2 points off top after 7 games, think we'd have all taken that. Adam Wharton though.

I'm sure JDT just said 'see you tomorrow' to Bowler at the end 😅

It's been very quiet around this point, but you're spot on. Pickering's had his best game of the season, so far.

Disagreed strongly, until I saw the angle from behind the goal. Blatant dive and good spot by the ref.

Vale has done more in 5-10 minutes than Dolan did for 60. If it wasn't for their GK having a great game, we'd easily have 3 or 4.

One of the things that Wharton does so well is intelligent and positive use of the ball. He's not looking to go safe unless there's no other option. Gets it, already knows where he wants to play it - and off it pops. Very, very impressed.

Interesting stat just popped up - we've only lost 1 of the last 25 where we've scored first.

He'll need to do it for a consistent and sustained period before any big money moves come. But based on his first couple of appearances, he's got the potential.

Hopefully Trav gets to stick a sneaky one on Madine late in the game. With Dolan, it's like we're playing with 10 - may as well give Dilan a go. Back 4 have been very good so far, against a half decent set of players at this level.

First reaction was yes, but after seeing the replay - definitely not.

Based on the fact that Pickering has kept him extremely quiet (so far), he won't be doing his own chances any good.

Thought we'd defended well - Blackpool had plenty of the ball, but didn't really threaten. That Bowler guy lost somewhere in Pickering's pocket. We look like we're growing into the game, lets hope that continues.

Lovely ball, lovely finish. Wharton played his part in that, too.

Fair point - as I said, in theory, I see the sense. He's just not had a good game for us for a long while now. But hopefully tonight is the start of a good run for him.

I will give JDT credit for making changes that it would have taken TM weeks to get around to. Buckley has been terrible for a few games now and Wharton excelled on his debut - really happy to see that change. Strange seeing Dolan start, but he must be impressing in training.

I get the theory of having Dolan up top, but I really can’t remember his last genuinely good game. Really hope Adam Wharton starts, looks the real deal. And agreed on most opinions on Markanday - surely worth a shot now?

Disregarding the nuances of the apparent ‘future option to buy’, I can’t say I know enough about Hirst to have a valid opinion. So my suggestion is let’s trust the people who get paid to know these things. Out of everything else, I’m hoping that Styles is a genuine go-er. He’s actually had a poor start to the season for them so far, but he’s undoubtedly make us stronger.

To be fair, Giles was shit for us in the games he played at LB as well.

Have to say, if there’s any possibility of Ross Barkley, he would be an immense signing for us. Top-6 Prem player, an England international not too long ago. Now that he can get away from That London and if he wants to be fairly close to Merseyside, Rovers could be a good option for him. We’ll see what happens tomorrow, but I’m hoping there’s something genuine in this.

That ^ is exactly how John Williams explained it to me, along with his major worry that we would never be self sustainable under the then (Walker Trust) regime. The Trust then stopped the £3m annual payments - against Jack’s instruction/wishes and we all know what happened next. The Trust really get a big pass in all of what’s happened in the last 10/11 years but they played a huge part in our downfall.

Problem we have is that nobody (bar a pathetic bid by Nice) is making a bid. And for as long as that remains the case, we are powerless. If a suitable bid lands at the last minute on deadline day, it does leave us in a theoretically hard place. Hopefully we do receive a suitable bid in sufficient time to put our apparent contingency plan into place - whatever that may be.

I wonder if we could tempt Rhodes to come back for a season or two - he's probably a bit slower than he was, but he'll never lose that striker's instinct. I'd put money on him bagging both of those 2nd half chances that Dolan overthought on Saturday.

As much as I like him, I'm not sure we need JPvH, if the Liverpool Van arrives - leaves us with a bit of an abundance of CBs. Which is crazy considering how dire things looked in that area just a week or so ago. Even with a back 3, it means that Wharton would no longer be a starter, which would be very harsh. If BBD does go, it's imperative that we bring somebody in from an attacking perspective.

Agreed. He's clearly struggling for confidence right now, but if we go with a back 5, he'll have more freedom down the left to get forward. I feel that JDT likes him and sees him as coachable, so LB will not be a priority for us compared to other positions.

I'm genuinely amazed that anyone takes any notice of his guff. It's been long established that he's full of shit. If he had any credibility at all, he wouldn't freelance for a red top.