There’s just as many painting a picture of a Rudolph Hess and that fat lad who got in trouble for eating a pie on the bench hybrid to be fair.

I think this is a classic case of Mowbray taking flak for something beyond his control. Steve Kean and his cronies dismantled a defence containing Samba, Nelsen, Givet, Jones, Salgado et al. It’s never been invested in properly since. One defensive signing since has cost a seven figure sum. Only about 4 or 5 players in the shit defence merry go round that has existed since then have involved a fee at all, all of which were nominal. There is a pattern absolutely screaming out. Venky’s wont sanction spending on defenders. I asked specifically about this at the consultation meeting with a lot of facts, figures, quotes etc. Mowbray and Waggott vehemently denied this is the case and guaranteed and promised defenders would be coming in. Defenders who were ready to improve the starting 11. They’d been back from India all of 5 minutes before the backtracking started, and he was talking about playing Downing at left back. Nonsense quotes like “we like exciting, young, attacking players”, that knob head Shebby Singh claiming Pedersen (and Steven Gerrard) had missed their true callings as full backs, Nzonzi, Bennett, Rodwell amongst others all used out of position, picking up broken down never has been a like Greer and Brown, the fact that the first players frozen out and fucked over under their reign of terror were Salgado, Samba, Givet and Ryan “in traction” Nelsen (as well as Andrews and Roberts who were the two who got most stick from the supporters)... They are just as shit with keepers too. Replacing Paul Robinson with Jason Steele was completely idiotic. We really did luck out with Raya coming through when he did. He’s gone now, and for all the talk of how easily replaceable he is, I bet we get a downgrade. Anyone who thinks Mowbray, or anyone who proceeded him since Kean, has free reign over transfers I think is absolutely kidding themselves. I reckon the extent of the meddling would horrify people of it all came out.

If Raya has been told he’s not going to be first choice, I’d fully expect him to push for a move to a club where he was. He’s been a regular for 2 seasons so dropping back to the bench wouldn’t be seen as an option to him I wouldn’t have thought. Also hearing a bit of a rumour (nothing more than that) that he wasn’t happy with the terms of his contract. One of our lower earners and wanted a bigger wage which we weren’t prepared to give him.

Or you were trying to pass bollocks off as a reputable story? Can’t imagine you get that many notifications with my name on. Constantly is definitely a stretch. Any examples? The ones I can think of were correcting (actually questioning is a better description of what I did) you when you claimed Nuttall had played a lot more than Brereton. Someone else corrected you. And I disagreed when you said Brereton should be starting ahead of Graham. Still do. If you want to make claims that aren’t challenged or discussed, and want everyone to agree with everything you post I’d recommend twitter.

Replacing Raya with Fisher would be utterly ridiculous. One of the most idiotic decisions possible... therefore I think it’s plausible it could happen.

Yeah, I’m being harsh. Barrow fans as well so the talk of their ground/squad etc to be expected.

That and Brethererereton were annoying me. And the fact mentions of the game seem to come in 20 second bursts every 7 minutes

Be warned, it’s not great!

Jesus Christ... I can see him scoring two worldies, everyone getting a bit excited, him getting a contract, then becoming the next Danny Murphy.

Bit like the “pretty small fee” you claimed was a done deal for a free agent who is now at Millwall?

Definitely better than any of our current lot, Lenihan included.

If Gallagher comes in at £5 million, that will mean we have 12 million quid tied up in two back ups to our first choice striker (I can’t see Graham starting as anything but). As things stand we have an entire defence which cost in the region of £200k. Happy with our confirmed/speculated signings or not, there is no denying our approach is odd.

I expect Mowbray would welcome a massive transfer kitty... IF he had free reign to bring in whoever he wanted. Him coming out and telling us he had to talk down the owners I’d guess is a half truth... I imagine it far more likely that they were trying to foist players into him that he didn’t necessarily want that had been recommended by some trusted agent or another. I think he relented with Brereton in the end because it was him or nothing by that point. I can see them sanctioning/insisting on 10 mil for Assombalonga... can’t see them sanctioning half that for Cooper. I know which I’d prefer and I expect Mowbray would agree.

For every one slating Mowbray, there was one baselessly claiming he would have been a fantastic bit of business due to their Tony tinted glasses.

You know as soon as that happens we will make a signing... can’t decide whether you should do it or not.

Haven’t watched yet, but had a read of the reports and I’m not sure I’ll bother. It seems 50% indie show, 25% PPV standard show and 25% back yard show.

They also made guarantees and promises of improving the defence and making signings which would go straight in to improve it. They have quickly backtracked on this since they were summoned to Venky HQ.

Total opposite? He can’t have been that arsed about playing, or he’d have likely tried to get a loan move at some point over the last 18 months when he hasn’t even made the bench.

Yes, it certainly looks like he’s going. I am resigned to that, but not happy about it. I’d be amazed if a better replacement comes in. We lucked in with Raya coming through the academy... previously we replaced Paul Robinson with Jason Steele. Even if Forster wasn’t shit, he also on about 50k a week. Mowbrays U-turn on his plans to sort the defence out is massively disappointing. I blame myself for being taken in by him and Waggott using words like guarantee and promise... but it looks as though my suspicions were right all along and Venky’s won’t invest in the defence. Hope I’m proved wrong, but it’s not looking likely. I’m pretty sure that all the talks in India really amounted to were Mowbray and Waggott being reminded of the mantra they have to trot out to supporters at any given opportunity: “The owners are passionate. The owners are knowledgeable. The owners are supportive. The owners are humble” All of which is bollocks

I have my doubts around his talents, as do 3 Southampton managers judging by the fact he’s been third choice under them. I’d have Raya over him all day long. Aside from the fact he is 8 years younger, he’s been very good for us on the whole over his 100 or so appearances. With a decent defence in front of him and a quality coach he’d be even better.

I was really hoping Raya started the season as number one. I’d bet good money any replacement will be a downgrade. He is a good keeper who if allowed to play to his strengths will go on to much bigger things.

A player who has made one appearance since 2017. They lost 3-0 in that game as well by the way. Here’s the highlights of that game... looks fucking brilliant!

No... nailed on left back!

Hardly surprising Mowbray isn’t a fan of Raya... the guy can only play in one position. Just waiting for him to come out and tell us we already have a ready made replacement within the ranks... one which solves one of his biggest dilemmas

Well, this could be the change WWE desperately needs. However, there’s a very good chance Vince will veto anything remotely radical they try to do. With their past track records I’d expect Raw to become the home of the young workhorses and Smackdown to be the more character driven show. ECW can’t be replicated in the modern WWE environment, but Heymans success on Smackdown in the 2000s was built around Benoit, Guerrero, Angle... replace those names with Cesaro, Balor and Bryan and we could see similar. Bischoff I expect will be building a show far less around the in ring product... I imagine guys like Miz and Elias will find a home there... along with the elder statesmen while NXT callups will be Hayman bound.