Rumours being the operative word at this stage. Do you really see it as realistic that we spend a fairly considerable fee at all during this window? If we had one to spend and it was spent in central midfielder, to be fair the manager has history for defensive negligence but even so it would be surprising. Travis and Evans has to be our first choice partnership in midfield. We know that works well. Unsure why Evans would be one of your first to go. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/blackburn-rovers-davenport-midfielder-progress-18590307.amp Whilst I am yet to be convinced by Davenport. Mowbray said the other week that "We're not out there searching and scouring for another midfield player because we've already got the one that we need in the club." Maybe that Whiteman rumour is put to bed for now?

Was it? It has always seemed the same to me but then again, im not one for the over the top social media, the new player videos, the emojis, maybe I am old beyond my time though. I am just wondering what sort of things people want/expect/enjoy on social media. Main reason I look at it is when teams are announced to be honest. I always found it odd when people gave so much praise to the twitter guy during the promotion season.

?

10 grand?

To provoke cashflow at a time when it is in short supply.

And when you think that we had Mulgrew at CB for most of last season, and Adarabioyo this, considering that I think the difference between them is more than 6 goals conceded, we really have plenty of work to do!

Agree with the decisions on contracts, Downing has a role albeit probably a more reduced one youd like to think. But has been a very good signing. The others, sadly for Graham who has been a good servant, need to be moved on. Gallagher and Brereton now need to push Armstrong, all 3 central strikers. Just a shame that Bennett, Mulgrew and Johnson remain and are unshiftable. My mate who is a Preston fan doesnt rate Ripley at all. Happy to see him go. Would be an easy link especially considering his dad and presumably coming in as number 2.

@Mattyblue @JoeH "Its just the way Venkys work" "Venkys have lots of other businesses that are more important" "The pandemic has affected them more than anyone else" Surely you should now and accept all of these points rather than questioning why a club whose cash flow was bad enough to beg season tickets not to ask for refunds (yet was able to give Smallwood and Sam Hart extensions but we will ignore that) but not bad enough to utilise a very obvious way of improving that situation?

He may well do but its far too soon to predict that. He needs to play at a lower level for the time being but 21 is not old no matter which world class talents you bring into the conversation. Have you seen much of him? Or based on others peoples view on him in training like Buckley? Looked good in a cameo v Bolton but spending so much time injured during development years is not ideal at all. I dont recall many last ditch challenges. The goal was a difficult one to react to, possibly saw it more than Johnsons but would like to think that he felt he could do better. Then I dont know if it was having had his confidence taken a blow from scoring an own goal, but he played a square ball (I think trying to play it left) that was cut out and caused a counter attack. And then especially in the second half I think they targetted him because there were a few times when he looked all at sea. They had a good chance which was dragged wide at the end that came from him misreading the flight of the ball. I just personally think based on what I have seen, and it was right to give him a chance, that he is well off at the moment. If we are going to keep a prospect to push the centre backs, considering how I felt that Carter really, really struggled, I think Wharton would make more sense. League 2 form is always a weak indicator but he has not only seemingly coped there but excelled, 3 promotions, individual awards, plenty of praise and a desire to keep him into League 1. That being said, we need some more experience above him. Walton is a poor keeper. Not sure he was responsible for all 4 goals though, think thats harsh. Mind you, definitely over 10 during the season and was summed up right at the end when he comically allowed the ball through his hands and legs, thankfully not in the immediate vicinity of goal.

There was a few similar that he did like that, im guessing you mean the one at the end though? Definitely looked out of his depth. Only a boy but not ready for Championship football in the near future.

I would have to disagree. The own goal he has to take some blame for and there were numerous times when he either cheaply gave the ball away or especially on the turn looked all over the place, a few times especially in the second half. Just looked a bag of nerves throughout. 6 goals in 2 games doesnt reflect well either. I personally think that there is understandably an element of reluctance to criticise him because hes a kid from the academy but I dont think he is anywhere near ready.

I think its a myth that Bell is an effective attacking full/wing back. Nyambe is better going forward and its a weakness for him, Bell is the king of dithering.

