Thanks! Much appreciated. Makes a case for Mowbray being to lenient.

You would probably assuming correctly. I'm spending too much time on this message board, which is not character building. Enjoy your cricket (seriously)

Fine by me. We'll just assume that you and RoversClitheroe mixed up the contract expiry as the deadline then.

Had a dig, didn't find anything about a deadline, so you maybe want to provide the link? So much stuff here presented as facts with no sources. https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/17697020.tony-mowbray-update-on-jack-rodwells-rovers-contract-talks/

I'm not sure transfer policy has changed that much. I'm sure the club prefers to spend most money on young(er) players that potential to grow in valuation like Dack, Rothwell, Armstrong, Bell, Brereton etc. The link to Gallagher fits that profile. We're unlikely to spend premium money on 28-30 players. Downing for Conway, and Bradley Johnson doesn't change that policy much. We have a young squad in general and several youngster coming through the academy, so it makes sense to look for some more experience. However that should not mean a bunch of 30+. Championship is a young man's game where you need mobility.

I'm pro Mowbray but for me his biggest mistake last season was persisting with Smallwood over Reed and others. We won only 1 game of the last 12 games Smallwood played. It took too long but in the end he learned and Smallwood did only play 1 game from 9th of March. Full credit to Smallwood for the part he played in the promotion but League One is his level, and I hope he goes this summer, though I expect him to cling on for another season. Bradley Johnson will be a major upgrade. Evans shouldn't be a starter but he was probably our best player in the first 10 games, then fading. Don't care if he goes or stay around as a squad player.

Except Mowbray, Liverpool, Everton and Man Utd if this article is to be belived..... https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2019/03/18/tt-mowbray-tips-19-year-old-for-exciting-backburn-future-despite/ https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-liverpool-everton-and-man-utd-on-the-tail-of-blackburn-ace

Last words on Raya. This article from LET 19th of April should be very clear that Raya's position was under threat: https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/17586641.mowbray-explains-goalkeeping-call-in-rovers-win-at-qpr/ Mowbray: “I sat David down this week and said that it was time for a change. If your No.2 goalkeeper never gets a game then when you need him you’re never going to know (about him) when the other one gets injured and he has to play." On how Raya took the decision, Mowbray said: “Fine. “David has dropped below the standards he set last season. “This is his first full season at this level and I still feel as though he has lots to learn. “He’s a fantastic young goalkeeper who is very agile, he’s a work in progress, and I don’t think it will do him any harm for him to sit on the bench and listen to some of my comments. “Their goal, the modern day goalkeeper has to dominate his area and not just stay on his line and make saves, they have to come and catch things, distribute the ball quickly, be good with their feet. “I’ve told both goalkeepers that it’s an area we’re looking to strengthen in the summer and create better competition.”

I think the reason is pretty clear, he wasn't automatic first choice anymore. As I've said earlier, Rovers were looking to bring in another keeper before Raya left. Mowbray is keen to provide competition to Raya and Leutwiler, and add to his goalkeeping department, with a more experienced ‘keeper at Championship level on the wishlist. The boss has made no secret of that, with ex-Rover Frank Fielding eyed last summer https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/17649944.raya-receives-interest-as-rovers-consider-keeper-options/

Wages would be a massive issue. Strange that you buy a defender for 15 mill and give him 1(!) PL match.

It's been well documented by Rich Sharpe on several occasions that the club was looking to bring another goalkeeper. If I remember correct that was the case before last season as well when we were linked with Fielding. It seems pretty clear that he would bring in another keeper this summer, Raya didn't want to be a backup choice, so fair play to both parties I guess. I would've liked Raya to stay and compete, but I can see being the main man at Brentford appeals to him. For us we needed a more commanding option whether Raya had stayed or not. As rightly stated, he didn't get much help from inept defending of the box, but we need a keeper that will do his part as well.

I agree. Saw quite a few U23 games last season, and he was the best player in almost every game including top PL oppositions. Very exciting player, combination of workrate, going past player and picking a pass. Don't think we had similar type before.

If nothing else, the academy produced a 3 million keeper. Hasn't been many keepers from own ranks that has made something of themselves. Apart from Frank Fielding carving a decent career, you probably have to go back to Shay Given I think.

