briansol

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.

I think most recognize that Gallagher has enough about him to get more goals in this division. Has decent pace, power and useful in the air. Played centrally he should increase on his total from this season. Some coaching on the timing of his run into the box and getting in at the end of crosses would help greatly. Can't see him being a 25+ goalscorer though. He has not got the natural scoring ability of your (prime) Rhodes, Billy Sharp, Armstrong etc. He's more of a Heskey type that defaults to power rather than applying the finish right for the situation. Anyhow, we're so thin upfront that Gallagher will have a role so hopefully JDT can get the best out of him.

Quick winger who likes to entertain and score goals, according to himself. Seemed content to establish himself in the U23 first. Came across well in his interview, and having a point to prove to Preston is not a bad thing 🙂 Youngest player to ever appear in a League match for Preston. Was given a contract when Dolan was released. A few loans and some injuries the last couple of seasons.

Broughton said in his interview that both would have to agree. Him forcing a player on the coach would never end well (direct quote). Of course you point is valid that there can be disagreement along the way. I think the new setup is better and what most top clubs do. You need some consistency in players trading, rather than having to change the whole squad when you change manager because the new manager prefers another style and types of players. Broughton would know from Bodo/Glimt because they have been very consistent from coach, player trading, formation and style over many years. This have been the reason for their success and overperforming. Even losing having half their first team each season to better clubs, they have been able to replace and adapt.

Broughton was clear in an interview in what his role. He'll basicly by coordinating the efforts between the different functions Academy, scouting, first team etc. Expect the scouting department to analyze players and bring the so called A, B, C list of targets to him and JDT. There should be possible targets as the scouting has been done since Park arrived last season. Would handle negotations, contract etc. Previously I think Venus handled that, so don't think we're much worse in that department. Would also expect Broughton to make sure the scouting department is running well, which might need more people with Park reported leaving at the end of the month.

Think they bought the club for Balaji's big interest in PL and wanting to own a club. Keeping the club for 12 seasons, with now 200 mill in the hole must a lot more damaging in "business circles" than if they had cut their losses. There is no logic to staying around, especially since they don't get any glory or recognition out of it. They're not even welcome to attend any matches. There must be some warped honor logic or something to be willing to lose 20 million a year just treading water a mid-table Championship outfit. If they want to sell now, I can't really see who would want or be able to invest what would be needed to compete in the top end. The running cost at standing still is -20 mill, and you would need to top that with tranfer investments and higher wages which needs a continued massive investment. If you look at other clubs that have been sold, most investments implodes after a season or two. Ideally you'd want an owner with a connection to the club, but I think there is very few with the money needed. An even if that case the best scenario would probably be as the current one, trying to run a more academy based sustainable business model.

Ash Phillips is still only 16 (turning 17 later this month) Even if there was takers, it would be better for him to at least spend the next half season at the U23 and training with the seniors. Might get a bench appearance or two. He spend at least half the season injured after picking up two injuries while away at England U17. At such age you also needs to make sure he has a network around him for housing, transport and accomodation if he was to be loaned. When Elliott was here at 17, he was still living with his parents who I think drove him.

By that logic we should stay away from Ainsworth and Warne who has proved unsuccesful in this league. There is a massive gap from League One and their direct football didn't work in the Championship. Of course they had the odds against them with small resources, but Luton and Coventry has proved it's possible adapt. Looking at Brentford and most of the successful clubs, they don't limit themselves to knowledge of English football. They get the best they can from the wide pool that is world of football.

Knutsen would be out of our reach. Has made a big name for himself in Europe after Bodo/Glimts success in Europe Conference League. Would be primed for a bigger job than mid-table Championship. Also signed a new contract this year and would be hard to price away especially in the middle of the Norwegian season with Champions League qualifications coming up in August for him.

Deila is a passionate progressive coach/manager who has won trophies and experienced three different countries. I think you'll find managing Celtic being enough pressure. He's known for his modern methods, and has spent time at the top clubs in Europe to learn from the best. He'd be a punt like Farke was when Norwich plucked him as a reserve coach from Germany. I'd rather try him or JDT than Ainsworth/Warne, although at this point I'd probably settle for either one of them, just to get someone in the door. Anybody that comes in will have a massive task with a very thin squad, late start, no structure in place and seemingly not scouting in place either. My expectations for next season are very low because the new manager will be dealt a very bad hand.

Ronny Deila is an interesting name. Thought he was supposed to go to Standard Liege, but haven't seen that confirmed. Did wonders with Strømsgodset here in Norway before 2 years at Celtic, where he won the league in both his two season, although without Rangers. More experienced now and doing well in the US. Incidently worked with John Park at Celtic as well. Don't think New York will let him go easily though

If Farke and Carvalho is goners, I'd prefer taking a punt on Liam Manning who is young and dynamic manager. Has a good track record in his short career, and Great at bringing on young players. Should fit the working with a Director of football too.

Thought he did ok for his debut. A couple of rash moments, which should be easy to learn from. Seems to have enough about him to be in the squad. He came on a free and is probably paid peanuts. Should have plenty of growth in him having just come over from off-season in Ireland and half a season to adapt. A bit of a bonus player who've done enough to deserve a cap. Don't think he is seen as replacement of Nyambe.

Jon Walters is also someone for the list, who had a decent career. Was very prolific for the youth teams and rated by Souness. Always bugged me how Walters ruined his Rovers stay. Why on earth would you steal from your team-mates?

Whatever style, the clubs need to establish a clear philosophy on how they want to play and not change for every managerial approach. Look at Ajax, Bayern etc, might include Brentford as well. They hire manager to implement their philosophy as well as down the academy setups. That also gives you an easier transfer policy as you bring in players to fit clear criterias. Look at how many clubs that needs to change the whole squad because they don't players to implement the current manager's style. Another example is Bodø/Glimt here in Norway, who is a smaller city (55 000) here in Norway. They have been doing this for years and now looking to win the league 3 years in a row. This season they reached the quarter final of European Conference League, turning over teams like Celtic, Alkmaar among other. Won over Mourinho's Roma twice (First win was 6-1 which was Mourinho biggest loss in his career). They won 3-1 at Celtic Park despite being two month off-season. Even more impressive is that they lose half of their players each year to foreign clubs and are able to replace them with unknowns. All this because they players coming in are bought to fit the system with clear defined roles. Oh, and they also have a great manager in Kjetil Knutsen who somebody mentioned as candidate. Don't think we'd be able to get him as he just signed a new contract and they are probably bigger fish waiting to take him in the horizon.

Absolutly right about Gally. There is a decent article about him. Sheron describes him: "“He’s a really intelligent footballer who protects the ball and understands how to play.” He’s added a lot of goals to his game and picks his moment to get in and around the box. He’s a clinical finisher.” The article also makes a comparison to Harry Kane in that regard. https://jobs4football.com/who-is-harry-leonard-blackburn-starlet-putting-injury-woe-behind-him/

Very much agree. Think he has a chance to be around the squad next year. Have been mentioning him for the last 2-3 years, but it's taken some time with him. Seems to have come back from the loan "a man", and is now mention as a bit of a leader in the dressing room of the U23. He's a well-rounded striker who can do a bit of everything. Pacy, good close control, intelligent link-up play and half decent size. Not been prolific before, but really kicked on in that appartment. Hard to say if he can make an impact at Championship level, but deserves the chance.