This notion, especially assuming a formation of 433 that we should just crack on with the kids up top but cant rely on them elsewhere is bizarre. I hope that Mowbray changes his mind, maybe if resources allow to add to the attacking side of things. Assuming that a second keeper, CB and LB are a given. If we look at the balance of the squad, the areas in which the youngsters closest to establishing themselves are mainly in defence and midfield. Across the forward line, we have one number 10 who is injured but our best player. Armstrong is also a key player. Outside of that, we have the underwhelming Gallagher and Brereton, who has scored in 2 dead rubbere in 2 years. Even if I count on them 2, that is 4 proven players across 3 positions in a position that provokes the most rotation and in terms of substitutions, the most depth is needed. Our main youngsters in terms of game time are in defence and midfield. Wharton with 80 plus senior games and 3 promotions. Davenport has at least half a season of game time under his belt. Buckley made quite a few starts. 1 CB and 2 CMs. Rankin Costello could be an option wide and I would play him there but he is a common Nyambe inuury away from playing at right back. We cant going into the season EXPECTING rather than hoping that any kid without ever having a senior league start can be depended on yet. And an extra body doesnt totally eliminate It is unfair and totally crazy to depend on them considering our ambitions. If any of Dolan, Vale, Butterworth and even Chapman etc come through this season its a bonus. We need at least one extra player across that forward line, one who can play wide. 1 keeper, 2 CB, 1 LB, 1 wide men. Then if we can, a CM.

Have you seen him play much? Do you think he would be a good addition? Would make little sense if he is not good on the ball. Seems that Rich Sharpe has got nothing back and seems to think it wont happen, but seemingly is going off a valuation much higher than what you imply that he could be available for given his nationality.

Would seem strange. Slovenian international central midfielder who is contracted at CSKA and presumably not available on the cheap, nor in a priority position. Big, tall central midfielder from the looks of it. Suppose the last time we were linked with a random foreign player in a foreign publication, it was Kaminski and he signed not long after.

Other teams have started to get really busy in the transfer market, with plenty of times having strengthened. Preston havent made a single signing yet. Birmingham have signed a keeper from Espanyol and Ivan Sanchez who seemingly did very well at Elche, as well as Leko from West Brom and Friend from Boro, seems that Karanka has been very busy. Derby have brought in Marshall, Clarke back from Brighton and Groningen captain te Wierek which has been lined up for a while. They will be a threat this year. Bristol City did well signing Williams from Wigan. Barnsley signed a winger from LASK who played United. Brentford are signing Ivan Toney. Norwich, Forest, Stoke and Swansea have all been very busy too. We could be playing Bournemouth at an awful time. Due to the bizarre situation whereby the transfer window closes after the season starts, they will seemingly have the majority of their best players, Wilson, Brooks, King etc all still at the club.

I presume you will show on here the "stuff on twitter" about Armstrong that is more genuine to the extent that you have concluded that a bid may have been accepted...

The main assumption wrongly made is that Kipre would go there to make up the numbers. As if hes massively inferior to the other 3 centre backs they have. When in fact I think he would fancy his chances of not only playing first team football, but Premier League first team football and bettering himself. I think one or two have the blue and white blinkers on. Thats before considering the fact that I can understand why thousands of pounds would be very hard to turn down!

Naby Sarr might be ok as the "second" option but I wouldnt want him as first choice. Certainly not the answer defensively for all of his composure on the ball. And seemingly looked at fondly at Charlton more from a cult hero perspective, not because of his defensive ability. He was often not selected when Charlton played a back 2 in favour of Pearce. Dont get all of the bitterness towards Kipre either, very much looking at the situation through blue and white tinted glasses. Firstly, he is not going "to sit on the bench" if he does join West Brom, he is certainly not noticeably inferior to any of the 3 CB's West Brom have and theres no reason at all to assume that he would be 4th choice behind Hegazi, Bartley and Ajayi. Also, Premier League football and twice the wage, 99% of us would take that option, no matter what we say. Wanting more money is for some reason seen in footballing terms as disgusting, which I dont get. Also, he may never get the chance to become a Premier League footballer again. I presume that whoever comes to be our second choice keeper will not be greeted with the same criticism!

QPR could be in big trouble this season. Warburton said that they will be still looking at frees and loans despite selling Eze. Hugill has also gone back, Wells was there for half a season and wont be this season. Warburton a below average manager. They could be right near the bottom and potentially go down.

Fair enough. Just to clarify regarding my earlier post, the phrase "mitigating circumstances" was in relation to Wigan being in administration and rendering Kipre available at a fee within our budget when in normal circumstances, ie had Wigan still been a Championship club not in financial problems, he would have not been affordable to us.

I dont think that he is a top 6 centre back but I think that working with less than a million in the domestic, he would be far better than anyone else I think we could get due to mitigating circumstances. It would make sense for him to join a Premier League club, even before you consider the financial benefit. He also would have a good go at getting regular game time amidst a Championship standard set of central defenders. Lets hope that West Brom get Duffy and we can have Kipre.

