Why laughable? When he has played for our first team prior, he hasn't been good enough. I personally am hopeful that a second successful loan spell leaves him a much better player, but can understand a level of scepticism. As good as he is, if they have insisted on that then we should walk away. What if he got injured, how would that work? He will presumably not instantly come in and he would need to play 30 of 43 games, which he may well do, but we don't want a clause to in any way conflict with the priority of picking the best team for each match.

I also think the Morton deal had long since broke before he got onto it. Calling a journalist who you have never met by a nickname as is often the case is a little peculiar.

Is Edun strong defensively? Every time he has played at left back in the Championship he has been all over the place.

Edun caught the eye last night but it was purely attacking work with Hartlepool so poor and Pickering has been solid in the first 2 games.

Because Van Den Berg was so good at this level last season, if we did get him then it presumably wouldnt be to do anything but get a good level of game time, especially with other teams interested. So even if we assume an injury to Ayala, that second permanent centre back would have Wharton and Van Den Berg to get past so I couldnt see it being a real marquee signing. I would also say that a second centre back is less urgent than another central midfielder and a striker. I dont think from what I have read that Tomasson played a 3 at Malmo.

The imminent focus is winning games and doing well this season and Van Den Berg is a really good player, I saw Preston a few times last season and he (aside from when we battered them) stood out and Preston fans are gutted that he could be coming here. He also can fill in on the right which hopefully pushes Rankin Costello further from the team. I think his calibre is comparable to many of the other centre backs we have wanted this summer and also as an individual (ignoring contracts etc) he comes with IMO a more exciting recent history, 18 months of impressing at this level against a player in Morton who has barely played proper football, an attacking midfielder who has twice struggled at this level and a right back who had mixed reviews off the back of a relegation at this level, although that is not me being critical of those 3 as they have all started well here. Hopefully if there is truth in the story, we can get it over the line to have him involved at the weekend. Questions would follow regarding what we do from here, if we are going with a back 4 then is Wharton, Ayala, Van Den Berg and Carter enough or do we need another? For me, a striker and a central midfielder would both be more important than another centre back for the immediate focus. We also supposedly have more money to spend, will that money be available on other positions instead? I also have seen suggestions that he didn't join Burnley because they wanted a penalty clause if he made less than 30 appearances, I would strongly oppose anything like that.

Gallagher. He has not offered a threat in the first 2 games and Dack would be a huge upgrade. We could either go with Szmodics up top or Brereton with Szmodics left, Dack as a number 10.

Will be a really tough game and a test after a good start. Kaminski Brittain Ayala Wharton Pickering Travis Buckley Hedges Dack Brereton Szmodics Subs: Pears, Phillips, Morton, Edun, Dolan, Markanday, Gallagher

Very enjoyable night for a cup game against shocking opposition and a 4 nil win that certainly didnt flatter us. Dack doesnt look any less fit than he did prior to his injuries really, he was a bit rusty and played a few poor passes but he has that class and composure in the final third that you cant teach, he is crucial and should start at the weekend for me. Vale on the other hand looks well short even against poor opposition and struggled, his touch often let him down and his finishing was not up to standard. We do need a striker anyway so hopefully we can get one and maybe loan him out. Pears was totally untested bar one weird save right at the end, I could have played at centre back such was the opposition threat and Phillips wasnt tested and there were far more worthy man of the matches as much as he was totally fine. Rankin Costello is poor as we know but Edun was much better. Pickering still rightly will be first choice after 2 good league performances but Edun showed good energy throughout and got a very good assist. In midfield, thought both the central 2 did really well and good to see Dolan and Markanday score. Both had mixed nights in general with the former mixing some superb footwork and some poor decision making and Markanday missing a few chances, one run and cross in the first half though was particularly eye catching.

No extra time I dont think, straight to penalties if its a draw.

I hope the fact that we have started well doesn't reduce the urgency to get players through the door. The games are coming thick and fast and we will likely pick up knocks, if Ayala gets an injury which is quite probable (or if Wharton does) then things could turn.

Are funds clearly tight? All I have heard is we have a "healthy budget."

I still don't get the obsession with not loaning players, if he is better than Wharton/Garrett at the moment, then our aim is to win football matches, so get him in. We are not solely focusing on player development. Ideal scenario is we get another more experienced option giving us 4 in there and we loan at least one if not both of Garrett/Wharton out. We have a better set of options, our young lads play regularly, everyone wins.

We definitely need another central midfielder, although I dont think we will get one. Travis, Buckley and Morton supplemented by kids is not enough over a 46 game Championship season. At the moment Travis and Buckley have the shirts but he would really push the latter in particular and also offer an option of more experience.

Boro are being linked with a move for Alex Mowatt, likely on loan. We should definitely be in there asking questions, a good player in an area we are light in and one with good experience too.

I dont know for sure, hence regularly saying if. But the Ahmedhodzic interest was regularly reported in the LT, and Tomasson said in the press that Davies was a good player. If we actively chased those 2, if, then perhaps Van Hecke was never a primary active target this summer. Its just been assumed.

He may well not play every week (although Lingard is not very good) but why would he not take that opportunity if it comes? Even if he excels for a year or two longer at Championship level, there will still be huge doubts over his ability to play in the Prem until he actually gets a move there. Factor the money in and it is a no brainer.

Is it silly? There is the money thing that you touch on but also it is a great chance to have a go at being a Premier League player, most would take that chance when they can get it. Hardly an impossible task to get into the Forest side.

Not overly surprised that Van Hecke seemingly will not be coming. I did wonder if it was wishful thinking after obviously a great spell last year, with Tomasson seemingly pursuing his own targets if rumours are to be believed, he even commented on Ben Davies being a good player. I would be pleasantly surprised if he does as I fear a huge hole in our attack, currently we have a few chipping in but not prolifically with Brereton very much the main man, take him out and we would need a big replacement. But if I was advising him, its about risk and reward and there seems so much more potential reward from not signing a new deal yet. On the unlikely scenario that he gets a bad injury, it would be in our interests to offer him a new deal still rather than letting his deal expire so he wouldn't become unemployed.

I believe so but not 100% sure.

If he doesnt get sold then he can still enjoy his football here without needing to commit long term.

Dead rubber games winning promotion and winning 6 games in December? No doubting his cup history here was very poor but just dismissing the "no excitement in 5 years" line which clearly wasnt true.

Kaminski Rankin Costello Phillips Wharton Edun Morton A Wharton Markanday Dack Dolan Vale Subs: Pears, Buckley, Garrett, Leonard, Szmodics, Gallagher, Hedges, Ayala, Pickering I feel we need to rotate with the squad still very light, quite a few players come under the must not get injured category due to a lack of alternatives at the club. Kaminski, Ayala, Wharton, Brittain, Travis and Brereton the clear examples. That being said, I desperately want us to win and be in the next round and do not see a cup run as the burden others do. That team should be able to see off poor opposition. Wharton has to play and Kaminski can play without being a huge injury risk, maintaining a bit of continuity.

I have not seen that video but that is not a reliable source anyway and even if it was, it was specified that no bid has been put in. I stand by that we wont sign Bowler as good as he would be and we certainly wont sign a new front 3. I cant help but think that you are being characteristically naive on Brereton. It is in his best interests to hold off committing if he doesnt get fixed up before the end of the month.

Burnley are being linked with @chaddyrovers favourite player and YouTube extraordinaire Rhys Healey. I suspect if they got him, the predicted finish would go from 24th to 23rd.