3 days after their European game I’d be astonished if we’re not playing their reserves. Therefore, a hiding is unlikely. That or truly humiliating.

The likes of Murphy have probably hardened my cynical outlook but I have the same concerns about Adam. Put in a shift vs a bunch of plasterers and plumbers get offered a final contract and put your feet up. With our preseason schedule Rangers looks like the only competitive fixture and with them playing in Europe 3 days earlier could well be their reserves as well. In which case will be hard to judge trialists playing the calibre of opposition lined up.

1-0

Jesus wept. He’s had a tough paper round.

Did anyone transcribe that fans forum meeting. Sure we were only going for young players who can add value etc. Most of our signings will be seen getting into mischief in a tin bath round the Yorkshire dales at this rate

Charlie Adam!?! Don’t panic mr mannering.

Shot stopping-excellent Catching-poor Commanding a box-poor Distribution-poor Capable of big mistakes but he really nailed the most important attribute of a keeper. I also think in a transfer market valuing Sam Gallagher at 5 million, 3 million is good value for Brentford. On balance thought I’m not too fussed by losing Raya. But if I have any gripe it’s not so much about the keeper we’ve lost but the keeper he might become. There’s no guarantee he will fulfil his potential of course but best of luck to him.

Sometimes you lose players like Friedel and you know they’re irreplaceable. But with Raya I truly believe there’s plenty of keepers of his calibre within our reach. I will watch his career with interest as he could become great but my gut instinct is he won’t.

That said I’d be happier with most of the keepers mentioned above.

If the going rate for Sam Gallagher is 5 million then Raya for 3 million is a steal. Don’t get me wrong Raya made some horrendous errors but with his age, potential and contract not up until 2021 I’d want more.

When signing players I think we should ask one basic question. Is he better than what we have? In my opinion he’s better than Evans and Smallwood so yes. We were rather toothless particularly late on so perhaps that’s been addressed. Centre halves now...

It’s the summer. Its football Ish. It’s on tv. People will watch. I’ve watched. But for me this is up there with televised sporting non events such as the boat race or the London marathon. And at least in the London marathon there’s fancy dress rhinos.

This weekend heard on the radio Jill Scott is England’s most capped player. Fair enough. But the sentence finished with beating peter Shiltons record. I nearly exploded. As if stats are gender neutral. Still winding me up thinking about it. Then once I’d composed myself someone called Marta became Brazil's top goalscorer in world cups, ahead of Ronaldo and Pele. And could go past klose for all time record. It’s just not same. Take it for what it is non league amateur football but not being sexist or a misogynist...just objectively it’s shite.

Bottlers.

I can’t see us taking 1000 to be honest. That said friendly or not it is the only fixture that is remotely interesting to me including the actual season so if others thinking the same demand may be higher that I expect.

There’s plenty of stiff competition but he’s got to be one of the worst players to pull on the famous blue and white.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/48736727 sign this lad up.

Another “sell out” at OT today where there are swathes of empty seats. The governing bodies have a lot to answer for with the ticketing system. Plenty available on the tout sites. Really don’t know how they’re allowed to get away with it.

We can bring in as many veteran midfielders as he likes but until he addresses the issues at defence, specifically centre halves, and by his own admission our collective inability to head a ball it’ll be another 70 ish goals conceded.

Well anyone we sign is automatically behind Bennett in any position then there’s the old pals brigade so quite possibly.

Best team in it on paper but we’re just not winners. It’s why we won’t win the tournament. The only consolation is it doesn’t matter if finish 1st or 4th. Not played a decent side yet but lost twice. With Australia, India and New Zealand to come Sri Lanka are right back in this.

Without knowing Downing’s wages hard for me to feel much either way. If he’s on big money that’s a poor signing if on peanuts it’s average. I suspect we’re panicking and he’s a body. Hope I’m wrong

The sky sports derby.

Might just be me but as I was looking down the list for games to look forward to pretty much weren't any. Suppose it’s only June and there’s time left for a slow burning interest in a few.

Bizarre. Just bizarre. The LDV vans one will be taking place next to the bins presumably. Suppose it’s in the right country and not taking place at some ridiculous time in the morning.