Swansea have signed two players (Bidwell and Wilmott) and so have Wigan. Reading have signed four.

It's no wonder Bill Shakes. I spotted a close friend of mine in the clip. I'll let him know that he appears in a (c)rap video about thieving.

Platt got another year too and hasn't got a hope of getting near the first team. With him, Wharton and Gladwin I don't think there would be too much change out of £400k wasted on players who were never good enough.

The starting team and formation will be interesting as Mowbray himself said as we get towards the end of the pre season programme he will play what (injuries permitted) essentially will be his starting team for the league campaign. Personally I still don't think he knows what his best team, formation and tactics are.

It's all falling into place now in my view. I too watched Nyambe in the ACN and he played really well in the middle of a three (as he did in the second half at Bury). That must have got Mowbray thinking and is behind his u-turn on centre halves in my opinion (an opinion reinforced by the interview you linked). I'm with the majority and still think we need an old school centre half. It's been apparent throughout Mowbrays tenure and it appeared the penny had dropped in March when he went public.

In truth though I was more making the point about Mowbray saying one thing and then flipping it some time later. It's academic now though with him being injured.

He didn't imply that in this article six days ago. He says he could go out on loan. https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/17781658.rovers-boss-tony-mowbray-plans-left-back-sam-hart/

I'll indulge you in your game of semantics then. They know we have at least £10m.

He looks a natural to me. He moves and plays like Foden and given the platform could be up there with him. It would be folly to send him out to aid his development - that has to be done in house.

They did when they said it was similar to last year. Not that shocking really.

As I said Matty it gets confusing and muddies the water.

Not for the first time I'm confused by a Mowbray interview. Initially we were told he had a similar budget to last season when he spent around £10m. Add to that the £3m or so from Raya and deduct £5m for Gallagher which leaves something like £8m. All best assumptions from reported figures of course and based on his (albeit confusing) interview. For the life in me I can't see another £8m being spent so will we have (once again) money left over from his budget?

Tonight he played predominantly on the right but he works across the pitch really well. He has something about him, plays on the half turn and excels in tight situations. He should absolutely be an integral part of the squad.

I agree with what has been said about Buckley - he looks a natural. I honestly can't see any point loaning him out when he can do a job for us. Rothwell was good in the first half but frustrating in the second but him getting a lot more game time than most could be an indication that he is going to be key for us this season. One or two still look a little off the pace to me yet with games running out. I'd have liked to see us tested more against better sides.

Decent so far but the big diagonal to Gallagher is featuring a lot.

Clarke-Salter has joined Birmingham on loan from Chelsea. The article says Birmingham beat several Championship clubs to his signature. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11694/11769474/chelseas-jake-clarke-salter-joins-birmingham-on-season-long-loan

Bloody hell Andy. It's like a Right Said Fred tribute band. ??? Actually t'other bloke has a look of Shearer.

Thanks Parson. Hopefully the wheels are in motion to make a seamless appointment to carry on the great work by Johnson.

Who was in charge of the team Parson?

As it stands we only have two fit centre backs if you exclude the three above. Williams is injured and hasn't hardly had any pre season and the young lad from City hasn't signed yet. If Williams doesn't get back soon (I don't know the severity of his injury) it could be that two of Magloire, Platt and Grayson will miss the loan deadline as they could be required here. That's also assuming we don't bring another centre back in too.

That's actually Moss Bank Park where it's been filmed. Really, really strange.

And lots who wanted him out suggested replacements who they felt were far better. On the face of it Mowbray didn't seem to concerned about him going and he dropped him towards the end of the season. Isn't that how you improve by bringing in better players than you already have.

Excellent news for Rovers and the player. He was really good last season and on several occasions was our best player. I think he can really push on this season.

I described our transfer policy as scattergun recently and was rounded on by some who disagreed. I don't see any planning in our business so far and now there is a hint of desperation. There doesn't appear to have been any scouting of any of our signings so far. Mowbray's brave new world is in danger of falling off a cliff. I honestly think something has gone massively awry at Rovers in the last few months.

We already have an experienced and cheap back up in Leutwiler who recently signed a new 12 month deal. It makes no sense at all to me.