Probably not a lot of takers. They offered a 3.5y deal. He's turning 31 this year and haven't really performed the last couple of seasons either.

Yeah, you think there would be some sympathy for the circumstances in the summer. Broughton arrived in an empty building, no manager in place Mowbray left with his crew, one was his assistant manager who had handled all the transfer under Mowbray. The recruitment team was decimated, and one of the analyst he hired died of a heart attack only 2 weeks later (A fit guy in his 30's on a hike), which Broughton had to deal with as well. The actual transfer's done was Broughton, one of the recruitment guys and some help from Waggot. Not an ideal setup, which seems far improved now. The Brereton situation was tried solved with contract talks, but I very much believed the owners had a drawn a line on the transfer amount that was never met.

Sounds great, exactly what we need. Sign him up as Ayala replacement.

Matt Derbyshire and Joe Garner

Funny you mention Brentford. They spent 6 seasons in the Championship, improving year by year before getting promoted. The way they did it was with a strategy and "project". They put in place great scouting which was highly data-driven and bought young talent they could improve and sell-on. Which they did with a number of players being sold for 9m+ over the years like Mephan, Konsa, Gray, Hogan, Benharama and Watkins. They had a lot of turnover as they don't have an academy, and also bought quite of lot duds, but they were offset with the gems they uncovered. Another success was that any manager they hired had to adapt to their structure and setup and not to another reboot of style and players. The Brentford model should sound a bit familiar to what we are trying to achieve here. With a sporting director, great academy and using player trading to up the level of the squad. It might take time, but probably the only long-term solution for the club.

Is there really hype around Morton other than Liverpool has given him a new contract? I think your assesment is correct, he's an allright Championship midfielder, not more. His game time is more down to that he's the one midfielder that has been fairly consistent, while the same can't be said about the rest (Buckley, Travis, Wharton). I think both Buckley and especially Wharton has more potential. I'm a big fan of Buckley and expected him to really establish himself as one of the better midfielder in this division, fair to say it hasn't happened so far, but he looked good after the WC break only for the red card to put a stop. Adam Wharton might potentially be the best passer at the club since Tugay, but still needs a lot of improvement on defensive part of his game. It was clear watching him last season for the U18/U23 that the he needed a bit more hunger for the defensive part of being a midfielder. He's improved a lot, but I can see why he is not starting every game.

The appeal for me with Gelhardt is that he has the quality and potential to be a "Rhian Brewster to Swansea" kind of loan. When you look at his goal scoring record, only 8 of those 50 games has been from start and the majority has been in Premier League. I've seen him on a few occasions, from singlehandely destroying our U23, to help turn a match around for Leeds, and I like what I see. Though not the biggest, he's powerful, direct, can go players, has awarenes and a wicked left foot. We'll all like a proven goalscorer at this level, but how realistic is that? The premium money that would cost looks far beyond our budget.

Delap is far better than Hirst, but your point is valid. Getting a proven Championship Striker is close to impossible. There are so few, and we don't have enough money to pay transfer or wages for that kind of quality. Any striker we can get will probably be some kind of gamble. A foreign gamble might be more exciting though.

I've seen quite a lot of him. He was voted the best player in the league this season, great allround midifielder who added a lot of goals to his game this season (16 in 29 matches). He also is pretty young with a lot of experience. Has been a major part of their European success, so I'd expect him to be both expensive (as Bodo has a lot of money from Europe, which they are throwing around now). Would also think the chances of choosing Championship to be pretty slim. I like the link though, if true they are at least reaching from the top shelf of Scandinavian players.

I see JDT has been impressed with Markanday's development over the latest month and say he will start on Sunday. At least he has something different from the rest of the squad in that he's can dribble and looks to have goals in him. Might come good if adapt better to the physical nature of men's football.

Think most Scandinavian players will not be match fit as they are off-season.

Not sure if it's a style issue. He looked good in the first matches, but has not reached his heights for couple of seasons. Had form issues under Mowbray as well.

