Last 6 opening day games we have not won, so this is hardly surprising!

1 hour ago, Stuart said:

To be fair, you’re a fair minded poster. But I wish that others applied the same logic to everyone.

JAL is absolutely NOT on the wind-up, he’s not a dingle, and certainly not some of the other childish names being dished our.

He’s one of the elder statesmen of the site and should be allowed to have his opinion. He clearly has a chip on his shoulder about certain agents and the motives of those who have dealt with them. He doesn’t help his cause when he doesn’t (or can’t) elaborate further. This isn’t a closed shop site, it’s a goldfish ball on a shelf that can be seen by anyone (by default at least).

He’s not blameless, no, and he isn’t always right, of course, but he is pushed and prodded regularly and folk turn the other cheek. Unlike the other end of the spectrum who have a justice league style defence network who jump in almost immediately. People certainly wouldn’t walk up to JAL in the street and say the things they do to him put it that way.

Isn't JAL a SHE? 

35 minutes ago, JAL said:

Did they pick him for left wing because they thought he wasnt good enough for down the middle.

Just like Samuel out wide ....... who gets paid to take on information 'ya noes'.

Samuel paid lots of money to take on board information mmmm...

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/sam-gallagher-aston-villa-bcfc-14900531

A good and balanced view on his time at Birmingham.

No idea what you are talking about with Samuel! 

15 minutes ago, JAL said:

So you've no evidence to say Sam Gallagher has improved his game to warrant a return to Rovers for his mighty six goals last season. He's one we definitely need to pass on and as you've suggested if true a loan for Gallagher suggest Mowbray isn't convinced either, so why waste our time with his West Country lower league plodder.

As for Kalinic, Yeh, i'd welcome him back for a second spell unlike the plodder that is Sam Gallagher ....doubt Venky's would be willing to pull out the cash for Kalinic though.

He scored 6 goals playing at left wing JAL...not saying he is a world beater but he clearly has talent and with the right coaching can certainly be an asset.

A separate point, we live in the world of stats, goals and assists. Read this interesting quote from Warnock on Gary Madine...

"He’s not going to be everybody’s favourite because he doesn’t score goals and he doesn’t do this or that and because we paid good money for him and he’ll have that to carry.

"But he knows what I think about him. I’ve never been happier with a signing. 

I certainly think people are too focussed on stats, Zidane for example is the greatest attacking midfielder I have ever seen, but he has only ever got into double figures once in his career (in the French league). Does that mean leTissier is a better player? An exaggerated example I know but you get my point!

1 hour ago, J*B said:

I'm still not sure Armstrong is quite good enough. I feel like he's too small to play up top on his own, hasn't got enough goals to be considered a second striker and didn't look comfortable on the wing to me. I'd much rather we where signing a genuine striker or a genuine winger.

The only thing i would add here is that he is only 21 years old. He is still learning the game, what I really like about him is his pace and his finishing ability. He can play in 3 different positions for us so as the season goes on I expect his versatility to be useful.

Genuinely excited by his signing, I would still want a proper number 9 and a genuine winger!

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/charlton-athletic-takeover-latest-update-football-league-preview-league-one-a8475686.html?amp&__twitter_impression=true

Really interesting article about the state of Charlton. Reason I put it here is that their best player is valued at 1 million pounds! The defender we want is surely coming in the final few hours for between 750k and 1 million imo. 

2 minutes ago, Dreams of 1995 said:

Villa bidding 10m plus 10m add ons for Yerry Mina makes a mockery of them being skint. 

FFP is a lie 

Never in a million years is that going to happen. Barcelona or Villa? Lol.

11 minutes ago, Tom said:

So A, B and C lists all failed then?

Would be happy if it happens, could come right in with no bedding in either 

We have lists and they are not, and have not been, at the top of those lists.

“They are two young boys and I think it’s right that they are not right at the top of the lists...

Read that as Chapman and Armstong not being A list but certainly not D list either!

Armstrong has loads of potential and I would be happy with him being here. Potentially worth a lot more if he scores 10 plus goals next season.

A massive bonus is that he could start against Ipswich and slot right in. Let's see what tomorrow brings...

Hold on hold on...the EFL are disappointed that Birmingham City signed a player knowing they would not meet FFP!!!!! WHAT A TOTAL JOKE.

Contrast that with how we were treated, a total sham. Guaranteed that Sheffield Wednesday will fall foul too.

35 minutes ago, rigger said:

I don't agree with the bold statement. Last season the players we had were mostly unproven, the fact the they turned out OK was to our advantage. This season most of those same players have proven their worth and have a good team spirit and work ethic. I therefore think we have a very similar but much stronger squad. 

The reason I say weaker is that this is a tougher league, we have lost Armstrong, Chapman, Antonsson and Payne...they contributed greatly towards our goals column. 

