Barring several rabbits being pulled out of the hat before the window closes, to me it's been very underwhelming and we are well short. 10 players out at close of last season (5 1st team regulars and 5 squaddies). In of proven ability at Championship level: Brittain and Hyman. Should be okay at Championship level: Morton. Unproven at Championship level: Szmodics and Hirst (if signing completed) Emerging talent at Championship level: Carter, Phillips and Andy Wharton. So 10 out, 8 in of which 2 have big question marks against (Szmodics and Hirst) and 3 who have yet to prove they can cut it at Championship level over a sustained run of games (Carter, Phillips and Andy Wharton). So at best we are 2 short and at worse 5 short and that is before injuries, suspensions or BBD leaving! Factor in injuries: Barnes' season over, Brittain and Gallagher seemingly out for 6 weeks. Ayala yet to happen!!! Finally, the BBD question - will he stay or will he go!? To me, our squad is at breaking point and as things stand, mid table would be an outstanding result.

Reports today say Blackpool have knocked back another bid (£3.5m) from Forest for Bowler. Interesting to see if he's selected tonight - if he is, hopefully, his head's been turned and he'll be less than his usual self.

Contino Rioja Reserva is a terrific wine widely retailed at circa £20+ - if you are looking for a treat............. @Islander200 thinks I've been 'outed' with the Barkley at Stanley House post. Actually, pretty pleased by it all as it means a certain person is no longer on my Christmas present list - that'll teach 'em - and I can spend the saving on even more wine!!! If the news about Brittain and Gallagher is correct then anything less than 5 signings (6 if BBD goes) is going to leave us stretched way beyond the comfort zone as it's inevitable more injuries will happen.

I'll go for a 1,000 on the back of a feverish close to the window!

Yep. Sadly, Dack's injuries have done for him. There is a real player there in Barkley - a move to us might just be his final wake-up call.

On my last glass of Contino Rioja Reserva - what a bottle! Highly recommended!

and Tony is off - "It is a journey - I've just come from Blackburn Rovers and like here, it was a rebuilding process...." Feckin hell - think Tony's walls have fallen down here and Sunderland under Neil were on the way up - ongoing development you clown and not rebuilding!

Told Ross Barkley is at Stanley House tonight!

and Tony is off - "It is a journey - I've just come from Blackburn Rovers and like here, it was a rebuilding process...." Feckin hell - think Tony's walls have fallen down here and Sunderland under Neil were on the way up - ongoing development you clown and not rebuilding!

Feel really sorry for you lads. Never, ever rated Mowbray from the moment he set foot inside Ewood. My thoughts / opinions on Mowbray: In his words, appointed to keep us up - he failed Style of football - turgid and unstructured. A myth he plays good football Youth - he calls 23 and 24 year olds 'kids' and is reluctant to give 'real' kids their head Mid table finish - you'll be lucky! Tactically inept, poor game management, lousy substitutions and too many square pegs in round holes! A bullsh1tter and when things go wrong it's never his fault I wouldn't be underwhelmed by his appointment after losing Alex Neil - I'd be feckin devastated Likes to portray himself as a humble man and a man of integrity - I beg to differ. Enjoy Tony's 'journey'.

Pity he's injured otherwise Sunderland might have come in for him. Having said that, if deal agreed with Mowbray what the feck is the delay - a new Pope is appointed more quickly!

Agree entirely. Also, would be amazed if BBD plays. Would take a point now but, sadly, I think things are going to get worse before they get better. Gone for Blackpool win at 6/4 and more than 2.5 goals at fractionally better than evens. Forget 3 players needed, or even 4 players, current circumstances show us, and the season is still in its infancy, how stretched and unbalanced our squad is and in reality we need a minimum of 5 additions plus another if BBD goes.

You would be amazed just how the big clubs use video scouting. It enables them to watch hundreds of matches helping to sort the wheat from the chaffe and saving hugely on resource and travel expense. However, 'live' scouting, as you would expect, is still a a big and vital part of it. Arsenal are one of the clubs at the forefront of this approach and a friend's son is a key player in their recruitment team.

I think we'll get to 1,000 pages - a collective diatribe against Venky's. Waggott and perhaps Broughton. The frustration is building!

Seems like Mowbray to be confirmed at Sunderland. Spent a fair bit of time working in the NE, including Sunderland, over my working life and they will tear him to shreds if he starts with his, IMO, fantasy journeys, excuses and general bullshit. It is not a club with 'happy clappers'.

In my mind, Blackpool has never been a happy hunting ground for Rovers. Someone may have the stats but in the last 55-60 years or so, I don't recall more than half a dozen Rovers' wins. Been on that ground when we've had some real thumpings with 3/4/5 goals flying in past our goalie.

Wow, Kevin Hird, John Bailey and 'Waggy'.................................!!!!! Feckin hell, Hird and Bailey were sensational as attacking full backs tearing defences apart. JDT could do no better than make our present incumbents watch videos of those two. Waggy was just sublime. His left foot was like a magician's wand. Happy days!

I don't think it is. If you want a goal scorer and he goes 32 games without scoring a goal it would suggest he's not your man. Look at the greats such as Law, Shearer, Lineker and at the 'lower' end the likes of Simon Garner, they all notched on a regular basis when they broke through to their respective 1st teams. Likewise, if a plumber can't fix a leak after 32 attempts, he's not your man. Unless me delving into the wine too early on Bank Holiday Monday has dulled my thought process, I think the comparisons are very valid. As regards Rovers 'scouting players properly here' then some of the shi1te we've signed over recent years would suggest otherwise.

He's a lot more hair there than when he joined us as a 21 year old. Brotherston died at just under 40 from a heart attack - absolutely tragic. He lived in a house on Preston New Road virtually opposite the old Fergusons' Nursery (garden centre) at Beardwood (flats now built there). Was plying his trade as a painter and decorator - a lovely chap.

Unless Brighton fancy Brereton..........................

If you have a leak in your house and the same plumber has 32 goes at repairing it without success then what would you think!? Only a d1ckhead would give the same plumber 32 opportunities but you get my drift.

Not the first time I've heard that.

Don't think it's going to happen. No way Tony would be playing 'hard to get' - at the merest hint it would be a case of 'where do I sign'. Amazed he's even been mentioned - if I was a Sunderland fan I'd be jumping into the Wear with a ball and chain around my ankle at the prospect of Mowbray as manager.

We didn't! The lad chose Schalke as I said he would less than an hour ago.

There have to be better options out there. We need a speedy resolution to Brereton. IMO, we need to sell him today or accept he's leaving next summer for nowt. What we don't want is a sale on Thursday.