Its convenient how we cant any key players to sign new deals. They must all want wage structure shattering wages.

But again, I don't think anyone has suggested that he is good enough for La Liga. I am not sure why whether he is or isn't would justify the main debate that is being had. The point that was being repeatedly debated was whether he had made the right decision to leave Rovers. People felt like it wasn't because he wasn't immediately signed up by a team, hence the talk about a dodgy agent leading him astray, the comparisons to Nyambe, total wild speculation about his ego. But his decision not to sign whatever paltry offer we put in front of him has been proven to be justifed, whatever happens from here on in. He has a chance now to play top level football, he may fail, I think he probably will like Armstrong/Brereton etc, but it wouldn't mean that he shouldn't have tried. He is a decent Championship winger, he has proven that. That is as far as anyone has said, no one has said he has the quality of a top level player. But he does leave a hole and he was by far (not much to go against, admittedly) our best winger. He is a loss. Comparisons to Hedges (7 goals and 5 or 6 assist v 1 goal and 2 assists), talk about being in League 1 soon, questioning whether he even should have been offered a contract, talk about him stumbling into league 1, comparisons to youtubers, suggestions that Markanday was better, and its not just one poster, but its all totally hyperbolic nonsense, in my opinion anyway.

With Szmodics, I like many thought for the money we paid was too much and I couldnt see why he was bought. I was terribly wrong, and admitted and can admit again that I was totally wrong. On JRC, its not as clear cut an error in judgement because he had a few amazing months then went back to being poor. This isnt some sort of witchhunt to out a single poster. Numerous people made out as if Dolan was greedy, his agent was leading him astray, he must have no offers because he hadnt been signed up again etc. They were wrong, fine, but the argument has now been changed to him potentially struggling in La Liga, which he might I agree, but its not the point. The issue is not people getting people wrong. I often do myself, we all do.

If anyone is missing Sigurdsson then something has gone horribly wrong. Poor player always injured.

Presumably Markanday will be at Atletico Madrid next season.

Does anyone find the approach strange of always going with our strongest team in friendlies? It is clear what his favoured team is beside maybe left centre back. But usually especially in a double header 3 days apart, you would expect 22 different starters. I wonder if other games behind closed doors are being arranged because otherwise, the second 11 will be surely undercooked. The likes of Kargbo, Gueye, Pickering etc.

Theres a moving of the goal posts by some. The discussion was about what happens now. Talk about his arrogance, him being agent led, comparisons to Nyambe, talk about why he hadnt gone anywhere yet etc, all surrounding where he would go now and whether he should have stayed. He has already justified running his contract down and waiting by getting a very good move. That he could do so clearly wasnt fuelled by misplaced arrogance as it has come to fruition. Havent seen any suggestions that people think he will thrive in La Liga, thats a totally seperate argument.

I dont think many if any have said that he will take La Liga by storm. Thats a different argument. People suggested that he had made a mistake led by his and his agents ego because he didnt instantly sign for someone. Hes landed in La Liga before the end of July. Even had he signed for another Championship club on a more reasonable wage, that would have justified his decision. But this certainly does. Either way, its our loss. We need a right winger in now otherwise its just the Hedges without instagram.

Does he have this massive ego that people keeping saying? Doesnt play like someone who does, cant fault his effort and dedication. Just seems to be a theory that has grown legs.

The power of instagram has got him this move clearly. The prediction of League 1 in a couple of years, probably unlikely.

Fair play to Dolan, its a very good move for him. Playing at a top level, experiencing a new culture, living in Barcelona, no doubt a pay rise too. Shows up those who claimed that his agent had been feeding him shite and swelling his ego were well off the mark, a very understandable move. Yes he may come up short at that level and it wouldnt surprise me. Other players that stood out more for us fell short at the top level. But you cant just stay at a middling ambtionless Championship club out of fear of not being able to hack it a level up, otherwise what is the point of it all? Gave his all throughout his time here so no reason to hold a grudge.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/25340506.blackburn-rovers-compensation-figures-tyrhys-dolan/ This is a strange article. Says we are keen to learn our lesson regarding the current crop who have a year left. But it "depends who you speak too" and we are comfortable letting them all stay without having signed a new deal. So not really learning any lessons. Also says compensation will be £90k x how many years Dolan signs a contract for.

