I thought exactly the same earlier! I suppose it depends what our top salary level is. If it's £20k per week for the top 2 or 3 - fair enough. If it's £10-£12k it's like recruiting in Poundland at this level. I agree in principal with some sort of cap but how do you retain your higher value players who are already likely to be at the top of the cap? No wonder Dack is nowhere near a deal. I bet Nyambe also fancies his chances at a better deal elsewhere. We then lose assets. If we value Dack at £10 mil - but he wants £10k a week more than the salary cap (as he could get that when he's a free agent). Do we refuse and let him go for nothing. Or pay the extra 1.5 million or so to retain a valuable asset?

The whole policy makes no sense to me. It's like saying we could spend £4million on a player...but only if they come on £10k a week - which isn't commensurate with that kind of fee....so we don't sign anybody. No wonder we can't get any decent players through the door. Certainly not from the Prem or top half champ clubs. Surely there's ways of navigating the structure for a player on a free. Large signing on fee but lower wage etc.

The irony that we are now blaming agents for charging too much?‍♂️

Another 'never going to happen target.' Everyone knows Ayala's wage demands were way higher than we'd offer. More window dressing.

That's an excellent point. I'd say firstly if a manager doesn't believe he can get top 6 - he shouldn't be here. Secondly, if we just play kids from the start, we essentially become an academy development team. Time to play kids is end of season dead rubbers - we usually have a few. Get the point about loans -I'm not a fan of signing average players either. Surely all loans are evaluated for impact in January though?

So Bristol have basically filled all the positions that we'd like to....and all before the season starts. Clearly some sort of witchcraft or sorcery involved.

How do we know there is no urgency? 3 years ago.. Back 4 v Southend 2017 Nyambe, Lenihan, Mulgrew (c), Williams, All 4 players still at the club and 3 nailed on to start against Bournemouth. 18 months ago. "defenders are coming." It's a piss take to be honest.

Rovers started yesterday with a clear 4-5-1 defensive approach first 30 mins or so. We didn't high press and kept hitting aimless balls to Armstrong who won nothing. Then TM changed it to the 4-3-3 high press and suddenly we were much better and pretty much dominated the game from there. High press against Bournemouth will either catch them cold (championship wise) with no time on the ball or they'll have the quality to play through it. 4-5-1 will see us sit back, invite pressure and concede. I'd like to see us on the front foot from the off this season. Is TM brave enough though or will he change tactics again to try and outsmart the opposition?

Agreed. Thought he was good. Reminded me of Nzonzi.

Yes I enjoyed the commentary. Much better than the usual fare.

Buckley certainly has something. Problem with taking Johnson out is we lose a combative player (granted he only turns up every now and then). We need a bit of height and muscle in the team as we're going to have to cope with physical sides. As Chaddy pointed out, Buckley could play the Holtby deeper role. A powerful CB, a solid partner for Travis and a left back and we could be onto something.

I thought Williams did well today and I'm not a fan. Bell had another poor game though for me.

Fair point. Bit inexperienced for that role but has the technique

We can't rely on the kids at the back. Lennihan always has an injury spell. Bell simply isn't good enough. If someone told you 2 months ago that we will just sign a goal keeper, would you have been happy with that?

I think we will score goals this season. I just don't think we will keep enough out. When we press high we are very good..but if teams start going direct with our back line and general lack of height in the side, we are in heaps of trouble. Likewise if we are pressed and have to go long to the 3 who started today. We need 2 cb, lb absoloute minimum. Can't rely on Holtby keeping fit so probably a cm as well.

Seriously?

Judging Magliore off his performance against Nuhiu is harsh. He was poor that day but the Wednesday lad is about 6ft 8 and a Wylie old bugger. He's limited but he will trouble most defenders.

We're still waiting for last weekend's to arrive!

I'd rather Eastham on the bench from what I've seen pre season.

Well. We've played some decent football in their half. Look promising going forward. 2 powerful centre backs and Nzonzi in the middle and we'll go up.

What was the keeper doing there.

Good corner as well from Davenport Looked like an OG on the replay

Bloody hell del

I think this performance will encapsulate our season. We will look really good in parts, not score when we are on top and always likely to concede from an error. ...again.