roversfan99

Boro have spent big money because they aren't as brainless with player contracts as we are. In midfield, its not about numbers, its surely about quality. It would be a real statement of intent to get someone like Ben Pearson, Lewis O'Brien, Jack Colback or Dan Barlaser who would be a considerable upgrade on what we have. You then can decide whether to have 6 and some good strength in depth or move someone on, either sending Morton back or loaning out Garrett or even Wharton, but likely the former, ready to be a strong option next season. Regarding an attacker, the focus has to be a central striker. We currently have Gallagher who isnt prolific and is always injured, Dolan isnt prolific and is equally useful out wide and Vale clearly isnt getting regular minutes for a side serious about promotion. I think ideally we would probably sell Brereton for maybe 10m and reinvest half on a striker and get a few more on top with the rest, including a left sided wide man and a central midfielder.

No one went into last season expecting much different to this season yet we were all fuming when it fell apart. Maybe one of those where it would hurt more than people realise if it happens. Lets hope it doesnt as successive collapses would really grate. If we keep Brereton and gamble then the pressure intensifies.

Yep, football is very subjective and you can have 2 people stood next to each other with very different opinions. I thought that Hernandez (if it was him) had his number and beat him a few times and he also was very limited on the ball.

Would dropping down to 8th or 9th not be considered a huge disappointment and an unsuccessful season considering the position? Last season we again rose near the top at this time of year despite much less optimistic expectations and the subsequent drop made things very toxic.

Absolutely, it wasn't a criticism. But I even look at Ayala who is definitely better in the air and loves that side of it more than Hyam, Lenihan loved chucking his head into everything too, Hyam is a picture of calm in comparison. Not as dominant but just knows where to be most of the time.

He looked way out of his depth in that dead rubber v Birmingham. We also have Carter, Rich Sharpe ha suggested that he is going to go out on loan again. If he plays for us he can't play for anyone else.

The constant underpinning issue is how Venkys run the club though, that removes basically any scope to bring players in.

I don't think he is as physically imposing as Nelsen. I always think a top defender should come off the pitch without a patch of mud on them, and that is Hyam for you, just reads the game very well. Really good signing.

They will if they get chance. Pep and Klopp aren't going to say "I am gutted it didn't happen" are they?! A Frank Lampard masterpiece of a signing.

An excuse that doesn't wash when you actively choose to overrule managers to allow assets to run down.

Lets hope he is talking out of his arse again, we don't need cover, we need to improve the first team. Same as last winter, in a great place, let the assets run down and sign a few bodies to make up the numbers. Who will be Zeefuik MK2? Lots of pleading poverty and moaning about money. Little wonder when we piss money down the drain on letting players run their contracts down. Prior to his Chile cap, Brereton had a much improved season where he settled into a regular spot, considering he cost as much as he did, his new deal should have been sorted then, there is no excuse. Loads of players signed new deals even under Mowbray, and even within his final 12 months. The biggest issue is Venkys and they have cost us over £12m on 2 players.

A similar thing happened with Mowbray and Leighton Clarkson. Shite player loaned, in nobodys interest to stay collecting dust so sent back.

If they are then his tactical ability is really poor based on their results.

Good riddance to as poor a striker as I can remember, and we have had some shockers. Needs a run of games though...

But giving a poor manager stability regardless of results is not a recipe for success.

If stability is what they desire, surely they would opt to first appoint a manager with a good record. Lampard has been at Everton for a while and hasn't improved them on the back of 2 underwhelming previous times at other clubs. I don't get why anyone would desire endless stability under a manager who seemingly isn't particularly good.

Because you wanted a total second side and a full rest for half of the players that you deemed to be struggling with fatigue, Pickering in particular you repeatedly mentioned. You also don't seem to be bothered about the FA Cup.

Not saying they should sack him by any means but that is a different situation, taking over a bottom half Premier League side with minimal historical expectation v taking over a club who expect to compete every season for trophies. Maybe there is a risk based on recent performances that he is struggling to earn the respect of a playing squad full of big internationals?

I can see the Chelsea fans turning on Potter watching this.

To be fair, at the moment with us 3rd in the league, the focus has to be on there here and now. Bit different perhaps with Brereton in that keeping him would cost us close to 8 figure fee, so if we get a bid, perhaps sell and reinvest. But I wouldn't argue much with your second part, Wharton is good enough to at least play more than he has been.

How is it known that he was treated so badly, same with Nyambe? Just seems like rumour and conjecture aimed at making the situation seem worse. I think the price was certainly smaller that it perhaps should have been, albeit not as low as Brereton and Rothwell who the owners insisted were allowed to run their deals down. And the year loan of Walton was terrible, but the signing of Kaminski for 1/7 of the Raya fee was a superb bit of business.

Are you/were you not frustrated that Tomasson went fairly strong and played the likes of Hyam, Brereton, Dack and in particular a player you mentioned in Pickering when you were adamant that they needed a total rest? And why would you specifically want those 2 at home?!

The lack of camera angle was poor so they had to stick to the linesman's decision. Therefore without VAR, the goal would still have been disallowed.

I think there is probably a middle ground between Wharton being seemingly quite a bit away from the team at the moment to the point where he often misses out on matchday squads and him playing every week. He did also have very good games v Birmingham, Boro and Hull. I also find the idea that he is not training properly or questions about his attitude to be very presumptuous.

How can he look better than he actually is? Walton has been gone for ages and Kaminski has been superb this season.