Mercer

TBH Jim, had a couple of half decent wines from Lidl in the past. A few years ago they did a white Chateauneuf-du-Pape which retailed for about £14 and was very good. They also currently have a Barolo which retails about the same price - lacks a bit of depth but not to be sneezed at given the price.

Been seriously worried about this game since the Reading shocker. Placed a sizeable bet on SU at evens (think best SU odds are now 5/6) just after the Reading game. TBH, I think we'll be lucky to get away with a defeat by less than 2 goals. 3rd game in 7 days, tired legs, up against a strong physical team and desperately short of quality and depth are all factors pointing to a very difficult time. JDT desperately needs some help and the Brereton issue needs resolving quickly. If we aren't careful, our promising start will quickly fall apart at the seams.

Any new contract should be heavily linked to appearances. Give the lad a new contract without appearance caveats and I think sod's law suggests we will see a repetition of seasons 1 and 2!

Punch the bastard(s) who did it.

Tonight underlined where we really are. We still need 5 quality additions to our squad to have any chance of approaching top 6. Think we will get mullered at SU on Saturday and I've just managed to lump on SU at evens (and those odds will get rapidly shorter and soon). Only consolation tonight is my match bet of >2.5 goals came up.

Vale, Smods and Dolan off. Gallagher, Dack and Hedges on. We can still retrieve this game.

We lost 10 players and signed 3 so far. Therein lies the problem. Our squad doesn't have sufficient quality or depth. Tonight's first half might prove to be a blessing in the coming days underlining the urgency needed to get some feckin players in.

If you are a Reading fan, you think 'we need to score again'. We can't be worse in second half.

Could be too late. Need to change it now.

Can't call tonight result wise - think a draw most likely but there will be goals no matter what the result! Therefore gone for >2.5 goals on my match bet. Not going to argue about team selection - have real confidence in our manager.

It is an insult and no doubt will be given, or has been given, short shrift. Sadly, I think it will stir the pot and prompt other clubs to enter the market for Brereton particularly those who haven't started the season well - I'd be very surprised if Everton don't enter the fray. It will be horrible to lose him when he's blossomed into the player he now is. We can only hope that a deal is sorted quickly and at a very good price allowing Rovers to make some quality additions. I trust JDT to make the right calls and I think he is by far the best manager we have had since the halcyon days of Hughes and Big Sam.

Fully agree about the managers. Don't mind Zinfandel but just a tad too sweet for my palate - though ideal to accompany those spicy BBQ dishes. Enjoy and my recommendation as you've nearly finished your bottle is open another!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Deliriously happy tonight. Posted many times that even a half decent manager would make a huge difference in comparison to Mowbray. Sorry to be repetitive but JDT is Venky's get out of jail card - just feckin back him big time. My red wine stock is rapidly dwindling and I don't care!

Nope. hope you did.

So why all the sh1te about 'kiss of death' !?

Well at least I didn't lose! Pity it didn't run, was quietly confident.

Me predicting Rovers to win has feck all to do with it when we lose. The manager and players alone are responsible for our results.

A terrific start. We might just have the real deal in JDT. A highly profitable night for me - some doubted the wisdom of my odds on bet. Just finished working at home and it's time to open another nice red in celebration. If Rovers carry on like this, my wine stock will dwindle rapidly. Well done JDT, keep it up lad!

I did but not a Rovers' win! Felt more strongly there would be goals rather than Rovers winning so went for >2.5 goals. The 'nice red' was mainly to celebrate the win - so nice to have a 'feel good' factor back; the winning bet was the icing on the cake!

I agree. There is a horse I quite fancy in the 5:20 at Gowran Park tomorrow (Emphatic Answer at 4/1) and I have placed a decent sized bet. I strongly fancy Rovers tomorrow and for that reason have made a much bigger bet on Rovers - a 40% return on a big bet is not to be sneezed at!

I can't jinx anything. The result will be determined by JDT and his players. I think we have a real winner with JDT. Our owners need to seriously back him. He is their get out of jail card! I have supreme confidence we will win tomorrow night and probably comfortably by at least 3 goals. I look forward to spending my winnings!

Think it's clear JDT wants to win! IMO, unlike Mowbray, he will be highly motivated for every game as will his players. Those selected will run through a brick wall for him. The manager's mentality / philosophy has a huge bearing. Have no fear and earn yourself some nice easy dosh.

Would like to have gone to this tomorrow night in particular to see the likes of Phillips, Garrett and young Wharton in a 1st team competitive match but I have other commitments. Don't think JDT has put a foot wrong yet and I have high confidence in him. Would be absolutely staggered if Rovers fail to win after 90 minutes. Gone for Rovers at 2/5. That's a 40% return on your money - where else can you get such a return for almost a certainty. Fill yer boots...................!

Football transfers can be very complicated and are obviously legalised business transactions. I have had some limited experience of this area in the past having helped and advised a solicitor friend who represented a handful of footballers. I read with interest some of the earlier posts and there aren't even mentions of some other aspects of transfer transactions. For example, there is VAT on transfer fees and there is a 5% levy as governed by FIFA rules which goes to the specific league. The strength of the selling club's position will be largely dictated by the quality of the player's signed contract - if club's pay peanuts for legal advice and drafting of contracts then they will get monkeys and issues and problems! A 'strong' contract will negate many of the issues some posters have referred to and it facilitates a far simpler and cut and dried business transaction mitigating the player and his agent's often unreasonable demands. Also, sell on clauses can relate to the transfer fee as a whole, the transfer fee over original purchase fee or even a combination of the two - again, much depends on how savvy the selling club is and perhaps how naive the buying club is.

We got £25,000 for John Byrom and that was a steal for Bolton. Loved watching Byrom - he had a touch of arrogance about him and was a very intelligent footballer. Got even better as he got older and he was superb as he dropped deeper for Bolton playing in an advanced midfield role. Honestly don't think he realised his potential. Think the lad is almost ready to hold down a PL place now. Would love him back here but think we can only dream.