One thing is for sure. He doesn't fuck around! Might be a little on the rash side potentially. Without seeing the times he gets it wrong, it's hard to tell whether he has terrific instincts for when to stick a foot in, or if he is a bit over-eager to do it and might come undone against a quick or silken-footed striker in this league. Definite no-prisoners type. Actually decent technique as well by the look of it. Being captain suggests he is a leader, precisely what our defence needs (then again, Mulgrew is our captain...). I'd take him based on what I've seen so far.

Agree. Charlton were the lowest-ranked promoted team. They've lost two of their best players in Bauer and Jamal Lowe. Their new signings are all from League One clubs or lower. On paper this should be the easiest game we have all season. But I'm not expecting any such thing. Promoted teams frequently spring a surprise at the start of the season. The play-off teams actually statistically do the best of the promoted teams when they go up, if I remember rightly. Probably due to the euphoria of a Wembley win carrying them onwards. We also botch our first games frequently. We haven't got any defenders in yet, which means even if we do before Charlton, they're highly unlikely to start. We looked vulnerable at times against Blackpool. I'm predicting a score draw from this one to be honest.

Ooh that's a big call. Nowhere near the Duff level from what I've seen. The first time I saw Duff play I was astonished he wasn't already our first team regular on the wing. He was magical from the off. What I've seen of Buckley - which admittedly is nowhere near as much as others - he just looks decent, comfortable, and ready to push on. Duffer was alarmingly good. Jones was the closest I've seen in early performances to that level, but still a way behind (though a less eye-catching position).

Sounds like a good place to make hay whilst the sun shines then! Something just occurred to me though that makes me wonder about the veracity of the rumour. It sounds like our scouting 'network' has only really scoured Germany and Holland so far. Unless they're just the ones we've been thorough with. On the other hand, it's a very left-field link to be total balls.

Wasn't doubting him on account of it, just saying it's a slight stretch to refer to him as a current Croatia international, even if it technically applies. I said earlier, the profile sounds about right to me. If we got someone like him and Tosin too, I'd feel a lot more comfortable going into the season. Would prefer an LB as well, but don't think that'll happen. TM seems comfortable with his options of Bell, Williams (eww), Hart and Downing for that slot. Most of the rest of us aren't, but we don't decide.

The QPR and Forest bids were for £3 million according to the Scottish Sun. In the past they've rejected £3.5 million from Celtic, and a 'larger' offer from Villa. Edit - christ, just read the full Scottish Sun article. A more recent Celtic bid of £5 million was also rejected last month (god knows why QPR and Forest thought they'd try 3 after that) and they're believed to value the player at £10 million!!! Dreamland for a young SPL defender surely.

Current Crotian international is probably stretching the definition a little bit. Looks like he played 77 minutes for them in a game back in 2017, and got on for a single minute in June two games back. Didn't make the squad for any of the games in between the debut and second cap. Stayed on the bench for the last game. Technically, yes, current international, but still. Breaking in now, I guess.

Ugly bastard. Perfect! Won't be afraid to shove his face in front of a foot or get punched for being a git. Might be hoping for it, to accidentally improve his face! 28, which I tend to regard as a CB's typical peak. Couple of Croatia caps, captain of his side, who finished 3rd in the Croatian league. Hardy lot those Eastern Europeans. Tall enough without being a giant, at 6 ft 1 and a half according to Wiki. Shorter than Mulgrew but unlikely to be worse in the air. Profile sounds alright to me.

Complications with the agent on a loan deal? Sounds a bit odd. Do loan deals have agent fees too? I suppose they would in this day and age.

Fair enough, don't know why I got Southport in my head. Have we played there when the other facilities were unavailable or something? Or maybe we just played Everton a lot, I dunno.

I'll be honest Paul, I'd prefer someone a little more seasoned, in this league if possible. I feel like Tosin would be a good addition if it was him and an experienced Championship (or other top flight...and no not just ten games) CB, as long as we don't have a clause where we have to play him. Alongside a 23 year old with only ten Bundesliga appearances though, I'd be wary. Could turn out to be a gem of course. I recall the last time we bought a fringe squad player CB from a German side. Worked out pretty well! Just think it's a little risky to tie up our defensive reinforcements purely in young lads, but I won't be slamming it if it's these two. It'd be a 'wait and see with reservations'.

