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.

I don't understand the argument of "well management see them every day" that is regularly mentioned. I have never claimed that I know more, I just posted my opinion on a messageboard that I would prefer at least 2 midfielders are brought in, otherwise I feel regardless of how talented those 2 appear in training and in kids games, that we would be short of senior options. Hopefully the pair break through but the chances of them both doing so immediately would likely be low and it shouldn't be forced. If that is a genuine argument, surely the whole messageboard is pointless.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/20296277.blackburn-rovers-transfer-latest-club-step-search/ A few things of interest: - The Nyambe contract offer was considerably higher than previously but was withdrawn. - Rich Sharpe doesn't know who the midfielder is and seemingly is speculating on the identity. - The aim is 2 centre backs, 1 central midfielder and 1 "attacker" with a further striker if and when Brereton leaves. Do we need 2 centre backs more than say 2 central midfielders? I think Travis, Buckley who has only been converted to a deeper role now so whether that will work as well as it theoretically could is unknown, then one more, and little beyond that, is not enough. A couple of injuries and it is the underwhelming Edun who is also needed to cover left back, and untested kids.

What makes you say that Brittain looks in a different bracket in terms of calibre to those named players, out of interest?

It is surely common sense. Another person in the process, another person who may disagree with players. Our club already takes ages to do everything anyway. Obviously the model has plenty of positives too. I never said it shouldnt exist and I know better.

If I had said that having a director of football always causes further problems then you may have had a point.

Yes. An extra person, an extra level, an extra opinion. I am not saying it has or will happen here, just in general that it can cause issues.

Like I said, I feel like both would benefit from a loan. Brown has played (and struggled in) one game of a reasonable professional standard at the age of 24, a season of football week in week out at League 1 would be really good for his personal development and to see if he excels ready to come back into contention the year after, rather than just playing occasionally here. Rankin Costello had had many injuries and has struggled at this level, again a season of regular football could be make or break rather than the odd cameo/appearance. On a budget though, I would understand loaning out only one, neither have proven their ability at Championship level and both would benefit from regular football which isn't on offer here. I am not overly fussed which one but would probably lean towards prioritising Brown going on loan. I noticed a couple of comments saying as I mentioned yesterday that he struggled at Championship level compared to in League 1. They seem to think that they have replacements internally (a young player called Poku who I saw a few times last season who seems very dangerous) and could do with the money. Talented player but I am not sure he would start if Dack is fit.

Peterborough fans seem to want to cash in on Szmodics.

Just shows how a director of football being added to the mix can cause delays in getting an additional person to agree to any transfers, as well as providing potential conflict at times.

I suppose no player explaining the decision to move to a new club would mention money.

An initial 6 figure fee according to Rich Sharpe. In isolation and factoring in the Armstrong fee and almost certain Brereton fee, it's probably not enough to start baiting people to praise the owners. True, although says in the LT today that he will go accompanied with quotes from the manager. I presume should it go through, you will stay consistent with your disagreement of the decision. I personally think both could do with a loan if we could ideally sign someone to cover Brittain, perhaps a freebie.

Glad to see we have signed a right back on a long term deal who could in theory start the season. Have only seen him a handful of times in which he didnt stand out as a full back but slightly worried about the main comments from Barnsley fans. Hopefully it was a bad season for him in a bad team and he can push on. Glad to see that Brown will be loaned out. @chaddyrovers I guess you strongly disagree with that decision seeing how consistent you have been insisting that he remains in the squad? Unsure on Sczmodics as he is a central player who has struggled to make the step up but he is more productive than a few of our attacking players.

Not sure its motivation based, heading with such a spring with such accuracy is a skill. That is a hell of a claim.

Gestede excelled at something, he wasnt perfect in general but he was outstanding at attacking the ball in the air and directing it. Gallagher isnt great at anything.

I think Pickering is decent technically, he can handle the ball. Edun is more athletic but also more erratic and when he played at left back last season his positioning was appalling. For much of last season Pickering was very comfortable but he wasnt the same post injury in a struggling team. Edun I assumed would be better in midfield but that didnt really work either.

He had a knock at the weekend so maybe he still is suffering.

Hopefully no more setbacks beforehand.