What could possibly go wrong with that eh?

Absolutely we do, but the worry is he’d be played on the wing or instructed to come short all the time. Our squad is nowhere near as bad as people are making out in the aftermath of another shambolic defeat. The big problem remains that they are all being asked to do things they are bad at and to ignore the things they want to instinctively. The system is far more of an issue than the personnel. Kaminski sees the ball at his feet far too often. Ayala and Hyam saw more of the ball than anyone again yesterday, picking up goal kicks in our box and passing it about when they are both much better suited to heading the ball away and smashing clearances down the park. All our midfielders are expected to play intricate little one and two touch stuff around the opposition midfield. The fullbacks are now expected to come inside and get involved in the pointless midfield tippy tappy crap. Forwards must only enter the box after the ball does, primarily with their back to goal, they also appear to be under instruction to only shoot as a last resort. Dolan and Markanday have been told to stop dribbling and pass it backwards to the centre backs. Dack may be stood in the right spot, but he has to come so deep to get on the ball, yet still there’s rarely anyone in front of him. Brereton is the one exception as the only player whose strengths we play to.

We could have Wilcox and Ripley in their prime but they’d be useless with how we play currently. There is absolutely no point in crossing the ball when there is nobody in the box. The only crosses that will ever happen on the training ground will be corners. Our forwards have a tendency to run towards the ball rather than towards the goal because crossing isn’t on the agenda. The only thing this system needs is throwing in the bin.

The big flaw in the project is the current transfer market, and it’s not going to change any time soon. Every footballer now basically has a set value based on their technical ability - there might as well be a big book or spreadsheet with their value next to a name. And it’s all based around how well they can do the tippy tappy shite we are trying and failing to implement. Bidding wars are a thing of the past, players aren’t valued on how effective they are, their stats on scouting databases are what matters. And it’s one extreme or the other - they are generally massively overpriced or have next to no or no value. Nobody will pay a decent fee for Brereton despite him being good for 20 goals because he is clumsy and far from technically good. It’s why we got a good offer for Rothwell 12 months ago, despite him being largely ineffective for huge periods of his Rovers career. It’s why Nyambe was worthless in terms of a fee. Of our current prospects - Travis, Garrett, S. Wharton, Vale, JRC, Carter - none will command anything over a nominal fee. Buckley, A. Wharton, Phillips, Dolan, Markanday all will to varying degrees. With this idea of “adding value” we are trying to make too many players into something they are not, and never will be. We could pick up some really useful players on the cheap that would immediately improve our starting 11, but that doesn’t fit the project.

Got in about an hour ago, watched the goals back and read a few hundred posts on here. Anyone who reckons Rotherham somehow fluked it is only kidding themselves. You don’t fluke a 4-0, and to suggest so is disrespectful to them. Their first two goals (the scorers were far and away the best two players on the pitch by the way) were excellent hits despite our crap defending - you have to have a shot to score. We were pathetic today. Garrett tried a tackle or two, but that was about it. Morton is a coward and a bottle job who would pull out of anything less than 80:20 in his favour, let alone a 50:50. Hyam is generally a good championship centre half, but there is a reason he’s uncapped for Scotland… the new Ryan Nelsen he isn’t. Gallagher was at his worst today and Vale will never carry a goal threat at this level. Then there is the issue of what we do with the ball. I wonder (dread to think) what percentage of that 77% possession was taken up by Hyam and Ayala. When we work the ball out wide it becomes a hot potato that has to be played backwards and inside immediately. Nobody can be arsed getting in the box, and when we do put the ball in there it’s a panicked last resort. Markanday and Dolan had to come in at half time, and none of the front three could have any complaints at being subbed off. Obviously JDT waited til we were 2 down, but we proceeded to do the exact same ineffective shite we’d persisted with for the previous hour. Both have the ability to terrorise teams by running at them, but whenever JDT speaks about either he’s always just happy they are taking less touches. Way to coach their effectiveness out of them. I think every defeat we’ve had this season has been a fair result. Not sure I can say the same for the wins. Our goal difference tells a story too. For those moaning about the lack of quality in our squad, we’ve played Rotherham today. With all due respect they shouldn’t be anything to fear on paper. The idea of the broader project I can get behind, but this style of play the manager is stubbornly married to, absolutely not.

Maybe not consistently, but I can’t think of a better individual performance this season than Wharton against Blackpool. Elliott had his shortcomings, particularly defensively, but was still given plenty of game time. I’m not sure how pressing the need for game time for Wharton is in JDT/Broughton’s opinion - we have heard how he’s ahead of where they expect him to be. It’s undeniable though that when he’s on song Wharton improves our side massively.

I clearly didn’t read that properly! Didn’t spot they were two separate quotes from Farke and Wagner. Obviously if he’s fit, that puts a different complexion on things.

It sounds like he isn’t ready to be playing for the foreseeable. When you consider what Tomasson made of Dack’s match fitness I doubt he’d play Cantwell much this season if he were to sign. Even without the questionable attitude I think this is one to avoid. We need signings that make an immediate impact.