Southport seem to do very well off our arrangement with them (we still play our u-23 games there right?). They get to keep tabs easily on our lads and probably get first dibs on the lesser ones we let go, with them being comfortable with the surroundings etc. Interesting to hear about a 'lack of end product' from Chapman...I don't expect him to be delivering goals and assists all game. An assist and hit the bar in this one and 2 goals in the previous wasn't it? Sounds like enough end product for me. However I'm sure he won't get as many breaks at Championship level so if he isn't consistent with the end product it could be an issue in the first team. Sounds like Arma really. Electric and unplayable at his best, but little more than a nuisance (and an outlet to stretch play) when he isn't. I think our fans are harsh on Arma personally.

I think that's fair of us. I was thinking myself that he's worth in the region of 500k with a hefty sell on, and could be worth close to double that if he has a good year in League One. I'd back him to finish in the top 5 scorers there if given a fair crack of the whip. If they don't want to pay accordingly (which is fair enough, I assume they're not flush) then surely he can just be loaned and do enough for others to take note.

My worry with Dack is that after he didn't get to leave Gillingham one summer, he had a bit of a lacklustre followup season. He was then able to secure a cut-price move to a bigger club for what I think was about half of his previous value. I worry he might think if his form dips with us, the same thing will happen so he's fine.

First time I've had the chance to see him in person. I watched pretty much just him for a bit. I'm not gonna lie lads, I wasn't blown away. He looked comfortable enough though, and did a few fairly nice things. Took a shot outside the box well, which I think might have been his first touch. There was a point I thought he'd foolishly played himself into trouble, but he came out the other end somehow. That bit impressed me, and actually elicited an audible 'wow'. Looks promising for his age. I'm not expecting him to change our season just yet though. Mowbray saying he is definitely not going on loan sounds like he might have a bit more willingness to play him than I thought. We will see, but it does make me a bit less apprehensive about the drawbacks of not loaning him.

Same, same and same. When I was young I considered whether to try being a rapper (I actually made a little song with a Scottish lad that briefly reached 3rd on a UK hiphop download chart). But you have to sound like where you come from really, and a Lancs accent doesn't suit hiphop. So I didn't bother. This video has reassured me I made the right choice. Credit to the lad for trying though, and I reckon he's thoroughly enjoying himself. Bit of a spurious link between Tugay and thievery though! A couple of the lines were ok.

Sorry, you dragged up my post from May because...?

Bow down? No clue what you mean. It is getting a bit ridiculous though. You're not allowed to have an opinion if it's remotely critical anymore. Best have a word with the manager, who said himself he wanted to be playing a Premier League team at this stage. Or you could have a word with yourself.

He lamented the lack of a prestige friendly at Ewood earlier in the summer. Seems we just couldn't arrange one. Probably the same team negotiating friendlies as negotiating transfers...

I believe in the loan market being a good tool for player development. I think it's the loan fees that have made clubs like Chelsea get ridiculous with it. I used to do the same thing as them on FM but only because it was just a game. I don't see a need to cap the total players sent out, definitely not as low as 5 which would only detriment the development of many a young player. Just cap (or outlaw) the fees. Then clubs won't be so keen to amass so many as a nice little earner on the side.

Doubt they'll get a few million while benching him for Bennett. As a buyer I'd look at that and think, "They don't rate him, we'll get him on the cheap."

On top of which, it completely contradicts the situation and what he has done. The defence ISNT filled with loads of players. The attack and midfield are. Really hoping the stuff about the defence is smoke and mirrors as I'll be fuming if we start the season with no new defenders.

All except the draw at Rangers.

The main thing I noticed with him was a moment where he seemed to think he could take the same risks near our area as he can take in midfield and we lost the ball as a result. He looked much better in his forays further forward, I recall him doing very decent things on three occasions, all in the opposition half. It's almost as if he is some sort of midfielder and not actually a left back? Can't be.

I expect to see us get robbed in possession in a dangerous area doing it, resulting in a goal, at least one or two times.