Rothwell could have commanded a fee in January but we let him run his contract down again. The LT reported that Stoke had come in for Nyambe last summer. Brereton is another and much more significant case. This notion that "we can't make anyone do anything" is true to an extent but also flawed because we as a club can act more rationally in line with the supposed business model that we are striving for yet acting totally in the opposite way.

That would surely be considered underwhelming.

Unsure if this is the best place to put it, but following the closure of the window, what are peoples expectations this season and have they changed since the window?. Words that have only provoked in the past have been used to describe this season including journey and transition but we have spent £5m+ without recouping fees, have 3 players on loan for a season and have our talisman back fit and our main goalscorer for a season in a move that long term is crazy but short term really makes us stronger. For me, the benchmark is to improve on last season with all that factored in.

Definitely see some sense in it but still we don't know if they will be here beyond May and if they are, they will be decisions made eating into next seasons budget. The Brereton one is the main one though and coupled with the loans, I think this idea that it is down to any individual that we regularly have mass surgery each summer is a flawed one, it is partly circumstance in being a Championship club (especially with our comparative resources but clubs with bigger budgets use loans for example regularly) and the common denominator is Venkys, especially considering how stubborn they are. I think it becomes so difficult to directly compare player for player replacements for many reasons, different manager with a different style, the likes of Dack and Hedges who didn't impact last season back in the mix, there will be players who played important roles last season who will get injuries most likely and have less impact than last season. You have also missed Khadra, Giles and Poveda too. I also don't think that point 5 is necessarily true, Tomasson said we tried for one extra yesterday and also might only have been 6 due to a lack of extra budget rather than anything else. One thing I would ask is that there has been a lot of posts dismissing this season as part of a transition, something due to the way the Championship works always seemed illogical. But we have kept Brereton, (for 1 season) signed loans and spent £5m+ without recouping anything. Surely we can expect to improve on 8th? They aren't directly comparable for many reasons. They don't play the same role for a start, but also the expectation on Szmodics should be much more than Rothwell when he signed because he was the big summer signing whereas Rothwell was for a nominal fee as a squad player initially at a younger age.

I think we could have got more than that had we offered him out, as much of a loss as he would be. Out of interest, say he wasnt currently with us, would you consider a loan deal with a loan fee of £10m for Brereton to be good business? Is there any area of the window that you are unhappy with? Any signings that you are not overly fond of? Do you still wish Brown had been kept? Any areas you think we are lacking in? Needless dig but I am pleasantly surprised at the net spend, but I have never called for a constant positive net spend. I have regularly suggested that we should sell assets and reinvest a large percentage and thats how you grow. In the last 12 months we have sold one of our 2 main assets and reinvested none of that, then the owners blocked a potential 4m sale, and now our remaining main asset is being allowed to run his deal down. It is this inconsistently that infuriates me. Last summer, why not sign a 3-5m striker? Then do likewise with a player upon selling Brereton, and continue the process. Add a player or two with the Rothwell proceeds and a well run club now has 3 or 4 assets on longer deals rather than 1 running it down, as much as I will enjoy watching him for another season. 3 loans and our main asset running his contract down does not suggest a huge change in long term thinking but the limitations come from the top rather than being blamed on any individual. I have many similar views to you and have shared them on the individuals signed. Certainly not a disastrous window, high comparative net spend and some potentially clever additions.

Brilliant owners apparently. People agreeing underneath! Genius move to be so bad and corrupt at the start that standards become so low and even allowing a key asset to run his deal down is a symbol of the owners beimg brilliant.

https://twitter.com/talkSPORT/status/1565459075881631746?t=yXpT6Z_1D1VjtMNwcVpG1g&s=08

Allowing assets to run their contracts down does not lead the owners to deserve credit. Mind you, if we sell him now to Leeds minus a replacement would be terrible.

Mixed window, although the Brereton situation dominates everything and it wreckless to allow him to run his contract down and it shows that lessons have not been learnt, he has a value in excess of the 3 that left last season combined. Selling and signing a direct replacement was a key objective. Hyam and Brittain are the best 2 deals in my opinion, short and long term. Szmodics potentially the most questionable, spending so much on a player where he is unlikely to be first choice and with a poor record at this level. Lots of reliance on loans, good that 2 have options for permanent deals. Hirst was apparently the first choice which is not the most ambitious move but maybe he can kick on, not sure our 2 number 9s are the most prolific. Mola is an interesting one but minimal first team experience like Morton. 5 or 6 out of 10 overall.

