Wing Wizard Windy Miller

A squad should get stronger each year. Having to replace that amount of players us really poor from the previous management. Clearly the result of underinvestment and too many loans. Whilst we've lost a lot, there are also members of the current squad who need replacing with better quality. That's not being addressed at all because we are still plugging holes.

I think the manager would like more than 3 but apparently he doesn't get a say in it! What would be a first from Rovers would be getting these '3' in by Tuesday and seeing whether any 'gems' or quality loan options appear on the last day.

If we sign Hyam, it depends where the mystery 2nd and 3rd person plays. If it's an experienced, physical midfielder and forward player that would be the bare minimum we can get away with. I'd prefer at least one more singing up top - obviously if BBD goes, we need 2 attacking players. My thoughts on leftback are well known but it could be kicked down the road till next season and just be the glaring weakness it's been for years 🤦🏻‍♂️ Hyam + Cm + CF on permanent deals. Phillips signs. Last minute loan for a left back 🙏 Depending on the quality of the other 2 signings would make it a decent to good window - if BBD stays.

I don't get Alex Neil to Stoke. They've literally just sacked their manager. Surely they need to advertise the post, wait for applications, decide on a few to interview, listen to their presentations, Pontificate a bit, interview a few new candidates, offend a couple of managers with low offers, then appoint somebody left field. How the hell does he expect to just walk in there within 72 hours? He's taking the piss.

Not sure how you can go with that last statement. Goal aside, Szmodic has been anonymous in every game he's played so far.

Fair enough. I get there are some variables. Hard to weigh up the manager's performance if we can't make a judgement though. If people feel it's equal or stronger than last term and we finish lower than 8th, then clearly the manager has under performed. If people feel it's weaker, then finishing lower than 8th would not reflect as badly in the manager.

Surely you can have an opinion about a player before he plays for your club? Otherwise, why suggest any potential signings if you can't have an opinion about them till they've played for your club for 6 months?

Absoloutely this. A savvy operator gets one of those 2 off the books and better full back in. Need to be way more ruthless with players that aren't up to it.

Also talked about our squad being a lot stronger by the end of the window.

Let's say we get Caulker and Hyam. Do you feel the squad is well balanced? Better or worse than last year?

No, I agree we don't seem to play with wingers. However, they are an integral position in most attacking line ups. I've never quite understood how you can have a flexible front 4, if none have the ability to beat the full back and get to the byline. Surely by definition, that's not flexible.

You are replacing squad members who've left, with existing squad members...and claiming we have a stronger squad?

So does Gallagher. Can't class him as a winger. We lack the option of pace out wide or down the middle. A genuine winger who can get to the line, would and should be an option. I'll concede that said player could also be a wide forward who has that skill set.

Isn't the idea to be stronger than the previous season? So if this squad doesn't finish 8th or higher, then it's down to the manager?

Brereton isn't a winger, he's a wide forward, same with Markanday I believe.

It was a tad facetious however, I'm inclined to agree to some extent about loaning the Liverpool lad. That said, he is probably better than Caulker, who may be sat on the books for a couple of years - I suppose the devil will be in the detail. I'd be more in favour if there were signs that our left back and attacking options were going to be strengthened.

Let's say we bring in Hyam and Caulker. Are we stronger than last year?

1 left back who's shown he's clearly not up to it and another who lots of people consider slightly worse. 4 wingers? Hedges? Dolan at a push? Who are the others? 5 CM. Oldest is 24. 3 are 19 or younger with hardly any first team experience. No pace, physicality or experience in there. What if we want to play with 3 midfielders? We are woefully short.

Woefully short at LB, CM our wide and up front. 4 more players needed even if BBD stays.

True. Cheaper the better👍

I bet most of those would struggle in the Championship.

He hasn't been in England for 5 years. During that time he's floated around a rather poor Turkish league. He's a body through the door, in a position we are short in. He may turn out to be ok, he may be useless. Let's not kid ourselves that we've played a blinder to get him though. It only makes sense if the money goes somewhere else in the team.

We allegedly bring in young players with a potential sell on. I'm sure we could have picked up a journeyman CB weeks ago if we really wanted one.

We have Ayala. How this fella fits our supposed M.O. I have no idea. Oh, except he's cheap. Now if it allows us to make a good young permanent signing like Van Hecke, then it's a reasonable shout. If it's him and the Coventry lad, that's disappointing . If it ends up just being him, then that's shite.

Venky hstory suggests that waiting till the last day of the window never works for us. Anyone pinning their hopes on getting 4-5 in in one day is going to be bitterly disappointed. Another week passes and we haven't added any depth to the squad. If bodies aren't in the building by the time we tonk the Tangerines, it will be time to close the thread! At least we can Ask Gregg next Friday 🎉