It is a serious question...who would you have played instead of Samuel? Who is the stand out performer on the bench that should have played first? There were no controversial starters, Williams hasn't missed a game has he in over a year? The subs, well those I can agree with...

Out of interest who would you say was a controversial starter?

What do you expect this season JAL? Position in the league? I expect at a stretch a top 10 position. I believe with those two players we have a shot. Also to answer your previous question, name ONE club in the championship settled and happy with their squad at this moment?

Chaddy its not negative! Anyone can see where the holes are in this team, highlighting them doesn't make you negative. We can still trust Tony and pick out the weaknesses in the team.

Armstrong and Gallagher in that team would make all the difference, with Davenport and Palmer. I expect us to have a settled side in the next few weeks.

Seeing Nuttall and Conway come on says a lot. We need some signings and fast. 2-2 is a decent result.

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

Isn't JAL a SHE?

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!

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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)

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.

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

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.