Being linked to Brentford goalie Bentley. It seems to be originally a Nixon rumour though, so pinch of salt. Don't envision us paying the 4 million mentioned in the article, so maybe more like a pinch of bullshit. Nixon can't seem to make his mind up on whether we can spunk 4 mill on a goalie or need to sell! https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/championship-rumours-bristol-city-blackburn-2909695.amp

Christ, I know. I've repeatedly been tempted to offer them my services. I have no qualifications or official job experience in that area, but you wouldn't see that crap popping up. I did my work experience at the LET at 15 years old. They actually had me proof-reading obituaries at one point, which is pretty shocking in itself, but I fixed a scary amount of errors. You'd think they'd have been more careful with something like that. The Rovers writers (or it may just be Sharpe) also seriously irk me with their tendency to overuse - and often misuse - the word 'admit'. Fair play to them on the content though, mostly. It must be difficult to squeeze out three or so Rovers stories every day.

It was 2 million. So we rightly told them to swivel, not knowing he'd ask for pie in the sky wages come summer.

He's 24 in September, not 25.

They've progressed exactly 2 places every season despite that model (I think it was them anyway). So we just need to do it for a mere 5 seasons and we can have a go at playoffs, by that logic. Woop woop!

That's not what he said on the video. He said we won't 'have as many options this window as we will have in 2 years, 3 years, 4 years.' Because by then the scouting network will have reams of info on every player in the leagues we're watching. He isn't saying it isn't up and running, he isn't saying it will take that time to deliver results. He is just saying it will get better over time.

I know. My point was it was likely just as unbalanced, but the other way. We would find it hard to tell. Nevermind, let's move on, it's not that important.

I checked Vardy, because I figured the same as you. Thing is he didn't play in the 7th tier until he was 24 (25 by the time the season finished like Malkin's now has at 21) so I couldn't really draw comparisons properly. He did smash them in during his one season there though, 31 goals. Season before he was in Conference North, hitting 26, and there's no stats before then. He was actually pretty 'old' when he even reached the Conference. Who knows if in 3/4 years this kid would also be hitting those numbers? Not enough to convince me we should get him though. It's supposed to be for our development squad now that Nuttall is often with the senior team (and may be loaned out) but I don't see why we can't find a younger talent with more potential. Must be some decent players getting released from the youth team of Manure, Liverpool, Arsenal etc, as we've had joy with before. You never know what the scouts have seen in this lad though. Ultimately it won't really matter if it fails anyway, just seems an odd one. Wrighty was 21 when he signed for Greenwich Borough btw. No stats available, and I don't know what amateur tier they were at. Signed for Palace within a couple of months.

Sorry, my sarcasm mustn't have been clear enough. I meant that a Northwest station's coverage with our ex-manager doing the commentary would probably be biased in our direction, much like the Midlands coverage would have been biased to Leicester. We would think the Granada version with Mackay was balanced, because we're biased to Rovers too.

Well whaddya know, an actual link. Prepare to be underwhelmed! Think this guy's name has come up before though. https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/17656256.rovers-eye-non-league-hot-shot-to-boost-striking-ranks/

The North West commentary by our ex-manager was more balanced than the Midlands commentary when we played a Midlands club?

The Rhodes, Rudy and Marshall of yesteryear, sure. Not sure if any of them have still got what it takes.

I idly mentioned him during a discussion about what Marriott was meant to have cost, and their relative track records. There's not been a link or anything (nor has there to Marriott), just people took my off-hand use of him as an example and ran with it. Nor was I suggesting we sign either player. Thought I'd clarify that before it escalated further, in typical BRFCS fashion. Kind of thing that happens though when there aren't any rumours doing the round.

Quite, imagine if Brereton was prone to the odd pathetic dive. Oh wait...

I believe this was reported in the LT at one point. I remember being deeply hurt that Brad, who I never thought would leave for money, left mainly for money. But hearing it was because of financial problems rather than greed softened that blow immensely. Shame it had to happen to him though, it was from trying to help people, not from gambling etc.

Tell it to Wikipedia, it's a hassle typing lengthy messages about stats on my phone. First season, Notts Forest, 2 appearances. I never said good, just established, which he is. I'd happily take him over Brereton though.

When he signed for Boro for 5.5 million he had played 61 Championship games over 3 seasons, and 19 Premier League games. Then played another 8 Prem and 39 Championship games before moving to Leeds for about 7 million. He had 36 Championship goals at that point. So yes, well-established. Especially compared to Marriott, who at one year younger had 2 Championship appearances and zero Prem, selling in the same summer.

I was trying to find out the price earlier and got an article from the Peterborough chairman where he insisted the fee was being misreported in the press. He seemed to be suggesting it was more than reported. The figure in question was 2-3 million rising to 5 with add-ons. He seemed to feel that made them look desperate, which they weren't. So, just guessing, maybe more like 4-5, rising to 7 with add-ons. Personally I think that's a lot for a lad who had one good season in League One (we bought League One's best player for just over 10% of that). That's what well-established Championship strikers can move for (Bamford was about 7?). Of course it's also what total gambits like Brereton can move for, so I can't say we shouldn't have spent it there instead.

Presumably to cut down on all the argy bargy and players taking a spot in the wall then moving out of the way, and other chicanery. Not really bothered by that one - why does an attacker have to be in the wall anyway, other than to disrupt it? Free kicks are a good enough opportunity without that. No clue about the goalkeeper touching his posts...I dunno, maybe the idea is that it's used as a psychological deterrent by goalkeepers and they don't want that kind of thing? Seems OTT to me. With the subs one...they could just stop the watch the moment the substitution starts until play resumes. I'd always figured that's what they're supposed to do anyway, but it doesn't seem to happen often if at all. Would also stop managers making substitutions purely to waste time, as it wouldn't help at all in that respect. It would then only be useful to take the impetus from a team with the bit between their teeth.

I know the thread is titled for last season, but this still seems the most apt place currently available to post it (I think, can't be bothered to check). Rule changes for next season: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/rule-changes-next-season-set-16299910.amp

Disagree about Robbo, he was well past his prime by then and had become a liability even at this level. Yes his big wage was a factor, as we couldn't sustain it in the Championship, but if he had been playing a lot better maybe we would have. When Steele came in I can't say I noticed much difference (agree it wasn't a particularly ambitious replacement though). Was far from a great keeper, but (I'm sure I'll be pilloried for this given the apparent consensus) thought he is villified far more than he warranted.

Personally I think Data's strength, intelligence and learning capability would be invaluable. I don't know whether league regulations allow us to field an android though, may have to go through the courts to have his sentience recognised first.

Obviously disagreement on whether we should look to sell Raya but every player has their price. What's everybody's magic figure, the lowest they'd personally take to sell him? Note I'm not asking what people think he is worth in the market, just what you think would be enough for it to be the right call for us. So no need for people to jump in after saying we would never get 10 million for example. I'd probably give serious consideration to anything at 4 million or over. A very large sell on would have to be a factor in any deal.

No, as I haven't given him the slightest disrespect.

You can't expect people to take it for a fact when you won't expand or substantiate it. We can only consider that to be an allegation. I'm not saying it isn't a fact, but surely you understand this?