Also, if I was Nyambe I’d be sat on that bench writing out a transfer request as we speak.

If that’s our first choice back 4 for the season we will be very lucky not to be relegated

I’m a big fan of Nyambe. I’d have him starting all day long... at right back. Unless Mowbray has figured out a way to coach him to be 4 inches taller, he won’t be cutting it at centre back alongside Lenihan who is also not good enough in the air. Seems we are putting a lot of faith in our new keeper scaring wingers from putting crosses in... maybe Raya should’ve opted for a Halloween mask instead of that boring black one when he bust his nose to help him on crosses.

Any more takers for the Venky’s won’t buy defenders theory?

Spot on. I think its that important it will decide whether we are pushing the playoffs or battling relegation.

That, along with the minutes from the fans forum and other bits and pieces make me think that some people within the club think developing players to sell on is a more effective way of gaining success than winning games. Trying a bigger version of the Crewe model.

No he hasn’t. I asked him on Twitter if he had any idea what the hold up was. Sharpe said he thought it might have been to do with a new contract from City but he has been told it wasn’t. I’d bet good money the dithering is coming from our end.

The key phrase in the post you quoted is thus far. Thus far we haven’t improved the defence at all. I’d say that alone makes any assumption that anything has been learnt from that horrific run is a bit of a stretch. Adarabioyo has been on the verge of signing for a week. Something odd going on there... as for other defenders, let’s hope the habit of 9 years is broken because we will struggle without them.

Maybe Mowbray doesn’t have any budget at all. Maybe there is micromanagement/interference going on to the extent that he has to speak to them about each and every signing the club make and get their ok. And maybe they make their decisions on a number of factors including which way the wind happens to be blowing at that particular moment in time.

Or the desire to be number one somewhere? A keeper with 2 full seasons under his belt wouldn’t see dripping to the bench as a decent career step, particularly if it’s apparent he could be first choice elsewhere. Selling Raya doesn’t have to result in a slight on either him or the club... however not replacing him with someone better would be stupid.

This Adarabioyo deal seems to be dragging ridiculously now. Wasn’t it last Thursday him and Lescott were at Brockhall? My big hope is that we are dragging our heels because we are near to finalising a deal for someone better, but I think I’m clutching at straws there.

Yeah, I was pretty pleased with Downing, though I think we might see more of him centrally or at full back. Another winger would still be nice... not that I can see us playing with two very often. Armstrong I’m sure will have one of the wide spots nailed down.

Yeah, I’d like to see a proper winger. Not a wide striker cutting in, someone who can cross a ball. If it’s a prem loanee I wouldn’t mind Andre Green. Not sure how much game time he will get with Villa since they got promoted.

Cooper signed a new “long term” contract with Millwall in December. Although the length wasn’t disclosed I can’t see that it’d only be for an extra year. I think he’d be a great signing, but I think we’d have to double that 4 million to get their attention. Far more hopeful than confident that we will make some much needed investment in defensive improvements.

“His size and physicality will help our team because we probably conceded too many goals from wide positions last term. “Having a big 6ft 5in guy sitting in the middle of the goal probably puts off opponents putting the crosses in” Thats something to pin your hopes on I suppose Tony... cos I’m pretty sure the fullbacks will give the opposition plenty of time and space to think about crossing. And Lenihan is quite poor in the air and Mulgrew abysmal. Maybe you should have signed someone 7ft plus just to be sure.

Agreed, there are plenty of possible reasons... but I’m pretty sure he’s hit the nail on the head with the actual one. The about turn on the defence, the sanctioning of money for Gallagher, the quick off loading of Raya, the ready wages for 30 somethings and the general shambles of trying to bring players in display all the hallmarks of Venky’s ownership.

Herein lies the problem. Mowbray has done a decent job since he’s been here, particularly when you consider the clowns he is working for. Anyone who didn’t at least entertain the idea that the thus far farcical nature of our transfer business was down to those buffoons in India must be kidding themselves. I quizzed Mowbray and Waggott on this at the consultation meeting, and they swore blind that they had a team of people who got deals done in different ways - none of which included interference from India. I was sceptical at the time and this is more evidence of their meddling. What if we now miss out on one or both of these signings? I doubt it would be the first time.

This is how I think Mowbray sees our pecking order in terms of defenders (providing we do land Adarabioyo). Right back: Bennett, Adarabioyo, Nyambe Left back: Bell, Downing, Williams, Hart Centre Back: Lenihan, Mulgrew, Williams, Adarabioyo, Nyambe A lack of quality defenders and baffling loyalty to the likes of Bennett will be our downfall. I’d love Nyambe to nail down his place and Adarabioyo and Hart to provide a nice surprise, but without a real quality centre back coming in we are in trouble. That’s a relegation defence.

So it’s took a whole hour of Downing’s Rovers career for him to be converted to a left back.

I think you are absolutely correct, but I couldn’t bring myself to press the like button. I honestly don’t think there is a worse back 5 than that in the Championship, so a new keeper needs to be a good one.

Everyone else appears to be wearing their squad number... Hope this isn’t reason for alarm bells

Behave. He’s explained his mate is a lower level club employee who hears bits and tells him. If his mate has asked him to keep it to himself he’d be an absolute dick to rush straight off and post it all over a forum... I doubt there is much worry about scuppering a deal, more about upsetting a friendship. We aren’t talking here about someone with any other agenda than just wanting to discuss transfers... no links to his blogs or anything like that which we’ve seen from other apparent ITKs. Similarly, I’ve got a mate who gives me bits of info... and I’m not going to say who it is as it’s not my place. I’d also never post anything he asked me not to or that could be unequivocally be traced back to him. He’s quiet at the minute, so I appreciate any info I hear from others and base how reliable it is on a number of factors. If I decide it’s bollocks I’ll ignore it or maybe argue the likelihood. The whole demanding of more info and revealing of sources is pointless. The digs are out of order.

While I don’t think Mowbray is either dodgy or incompetent, those are two words that Venky’s are going to have to go a long way to shake off.

There shouldn’t be a difference... actually it shouldn’t be reported at all but that’s another matter. The difference is the emotive response those headlines are trying to stimulate: a) Outrageous! What a spoiled brat! b) What a nice generous lad!

Adarabioyo on loan would be a decent signing to add depth and options, but we are still in dire need of an aerially dominant leader at centre half. Signing one looks less likely as time goes on... I believe wholeheartedly Mowbray wants one, just as I believe Venky’s won’t sanction it.