Both made/are making totally understandable moves to try and move up in their career. Dont get any abuse towards either.

Undav not signing was the same window as O'Brien. The season we finished 7th under Tomasson.

Still, moving to a La Liga club is a step up from a Championship one.

Even if he does end up falling short at La Liga level, that doesnt mean that the transfer still isnt very much one he is right to take, that he will have made a mistake or justify talk of "the grass isnt always greener." We have seen in the past with the likes of Armstrong, Brereton etc that these players have struggled going up a level and end up coming back down. But your objective as a player should be to get as high as possible and our objective should be (and seemingly isnt) as a club to get into the Premier League. If we did, without a new team we would come back down and probably threaten the lowest points record. Still doesnt mean that you shouldnt try You look at Szmodics. He took a chance and can now look back and say he has played in the Premier League, he has scored in it, played against the best players, even if in general hes short of being a Premier League level player.

Probably because you compared him to Nyambe and suggested he had made a mistake not signing a new contract here, and that he and his agent had overestimated his worth. And he seemingly will get a La Liga move.

Espanyol would be a great move for him. He might do well, he might not, but theres no doubt that would be a move you just cant argue with. @chaddyrovers thought hed been badly advised?

I dont need an article to know that 6 was a centre backs number until very recently. It was more of a tongue in cheek pop at this modern day nonsense of calling positions by numbers, presumably an influence from abroad. Similar to using stupid terms as a "pivot." There was a thread on here at one point where everyone highlighted some of the bollocks that people come up with nowadays

You keep saying that he should have stayed here "to develop." Your bias means that you can not acknowledge that he very much has developed since leaving, irrelevant as to whether its at his contracted club. He left here having not managed 10 games. In 2 years he has played 50 odd and at Stoke really caught the eye and was considered to be their best outfield player last season. Sounds like he has developed to me.

Yep, hope no one gave him the time of day aside from giving him stick.

Number 6 (and 5) traditionally are centre backs. 4 is holding midfield. Isnt Montgomery a natural central midfielder rather than a right back?

Going to Spurs made him go from 5th choice to 6th or 7th. But he was close enough to our first team for us not to be able to consider loaning him out, even if he had been on a long deal. You can fall beneath the cracks then, often an unused sub or going back to the under 21s. At Spurs, he isnt needed in the first team so theyve been able to choose really well selected loan moves whereby he hasnt had to go below the Championship but hes also managed to playe every week. RevidgeBlue has a real unhealthy disdain towards Broughton but ultimately especially with the lack of protection offered to clubs regarding youngsters (something we have taken advantage of with Tyjon and others) he was fairly powerless.

That LT piece does seem to just be an attempt to cobble together an update partly based on assumptions. The Montgomery bit is strange journalism. For a start, a number 6 is a centre back. Dont let the modern day jargon fool you. But they havent "ruled out" playing him in his natural position? I would be very surprised if the Badarji deal happens now. Surely there are alternatives on a list that are actually fit should that be a profile of player that we desperately want? Right wing is the obvious main weakness at the moment. A right footed centre back, again yes we need. A number 10 as to not over burden Tyjon would certainly be something I agree with and if its something we do, chaddy will be fuming. Striker has slipped off the list, concern is still not even about the fact that I dont think that Gueye is good enough, which I dont, but moreso when Ohashi tires/is injured, we dont have a like for like replacement that can slot into the side without a change of tactic. Hopefully we can get a winger in as a minimum before the NEC game next week.

Youve done well to pin it on Broughton. The same man who brought us Tronstad and Hyam who you really dont rate.