Isn't Buckley also from that group?

Never in a million years he'll go for 500k, which is not a good result at all. Even in League One we had a similar case with Callum Wright to Leicester which went for 1 mill. Jude Bellingham was on a pre-contract being only 16 and got sold for 20-30 mill. Granted Phillips will not be as much, but given his England credentials, pre-contract, U23 captaincy the club should have no problem arguing a case.

Can't be helpful for the confidence being knocked out at home vs non-league.

Bmout with a truly awful first half againt Non-league Boreham in the FA Cup. Trailing 0-1 and had their first attempt in the 45th minute (pot shot outside goal). Looks like money can't buy confidence. Wonder how long Parker will last if this continues.

Thought Wharton was a lot better tonight. It was more that the team played so well and the ball was moved around by everybody. Agree with Durrant (Dolan junior), also think Brennan had his best game for a long time at the other flank.

Another great performance by the U23 today, winning 6-0 and moving them outside the relegation zone. Hard to single out anybody since everybody played well. All eyes were on Dack who enjoyed himself for 60 minutes. Showed his class with a well-taken goal and some good approach play. However some caution needed as he still looks well short of physical condition to play high intensity Championship football. As Mowbray has suggested it sounds wise to take a bit slowly and have him on the bench as an impact sub. Probably going to be a pre-season and next season that he'll be back to his old fitness. Probably expected given that he's been out for more or less two years. It's also a clear trend that the U18 players are starting to impact the games more at this level. 3 of the back four was made up of U18 and passmaster Wharton was gliding around the midfield with his rolled-down socks and keeping the ball ticking. Hard not to hype up Ash Phillips. A 16-year old kid in a man's body. Given the captain's armband again and looks like a leader. Had a chuckle when he patted Dack on the back of the head after one of the goals. You have to be a bit caution considering his age, but very hard to not see him making it to the top level. The club's going to have a fight when the top clubs are going to throw money around to get him.

Probably means that both Breo and Khadra are fit and have travelled. With Hedges being able to play as a forward there is probably enough bodies.

Looked decent last game, and impressed tonight. Even though not biggest, he was a man playing against kids. Bombed down the flank from his right-back and got another assist. Looks fit and can handle the ball. Think he could do a job if called upon. Suddenly the right-back is well covered.

Always been a fan of Vale. Not many better strikers at this level when he is on form. Really is a well-rounded striker with pace, good feet, great link-up play. Can finish with both feet and gets some headers as well. He's a decent size and looks a little more bulked up now as well. I think his only downside is that he's not natural confident, and it shows in his body language at times. Needs to be built up and could be really decent player. At this form he could easily be on the bench and be a useful squad player. A better prospect than Butterworth and couple of years younger as well.

Not for me. Excellent manager for Barnsley and maximized their potential with his direct playing style. However failed to adapt use West Brom's strength with better players. Persisted with long throws and direct football, which the fans hated. Would be a bad fit here. Imagine watching a game where half the time is spent drying the ball with a towel and trying to hurl a ball onto Gallagher's head in the box. Don't even think we have somebody who can hurl the ball into the box. The one thing you'd give Mowbray credit for this season is applying a formation and style that suits the players we have.

Very much agree, especially with the bloated squad point. I think outside the parachut teams, I think the wage level is quite similar. Can't compete with the parachute teams though, who can offer 30-40k wages.

Phillips will have many admirers. Probably the biggest talent for this club at that age in decades. Only 16, capped at England u17, singled out by Mowbray on multiple occasions. Thinks he's training with seniors on permanent basis as well. Was captain for the U23! last match. Has height, power, pace and composure which is everything you need in a centre-back. It's reported that he has a "pre-contract" or what you call it, similar to what Bellingham had at Bham, since you can't sign professional terms untill 17. However if he continues his development I suspect he's not long for this club, even on a contract.

I was probably poor at expressing my opinion. Agree with FFP cannot be used as an excuse if the players demands are somewhat reasonable. And yes, even under financial restrictions it seems like the contract situation has been handled poorly.

While it's not uncommon for a CEO to have bonus tied into cost-saving measures, I'm not sure if that is the case here. The contracts is about protecting your assets, and no company likes to loose their investments for free. At the same time it's clear that FFP is a major obstacle, and this club does not run in a healty economicly way. The solution to all is of course promotion which would solve all problems...

You make a good case regarding the obvious success of the U23 last term and progressing them to senior football. I did watch quite a few games, and I would probably say that team was a better then the individual parts. Unlike Buckley, who was a standout player in each game, it was more team effort with some good individual performances. McBride did well, but has regressed a bit this season, although finding some form lately. He need some senior experience, but doesn't look ready for the Championship yet. Jack Vale is in a similar situation. Equally with Sam Burns who is on loan at Scunthorpe. Jake Garrett is the obvious candidate from last season who I think we'll see more of this season. Mowbray recently mentioned that there was no point in bloating the squad when he Phillips, Garrett and Adam Wharton he could fill the bench with and save 5 mill quid.

Not sure it would've been so different around another manager. He was a big talent for Boro, but they had no problem getting rid of him either. Naturally gifted, but there seems to be something lacking when it comes to application and attitude. Those personality traits are hard to improve. If you've ever played football at any level, you'd met a Harry Chapman type, lot's of ability but no desire.

Jon Nolan is now a free agent. Worth a punt on a short term deal? Was brilliant for Shrewsbury when we were in League One

Here is some lightheartened banter from Viking FK regarding their 3 mill pound-rated star striker Berisha who has drawn interest lately. https://twitter.com/vikingfotball/status/1488114306252218368?s=20&t=L_vbG0q4FNYbRBqbpB6pQw

That stat show the players salary of their "mother" club. When on loan, there is no indication on how much of it we are paying. E.g Drinkwater on loan at Reading at 120k a week (Chelsea contract).

He's still on the initial contract when he was signed from League One, which probably explains it.

He's on loan, so don't imagine they are fielding that bill. They got deducted 6 points for failing FFP and have restricted transfers to avoid another 6 points deduction.

I'm a bit relieved that the transfer department works a bit better in this window. 3 deals completed before the dreaded last day of the window. Hedges was really needed given the lack of options upfront at the moment. Fingers crossed that Breo comes back in one piece. I'm worried about Gally being out for some time. Coughing blood is not good sign, could mean that his lung was damaged by a rib or something.

Sure, but those are often money-related. In this case you'd reckon an agent would get much more money out of a free agent move, rather than a January move to another Championship club.

Totally agree, Weston was by far the best player on the pitch. Seems to have all the tools to be a complete all-round midfielder.

That doesn't make any sense. He's out of contract in the summer and can move wherever he wants. The wife can start looking at houses now if she wants. Pushing for a move now when there is a much more lucrative sign-on-fee later in the summer when he is a free agent. He doesn't even know what league Bmouth would be in next season either. Outside that, according too Mowbray, they have rejected offer from other clubs that double of what Bmouth were bidding.