And would you be concerned if at least one decent defender doesn't come in? Not recently obviously as Sharpe is away getting wed

We know what our weaknesses are and without a doubt our squad is currently weaker than last summer. Downing (Cb) and reed having gone. Five weeks to go till the season starts......6 weeks till the deadline. No new players starting pre-season training. As others have said, we will line up with the same defence and Raya back in the nets.

TM said at his 'evening with' that we need a 6ft 4 ugly CB who can head a ball. He also mentioned not getting one was a regret from his Coventry spell. If we don't get one this window (even if it's a squaddie that just fills in against aerial teams) then it's inexcusable. Simple as.

Mowbray promised defenders. The only link has been to Bauer. Either we have better targets lined up or we don't and the same defence and keeper starts the season. I have no idea what to believe these days. If he doesn't address the defence though by the end of the window, he clearly will not take us anywhere.

And another defensive name touted disappears. Apart from the Millwall lad, can't see who's left and potentially available that will improve the defence.

Ahhh. I see. Tony loves an inverted winger.

Thanks for clarifying. If he can't go past a man on the wing, where has he been playing for Boro? Smallwood was great in league one. Needed that type of blood and thunder player. Very limited technically though - really struggled at championship level.

Thanks for the insight. Out of interest, why did he get stick from sections of the Boro fans?

Get behind the lads FFS.

LT reporting: "Up to 5 signings" and hope to keep 'star men' Gk, upto 2 CB, cm and striker. TM quote: Some of those might be free transfers, some might be loans, and some players that we might look to buy, polish them up, and then sell on. “We might also have players in the building who can make an impact for us next season.” If that last part is referring to players we already have, like Ben B, Chapman and under 23s then there is clearly bugger all budget. It looks like a vintage venky window! *Also, where does Downing the winger fit into the spine of the team?

Negative head: Dack and lenihan will both go for decent money. I genuinely think Dack will leave - otherwise would have expected a new contract signed by now. We'll get a couple of decent quality loans in with the freed up wages and spend a couple of million on a young player or 2, who may or may not be first team ready. The rest will be offset against our losses. All will be quiet until the ST seat renewal date passes. Positive head:. We are waiting for a sale to top up the kitty and then will invest the lot and bring in 4 or 5 first team ready players. ? I'll go 80:20 in favour of being a negative Nelly.

Jerome?

As others have said if he goes to PNE his wage demands can't have been too high. Seems odd. We're probably chasing unrealistic signings again.

Rule out anyone ending in 'er'

Wonder if it's Mark Bunn?

I'd be happy with that for sensible money.

If we are after 2 players at CB then surely all the above will be going on loan or released. Don't think Platt will get anywhere near our first team - most likely out the door for me. Wharton/Grayson/Magloire need a full season playing league one (every week) to see if they can cut it. Magloire is interesting. He's never going to be a dominant CB but with his pace, could potentially be great alongside a big lump. Rankin Costello got some good reviews playing at right back. Wonder if he will be closer to the team next year? Would certainly offer some quality on the ball overlapping.

The more we are linked with Bauer, the less I like the idea. If it's him and the 'younger' option is Cooper (Millwall) then great. If Bauer is the 'main' signing for CB then I"m not really convinced. I think the lad at Rotherham - Ajayi- would be a better shout and probably on much more sensible wages than Bauer (although a fee would be needed). Scored 7 in the champ lad season as well.

Given the strength of our under 23 group, these guys should be filling out the squad instead of your Smallwoods, Samuels, Williams, Leutweillers, Bennett et al. They'd be on half the wages of those guys straight away.

The fact that he's already said in the LT that he hopes people aren't shouting for his head if we aren't top 6 by Christmas supports the above.

To be fair if the overall outlay budget for transfers (without sales) is as per last year (approaching £10 mil in fees for Brereton, Armstrong, Rothwell and Davenport) Mowbray can have no complaints. We've not had a £30million 3 year kitty for years and years.

Depends on whether the signing is clearly a cut above. Players aren't daft, there has to be a hierarchy somewhere in the club. An aging Mulgrew and Graham aren't really in a position to demand increases. Dack in fairness would deserve one as his star is increasing. Evans was lucky to get a new deal IMO. Surely that is where the management team earn their corn? Mowbray has already come out and distanced himself from the finances. To be fair this summer there has been talk about a 'flexible budget' as less in fees more in wages or vice versa.

Also highlights whether you have a good manager who can organise a team to over achieve...or an average one that relies on better players than other teams to succeed ?

Depends how that's managed. If you don't offer a contract to say a Rodwell, instead ensuring you get your number one target, by paying £5k more - is that not a better recruitment strategy?

A midfielder that is played out wide. Sounds a perfect signing.