We definitely need at least one new centre back but I can only see an inferior replacement at best coming in probably on loan (or maybe a free) for Adarabioyo so there is a big worry that we will be defensively worse next season. In terms of having a bit of competition, as far as I am concerned, Carter has proved that at this moment in time, he is well, well below what you need to play in the Championship. I have always got the impression that Mowbray is quite dismissive of Wharton, and if I had to guess, Carter will be here next season and Wharton wont. But I think you look at Wharton and he could only do what he has, stood out in a promotion team, got a player of the month award and seemingly has really made an impression there with his consistency: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/view-press-box-alternative-cobblers-awards-201920-season-2906657%3famp "Not many loan signings prove as successful as Scott Wharton. Excellent and so consistent on the left side of Town's back three. A real classy prospect and one to keep an eye on for the future. Can Cobblers get him back next year?" I think id much rather have him as 3rd choice certainly over Carter and indeed we know how bog standard Williams is. Might even give Mowbray the chance to try another formation he loves, Wharton as the left of a three and Rankin Costello at right wing back.

Would you play with wingers?

The thing is, you keep speaking as if Mowbray's usage of players in wide areas has been successful and shouldnt be contested. Brereton, Samuel and Gallagher especially are repeatedly played there and it doesnt work. Rothwell sometimes plays there and achieves diddly squat. Holtby and Buckley are sometimes played there and stunted because it isnt natural for them. I want players that are actually comfortable there, heaven forbid. As @ewoodace says how do you know that we want our full backs to provide the width anyway as they havent to date. We need our defenders to bloody defend first and foremost. Nyambe albeit not perfectly is one of only 2 players we have back there who can do this. I am sure the defence will be neglected again and we will concede too many goals if Mowbray stays in charge. Especially if we start converting wingers (who from the sound of it has played as a wing back, not a full back, with the kids) into a back 4 and drop an actual competent albeit imperfect full back in Nyambe. I cant say I am counting down the days until the new season no, with limited attendances, probably a key player or 2 sold, little money and in my opinion becoming stagnant on the pitch, I'm not. I am sure I will go but thats not the point. You bring it up when it is not relevant and you have nothing constructive to say when people doubt our current direction under the manager, its a case of, I dont have an answer to this, I'd better reiterate how excited I am to go again. As I say, you can make your excuses for them or you can believe that everything is completely in hand, plans are being made, we are making bids, we have players coming in for meetings, Venkys are regularly in touch and keenly interested, and that theyve grasped online calls, thats your decision. Based on Mowbrays quotes last night and more pertinently the history of Venkys, I think deluded wouldnt be a strong word for such beliefs.

Just doesnt make any sense to me, considering that the manager said less than 24 hours ago that he isnt even in a position to offer a contract to Downing such is the lack of clarity from the owners. And even then, even for him it would be careless to spend on a midfielder considering what we need the most. The rumour has been around for a year or so now. Maybe there is a meeting, just seems a bit pointless to me and a bit illogical to have one when there is a big chance that we cant afford him and even if we can, we have no defence or goalkeepers. If it does end up happening, fair play. Will hold my hands up. Then it just wont make sense considering his position, or maybe it will with Mowbray signing a cheap loanee in net last minute!

If that was a senior player, you would be very critical. I understand that he is a young player, I just think that he is nowhere near ready to be playing Championship football based on what he has shown. If I had written him off totally you might have a point. I just think that it makes sense to loan him out, because he shouldnt be featuring for a Championship side supposedly with promotion in its sights. I dont expect the finished article but equally I am not going to tell you that he looks up to it when I certainly dont think he does. As a player with a reputation of having a good delivery, I have been disappointed in the crosses from Rankin Costello, albeit he is on his weak side. He put at least two in yesterday straight high into the stand. Why are converted winger full backs a thing? We only have 2 competent players in the defence/goalkeeping areas, and you are suggesting dropping one for a winger. We have 2 big gaps out wide, if Rankin Costello wants to get into the side, it makes sense to give him a chance there. I am skeptical at the moment as to whether he has the tools but i would like to see him in his natural position. He hasnt let us down or looked out of his depth at all (like Carter) but equally he hasnt really done anything to make me think, wow lets get him in more. Superfan as in using the "cant wait until next season" line whenever anyone suggests anything other than an optimistic outlook going forward under Mowbray, and a total blanket ban on criticism of young players performances regardless of competence. Like I said, if you or anyone wants to believe that we have got a plan and that Venkys have suddenly become proactive and interested owners who have been in regular contact regarding a budget, then that is up to you. They never have before, even last year summoning Mowbray to India at the end of a season which was all but over 6 weeks before it actually ended. Throw a pandemic and restrictions of travel into the mix, have they suddenly grasped video calling? I suspect not. Baring in mind that Mowbray also said last night that he is not in as position yet to offer a contract to Downing etc, I think you are looking too much into his quotes. I suspect that even if there have been chats with Whiteman, it wont come to anything unless he is a replacement for an outgoing Lewis Travis. Spending over a million (which will be more than we spend over the whole summer I suspect) on a central midfielder when we have no contracted goalkeepers and barely any defenders would seem negligent but I suppose unsurprising.