There are plenty of "british style" players like Travis, who can still pass a ball and make decent decisions in possesion. You'll find one in most decent Championship clubs. There has been some standout players in this league in that mould like Kalvin Phillips and Lewis O'Brien The problem with Travis is that he seemed to have regressed from when breaking through, especially on the ball.

350k cannot be right for a permanent tranfer for Van Hecke. They would fetch more in a tribunal if his contract expires in the summer. Maybe for the loan fee for rest of the season. Would be a good purchase anyhow, especially with Scott Wharton's drop in form.

That was our "second" team. Not the one on show today.

Watched the Ajax game, entertaining and really good performance from Rovers, especially in the second half which they dominate. Ajax had 5-6 regulars, as well experienced Steekelburg in goal. Had a couple of youngsters who they spent 5 and 12 mill pounds for in the summer. The rest plays in the second tier in the Dutch league. Rovers had a similar setup, while our regulars are playing Championship, not Champions league, and the bit-part players most play U21 football. Buckley was back to his best, Dolan and Brittain was also great, while the rest had decent matches. A shoutout to Rankin-Costello who performed suprisingly well in centre-mid. Some really nice football displayed by Rovers, which showed their abilities when the intensity is a bit lower than Championship football. Although it was a training match, and Ajax was not to keen on the dirty stuff, it was still comforting to see Rovers turning it on against a better side(at least on paper).

Maybe Premier League is his level 🙂 Must be good for his confidence

Instead of sitting in deep, why not take the game to them with a passing team of energy. Don't think they are the most physical outfit. For shock value I'll swap Travis for Buckly. Kaminski Hedges - Hyam - Ayala - Pickering Buckley - Morton - A.Wharton Hedges Gally Diaz

Nice reminder 🙂 Consider myself a positive fan, but admit the win felt a bit deflated due to shutting up shop so early. Thought the team looked coherent and in control and needless to give away the initative with what obvious a tactical decision. It's amazing to be top two at this stage, far beyond my expectations.

Incredible harsh on Vale. He has ability, has proved that for the U23 and in pre-season. Would've probably benefitted being on loan this season. Today the major problem is shutting up shop and sitting so deep. There is no support and chance of retrieving the ball when the rest of the team is parked in our box. Same with Dack last game. Showed some good touches today, but I agree could've pressured harder. The higlights from pre-season shows he has some ability. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1830900493917308

You are making a good point on Phillips. Don't necessary think there is an issue his body but the game load needs to be managed. Last year he picked up two injuries that kept him out for months in total. Both I think came when away with England U-17. Part of the problem was that he played for the U-18, U-23 and England U-17, usually two games a week. Big ask for boy who just had turned 16. This year he's part of the seniors with a lot more intensity, played 2 games a week and still just 17. The physical and mental workload is something that needs to be managed for players that young, similar with Wharton.

Agree with that. Pike was just an observation, bit suprised he hasn't kicked on. Thought he would at least be League 2 level by now. Burns, I've always been a bit more uncertain about. Saw a few games of last season of him and he struggled against the physical nature of League 2 football. However he played for an extremely poor side who never scored with or without him. There is something to be said about finding the right club when sending players off on loan. Love his energy and playing style, can see a career in the lower league/NL, but not Championship level.

Pike was someone I was sure would have a career in professional football. Was probably the best and most consistent performer when the U23 challenged Man City for the title the season before last. Had a loan spell for Fylde last season and seems to have dissapear a bit since then. Burns probably a bit of same scenario. Being 20, they are probably victim of being not being as highly rated as the younger generation and not being preferred. With so many seniors dropping down to U21, there is limited spaces for the academy players. While it helps on the result, I'm not sure it's beneficial for the younger lads

Good post. I'm one of Buckley's biggest fans, but calm over the situation. He had a dip in form, and is not getting a look in when Wharton and Morton are on top form. Garrett and Smzodics is also doing well, so he just has to wait for his chance to come again, which he will. He was on the bench against Brum, this time Dack was preferred, so it's almost a luxury problem. Wouldn't be suprised to see him start against West Ham in the league cup.

Flying over from Norway tonight to attend the match Tomorrow with my mate. Doing the full hospitality experience in the Premier Suite. Does anybody know when they open the doors?