It does feel like a number of our main targets arent getting over the line. And before the usual suspects come out, I am not blaming people, especially for the injuries.

If there is any truth in it, at least we might actually replace Brittain. Rather than not bother and then claim that "maybe Ismael is happy with Alebiosu and Montgomery."

Why would Legia reject 7 figure bids only to loan us a player in the last year of his deal?

The green one is quite nice, this one is a bit grim.

We could do with an end to this avoidable and frustrating Brittain situation. He is clearly going to go, we need to then get in a replacement before the start of the season. Makes no sense to him tomorrow, just as I hold no grudge against him for not playing a friendly last week. Competitive game, can understand more, but doesnt benefit either us or him to play him if hes not staying. Give Alebiosu some minutes instead. Brittain will be a huge loss and depressingly to a team that we are supposedly fighting with, and another who finished below us.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/25321923.blackburn-rovers-reignite-transfer-interest-fill-hole/ Rovers are on the lookout for a left-sided centre-back all summer. They were unable to land Steve Kapuadi from Legia Warsaw and have now turned their attentions to McLoughlin.

Well we know little for sure. Its surely a safe assumption based on widely reporting bids in particular for Kapuadi.

Pathways and projects. They can still be part of the squad without us just assuming that they are all ready. Some might go out on loan at various points too. All I am saying is we shouldnt just assume that they are ready. So for example, we need a right back if Brittain goes. We needed Tavares and will need to replace Travis/Tronstad if they go. Montgomery shouldnt be seen as a replacement in any of those positions. If hes ready, theres no reason that he cant also play minutes as well. But if hes not, then we dont have to still repeatedly flog him. Equally, we need cover for Cantwell. We shouldnt just assume that Tyjon is ready now. Its unfair to do so.

Adam Wharton does not make Spurs title challengers.

We are nowhere near FFP limits. And pretty easy to say that we would be better off without Venkys.

Seeing as you posted before this, and avoided my question, why did you say this was a terrible signing?

Again, your first paragraph suggests that the reason you keep posting stuff like this is because you have an issue with my posts and a preconceived idea as to what I think of everything. Ive tried to point out positives and negatives of the deal and consider both sides. Overall I think its a decent enough signing.

Indeed. We cant just build a smaller squad and assume numerous graduates can have a breakthrough season similtaneously. It puts far too much pressure on them when we have no idea if they are currently ready, and its very unlikely that they all will be.

It isnt bullshit at all. We have been bidding for Kapuadi for ages, before considering the likes of Sagnan and Nade. Doesnt mean that they dont rate McLoughlin or that he wont be a good signing. Never said he isnt well regarded by our scouts. We clearly had a top target whose price was too much for us. If you cant get your main targets you work down your list.

You are fixated on policing specifically on my "negativity." Another poster literally described the player as terrible yesterday. I think its a decent enough signing and the above "issue" was simply a neutral observation. He wasnt the first choice. The comment about experience was more across the board, experience going out and none before this coming in. I said when the link came out that McLoughlin will help to address that.

Seems like we have gone for him having been unable to afford our main targets.

Equally, you are the one saying that if we sold Brittain and didnt replace, its because he is happy with Alebiosu and Montgomery. He wants Brittain to stay so he clearly wants Brittain AND Alebiosu. So if (well, when) he goes you imagine he would want a replacement.

You are the one that suggested that Ismael would be happy going into the season with Alebiosu and Montgomery as right backs. Therefore, surely if we had Brittain aswell, that would be too many? I have made it very clear that it is imperative that Brittain is replaced by a first team right back when he goes. If Ismael is "happy" with just the 2 including a rookie midfielder filling in, then more fool him. But I suspect he is not. Considering he isnt blind and knows how good Brittain is, I am confident that he is aware that when he goes, we need a replacement.

Ah yes, if in doubt say "negativity" to make someone seem unreasonable. I commented on the link and initially and named at least as many positives as negatives. I even questioned @RoversClitheroe (without reply) who just said it was a terrible signing, or something along those lines. I think he is a decent enough signing. I praised Batth regularly for his performances and wanted him to stay. The only revisionism is coming from those underplaying how good he actually was. The main reason that I don't expect any new centre back to be as good, in this case McLoughlin if he signs, is mainly because of how good Batth was rather than any shortcomings on any new signing. Whether he would have replicated that, we will never know sadly.

It will take a hell of a signing to replicate the performances that Batth put in last year. I dont get why people are making out as if he is easily replaceable.

Batth turns 35 in September. But there are two seperate arguments. Whether he will be a big miss, and whether he will replicare it next season. I dont see why a 2 year deal comes into it. He has only signed a 1 year deal at Derby.

Who is 36? Both made significant contributions last season, and we are weaker without those. Whether they would have replicated those seasons is irrelevant.

Ismael kept playing him when he came in last season. Of course, it isnt linear and there are no guarantees. But based on last season, Batth was brilliant and will be a big miss. I dont think saying that or that saying having only 4 centre backs when 2 have such big fitness question marks is a big risk is controversial.

But he turned out to be far more important than that. Its like saying that Szmodics wasnt expected to score 27 so no big deal to lose him. You replace what you actually had, not what you expected to have. But again, its not even about who we are replacing. Its about what we have, potentially 4 centre backs but 2 with huhe reliability question marks.