I've done some checking, seems like all are referring to the same article, which claims Ismael want Styles and Besiktas is about to submit a 2.5 mill Euro bid this week.

Same here. Markandy has quick feet and accelration on short bursts. Not sure if he has the speed over 40 yards as Armstrong. In fact I think Gally and Breo might beat him over longer distances.

Vale is pretty quick. Not electric like Armstrong, but faster than most centre halfs. He's a well rounded Striker with good balance, awareness and skill. I've liked him for years. His downfall has been that he is not natural confident, and his form has suffered in spells. However reported to have matured a lot from his Last loan spell. Came back in January as a new man and his Great form for U23 has translated into pre season.

Carter was my MOM. Looks more poweful after his loan. A couple excellent cross field balls as well. Dolan still lacks awareness.

Any suggestions yourself? The whole Championship is looking for strikers, and the good ones are already taken.

Whatever anybody think of Gallagher, we need a replacement in before thinking of selling him. Our big problem is being able to get a decent replacement for strikers. We didn't manage it with Armstrong and with Breo possible leaving it will very hard. The only decent option I can think that is realistic of is Adebayo of Luton. Would be expensive, but we probably can afford wages since Luton pays a lot less than us.

Probably time to extend his contract. Only has 1 year left.

They seemed impressed by this "McAndree". Saying he's been our best player and someone rovers fan can be excited about.

Think it's pretty clear that Chaddy is our new recruitment chief. Him going quiet and making a move for Brittain the next day is easy math 🙂

They both signed new contracts last year untill 2024 (plus one-year option) so effectively have 3 years left.

There are few others that haven't made an impact but sold like (just the top of my head) Jack O'Connell Andy Fisher Callum Wright

Only those two? I'd imagine the full set of top clubs to be all over this.

We would get a fee for Phillips, but it would be laughable compared to his value under contract.

Think Phillips agent is Gareth Seddon, which might not be the worst thing. Think he's representing several of our players like Dolan and should have decent relationship with the club.

Not sure if I agree. The only advantage we have is a clearer path to first team football. The manager praising the player publicly would serve as a sign that you'll be progressed. Would also serve as proof in a tribunal if Phillips chooses money and goes. The big boys have full control over the talent pool at that level anyway, so can't imagine it having any great impact.

Think Phillips agent is Gareth Seddon, who also seem to represent Dolan. Hopefully just looking for a better deal than was originally agreed given Phillips status has been raised.

Batty is a left-back and pretty left-footed 🙂

This is also Celtic's 4 pre-season game, while most of our players has 60 min from Accrington.

Your point is valid, but not sure your example was the best 🙂 We were actually linked with Mullin last summer as replacement for Armstrong. He was League 2 player of the season last season as well as topscorer with 30+ goals for Cambridge. You'll probably find his name mentioned in one of the earlier transfer threads. Bit of shocker that he chose money and went to non-league and Wrexham. https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/sources-blackburn-rovers-eye-transfer-move-for-promotion-winner-as-armstrong-speculation-continues/

Wouldn't call it a mistake, think it was giving Leonard a learning experience. I would think Leonard is seen as the better prospect for the future, he's a wonderful footballer with real football intelligence. A bit like Sheringham. However needs more experience and to bulk up before Championship football. I'd reckon another year of U23 will do him good as he was still U18 last year.

Dickov is a fair comparison. He's not as physical as Dickov was, but probably quicker. Scored a lot of goals for U23 running in behind. 100% effort. Watched a few games to see how he went on at Scunthorpe. They were so desperatly poor that he struggled a bit with their long balls and physical battle against centre-backs 30 cm taller and 20 kg heavier. Expect he would done a lot better in more ball-playing team.

Great post, summed up my thoughts as well. We're well behind the other teams because of the late appointments. They've had little time to asses what we have, as well as needing to reestablish the scouting team. It's going to be a bumby ride for sure, the comfort is that at least the new DOF seems a whole lot more competent the previous structure. Just hope he has enough mandate to push things through.

3 or more clubs linked = rumour is false Not sure if Alan Nixon came up with the rule, but he refers to it frequently

Yes, totally agree on the numbers and that we can't rely on all these youngsters breaking through. Vale for me deserves now a chance to a squad players, making the bench and see if he can have an impact. Can send him on loan after Christmas. We definetly need another striker, a couple of midfielder and probably a couple of defenders. Brown is 24 and physical ready, if he is good enough is left to be seen, though his outing against Bham showed some promise. Wharton for me is not ready physically, needs another year at U23 or maybe a loan. Has all the ability in the world, and are able to control a game against opposition in his age group. Still some development to do when it comes to the physical battle and working out possesion. Garrett for me is ready for senior football, he is on par with Davenport. Excellent passing, good competitor and positional sense is good. Needs to curb some of his rash tackles, but someone I expect to get some games this season. Phillips is a bit hard to judge. Best centre-back talent I've seen at U23 level and still only 17. However U23 are very hard to judge a centre-back at because there is no physcal battles with a striker. Magloire was totally dominant with his pace and muscles at that level, only to be found out at senior level. Phillips is of course a different animal, but it's a big ask for someone who's not even 17 to step up at that age. There is also the likes of Pike, Leonard, Batty and Whitehall (if he ever get fits again) that might get considered for blooding this season.

Based on Vale's performances since January I'd agree with Chaddy that he deserves to be part of the senior squad this season. Not a starter, but someone who can do a job. We should definetly look for someone who can challenge as a main striker, Vale for now is a squad player. There is very options in League 1/2 of strikers with potential currently. If you look at the scoring charts you'll find mostly experienced know-how players who do well at that level, but doesn't translate to Championship. Scott Twine is the obvious forward target you'd want, but can't be classified as a striker and competition is huge. Also a bit of problem fitting him with both Dack and Markanday already options playing of a striker.