That chairman is such a bell end. So unprofessional in his desperation for attention. Like Nixon on heat.

No but he was specifically asked about it and said hes had no clarity and hes not even in a position to offer contracts. So unless hes lied and it was a ploy to keep transfers under wraps having had his budget confirmed by our newly proactive owners then I personally doubt any transfer business is imminent.

I dont see why he said only last night that he hasnt had clarity yet and isnt even in a position to offer contracts yet then.

Stop with the superfan, have patience crap please. Im just pointing out that Carter was out of his depth last night and if you were being realistic, you would admit that. Did I say that he will never make it? No. But is he ready to be playing a major role at this time? Absolutely not so why pretend otherwise. We need to focus on players that can actually bloody defend for once. Not that Mowbray has interest or now resources in fixing it. Is Rankin Costello an attacking threat anyway? Doesnt really run at players, not the quickest, and his crossing has been poor so far. He hasnt been been too bad but you certainly wouldnt want him at full back on the first day of next season. That being said, hes a winger so we wont know fully until he plays there. Nyambe at least can defend even if he has not developed as much as he could have. Converting wingers into full backs probably wont aid fixing our forever flimsy defence. Its just the same usual cliches. I will be patient but I can also be constructively critical on a messageboard when evaluating player performances. If I dont think a player is ready yet, very fair with Carter, then I will say. Rankin Costello im sure will be around the squad, not sure which way that one will go yet, a big worry is that Mowbray makes him a utility man. Buckley I think has a blocked path at the moment. No good sticking him wide. Beyond that, which academy players are banging on the door? Guessing not many if they werent played even in the 2 dead rubbers. And pedantics aside, Mowbray is clearly in the dark about his budget and it doesnt look good. Venkys always cause delays at this time because they dont give a shit. Get the excuses out, its how they work, its tough in India with the pandemic, they have other businesses bla bla bla. If you want to go ahead as if everything is normal, pester away at journalists etc, fair play to you.

Mowbray said last night that he has had no clarity on the budget.

The academy is proving as much as it should do really. Nyambe and Lenihan obviously broke through 3 or 4 seasons ago now, and Travis last season, under Mowbrays watch. You could argue that more of Mowbray's signings should be established around that, and its in the managers recruitment over 3 years, rather than the academy, that is letting the team down. Aside from the above 3, the only other 3 players that I would definitely imagine to start on the opening day would be Dack, Armstrong and Evans. 2 excellent signings and one senior player he inherited and who is forever injured. Goalkeeper, left back, centre back and both wide positions totally in the air. We shouldnt have to rely on the academy to make up 8 or 9 places, to have 3 key players recently through the academy is a bug success. Beyond that, even if a couple are regular squad members, thats decent. Rankin Costello is in a position in which we are lacking, out wide. Admittedly from a different position, I am unconvinced that he is going to establish himself like the other 3. Buckley, he is partially a victim of being of a position in which we have covered. The worry is that we become reliant and thus expectant on the academy whereby we are filling positions in which we are lacking with kids whether they are up to it or not. There is no relevance in naming all of these world class talents and they just remove the element of constructive criticism within your post. Even with Carter, he looks well off, I agree. But no need for the Jones comparison on top of that, discredits your first point.

https://the72.co.uk/182141/blackburn-rovers-should-move-for-charlton-athletic-star-after-relegation-clause-development/amp/?__twitter_impression=true An article written by someone unaware that we wont have a budget agreed before next season.

Would be a superb appointment and suspect they would surpass us now.