Evans out for real money would be a masterstroke.

They probably put some extra man hours in getting Gallagher sorted.

Shame on you Craig you'd be better off at Stanley or somewhere.

All I can think about this one is they must've offered him a piddling amount so it doesn't really matter much to the budget if he signs or not. Or, shoch horror his agent or someone is very well it at Ewood with those that matter and there's a few drinks to be had. Either way that offer should be off the table now too much nice guy stuff going on again, put the points first not the players.

Since they came in the total player spend v income will probably be not far apart at all they really aren't as daft as some make out in that area the real sticking point is obviously the yearly wage/loss budget which yes they do continue to underwrite but probably still around a 3rd of that each season is paying for THEIR previous mistakes we are probably still paying ex managers and coaching staffs pay offs. My personal opinion is it suits them to have modest losses that way anyway as they are offsetting profit or spare cash from elsewhere so it's no big deal as long as it isn't to excessive. I also think they run a few mill through the club or VLL that doesn't touch the sides and goes somewhere else in a non dodgy creative accounting type way but that's another debate. What they do deserve credit for is persevering with and allowing funding for the academy alongside those running it.

If they could get 2/3k for Smallwood i'd use it to pay him up in a gentle nudge if he didn't want to go or if it was a genuine sale then use the proceeds to ease out Evans who's wages would be a sticking point to leaving, that sort of thing. Like I've said there are surely ways and means of doing it fairly but without resorting to the old days and paying people up full contracts again plus agents whack. When KD came in he had a few old favs on contracts to ease out and did it professionally but ruthlessly, no sentiment if you want success. I know it's not the same as that revolution but I don't think they used bundles of Jacks cash just to get rid there was some wheeling and dealing going on for the right reasons. I really don't see the point of carrying so many midfielders swallowing up the wage budget. Time for a new broom in that dept imo.

Also probably reflecting the lesser wage he'll get here but long contract for security to balance it out, did similar with Armstrong.

Very true but that doesn't mean you have to select them as first choices or even play them at all unless you're shop windowing. Also there is the loan option possibly with wage contribution and even the option of paying up some contract on mutual agreement terms for lesser paid ones. There are ways and means to go about it if you really want rid but in short if you don't try and shift them you never will.

This will probably be Charlie Adam........

Happy with this I think he'll serve us really well and good to have some actual height in the forward lines again. Tony might actually now have that wide striker he so obviously craves.

His options in the forwards and midfield is quite eye watering now, options in defence almost non existent. It's going to be interesting.

To find buyers you have to go and seek them, not happening I don't think it'd be no surprise whatsoever to see them both start first game next season with the two newbies on the bench. I fear rotation will be in overdrive game in game out.

Because we like being kind to some no one else wants. I think a club in our position if you are going to shell out big wages ten it has to be on ready made quality not a gamble to see if it might work. For that reason i'd look elsewhere than Hart I think.

Raya was overworked at times last season I think there was some stats around that backed that up. This has to stop or whoever comes in will have issues.

Has Reed left his Mrs then ?

The impossible we can do, miracles take a little longer though ! Enjoy yourself mate you've earned it !

Mowbray realised Steele was a big part of the problem after relegation and got rid then gave Raya his chance. After 2 seasons he realised that Raya was part of the defensive weaknesses and got rid ( ok probably not that straight fwd but still...). Fingers crossed in faith that he's making the football decisions and not the bean counters, now if only he'd apply similar logic to the defence instead of going around Brussels to try and cover it up without changing it.

There'll just be a lot of in game and game to game rotating, shifting about and subbing I think.

5 including Samuel, I think he was assuming there's just 1 berth available with Dack.

The Flex was a mirage to try and explain away the Brereton signing.

Has it actually been announced ?

FFP finally biting some of the potential free spenders ?

Funny how things turn out I remember thinking yeah decent signing then watched him and thought he's shite far too slow but he didn't half turn out to be a good player for us just took him a bit to settle in but he had the right character for it obviously. Be really nice if a few from this window turned out to really pleasantly surprise us because it recent years that hasn't really been the case.

Bad day at the office chief ? Relax crack open a fizzy brew then chill and comeback to hail the signing of the new Shearer -right wing version - and all will be well. Shouldn't you be the one urging calm ?

I back him but if this doesn't come to fruition he needs hauling over the coals for it. He must've had others in mind besides Bauer at this point seeing as he was putting the dampeners on that off record.