Pickering is getting doubled up on, in some cases trebled. He’s not playing well but he’s also being left isolated.

Here's my end of year assessment now its all over, based on what I've seen so far and their current reputation within the game: Successful recruitment Lenihan replaced with Hyam Nyambe replaced with Brittain Unsuccessful recruitment Rothwell replaced with Szmodics Van Hecke replaced with Mola Additional option based on last season, improvement to squad George Hirst Tyler Morton Hayden Carter (loaned out last season, doesn't count as recruitment) Dilian Markanday (injured last season, doesn't count as recruitment) Adam Wharton (promoted, doesn't count as recruitment) Ashley Phillips (promoted, doesn't count as recruitment) Used last season, not replaced Johnson used, not replaced Zeefuik used, not replaced Davenport unused, but an option, not replaced Unused last season, didn't need to be replaced Chapman unused, not replaced Stergiakis unused, not replaced Magloire unused, not replaced Butterworth unused, loaned out Brown unused, not replaced What do I take from this? Well... 1) GB & JDT felt that we didn't need a replacement for Zeefuik and that Brown wasn't up to the standard. Brittain is clearly first choice, I would assume Carter is second and then we plan to use Buckley/Travis as cover if needed. 2) GB & JDT felt that despite Markanday coming back from injury, we needed another striker. A lot of pressure is on Hirst to deliver in that role, he's never played in this league. 3) GB & JDT don't want two 'bruisers' in central midfielder. Travis fills this role and as captain will start every game. If he's injured I wonder what the plan would be. 4) We have a lot of central defensive options - Ayala, Wharton, Hyam, Carter, Phillips, Mola - perhaps a signal of 3 at the back? 5) GB & JDT thought the squad was slightly too big last season.

I’m not sure I have. Bradley Johnson was imposing. He never shirked a tackle and had a full mans frame. He was big, tall and he was strong… and clever with how he played central midfield. He might not have been mobile or quick anymore but I guarantee he wins almost every 50/50 with both Wharton and Garrett. Wharton and Garrett will both grow into their frames. But right now there will be midfielders in this league that will bully Wharton/Buckley/Morton/Garrett. Like Sheffield United did. I predict we will see this in the derby games. Equally, there will be midfields in this league that Wharton, Buckley, Morton and Garrett can embarrass playing around them, because they’re superb footballers.

I don’t think Wharton or Garrett can have the physical impact on a game that Bradley Johnson could. And potentially Davenport could. Bradley especially was a top level pro. His legs had gone, but everything else was still there including experience which only comes from the decade of top level football.

We can’t sell this late. The necessary people have turned their phones off and gone for a curry at Shajan. Seriously.

I’m bewildered as to how any of you think BBD will even consider signing a deal. There is absolutely zero chance. Nil. None. Please stop it’s painful.

Nobody uses these threads. We’re not doing them anymore.

You don’t think we would have been in a better position last night if we had Nyambe, Lenihan and Rothwell on the bench at worst?

Let’s say we sold him for 12M today and the owners took back 7M, leaving us 5M. Do you expect we will have 5M to replace BBD specifically come Summer next year? Not a 5M budget, I mean 5M for one player.

They arrive at 10 and leave between 1 and 2 most days.

Christ my bad. Yes, Szmodics out.

I’m not surprised but I’m surprised (does that make sense?) we haven’t sold BBD. I can’t make any case for why we haven’t banked what money we can. Not going up with him, not going down without him.

Fuck me, if the first time I don’t post a tip is the one that comes off I’ll be furious.

@unleaded please come and make sense of this.

Big effort guys. You’re actually on 746 including hidden posts. We need 254 pages on nonsense in the next 48 hours before the thread gets locked.

I’ll go… Carter Ayala Hyam Pickering Travis Morton Wharton Dack Hirst Szmodics Assuming BBD goes today.

Baiting - carry on and it’ll come with a warning. Gav, please don’t send this thread off topic.

Bazinga!

Elliott said it was privately then tweeted it wasn’t. Who knows.

Wonder if the guaranteed is low and the add ons are big. Who knows. He has my best wishes regardless. A test for Gregg.

It doesn’t but the rumour in the press box this evening is it’s the asking price (whatever that is) with add ons included.

On for a record high here.

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Loosely… Q: Deadline day tomorrow, what are you expecting? A: Whilst I’m wearing the shirt I’ll be trying my best. Q: What are you being told will happen tomorrow? A: I’ll be getting on the bike at training and doing my cool down.

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