Mercer

Cambridge weren't pretty but feck me, what Beck achieved with them on a shoe string budget was quite remarkable - making the most of what you have!

He was never prolific though - his best spell was with Rovers where I think he had a dozen goals in 30+ games. Think he spent over 10 years at Grimsby where he was a 1 in 5 or 6 man.

Glad you got through it! Hope things have settled down for you.

A huge task ahead - opening games in the Championship don't come much more difficult than this. Not impressed with any of our new signings so far and I think we go into this game far weaker than we were last season. We needed quality additions in early and it hasn't happened. Momentum and confidence is everything in the Championship and a bad result on the opening day can set the tone for the rest of the season. Sadly, I think WBA will win by at least 2 goals.

A footballer is not 'Joe Average' and there is considerable 'stress' on the feet so if rest and immobolization haven't solved the original issue then surgery is the only alternative but can be problematical - didn't we have another player not too long ago who had at least two operations and he missed most of the season?

To gather at Brockhall by 6AM means those same players were climbing out of their beds as early as 4.30AM dependent upon where they live!

Sadly, Chaddy, too many in our squad, as you see our squad, are simply not good enough and shouldn't be in the 25. Not one of our new signings has impressed. We looked disillusioned today and the season hasn't even started! Defensively we were shocking - no cohesion and too slow. Midfield no spark or creativity. - rarely seen Travis and Tronstad so disinterested. Up front - punchless. Only bright sparks for me were Toth (who looks a good goalie) and Kargbo for 20 minutes (though not sure he's 90 minutes in his locker). Montgomery and Mullarkey-Matthews aren't ready. Tyjon has undoubted talent but needs to be managed carefully (based on today, doubtful he's ready to start a game). It's not just one defeat it's the warning signs that need heeding. I think we need a minimum of 4 quality additions that go straight into the starting 11 - without those, I think it's going to be a long, long season with Rovers in the bottom 6.

Agree - thought Travis was 'out of it' today, possibly pondering his future. Tronstad not his usual self either.

Totally agree. Has been far too much hype about the lad. From Marine and Chorley to commanding a place in a Championship team in 6 months doesn't add up. Think he needs some regular football in League One and let's see how he fares there. Sadly, our wafer thin squad probably wont allow it. Most of us, given the players we've lost, thought we needed 7, 8 or even 9 new additions.

Lovely Kargbo goal - carries a real threat. Madness if he doesn't start ahead of De Neve. Hyam never quick but seems to have lost a yard of pace since last season. Also, noticeably less comfortable without Batth.

Little to get enthused about. Montgomery looks over-hyped and De Neve innocuous. We've no craft and no control. We need quality additions both urgently and in number who will walk into our starting 11.

Think your pessimism is shared by many. Today's game should be a good test against a top half Eredivisie team - I'm particularly looking how Montgomery, McLoughin, Tyjon and De Neve shape up.

I hope Rovers have stopped his wages. Any player who opts for elective cosmetic surgery that goes wrong should pay the price.

No Cantwell, Buckley or Pears - injuries or on the move?

I seem to remember a night match at Ewood when the crowd was calling for the introduction of wee winger Johnny Price to give us some width and balls into the box - Johnny was introduced but our 6 feet 4 inches centre forward (John O'Mara) was taken off!

"I don't necessarily pick the best players, I pick the best team," Alf's words when Jack questioned Alf over his inclusion in the 1966 World Cup squad.

I think Jackson's demeanour changed when the LT let him go to Spain to cover the two friendlies - think you are spot on, Rovers lured him in and played / play him like a fiddle.

All you can do is troll, troll and further troll. Your personal vendetta against me is plain for all to see. It's pathetic. For fecks sake try and be constructive or bore off.

One word - bullsh1t. You simply aren't worth debating with.

You are being incredibly pedantic. How many times have I said I am not part of the Twatterati. I think you are just aggressively trolling and you should find something more constructive to post.

Seems you were right in it being posted on Twitter days earlier. However, just seems strange no one, including yourself, on this MB who uses Twitter posted about it despite the concerns expressed by a number of posters on the Pre Season thread about the lack of a friendly game for this coming weekend. Those posters included Chaddy who claims he saw the Twitter post yet made posts on 20 July about behind closed door friendlies being arranged for this weekend. What I posted about the Netherlands' friendly on 20 July was to my knowledge not in any media, news or social, that I use. As stated earlier today, I was told about the friendly by a Rovers' employee.

Unbelievable ignorance. Is Twitter the only social media platform that folk post on? Is this MB not a social media platform? Have you not heard of NewsNow which collates gossip, speculation and news from wide ranging sources? What I have just posted is in good faith based on what a very good source has told me. It is not muck spreading. For the umpteenth time, I do not use Twitter. Might have escaped your notice but between my posting about a Rovers announcement about Brittain's contract and the Stanley game, Middlesbrough made their move which changed everything.

Told Rovers have had a winger at Brockhall this week from overseas. Not clear atm what the next steps are. Unless I have missed it, not seen mention of this anywhere.

Think Stoke would fare better with a decent Sporting Director. Not sure what qualifies Jon Walters for that role but his track record on player recruitment and the appointment of Nadal as manager/head coach is highly questionable. Sadly, Sporting Directors of the ilk of Dougie Freedman are as rare as rocking horse shit.

Think the main issue Wrexham will have to face in the Championship is their manager - his record in the Championship isn't great. Parkinson I think is a lower league (1 & 2) 'specialist' but like a number of other managers we've seen, struggles at a higher level. Would be no surprise to me to see Wrexham change their manager before Christmas - they are spending a lot of dough and expectation levels will be very high.