There’s nearly as much talk bemoaning fans for writing off the player than there is about the merits (or lack thereof) of the signing. Anyone on here who would be underwhelmed by the signing would get behind the player if he were to sign. They’d want him to succeed, because that could only be good for the club. I don’t understand the problem with people voicing an opinion that maybe they would prefer we look elsewhere when at present it’s nothing more than rumour and paper talk anyway.

And I merely answered. Depends how you look at it. If you’re predisposed to defend everything the club do, you’ll criticise other fans who aren’t immediately enamoured with the idea. If you’re naturally cynical/sceptical of the club, there’s not a lot in this rumoured signing to get excited about.

Depends how you look at it. I’d say questions are being asked as to whether a young midfielder with limited experience, who seems physically similar to several other players who are contracted to us long term but probably aren’t getting as much game time as we’d like, is really what we need. If you want to bash other fans though, that’s the narrative to take.

Yeah, he’s played there quite a bit. Seems silly to me as from what I’ve seen of him he’s got an eye for a pass, puts himself about and tackles. Looks a promising midfielder all day long to me. I was kind of hoping we’d got past the whole anybody can do a job at right back idea - surely it’s been proven false too many times!

I’d go even further than that. It’d be a pointless, shite signing. We don’t need a midfielder to make up the numbers - Harlock should be blooded before padding out with another loanee who likely won’t be up to speed til March. We need someone to improve the starting 11, anything else is a waste of time and money.

I was quite excited when we signed him, seemingly good pedigree and he does appear to have some good physical attributes. However, the Preston game was a huge red flag for me. He was absolutely all over the place when he came on and I genuinely thought he’d go off at half time then. There’s been too many instances of him being caught out and looking absolutely lost on the pitch. He’s got a lot of developing to do before he can be considered championship ready, so I’d have to agree with your last point.

Because he will never ever improve enough to be good enough to be our first choice keeper. Neither will he ever improve enough to command a transfer fee worth speaking of. This isn’t writing him off, we need backup for Kaminski, obviously and he’s adequate as that - and we can’t say that for certain about any of our young keepers just yet, so if we did loan him out we’d have to waste time and resources bringing another keeper in. Fisher is the same age as Pears but has racked up more appearances at a better level. We gave away Fisher who was then subsequently sold for a fee, we paid a fee for Pears on the basis of his Dad being an old team mate of Mowbray’s. Not on the Raya scale of shite business, but not good.

I don’t think there’s a great deal for us to gain in loaning out Pears. He’s only ever going to be a back up keeper and he’s never going to command a transfer fee (even though we were daft enough to pay one), so while he might want to play more we need him to do what he was signed for - sit on the bench. Loan him out and we’re relying on a debuting kid if Kaminski gets injured. As a slight aside, Mowbray had another howler binning off Fisher to accommodate Pears.

Yet you had no qualms on judging a fullback purely on goals and assists for at least two years, because you didn’t like him.

Don’t try and take some sort of superfan high ground. If you would consider us beating Southampton a giant killing, your expectations for the club you “back every time” are through the floor. It’s obvious to everyone who pays this forum any attention that the biggest U turn since your one last year on Mowbray is coming soon!

Giant killing… the decade long dumbing down exercise has worked a treat on you. Yes Chaddy, it is my opinion. Much the same as how a lot of what you post is your opinion. Speaking of opinions, has yours on Hirst changed yet?

Repeated public criticism… the best one was when Mowbray really bitterly came out and said “He thinks he can play Premier League football one day… we’ll see.” I’ve also been told specific examples about how both Raya and Nyambe were treated. I can’t elaborate on here and break a confidence, but they’d constitute work place bullying in any other environment. I know I can’t expect anyone else to take that as gospel, but I believe their treatment played a big part in their wanting to leave, along with their contracts.

Because unlike Morton, he will be our player for years to come. And he’s at least as good at this point.

Agree 100%. Appalling decision to sell him. And before anybody starts claiming we had to because he wanted to go, well that was due in no small part to the way he was treated by Mowbray and Venus, and a pathetic contract offer. Remember when he got dropped for Leutweiler, who is now third choice for Oldham in the conference. Any sell on fee will just disappear into the Venky void, so it’s little consolation.

I thought Garrett was pretty decent today, Travis not so much. Should’ve been more comfortable towards the end because it’s ridiculous we weren’t awarded a penalty. I’m not as enamoured with Markanday as the majority seem to be, he showed some glimpses but he’s a fair way behind Dolan - Good chance for him to get some game time while he’s out though. Probably the biggest frustration was not seeing Wharton come on. Would’ve liked to see Leonard get a run out ahead of Hedges too. Dack must be the first name on the team sheet again now.

Carter needs a lot more help. If Markanday had just half of Dolan’s work rate we’d likely have seen a lot more of him. Brereton putting off January bidders with that miss. Dack is quality.

Almost unwatchable in ESPN. Is it being shown on any other channels at all?