Morton or Garrett at CB, I'm guessing...?

Whilst the defence does look shit (Annesley being a wildcard), I think the midfield and attack has enough to beat a League 1/2 team. Dack has a point to prove, as does Markanday - and Vale will be desperate to get his first goal of the season. Morton and Wharton in the middle will be streets ahead of whatever Bradford have.

Couple of days ago “We have no money, we’re skint and Venky’s have pulled the plug!” Today “Why are we wasting so much money on JPvH?” Lets just see how the rest of the window pans out before we start jumping up and down. And Gallagher was an initial £2m, just as BBD was £3m-£4m.

I don't necessarily think we'll get the quality we're pursuing, but it's right that we aim for them as opposed to just getting people in for the sake of it. Whether some choose to believe it or not, we were not far from signing Anel and were in the discussion for Davies, both of whom would have been excellent additions. It's right to question progress at this stage, but again, we judge when the window closes and we know how the squad looks.

I'd argue that it's not difficult at all to get players in the door. It is, however, difficult to get the right players through the door. And that's where we're currently at. The question is, at one point do we abandon our main targets and just get bodies through the door? Or do we not do that at all and stick to our plan/guns? Either way, it's unfair to place too much criticism on Broughton until the window has shut and we've concluded our business.

We have spent money so far - up to a few million, if you believe the reported figures. And still a week or so until the window closes, during which time, we are expecting several more additions. Not sure where 'no money' comes into this...?

Kept a clean sheet versus Hartlepool…?

Dack has spent the last 2 seasons out with a couple of major injuries. He might not like the idea, but we have to manage him back to fitness, then ease him back into the team. He’s simply not there yet. If he doesn’t throw his toys out of the pram - and I’m sure he won’t as he seems a good lad - he will get his chance this season. Too many hats of the tin foil variety being worn.

Oh, absolutely - looks a very decent player and I was excited when we brought him in. But he was pretty poor in whatever position he played for us. Seems to be a view that he was always played out of position at Rovers, which really wasn’t the case. He was out of position in some games - right forward was a bizarre move - but he was undoubtedly poor when he was at left back for us.

In fairness, he was still shit in the games he did play at left back.

It sounds like we wanted JPvH on a permanent deal and had been working towards negotiating that. Sounds like Brighton decided that they’d rather keep him. Sunderland is a very bizarre place for him to go though, unless theres a regular ferry route from that region across to Holland.

Rumour doing the rounds is Brendan Rodgers being sacked tonight. Nothing official yet, but some bookies have stopped taking bets...

Agree on Davenport - thought he was very tidy and shows bit of talent in the fleeting appearances he had. Would have been a huge improvement on Buckley in the last 2 games. If he's still on a free, might be worth seeing if he fancies coming back...?

Of course Jack saw us as a project - he even admitted himself that we won the Prem a season or two early to plan. Even us being self sustainable was part of his plan for us. I would be worried if there wasn't a plan/project in place at any stage.

Bit of an embarrassment to be even talking about relegation after 5 games (of which we've won 3...). Literally serves no purpose.

We can't afford to lose this one, however disposable the tie seems at face value. It would mean 3 straight defeats, including being knocked out of the cup by a lower league team. I think he'll pick a strong a team as possible to get some positive momentum back.

Anyone talking about relegation after 5 league games (of which we’ve won 3 of) needs to have a word with themselves. I’ve described our fans as the footballing personification of Bipolar disease - and I stick by it. A LONG way to go this season; let’s see how the transfer window ends.

Ball was well out of play, wasn’t even close. But I can’t honestly say that we deserve anything from this match.

He really does and that was always the frustration when he was with us. He is still young enough to learn, but he lets himself down so often.

Superb from Pickering to beat his man down the left there. Cross wasn’t the best, but nice to see him do something really well.

Anel looks a player though, shame we missed out on him.

Just not good enough. I’m fine with the sitting deep and counter attacking plan, but we need to be much, much better on the ball. Look a soft touch.

The owners don’t identify players and negotiate with them - they basically approve and sign things off. The manager at the time is the sole person responsible for not utilising the funds made available to him. And in terms of what’s happening this window, the only thing that seems certain is that nobody really knows. Club is doing a good job of keeping things under wraps.

If we’re a million or two short on the JPvH deal, ship Carter off to Portsmouth - they think he’s the second coming down there. If the other Van from Merseyside pulls up as well, we will have plenty of quality cover to play either a 4 or a 5, with Ayala’s annual injuries also covered. In short, it’s a deal that needs to happen.

Whilst I like BBD and 2 goals in 4 isn't a bad return so far, if any scouts were watching him tonight, we'll be lucky to get £3m never mind £30m.