You say that but I suspect that if you put it to vote, that people would rate Dolan more.

Dolan is not very effective either but hes a level above Vale.

The ball didnt stick more than once Vale came on and based across his various appearances, I dont think that he is ready. Phillips likewise, he is much younger and has I dont think managed to last the full game in any of his appearances, he seems physically not ready for Championship regular football and prone to muscular injuries as he grows, didnt he also miss quite a few reserve games due to injury last season? He also has struggled in the air and although it is obviously not solely down to him, its not a coincedence that we have 3 clean sheets with him and 4 without him. Thats fine, hes probably 6th choice now so he can be used sparingly and maybe even loaned out either this season or even next if he signs long term.

The 4-2-3-1 suits us and worked last night, I wouldn't change that.

As it stands I would go: Kaminski Carter Hyam Mola Pickering Travis A Wharton Hedges Dack Brereton Hirst Subs: Pears, Phillips, Buckley, Morton, Markanday, Szmodics, Dolan That is assuming that the squad is unchanged transfer wise and that none of Wharton, Ayala, Brittain and Gallagher are back. I think Travis needs to be back in midfield as soon as possible ideally.

No Hedges?

Really enjoyable away day last night and great result to stop the rot. I don't think the performance was brilliant but key to get 3 points. On a day with numerous positives, Adam Wharton was the stand out, not only very good on the ball but very industrious off it. I stand by my comment that we could never come into this season expecting a flurry of youngsters to all come through at once and that they should be able to come through only if and when they are ready, Vale isn't ready and may never be and Phillips isn't ready yet either but Wharton has taken to it like a duck to water. Obviously question marks longer term about whether he can sustain it but very exciting. Elsewhere, outstanding pass by Dack who showed his class and why he needs to play week in week out, you do wonder where Szmodics fits in other than back up to him. Also was really happy with how Hyam slotted in aside Carter who was also good. Pickering has got lots of criticism lately but really solid and steady again, one of our better performers at the start of the season.

Who is the person without being exact, someone within the club, an agent maybe? LT have dismissed it.

Where have you heard about Brittain and Gallagher are out for 6 weeks?

Unsure really what to make of the Mola deal, minimal first team experience so hard to know what to think. Versatility could be very useful especially being able to cover left back where I am fine with Pickering but not with Edun. How ready is he for instant involvement would be a big question, ideally he could play on Saturday assuming neither Ayala or Wharton play to allow Carter to play at right back and Travis alongside Adam Wharton in midfield. Tomasson said the other day that 3 more were expected and money is there still to be spent, so 2 loanees wouldn't be enough. As it stands, it would be a below par window with also the inevitable loss of Brereton for free. Keeping him would also diminish the FFP excuse going forward. Dembele seems to have other suitors, would be a nice surprise as a permanent and good even on loan but the LT don't seem to think it is likely. @JoeH where did you hear that he is having a medical?

15th, 11th, 15th and 8th definitely puts him on par with Kean.

Dolan at wing back and Dack up front?

Who said this?

Brereton if possible or Hirst if he signs in time. If neither are possible, probably and reluctantly Dolan. Hedges and Markanday either side of Dack.

Dack up front? It doesn't work.

Really underwhelmed by the potential loan signing of Hirst. Not a particularly impressive goal return at a lower level and as an initial loan, would have been more excited with his calibre had it been a permanent deal. Lets see though, maybe a late developer. We did badly need a striker as Vale is nowhere near up to it, but is Gallagher and Hirst as 2 striking options the armoury of a top 6 side? Not for me, especially if their responsibility increases upon the potential sale of Brereton. Will Hirst play wide too? Tomasson laid down the gauntlet expecting 3 signings today and some money to be spent, a slow start with Hirst, lets hope it picks up with the other 2. Wonder if his loan signing can be done before 12, could he be on the bench tomorrow night?