We all know the money is paid in instalments, therefore we are committed to pay what we signed up for and therefore its not available to us for any other purpose. Its fully accounted for unless the add-ons don't turn out. In the case of these two, that's highly likely because they're not very good. Will that do?

Yes! Like politicians who say "let me be clear..." and then go on to weave a statement which is unfathomable.

NOBODY believes we paid £7M up front. Haven't done that since the early 90's and Jack.

And I'm worried we might be one of them unless the defence is sorted. Season starts Saturday.

Still paying instalments I guess.

Middle ground then? Mowbray has received half clarity from India! I would believe that.

Who would prefer Mowbray as manager over Warnock Chaddy? Not many I think.

He could be resigned to it, he couldn't be happy surely? He specified the need to get one (or was it two CB's?) weeks ago.

The Duke of Wellington, inspecting his troops before Waterloo famously said "I don't know what effect they have on the enemy but By God they terrify me!" And that's how I feel about our defence, which,without Toisin, is undoubtedly weaker than last season. And how many goals did we concede last season? Utter lunacy that we haven't sorted this. I don't think we'll be relegated with that squad but we will struggle without signings and may well be dragged towards the relegation zone. After that, how many of our young mid-fielders will we keep?

and how many points will we have by then?

See this: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/28/bournemouth-sign-joshua-king-blackburn-rovers That what I was going on. Anyway it was a balls-up and we should never have allowed him out of contract. We certainly didn't get what he was worth.

You're probably right (sigh)!

Eh? it was a free transfer!!!!

When we did have it, he wasted it on 2 strikers who can't, the wages of several players who were not intended to play and a team of midfielders but NOTHING on our main area of weakness---defence. and yet lots of fans support him.They see something I don't.

No-one's blaming Mowbray for missing out on this player except the Straw Man. Some think he knew we wouldn't get him from the start but I'm in no position to make that judgement and take it at face value. Its the bids we haven't made that worry me as the opening day of the season looms ever closer. Same every transfer window.

Always difficult to buy players with no money! The failure to address glaring inadequacies in our defence is years long now and is Mowbray's fault.

The main feature of transfer windows since Mowbray arrived! Surely you're not falling for that again?

As has been pointed out, the first game is probably the best one to play a team relegated from the Premiership----they're still on a downer from losing their status, they have to come to terms with a grittier style of play and poorer officials, they are facing losing their best players but haven't yet received the cash to strengthen. Against that-----our defence! Optimistic we could get a draw. If we are thrashed we know we're facing hard times.

We probably will be too slow and any targets we might have will be signed by others, i'd imagine. Usually seems that way.

Fair point. He has been well supported by fans though and you might have thought that would have spurred him on a bit.

What fan pressure?

Triumph of hope over experience. Clutching at straws. You want to believe it.

Sorry--he hasn't imo.

Backwards and sideways?!!

We can fix that!