I've always found this idea that he is good going forward to be a bit of a myth, or at least it is unsubstantiated. Never seen it myself.

Adam Wharton is 6, they may well both be actual changes but in past years I think when academy players have played, they just take spare numbers during pre-season.

Cantwell starting for a strong Norwich side today. I think that rumour was only ever a figment of Alan Nixon's imagination. Brannagan starting for Oxford, Styles as mentioned starts for Barnsley although reports of no bid anyway, Peterborough kick off an hour later so interesting to see if Smozdics plays, although not overly excited by that potential deal anyway.

Embarrassing sales yet again, you would think that consistently poor sales would lead to some responsibility and Waggott getting his P45, alas no under these disinterested owners. At least he can charm people.

Perhaps, although might be a bit risky in itself within a week of the first game, especially when most of the first team is playing today, that could be 3 lots of 90 minutes in 8 days which is a lot so early on.

Just my opinion as much as it is as speculative as anyone . The narrative seems to be to replace the main outgoings, and we have lots of big holes to fill on a finite budget. You was saying only the other day that you would be happy with just 1 incoming and even when I said that a second midfielder would be on my agenda even if the second is a loan and/or it means only signing 1 CB, you dismissed my point as potentially leading to a dilution of quality. So would you be unhappy if it was just Morton. I hope you are right by the way, I have been consistent in saying that we need 2 in there.

Unsure how it compares to previous pre-seasons but it will see the majority of players getting 60, 75 and 90 minutes into their legs so it makes sense. Perhaps another 90 minutes could have been arranged on top for all 22?

Today and Wednesday were the last times for close to 22 players to get 90 minutes in their legs so I don't see how we can conclude that Tomasson has decided to "jettison" Rankin Costello. Rankin Costello like Buckley, Ayala and Gallagher all played on Wednesday so I wouldn't read anything in him missing today, seems like he and Brittain will be the 2 right back/right wing backs going into the season with Brown going out on loan. Lets hope Brittain is not only up to it but very resolute! The likes of Magloire and Butterworth have not been involved so I suspect those 2 are on the way out.

Ultimately all that matters is whether he signs or doesnt sign. Would be pleasantly surprised if he ends up at Ewood. Im guessing that the Morton deal will be resurrected later in the window. I just hope he is not he only midfield recruit as we need a couple.

£5 match pass.

Im not convinced we was ever seriously in for him. Unfortunately I think Morton will be our sole midfield recruit.

16 goals in a season in Serie A is "nowhere near Brereton?"

I think your problem was that you repeatedly talked about your meeting in advance and then as soon it finished, it was a case of a very vague post shutting down further questions. As others have said, why mention it at all?

Not sure what to make of the Tyler Morton link, certainly underwhelming to the names being thrown in yesterday. I don't have any issues with the flawed theory that he will block the path of our youngsters, the aim has to be getting a better team and I assume that Morton would be a step up as I doubt that Garrett and Wharton would be trusted by Klopp against Arsenal and AC Milan. Plus it is not an and/or situation, if they are ready they can also play minutes. The key is whether he would be the only midfielder that we sign, if so then for me we would be short and I would be underwhelmed, one loanee wouldn't cut it. Morton AND a permanent midfielder with one of the young lads going out on loan would be something I could get on board with. I also find the delay a big problem, if he is coming we could do with him ASAP, straight into the squad next week. Bowler would be a major signal of intent but I personally can't see it and the source of Lancs Live isn't reliable. Not only do I think he would likely be out of reach but we already have two left footers that play from the right.

But you have never really addressed why you come on this internet messageboard of Rovers fans opinions when you value them so little due to being misinformed.

He did, but then Carter got regular game time in a successful loan spell, so his development wasn't stunted, if anything it was boosted.

I don't get that. If it makes our team better, surely that is most important? And it can allow a currently inferior youngster to play regularly out on loan, so it can make us better in the short and long term.

Even if they are better?

I disagree. Whilst accepting limitations from things like being bitter about a potential player that is leaving and recency bias, people who have seen players week in week out and what they say is IMO useful when I havent seen a player to that same degree. Others seemingly agree too as they take notice. I will continue to do it as will others so please just read on next time rather than telling me its pointless. I certainly wouldnt want quality dilution, the first midfielder target is the most important. Whether the second one is a loan, at the expense of a 2nd CB, for a fee or just totally impossible in any case is of course the next consideration but I would feel we were lacking without 2 personally.

We was quite lucky that Travis and Rothwell both stayed fit for the majority of the season last season. We also have an additional 2 subs to use so more scope for game time. I felt that we was short in midfield last season anyway to be honest so simply trying to equal that shouldnt be the aim. I dont feel comfortable putting too much pressure on the young lads to play a reasonable role with immediate effect. I feel that people are misinterpreting that as me just blocking their path but they will get in when they are ready if they are good enough. There has also been assumptions that we can only afford 1 CM. Firstly my point is that I feel we need 2, before whether we can afford 2 (which we dont know) is considered. I personally would prefer a second midfielder to a second defender (I feel Carter has proven himself more than A.Wharton and Garrett) but ideally we would get 2 of each. If that means buying a centre back, an attacking player and a central midfielder and loaning another defender and midfielder, that would be ok. It will be interesting if Brown is loaned out to see if you will be consistent in your opinion that you do not want that to happen. I was on about Szmodics in this instance. The line about recruitment is absolute nonsense though. I am not advocating that the club gets rid of its scouting processes and instead just reads what fans think. I as a fan find it interesting and useful to see what people watching players every week think, in the absence of having the time and desire to do detailed scouting reports on players I havent otherwise seen week in week out. If you dont thats fine but please stop telling me not to every single time I do, just ignore that part if you dont care. You would assume wrong if the second midfielder has to be in the 26 year old bracket and indeed is bobbins.

There was a big chance that Rothwell was to be sold. I never judge on how much we supposedly bid for, but on the money that was spent.

I never said that it is malfunctioning here nor are either of us in a position to say that it is working "very well" yet. I merely suggested that there are risks whilst saying that there are obvious advantages and that I understand why clubs use it.

Just my opinion, I would like 4 as both mid game and from game to game there will be lots of changes. The financial side, as I said, I would prefer a 4th CM to a 5th CB so compared to what was reported, I have just changed one of the positions, not added. I also suggested maybe a buy and a loan. I never said pay decent money for 2. We don't know if Garrett can do that yet, if he can he will break through regardless as and when he is ready.

I know they have more expertise than I do. It doesn't mean that my opinion is invalid and my opinion shouldn't be dismissed because of it. I have never called to sign 2 mediocre/poor players, its a strawman argument. If the budget literally just about stretches to 4 players, as I said I would prefer a 4th central midfielder to a 5th centre back. Even if we buy a central midfielder and get another on loan due to a limited budget, that would be better than just getting 1. Even if we did get 2, there is scope for a breakthrough, especially over a long season in which we can use 5 subs too. As you said, perhaps Rich Sharpe's assumptions will be wrong. I hope so in that case.

You seem to have read my concerns as if I am saying that this sort of structure should be avoided due to the risks that I raised. I can understand why many clubs have it, there are obvious advantages to it but equally it is not flawless. One of my main concerns is that our club has constantly seen delays in decision making since these terrible owners joined. Another level in the hierarchy may potentially slightly extend that further. There is also a risk that the director of football and head coach could disagree on a player, they are two different people with different opinions. I'm sure at times it happens at the big clubs even. I wonder for example if Solskjaer recommended that Ronaldo was to be bought.