Philips only passes sideways to JRC or Ayala so it comes down to Ayala to pass through the lines which he is not very good at. It limits our ability to pass quickly and effectively out of defence.

I think our hands are tied due to the new rules for ffp coming in next season. Phili says we are limited to salaries being 90%, presumably that means 90% of turnover which will be incredibly hard to achieve unless our revenue grows substantially.

Every time he got the ball there was nobody for him to pass up the line to, he was left on his own so would lose it or have to re-cycle it. Where are the tactics?!

Yes and we cannot afford to lose BBD as we have no goal threat at all.

We need Dack on and SS off.

Agreed, but as usual the referee let’s them get away with every game!

We just can’t handle being bullied.

I think that VDB will be a good signing, he’s a very good defender and seems to be quick and mobile. He gives us lots of options so seems ideal and would get plenty of game time I’m sure, so not a problem to accept Liverpool’s provisos. Both VDB and JPVH were picked up cheaply from Holland. Is there not another up and coming CB in Holland that we could buy cheaply? (Chaddy over to you😊). My concern for JPVH is that he’s a bit like Harry Maguire great playing in the centre of a back five where he can head the ball away all day or sweep up, but playing high up the pitch in a four will expose his lack of pace and ability to turn quickly. He got absolutely mullered when he played against Fulham.

If he is that would explain it 😂

Rothwell isn’t even on the bench for Bournemouth.

90% is that even possible for us?

It’s how Norwich played the year they took the division by storm. No team could live with the speed of their game.

I would think so as they have previously signed a striker. They are such a set of pr**k teasers.

Is that because they bought Tosin?

I agree and I think that is the reason for the second half of season dips. The number of games combined with the inevitable knocks and strains they pick they are burnt out by Christmas and can’t perform to the same standards.

Do you know whether Styles is still coming and is there any truth that we we enquired about bringing Bowler in?

It would seem that they appear to be fitter and having 5subs available each game so that he can freshen things up for the last 20mins will probably prolong the possible decline. However, it’s the knocks they pick up over a long season that will slow players down and they have to work as a unit otherwise it won’t work, so I think it’s almost inevitable plan B will be needed in the second half of the season. It happened to TM but he didn’t have a plan B.

An alternative system is going to be needed as a plan B because TM tried a high pressing game with great success. However, after a few games, especially when playing twice a week and picking up knocks, the tempo dropped and it became ineffective and we didn’t dominate teams like we did and consequently we stopped getting the results we had been enjoying. Plan B is where Dack will come into his own. When there are fewer chances you need someone who is ruthless when the opportunity arises. Don’t write Dack off he will be needed.

He guarantees goals because of his movement, awareness and timing even if he is slower and less mobile than before. He is class. If he gets a chance he tends to put it away, unlike the rest of the team who need about 4 or 5 chances to score.

More like Brereton than Dias today.

The videos of him on YouTube are not very inspiring either. I wonder why our recruitment department would recommend him. Surely the purpose of loans is to sprinkle a bit of stardust into the team to take it to another level. I may be wrong but looks like another Clarkson to me.

The Barnsley fans feel styles being moved from lb/lwb to CM was one of the reasons for them being relegated, so it must not have been that successful or it made them too weak on their left flank.

You seem confident of that, how come?

With the two Callums as fullbacks it would be very exciting. If Bowler comes as well the right hand side would be frightening for the opposition. We can but hope that Venkies are really going for it.

Besikas may want Styles and may have the attraction of European competition and a warm climate, but don’t underestimate the power of the “missus”. If she prefers to stay close to her family from Manchester and be paid a lot more, it could be her that calls the shots! I believe Rothwell’s wife played a huge part in his decision to leave Rovers. So there may still be hope.