Fair enough, I'll just have to start seriously doubting your postings if you're happy to adopt the techniques of a known charlatan. We'll leave it there then.

Or it shows how far off your opinion on Graham is. I'm fairly sure you're the only poster on here who thinks he is currently crap. It's a big worry whether he will deteriorate this year, but if he stays fit and plays like last season we're fine (in the current system of play).

Please stop saying fake news. Trump invented/popularised it and he's a fucking idiot. The vast majority of the time he says it, he's lying. This causes my brain to briefly assume you're also lying, even when in this case you were correct. Cheers.

Exactly what I was thinking. They're obviously not going to sell it out. They have Derby and Marseille at home too, so you can be sure of that (side note - why do we only ever have one home friendly?). They're just cheating themselves of a bit more money and atmosphere, and cheating some fans who'd like to go, if they don't give out more tickets. Surprised we are selling that many for a friendly in Scotland, personally, but hey if the demand is there. Maybe it's due to there being no 'prestige' friendly at home this year.

OK so are you saying you've heard that we ARE in for Assombalonga, which your first post strongly implied, or are you adding a few things together to assume we will be in for him, which most of your subsequent posts implied?

Hasn't he been offered a role elsewhere recently too? If so, it would make sense if promoting Boateng to the u-23s (or maybe u-18s, with their coach moving up too) was part of the plan. Would obviously be a way to keep him around.

If he doesn't get injured again, yes.

I'm mystified as to why people are talking like we are looking to sign Adam when even the original 'source' says he is only here keeping fit.

Frequently not, in fact.

Unless he's doing that during his family holiday and pissing off his missus, then no, he's not doing that.

Nothing to do with him being obligated to do it, it's simply that getting yourself in shape when teams across the league are coming back for pre-season training seems an obvious thing to do for any true professional whether contracted or not, let alone one whose career, stock and fitness is in a precarious position. Yes yes, I know he has other offers, but if he has a bad season next year for us or whoever, he could easily find himself short on them in future as there are already a lot of question marks over him. I just think it's poor professionalism and I'm not impressed. It seems like something someone who has fallen out of love with the game and isn't motivated would do. If he's not, fine, just don't want him around anymore when I was already unsure whether he adds enough value.

Holy shit, that's unreal! A one-off, sure, but five in a row? I actually struggle to believe that's humanly possible and not doctored footage. It was in his Villa days, but he shouldn't have lost much if any of that accuracy. It's different when the ball is moving, or you have to put more pace, bend on it etc, but at the very least I'd expect some good corners. Maybe not straight in like Mulgrew, though with that accuracy he should be capable of it.

I suppose you've blanked Murphy, Etuhu and Goulon from your mind? Don't blame you. Many would say Andrews but I think he was a similar level to Evans and Smallwood personally, just playing a league higher. He was poor but not half as poor as a lot of fans made out.

I don't remember who, Vinjay, I'm not Rain Man. It definitely happened, I had some very annoying arguments with a few. As I said, small handful. It was astonishing that there were any though.

Ah thanks. I just didn't want to read that far back really, imagining it to be the usual. I retract my remark.

That's hilarious. I wouldn't want 5 million Jason Lowes for that price, let alone just the one. I'd wish it had been true and happened...although I'm sure we'd face criminal action for that level of daylight robbery. I'm curious that nobody has commented on the Jack Payne link I posted. Probably need to save their energy for another Brereton debate.

I don't know if you were being sarcastic, but I don't remember Jason Lowe being linked with any moves at all, let alone for 5 million? There was a distinct lack of interest in him despite how a small handful of fans used to praise him. Glad nobody lauds him anymore. That small handful were probably the type that have to defend absolutely everything the club is doing.

One of four teams mentioned as interested in Paddy McNair

This thread is getting to be a bit of a leviathan, so apologies if already posted: Linked with Jack Payne on a free To be honest...I'd probably take that if wages were low, as a cheap Dack backup. Not a priority position obviously, but if it didn't have much effect on our budget and wasn't counted as one of the 'up to 5' TM has said we want to bring in, I don't see much reason not to. He'd barely play, mind, as I don't think TM would wedge him onto the wing much, and Dack is both our key man and rarely injured. But I don't see anybody else playing that linking role very naturally. We just have players we could force in there. Still got years left in him at 24, and did the business in a PL promotion winning Hudds team a few years back. If it's cheap it's low risk. Good technical ability. Maybe he would fit a potential revised playing system better too. Thought he didn't get as much game time as he merited last time here.

Is that a fact though? Bauer's comments on his Preston move suggested he needs to fight for his place there too.

Nah he's a good Championship defender last I saw him. I wouldn't object per se, but I don't know how effective he and Lenihan would be as a pair. I just have reservations about that, and don't think Mulgrew should line up with anyone. If we signed another more disciplined, rounded centre half too, I'd be very happy. With that defender lining up with the winner of a Hanley-Lenihan fight for the shirt we'd be set at CB. I'm not sure we will put that much finance into that area. We will, obviously, see how everything works out. Full disclosure, I have a slight dislike of Hanley as a character, as I thought he was one of the biggest on-pitch reasons for our relegation, we carried his poor performances for years, then he fucked off as soon as he finally had a good season. Water under the bridge if he comes back though, I wouldn't let that get in the way if he delivers the goods. Which he should be able to if he's matured over the years. Still a good age, should still have it physically as much as ever. He had some injuries though if I remember?

I'm not completely convinced. Darragh is fairly no-nonsense. Our defence needs a rough CB sure, but for me that player also needs to be an intelligent, disciplined organiser. A fuckton of our goals have come from poor positional play. Last I saw Hanley for us, I considered him reckless, a criticism that has been levelled at Lenihan. He was learning better when to commit and when not, compared to previous seasons, so maybe he has matured on that front. But I wouldn't want to see us line up with two rash CBs. You can only really afford one.

Agreed. The first centre back who walks through that door (arguably both if we sign two) HAS to be seen as ahead of Mulgrew in the pecking order, despite his position as captain, and Williams. If they're not, there is zero point in signing them.

Mowbray on losing the Bauer chase https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/17729706.rovers-boss-on-missing-out-on-patrick-bauer-to-preston/

Another poster has said the Twitter account explains it is a rumour generator bot. Don't worry about it.