I was really happy when we got Payne in last time after he was terrific in our league game at Oxford. Come the end of the season I was disappointed with his contribution but I don't think he played coming in from the left where he was so effective. It'll be a low risk signing for me but if he is to force his way into the team he has to be used correctly.

Is that not the definition of a squad player? By the way the 'oh my God' line does you no favours. I don't mind disagreement and debate but in all honesty that comes across as condescending.

I'm baffled by (arguably) Mowbray chasing a player for so long to be a squad player. Wharton, Magliore, Platt or Grayson could have made the numbers up as squad players. Any player worth his salt know he has to work hard, it's what good professionals do. I don't think Bauer would be any different and if you know football like you purport to then you will know that no manager would guarantee a starting place. Sharpe saying this was a complete red herring in my book. I have my own suspicions about what Mowbray thought he was going to get to spend and what he has in reality. In my opinion this is causing havoc with his A list of which I think Bauer was one.

The fact we chased and spoke to a player for a considerable amount of time to be a squad player is what I don't get. If that was Mowbrays intention from day one that's fine but surely he would have moved to bring in another 'squad' player once Bauer became unattainable in either August '18 or January '19. My belief is that Mowbray was confident of bringing him in so he didn't bring in a centre half in January when the consensus was we were desperate.

He will have been constantly monitored and watched by Mowbrays scouts. If Mowbray knew how much he wanted he must have spoken to Bauers representatives. And even after finding that out he spoke to the player recently. That all takes time and effort. Something about this just doesn't sit right with me.

Chasing a player for that length of time to be a squad player is a waste of time and resource. Do you think he would have been on Mowbrays a, b or c list? Given the endeavours I would suggest the first and if that only equates to a squad player then heaven help us. If Mowbray hadn't said anything about being a squad player and he signed would you have been suited?

Why would you vigorously chase player for a long time for him to be a squad player? That is the point you seem to be missing. To me it indicates that Mowbrays random transfer policy.

Your first sentence is absolutely correct but telling a player he will have to play his way into the team is nonsense from Mowbray. Everybody should start the same and it's how they shape up in pre season and friendlies which should determine who starts the season. It's just more garbage from Mowbray who is rapidly dousing any hopes I had after his big talk at the end of the season. And didn't Mowbray say to people at the end of the Supporters Consultation Meeting that Bauer wanted between £40 & £50k a week? Then he speaks to him in the summer about signing for us. It looks like Mowbrays halo is slipping.

He played well in his debut against Wigan and handled the thug Garner really well. At Wednesday he was part of a rancid team performance when individual mistakes (not by him) cost us at least three goals.

The last few weeks have seen Uncle Harry and cousin Jamie pushing him in any media outlet that would listen to them. It's all set to fail with his inexperience, transfer embargo and aging team.

I understand players have to keep their options open but he also missed a big chunk of pre season last year and didn't play for a while because of this. Therefore it's a big no from me.

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2019/june/gallery-the-boys-are-back-in-town/ Some first day training pictures. Two things for me. Downing isn't on any of them and Smallwood looks like he is morphing into Keith Andrews.

I think the inference is that Mulgrew gets in ahead of him.

You sound like you are talking from experience ☺️

Namibia have conceded an 89th minute own goal after a sterling defensive display in which Nyambe was the stand out defender.

Interestingly he is in the middle of the three. From the glimpses I have seen he doesn't look as top heavy.

I was going to use his performance in that game as an example of how poor he was. Positionally he was all cover the place and as we were so close we could hear other players telling him where to go but he cocked them a deaf 'un. In the first game at Ewood he was sent off and should have been sent off in the replay for deliberately kicking the ball at the referee. From memory he got the hook at halftime. He might have improved his attitude and I hope he does well but the news today of a potential big move will cause some on here to rewrite history.

Mowbray thought so too. He sent him back in the January after bringing him in in August having played four games.

I guessed as much. Essentially it's managers and commentators using nonsense speak to make themselves sound clever and 'remind' us mere mortals that they are smart.

Excuse my ignorance but what is 'recycle possession'?

No like Downing, Downing, Armstrong, Leutwiler, Samuel, Smallwood, Graham and Harper off the top of my head. And add Venus and Waggott as non players. And Chapman.

He hasn't got Middlesbrough, West Bromwich or Coventry on his CV.

I watched him play last night against England and his stock has probably gone up fivefold. I wonder if Rovers have anybody out in Italy watching the European under 21 finals though. From what I have seen there is some real talent.

Tony told him ?. He mentioned playing against us twice last season and being impressed. In the away match we were very good until they equalised and then we looked nervous (and they only had ten players). In the game at Ewood Mulgrew gave arguably the worst centre half performance in a long time, Williams got sent off and we gave a spirited performance with ten men.

That can be likened to some posters logic of Conways extension last year. They said he could come on to shore us up going into the last knockings to defend a lead. We all know how that ended.