Taking my allegiances to Rovers out of the equation, if West Brom do put in a bid in for him then for Premier League football and a bigger wage, its a no brainer. There is no reason that he cant nail down a place at West Brom either. I am not convinced that any of Bartley, Ajayi and Hegazi are better than him necessarily The game now is getting the balance right between holding in, because Kipre would be a very good signing for the fee we would be paying, and I dont think we could find anyone else as good, but not waiting too long so that alternatives become unobtainable too.

Compare the 1.16 goals per game v us last year, to our 1.37 goals per game, thats 10 goals over a season. Although again, ultimately as much to do with the rest of the team.

I would probably agree that he isnt a top 6 quality centre back necessarily, although my point was more that you do not get anything close usually for that price in this country, and Kipre would have been a very shrewd addition. We will struggle to get anyone of that quality otherwise for under a million. I dont think data can draw conclusions like that alone though, not that I am saying that you are only using data. Things like interceptions, long passes, short passes, headers per game etc, the most important variable is the team he is playing in. Data is useful to an extent but only to accompany regular watching of a player really. Things like goals and assists for an attacking player, much more useful, but things like types of passes, not so much. Everytime I have seen Wigan he has been very impressive. Wigan were very good defensively and in the 32 starts that he made, Wigan kept 12 clean sheets and conceded 37 goals, 1.16 goals per game.

Basically resigned to Kipre going elsewhere, if West Brom are serious then no sane minded person in his position would decline Premier league football and a higher wage. Would be a big blow because for under a million, you arent going to get close to signing a top 6 quality Championship centre back from a club in England unless there are mitigating circumstances. Ultimately, the only reason that Kipre could be got at for under a million Thinking outside of that, I suppose attention soon starts to turn to whoever else we are talking to. Someone like Lindsay who has had a dismal season at Stoke and is unwanted may be financially out of our reach despite being right down the pecking order. Another name I mentioned was Tom Lockyer, available on a free, 10 caps for Wales, but hardly a brute and his record somewhat tarnished by relegation. Another totally random name to chuck into the mix, a total guess, Jordy De Wijs may be available. I certainly am not advocating signing a player whose team nearly conceded 90 goals last season and this is not my suggestion, just a total stab in the dark at that other name, but I presume he will be available with Richie Smallwood replacing him as captain, a year on his contract, left footed, 25 years old and potentially affordable.

Thought you have no interest in opinions of players performances at previous clubs ? But cheers, thinks its the same guy who did the interview on Radio Lancashire.

Fact of the matter is, if there is interest from West Brom and they bid, hes not turning Premier League football down. Nixon is a constant stream of shite. Hart, McLaughlin, Hofmann, Muric and Iversem, all total fiction. Suppose a broken clock is right twice a day. Would be a big shame to miss out. Weve got a keeper coming in with an apparent weakness at crosses. I think back to Rotherham away when Mowbray lynched Raya for not dealing with crosses and not accepting responsibility for having Mulgrew and Rodwell as his CB partnership. Lenihan and a Kipre type is a different story altogether, heading things away. Raya himself seems to have benefitted from Jansson and Pinnock.

True but the following: However, while an agreement that works for both clubs is close, there is still work to be done on personal terms. And that could well stand in the way of any possible transfer as Rovers look to make their second summer signing. Another deal is being worked on, should nothing materialise with Kipre. Suggests that Rich Sharpe has very much covered all bases and it is very much in the balance. Even the agreement between the club is close, not sorted. @RovingRover where is the Leeds link to Kipre? Sessegnon seems like agent talk. A few clubs linked and not in a position we need as urgently as others.

They ran an article on interest in Lindsay last week.

With personal terms not agreed, there is probably a big chance of him being taken by a bigger club and/or one who can offer bigger wages. That being said, I dont think he is a Premier League player. Nixon is probably just chancing his arm through as we know how much shite he talks. We have presumably spent our budget on Joe Hart, McLaughlin, Iversen, Muric and Hofmann...

Dont think him and Lenihan will lead to playing it out from the back so that might need a compromise.

Mowbrays advertised mould doesnt keep the goals out. Seems like Kipre would be as good as we could possibly get on limited funds. Good age too.

Wouldnt get carried away just yet mind you: "However, while an agreement that works for both clubs is close, there is still work to be done on personal terms. And that could well stand in the way of any possible transfer as Rovers look to make their second summer signing." And working on an alternative. So whilst Wigan seem desperate to sell I think there could be a decent change someone else will take him. Have to keep fingers crossed.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/18679910.rovers-make-move-wigan-defender-cedric-kipre/ What a pleasant surprise this could be!

He is right sided predominantly and we could do with a natural left sider. I remember when we had Chimbonda at left back always cutting inside. Not ideal having someone on the wrong side. If we are signing someone we may aswell get someone natural for the position.