be with it if Kaminski gets an injury?

He took a few games to get going with us tbf, something fans very quickly forgot once he was on it. Was only a half season loan for us too.

That's good, a start like that should ensure he gets chances in their team, at least for a while. Bit mad to see Oldham and Scunthorpe both bottom of League Two. Particularly Oldham, a former Premiership club. Has a team who has been in the Prem ever been relegated out of the pro leagues?

I think Butterworth seriously needs to be loaned out. We won't find out from him making infrequent sub appearances whether he is worth extending his deal. Loan him out, use Chapman and Vale as the emergency cover. And of course, sign another attacker.

There is a post two above yours, which you have liked, which says exactly that.