At least two other posters on this MB know the apparent story about Hourihane being shown around Brockhall - source, a Rovers' player. I would think this is almost certainly correct.

Understand he was shown around Brockhall before the squad left for Portugal. Are we now unable to compete with Derby?

To those who think there is no need to get uptight about the lack of a single signing so far, let the following sink in. We are 26 days from the new season starting and from last season we have lost Nyambe, Lenihan, Van Hecke, Rothwell and Khadra who would all be first team certainties. We have also lost Zeefuik, Davenport, Giles, Johnson and Poveda. That is 10 players from last season's 1st team squad. I think it's a fair bet Ayala and Brereton will also soon be out the building. I think we need a minimum of 6, more likely 8, very decent new signings just to stand still. Given the time sale and the need for a rebuilt squad to gel and to adapt to play in the way JDT wants, it's a simply frightening proposition. A huge, huge task. I posted earlier I thought our club was fecked - to me, if we survive in the Championship next season then it will be a result. Hope all the Mowbray 'happy clappers' are still clapping because, IMO, he's left one hell of a mess to clean up.

Despite all the 'soundbites', not sure there is a plan! As posted before, first plan should have been to sell Brereton quickly and then the new regime knew exactly what they had to play with. Let's not beat about the bush, think it's pretty certain Brereton is going. Second plan should have been to make a signing that made a statement and built upon the initial optimism following JDT's appointment. To me, we seem to be in limbo with indecisiveness prevailing.

Think the 'reports' are incorrect - understand a couple of 'enquiries' but sub £15million.

I think our club is fecked......end of. Optimism after appointment of JDT all but evaporated. A long walk needed tonight followed by a few drinks.

Looks like they are having a real go at it - also trying to snare Jack Clarke from Spurs. On paper, two potentially quality young additions.

Spot on. A journalist needs to put in the hard hours and invest in relationships, at all levels, thereby oiling the wheels of diplomacy and information - it pays rich dividends!

Having spent quite a bit of time working in Sheffield over the years and living around Brockhall, should be no contest! I hate Sheffield - horrible place in my view.

Seen in Whalley Wine Bar just over an hour ago!

If fans think Magloire might be the answer then I think we really are scraping the barrel. The lad is 24 this year and, IMO, he would struggle to even hold down a place at League 2 level as evidenced by just 30 loan appearances at bottom tier clubs in 3 years. IMO, no ifs and buts, he just hasn't got it and you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Think we need to get Ayala off our hands and gleefully rub our hands - think he's only marginally fitter and marginally less of a a liability than Vince Grella ever was! Think we have big problems defensively - no right back, Carter untried at Championship level, Wharton to prove he's good enough without an experienced head next to him and a painfully slow Pickering. Not sure we'll get the Bosnian lad despite the JDT connection. If we are in competition with other clubs, players and agents will look where the best prospect of PL football is and where the money is. Sadly, despite Mowbray's 5 year journey, JDT has essentially a rebuild job and I think it will be a herculean task to even get us pushing top six.

It's circa 45 miles to Sheffield from either Manchester or Leeds Bradford so irrelevant.

Would be surprised if it's different to 20%. Think we need to press the button early doors so we know what market we can go shopping in - Poundshop or Home Bargains! It would be utterly senseless to sign some 6 players and then sell Brereton unless of course Brereton sales proceeds have already been ring fenced.

Have you ever applied for a job in a footballing capacity with Rovers and if so, were you interviewed?

I would be extremely pleasantly surprised if we managed to sign Van Hecke -even if we sold Brereton. I think there will be opportunities for the lad in the PL and I also think it will be out of our financial reach with Brighton probably not wanting less than £4/5 million for him - that coupled with the lad's wage demands will be too much for us I feel. As for the Malmo lad, seems he might have bigger fish to fry.

Mistakes get punished more but let's not forget the likes of Duncan Edwards (16), Mike England (18), Bobby Moore (17), David O'Leary (17), Alex-Arnold (18) etc - all top, top defenders debuting as youngsters, holding down first team places in the highest level of football and also representing their countries. Whether a defender, midfielder or forward, if you are good enough then you are old enough - simple as that, no ifs and buts.

The final kick in the teeth would be if Nyambe rocks up at Burnley. Think his versatility would appeal to Kompany.

Several postings as to the relative capabilites of Nyambe, Lenihan and Rothwell. Even if these lads aren't as good or influential as some would have us believe, we've lost 3 of our better players for absolutely nothing whilst as contracted players, we would have expected £7/8million+. These players have to be replaced and as a team we are intrinsically weaker just by having to use part of our budget to plug the gaps with replacements, never mind strengthening other areas of the team, who may prove to be not half as good as the lads who've gone. I think it's appalling, yet again, mismanagement and the buck has to stop with our CEO. One may question our owners but, if you have, IMO, a vacuous buffoon as CEO, you are destined to fail big time.

Good luck to JDT - I've no doubt he'll have the backing of all Roverites. Let's be honest, think almost anyone would have been better than, IMO, the bullshitting, antagonistic, 'we aren't a big club', 'the opposition are Barcelona', 'we are on a journey', it's all about me Mowbray. Don't think the appointment is without risks but already you can sense a far more positive feel everywhere. It's nice to have a bit of hope for a change. The lad has an illustrious playing career, won titles as a manager and his career and achievements alone should demand respect from the dressing room - just wonder whether Lowe and Benson will turn up with their autograph books! A great day, fresh hope for the Rovers, glorious weather - all worthy of a nice quiet red!

Why don't you ask all the journalists who were writing and posting about it? Anyhow, don't worry about me - also took a punt on JDT when he was 6/1 and will be handsomely in profit!

and you think of Mowbray's tortuous and depressing death spirals...............and nothing happens!

Maybe, however, inescapable. If I see Rovers back in the PL in my lifetime it will be a bonus.

I'd give him the whole of Nuttall Street!

Agree with your first sentiment! As for your second sentence, let us not forget Middlesbrough is also in the North East and boy, I think we've had some dross with those connections!

If Sam's football was 'absolutely dire' then words fail me about some of the sheer dross I think we had to put up with in huge parts of five and a half years with Mowbray. I'd rather watch dire football in the PL than dross in League One and the Championship. If Sam had been given the 5+ years Mowbray had, I think we would have become an established top 8 PL side. Sam took Bolton to the verge of Champions' League and if Gartside had given Sam the backing he wanted he wouldn't have left and look what happened when he did leave - perhaps a worse journey than even Rovers. As Bolton became more established their football got better and better (as I'm sure it would have done with us). Players such as Ngotty, Hierro, Campo, Djorkaeff, Okocha, Anelka etc were all quality footballers who provided some quality football. If Venky's could only turn the clock back................................