Look now and we have a 33 year old Graham, with Conway and Bennett on wings and Dack behind...Nuttall and Samuel are our options (Palmer is a good signing but hasn't played yet).

Three forward players needed with PACE. Teams have shown in the past that with pace in the side you can unlock defences in this league, we have zero in the attacking areas!

I have faith the players will be bought but right now, we are in for a long hard season, especially if Dack/ Graham are injured.

Well we have about a week to see what happens next.

I think we can all agree that if we start the season with this squad then we are weaker than last year?

We need some permanent signings this coming week, ideally 3 forward minded players. Based on what Mowbray has said, he wants 4 players by next week with perhaps a 5th before loan market ends.

1 minute ago, Paul Mani said:

“Apparently someone is travelling to Blackburn tonight ready for talks with Rovers tomorrow about a move .... interesting”

?

Where is the quote from?

Wow we have 3 million plus wages to spend on a single player...

I can think we guarantee a couple of seven figure signings now,  just depends on which list!!

Also the Shrewsbury players are going to Ipswich (their ex manager is there)

4 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Pretty darned depressing reading when the so called "D" targets (Armstrong and Chapman) are evidently out of our grasp and TM is trying to dress it up as though we weren't really after them in the first place.  Although I could actually believe that in the case of Chapman as nothing TM has ever said would indicate he particularly rates him.

The player referred to for £7m would appear to be a clear reference to Gallagher who we were only reportedly in for on loan and I don't think he's as good as Armstrong anyway

Did he not say that he can get the D targets but why would you when the B targets are within reach??

We’re working away but would rather sign signing B rather than signing D. And although we can get signing D we will try and get signing B. And that’s why things can get held up at times.”

Isn't Palmer a winger? He can play in any of the three attacking positions (assuming behind the striker). 

My two pennies worth...

If we don't get a pacy winger and striker in then this will be a poor transfer window. Ideally permanent but at this stage a loan would do.

This is a rebuild job, but as the season progresses we need players who can stretch other teams...we have no one in the squad who has that pace.

Just now, tomphil said:

So in the season QPR spent 75 million on wages in the Championship Burnley's income was c20 million and their wages c21 million.

It can be done,

Isn't our wage bill effectively HALF that? With the added problem of wages rising and transfer fees being mad too.

14 minutes ago, unleaded said:

Like I said TM wants to take the slow slow approach and “ Build” and wants to stay in the project ...

Win or Bust is not for him and players who wear caps backwards!

Managers are in it for themselves in the end just like some players..

The Rothwells might be clean cut looking wise but they are for the long term and big gambles and this team is basically the same that went down.....

 

A slight contradiction there Unleaded. All managers are in it for themselves but win or bust is not for him?

Reading into this I would say that the gaffer is looking after the best interests of the club. I would rather build this year, develop a squad and then build on that the year after. Only 3 clubs will get promoted next year, assuming it's the relegated clubs, we still have Leeds, Villa,  etc still in the league, realistically we cannot compete financially with them.

14 minutes ago, neophox said:

Fletcher cost Boro £6,5m When arrived last year. Talented striker. 

Reading around and he seems to have rapid pace and directness,  similar to Marcus Rashford. I would be ecstatic with Fletcher...as he cost 6.5 million I can imagine it's on loan.

What I find slightly odd is that we have no trialists playing for us during pre season. Surely if we were not confident of signing players then that is where we would go? 

The lack of pace is alarming. We need at least 3 winger/strikers 

1 hour ago, Wing Wizard Windy Miller said:

You are making up your own agenda pal.  If we signed Otzumer instead of Rothwell, do you really think people would be saying "Meh we should have signed the injury plagued lad from Oxford."

Appreciate that clubs other than Rovers do make good signings (comparatively) -in some people's opinions (clearly not your own).  Just like fans of other teams will be comparing theirs to ours and doing likewise.

I'm a tad confused about Rothwell...

He has played 69 league games in 2 years. That's about 35 league games per season, is that injury plagued??

Absolute joke of a decision to keep the roof on whilst it is sunny outside. Wimbledon has gone against their own rule which is that as an outdoor event, it should be roof OFF, unless for a good reason.

 Can see why he was signed...

There are always different levels of ability but if we could have Jacob in every player we'd be really happy because of all the little bits: his timekeeping, putting the team first, his attitude to education even if he doesn't like every aspect of it, he never disrespects anybody, he's hardworking every day in training and games.

"He's one of those players that will never have any regrets because whatever level he reaches, he gives his all every day."

"I like cutting up the play, getting the ball back for the team and starting the attack, keeping the ball.

"It's not just the defensive side, you have to be good on the ball to keep the ball."

"I'm a hardworking player, good technically. I've played defence a few times but my main position is the holding midfield role.

"I don't mind slotting in at left-back or left centre-back - wherever the manager puts me really.