stop being so negative...  ?

30 minutes ago, Al said:

I'd like him. Much needed class and flair. I know some don't like flair but I do.

Don't get me wrong Al I love a bit of class & flair too - I'm just not convinced by him and think we could do better if did somehow get promoted.  

33 minutes ago, Torgeir said:

We can probably only afford Palmer when/if we go up.

 

 

I'm not sure I'd want him permanently. Undoubtedly talented but there is the whiff of the show pony about him and is probably too much of a luxury.

Presumably trying to shut up shop already?

Feels a bit negative when you're at home to be honest.

I know - tell me about it. What's ironic is he's meant to be our most effective defensive midfielder but to me he's a liability.

23 minutes ago, RoversClitheroe said:

He's not performed well for ages now unfortunately and jogs back when we are being overran in midfield.

He's definitely the weakest link in the starting 11.

I'm not so sure he's jogging back, it feels to me that's his version of a sprint. He's just not got it...     

Absolutely - footballlers clearly are paid far too much but they gave him the damned contract. How would any of us feel if our employer treated us like that because their circumstances/priorities changed - you could argue he'd have had a valid claim for constructive dismissal if they had forced him to walk.

Fair point ..Lenihan absolutely did him no favours. I just think if he'd reacted straightaway rather than hesitating he might have saved it.

Random thoughts on the game:

I'm not Evan's biggest fan but thought he had a good game last night, can't say the same for Smallwood unfortunately.

Like someone else said, I prefer Bell to Williams.

Can't believe we gifted them those 2 goals (Raya what were you doing?) - overall Reading were really poor.

Rothwell deserves to start at the weekend.

Nyambe was solid

Armstrong looked very dangerous before his injury.

Bennett grew into the game.

We need reinforcements pronto...

3 hours ago, Wing Wizard Windy Miller said:

Smallwood is effective at breaking up play - like Mokoena.  He won't offer anything else though.  I appreciate the guy and think he is well worth a place in the squad this year.  Certainly a good option to come off the bench if we want to see out a game or are running out of steam.

Never a fan of Mokoena either. People might not remember this but he came at the same time as Nelsen and initially Hughes seemed to prefer him to Nelsen in defence although to be fair I think Hughes fairly quickly realised the error of his ways.

Smallwood has a part to play as a squad player, I'm not not disputing that, but if we want to keep progressing he'll be one of those who ultimately holds us back if he continues to be selected down to some misguided sense of loyalty. 

On Smallwood - every time I see him play it reinforces my belief that, sadly, he isn't what we need at this level. I think Mowbray's starting to come around to this point of view too...

Think he was saying we don't have enough soldiers. I think we do but agree that the ones we have aren't a patch on the ones you mention.

I don't disagree that every team needs a few hod carriers - the issue is, and you obviously agree,  we need better quality there. Smallwood and Evans simply aren't good enough and we run the danger of having too soft a centre if we don't fix this issue.  

3 minutes ago, Fraserkirky said:

The budget, It is rather puzzling. We decided to offer new contracts to bit part players in Conway, Williams and Smallwood who could struggle to get into the match day squad if we sign three more. Points to budget change for sure

For me, these three should all be squad fillers not starters if we genuinely want to make a push at the play-offs.

6 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

I been thrilled with lots of our signings over the years. At the moment it looks like we're trying to build a team to win an indoor six a side competition. Like Mowbray said you need some soldiers in the team, they can't all be artists.

We've got plenty of soldiers - like someone said Bennett falls into that category then there's the two hod carriers in central midfield, not to mention most of the defence.

In my view we've had far too many soldiers and far too few artists over the last few years and I'm excited to see that being addressed by Mowbray. 

8 minutes ago, OnePhilT said:

We've arranged it so that the ceremony doesn't start until an hour after the final whistle. ?

Good man! Life is all about priorities...  ?

3 minutes ago, Stuart said:

A good post. But it polarises the debate again in absolutes. You’ve made the argument: £8m for Brereton or buying no-one. Neither are what we should be doing with our squad as it is.

However, I’d prefer to stick with your opening offer. Brereton, Chapman and Bauer for £10m would be a successful window - when you include Armstrong, Davenport, Rothwell, and (hopefully) Palmer.

I agree - that, or something similar, would end up being a cracking window. 

I'd also add, having seen the quality of opposition so far in the championship, we have nothing to fear ( I appreciate there's going to be much sterner opposition to come!) and may well end up surprising ourselves by the end of the season.

My take on the latest transfer window is that if we get in Brereton , Chapman & Bauer for say, £10m, then that'd be a success. This is possible and, given the noises Mowbray has been making, realistic. I initially wanted a centre mid but think Travis and Rothwell  can challenge the two cart-horses. I'd also wanted Maddison previously but it's clear we can't be after him given that he's been available with a clear price tag for ages and we haven't bit.

I do wonder about the motives of some on here bleating about an £8m gamble when you know they'd be screaming blue murder if we end up spending nothing. It smacks of covering all their bases to me. Most of our transfer business over the last few years has had an element of a gamble attached to it (and I include Dack in that).

In this case we really do need to let Mowbray throw the dice and make his plays - the ensuing success or failure will decide whether he sinks or swims.   

4 minutes ago, Biz said:

Point remains. Smallwood, (imo) is picking up unfair criticism. You can call that looking for an argument or you can be an adult and accept its opinion.

I don't think it'd unfair criticism. The lad's a tryer he just hasn't quite got it if we want to challenge at the top end of the table imo.

Armstrong's just scored two playing down the middle. Yes, it was only Carlisle but he deserves a chance to build on that.

I do disagree with Mowbray on Travis - we should keep him here. He and Rothwell looked good mid-week and have far more energy and threat than the two carthorses who normally play there.

I hear what you're saying Windy Miller. Maybe we should get 3-4 players in for the £8m. However, maybe there's more in the kitty we just don't know with the Venkster's! A part of me would be amazed if there was any cash at all but another part of me wouldn't be surprised - you just can't 2nd guess them.

Anyhow, I think Mombray has earned the right to splunk some money. If he does spend though I'm sure he'll be aware that expectations will rise exponentially both within the fan-base and the owners.

1 hour ago, Wing Wizard Windy Miller said:

The whole problem returns to the owners being unpredictable.  If TM sold them his vision of building a promotion team over 2/3 windows, and he gets £10 mil each window, we can afford to spend big on one or 2 players each window.  However, the owners have never shown any previous indication (Rhodes aside) that they will spend that level on transfers consistently.  Lambert thought he was getting it and look how that turned out.

Most likely, as TM even mentioned himself, if the money isn't spent, it may not be available again.  In which case signing 3 or 4 is much safer option.  Strengthens the squad and provides better odds of a profit on at least one player - enabling us to become a trading club once more.  It really is the only way we will ever 'wash our face' outside of the Prem.

To be frank - I'm glad he didn't get any money. There was a manager who could talk the talk (visited Pep to see how he worked blah blah) but not walk the walk. 

All fur coat no knickers was Lambert....

A fee's the least of our worries - just getting them off the payroll would be a result!

1 minute ago, dallydally said:

Yes let's offload the overrated underperforming players asap

Question is - does anyone want 'em? I don't foresee a long queue to be honest...