Does people here do any research at all? He did not have a nightmare on loan. https://roverschat.com/loan-watch-how-did-andy-fisher-do-at-fc-united-of-manchester/ Rovers chat has done a great job on checking up how our loan players have done by contacting the loan club's supporters. Verdict on Fischer: “Andy Fisher has been a breath of fresh air between the sticks since coming to FC. It’s been quite some time since the fans have had a keeper which it seems we all have full confidence in. Andy has been a huge improvement on our contracted goalkeeper and this has allowed us to send our contracted goalkeeper out on loan. We are still conceding goals at an alarming rate but this cannot be attributed to Andy who to his credit has put in some brilliant performances behind a very shaky defence and ever-changing midfield. I am very confident that Andy will go on to have a bright future in the professional game.”

That's a good overview. Seems there are several approaches to getting a 20+ goal goalscorer. 1. Youth product - McBurnie was bought as a 19 year old and had several loans before establishing himself. Bowen has become better and better. 2. Lower league - Che Adams and Billy Sharp. Adams needed a season to establish himself in League one before hitting form. Ipswich tried the same this season with Kayden Jackson and that Bristol Rovers guy who both failed massively, Omar Bogle also springs to mind. Bit risky play. 3. Top loans from PL like Gayle and Abraham. Both proven goalscorers in Championship and with massive wages, 60-70k reported on both. Although Gayle was a swap loan deal with Rondon. Not within our reach financially. We would compete more for the likes of Nchema that Preston had on loan. 4. Foreign finds - Maupay and Pukki. This is the most interesting option, which I've been a big supporter of. Doesn't seem we are up and running on that front yet. Pukki is the most suprising for me. Who would have thought a 29 year old free from Danish league with a less than great goal record would be such a success? While I'm a fan of Gallagher and think he will come good, I would agree that scouting wise it's a bit lazy.

It's well established that he is quick, you might be right on the other attributes. Some divided opinions: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/heres-what-southampton-birmingham-city-14901383

Nah, he's far better in the air, scored quite a few headers in his time here (see video). Mobile, good work-rate and quick as well. I don't think there is a lot of options available in England for 5 million, when even centre backs from League One moves for 6 million. Would have to do a foreign gamble to find better for that money I think. Not a spectacular choice, but an improvement of the squad. Would probably fit a lot better to our new playing style with more pass and move, than as a target man.

Preparation doesn't mean much if you can't execute as found out against Rotherham long throws/deadballs

Imagine Raya in the Brentford goal defending an inswinging corner from Mulgrew....

Agreed! Palmer was showpony with little to show, I think Chapman can do that better. Reed is a real loss, have some hope for Davenport though.

Interest seems legit from the Derby forum. Also mentions Jacob Butterfield.

Totally agree. I'm not suggesting we should stand still, I expect progress this season from Mowbray. Last season was resultwise pretty much could be expected, neither more or less. From an objective standpoint, quite a few clubs are worse off financially this season, and Mowbray needs to use that edge to improve results. I expect a top 10 push, although I think promotion is out of reach. We have quite players that should be improved this season like Rothwell, Bell, Armstrong, Brereton, Travis, Davenport etc. However we're still too many players short in central areas, esp defence to mount a real promotion push.

Some fact about the relegation in 16/17 and Mowbray: - Mowbray took the helm in February 22, with a squad inherited from Coyle and a closed transfer window. We had 29 points from 31 games at that time. Under Mowbray we took 22 points from remaining 15 games averaging 1.5 point pr game which would equal a 69 point total over a whole season. I struggle to see which "decent" manager who could do much better. - I don't think Mowbray is perfect. He is far too loyal against the current players, conservative in the transfer market. But he has brought stability to the club, a squad that wants to play for the club, youngsters coming through, and established ourselves a mid-table side again. In addition he has the trust of the owners which we know is critical. I want to see us progress further under Mowbray. And who could you realisticly replace him with? Berg, Appleton, Coyle proves it's far more likely to get it wrong than right. It's fine to want more and for us to better, but we are a mid-table sized club with mid-table resources. Realisticly we will end mid-table unless we can overperform.

Not suprised by Mangala, couldn't handle our U23 attackers when Rovers beat City 3-1 in March. Not that many could, second half of the season they played some wonderful stuff.

Very harsh. His dad left years ago and he's made a little career for himself. Captain for the U23 and seems to have a good attitude to improve. Grayson is good enough to carve out a career at League 2 (maybe 1). A poor man's Mulgrew with a great left foot. Not mobile or aggresive enough for Championship but very sure he'll have career in the lower leagues. I think Buckley has the greatest potential of the U23 group. Butterworth is also very exciting, probably the most exciting attacking talent in a few years, though the competition isn't great. They might both benefit from a loan to get used to men's football with regular football. Magloire needs a loan as well. He's having it to easy in the U23 against lightweight attackers. Experience some more robust attackers in mens football will do him a world of good. Probably one of if not the quickest footballer there has been at Rovers