When are we going to get rid of the dead wood in the squad (Smallwood, Evans, Williams, Mulgrew)? It is they that are blocking the youngsters' path, not potential new signings.

We've got some shit defenders already. We don't need another soiled one ?

Not a chance. Perfect opportunity for the tinkerman to put Downing there.

Because at home we set out to negate the away team. Often the away team will also try to negate us as well - Hence the number of 0-0 HT scores. Away we take the same approach but the home team will generally attack our porous defence and we find ourselves conceding and chasing a game. All ironic really because we are more likely to outscore a team with our attacking strength, than trying to nick a 1-0 through our defence.

I think any fan would support him on the day and everyone hopes he will do well. Many people are just of the opinion (on what he has shown to date) that he will not live up to his price tag. What forums are for.

Cant argue with points there but I'm referring to the end of last season -Swansea.

If you were asked at the end of last season "You can make five signings to improve the first team. What positions can we realistically improve and prioritise them?" What would you say?

Source?

Ha ha. Well spotted! Downing may have done- but he still hasn't been replaced.

Fair point!

Let's have it right. We've lost Raya, Rodwell, Reed, Downing and Conway. And brought in 3 to date.

To be fair he had that rant about defenders not being able to defend.

Don't think the signings so far (and the prospective ones) are good enough to talk of a promotion push. Downing: meh - struggling to see much benefit to this- apart from someone to take over from Conway collecting fines. Johnson - could be the best signing of the lot - or the worst. If he's hungry enough, he has the the pedigree. Gallagher: must have been better options out there but a steady acquisition who could well improve with games. Walton: big lad, but career wise on a par with Raya and only on loan. No value in the signing. 'The lad from City' : Again, much needed height but unless its loan with a view, not really the big experienced CB we need. Window is average to poor so far. Still short of an experienced CB (who's played there all career - not ex midfield) Still need an experienced keeper of some quality. A left back if we are playing wing backs.

I Maybe Sergei the meerkat has hacked his account?

Headed goal shocker.

Our game management used to fall off a cliff once Graham went off, as nobody else could hold up the balls we were hoofing out. As a result we'd sit deeper and concede late on - generally from a ball played into the box from out wide. Once we address the last bit. I'm sure our 'game management' will improve dramatically. 6ft 5 keeper and CB will help considerably. As will Gallager if he can now hold the ball up.

Could be a surprise in that it's a keeper from Europe!

Good stuff.. any sign of another CB on the horizon?

We tracked some of them. (Alledgedly)

Hopefully he's not the only defender.

Not really. TM said we would be signing players from Europe this summer at his 'evening with' also explained that they had made several European trips. So to expect at least one shouldn't be unrealistic.

I'm happy with Gallagher. Think he can fit well into the Graham role and will be a handful for defences. Expect him to be a good player for us. Just can't help thinking we signed Brereton because we couldn't get Gallagher last year. He needs to go out on loan now. Gallagher and Armstrong could be a useful duo together.

Any netter?

How can Mowbray not know which pot he is pissing in Bbrovers2288? He's been given a budget and just sold Raya. Get the feeling that TM in the transfer market is like when your nan would give you 20p to get a bag of chips. Then you had to patiently point out that chips were now a quid, while she sat there flabbergasted. A lot said at the time that those contract extensions were bonkers. Now we struggle to get the deadwood off the books...again. Trust Tony.

LT saying door still open for Rodwell. TM having his pants pulled down by that lad. Move on.