As a matter of interest have you got a season ticket ?

And thems his good points

Do you have a problem with being optimistic ?

I got the same replies at the start of last season. A lot of posters were saying we would be in a relegation struggle because we had sold our top scorer. This season the theme is we will be in a relegation struggle because we have lost three reasonable championship level players and two loanees have returned to their club. I don't agree with this theory. PS. I haven't been out in the sun and I certainly don't partake of Tabs. I couldn't give a fuck if you admire my optimism.

Wasn't JRC playing at right-back because Brown was injured and Carter was filling in, but being given a bit of a roasting.

I think JDT has a choice for right-back of Brown or Pike. The other two are not right-backs. This is no-way ideal, but it is what we have at the moment. I still think we will be challenging for the play-offs this season.

But wouldn't he, or any club he wanted to go to, have to pay off his contract. That could prove expensive.

Perhaps JDT wants a right back that has certain qualities, and Nyambe may not have them.

Brown.

At this present time, if JDT wants to play a back four, Lenihan will be replaced by a change of formation. The two center-halves will be Ayala, and Wharton, with Carter as cover.

What, someone who enjoys a bad situation too much ?

I don't see it that way. Have you read the article from the new Welsh bloke who has joined us. I thought he made a very good point about youngsters from the very top clubs, not knowing how to defend when the oposition have the ball, because then have very rarely experienced their team, not having the ball. This is a very important point for a defender.

But if he is playing regular first team football he will be able to get a more lucrative move, than if he is on loan somewhere. I doubt that one of the big teams would play one of their youngsters, if they had a gap to fill, they would just buy a proven player.

The official site has the U18s playing three times on the 30th of July. Does anyone know if this is true, and if so what is the format ?

One thing we could offer Phillips is a pathway to the first team. In 3 years time, at Rovers he will probably be a regular first teamer, with one of the big clubs he will probably be on loan somewhere.

I'd have to file it under : nobody knows the facts.

I don't know what you mean by your statement in bold.

Perhaps he hasn't had a conversation with Nyambe.

Wasn't Broughton behind us getting JDT. Pretty inspired in my eyes, and a good start. Broughton has credit, as far as I am concerned.

Not with my knees.

Not for the Rovers.

I would agree and say that is the best plan for Batty. But I would say he will blossom into at least a championship level full-back.

I know people will, pooh-pooh this by saying he is too young, but Batty is a better full-back than Pickering. He is fast and tenacious. I know he has a lot to learn, but no better time and place to learn, than now, with us.

Yes, or I wouldn't have said it.

The squad as it stands, is what we have got. Adequate for what. If we go into the season with the squad how it stands, I expect us to challenge for the play-offs.