When he wants to leave is irrelevant. If he isn’t signing a new deal — which is his choice and one we’re absolutely fucking stupid to have allowed to get to this point — then he MUST be sold.

I'd be happy with that as well, if the plan is to loan Phillips out then Sepp coming in to fight it out with Carter for third choice sounds good for all parties.

I agree on Ayala, I wouldn't want him anywhere near a cup game for example. I wouldn't be sending Carter on loan personally, I don't see what he gains from it. He's played at the top League 1 every week, if he can't play midtable Championship occasionally then we've failed him. I wouldn't want someone coming in ahead of Carter because it's a short term solution, if the rumours of Sepp requiring a minimum number of games are true for example then we'd essentially be developing their talent instead of ours.

I think he's done OK, he's only just turned 17. We're asking a lot of him, I'd have no problems with him being fourth choice and developing further but I wouldn't want him starting every week as he will make errors - like any 17 year old would - and I don't know how his confidence will hold up if those errors keep happening.

I don’t think so, what was my previous opinion? 😂

Where do you reckon the new one fits in Mike? I’ve put below the centre backs in the order I would pick them, where does the new one fit in for you? Ayala Wharton Carter Phillips

I think we’d sign a replacement if we got decent money - what was the left forward called at Malmo we where rumoured to be interested in? I know it’s only one game but the Dingles have signed Tello(?) and he scored two at weekend, the one where he brought it down on his chest was very BBD like.

RE why I’m not sure on another central defender, we already have four to keep happy and give game time. There’s dangers - Ayala gets injured, Carter is unproven at this level, Phillips is a kid… but if you’re signing a fifth that means when all are fit, you’ve got three centre backs not playing. I think we’re invested in Carter now, Pompy loved him in League One, so for me he’s earnt his right to be behind Ayala and Wharton. If we don’t tell Phillips he’s around the first team squad then he may as well sign for Spurs, that’s our trump card. So who do we bring in? Sepp, who’s clearly a good player, but we can’t guarantee him any games and signing him would stop the progress of our own two youngsters, Carter and Phillips. Yes, if we can somehow sign JVH - or similar - I think we make an allowance for that as he would instantly become our first choice Centre back. I guess what I’m saying is we’re in a tricky position at centre half and whilst I’m not against signing a new one, for me it’s only worth signing either 1) a stand out, first choice centre back or 2) a Loanee happy to play occasionally and be behind Carter at least and Phillips potentially as well.

Where did the 10M come from? I hope that you telling me doesn’t mean you think when I said I can see us spending 10M i was doing some ITK nonsense? I think we’ll end up getting 20M including add ons, maybe 13-15M up front. I just can’t see him staying. Nice have already bid, there’s rumoured to be plenty of teams interested, it’s getting close to the deadline. I reckon he’s either gone or left out pending a transfer by next week. Just my thoughts. I actually think - subject to being able to spend money - it’s for the best.

3 minimum needed this week, four before the end of the window. I don’t think we need two centre backs, I would be happy going into the season with Ayala, Carter, Wharton and Phillips if the intention is to play a back 4. I don’t rate Pickering and rate Edun even less at left back / left wing back. I’m concerning Brittain doesn’t have suitable back up, JRC can’t play right back or right wing back either. Centre Midfield we need another enforcer. If Travis gets injured we will have the smallest and weakest central midfield in the league. We either need a striker or a winger, depending where he’s playing Gallagher. I can see Gally scoring if he’s playing as a nine, but that means another winger. So I’d like to see… Starting Left Back Back up right back Central Midfielder (is that guy still at Barnsley?) Winger With a statement left forward lined up for when Ben goes. I don’t think he plays for Rovers again.

Lascelles is on 70K / week.

I’d love to know the time period between when Rovers decided Mowbray was going and JDT was approached.

Happy to give them a week to turn this around, then I’ll panic. If JVH has decided to sign a new deal at Brighton I don’t want him at Rovers. We need commitment and longevity.

We are live!

2-0 Burnley. Blackpool are terrible.

I think it would go down a storm. If you’d enjoy Mercer’s Wine Club, like this post. If we get 15 likes he will do it.

I don’t remember one ever existing?

Would you be open to a thread in I Can’t Believe It’s Not Football titled “Mercer’s Wine Club” where you and others (but mostly you) review wines? I honestly think it would be huge. In fact I’m happy to delete this entire thing and turn BRFCS in a wine website.

Oh fuck me not this again, it’s like February 2022 all over again.

What happened to the van Hecke going to Holland / Belgium because he’s got a family emergency story?

At long distance they’re not great and glasses give me a headache, have you any advice?

This is the team for me. Expecting a loss unfortunately, they’re a strong side and we’re lacking depth to replace some tired legs. Followed up by Usyk beating AJ, then Usman beating Edwards early morning. It’s a sports marathon.

I thought Phillips played very well against Long who’s a wily old pro. The reason we lost was we where overrun in midfield and didn’t have a threat upfront, not because we defended poorly.

It wouldn’t surprise me if he was being told to keep it simple considering he’s starting and we have no viable replacement. The last thing they needed was Phillips to make a game losing cock up vs WBA and Reading by being too adventurous and not being able to take him out the firing line.

Who replaced Friedel, who was significantly better than him.