Raich Carter

I think we are in a really good place.
Warne is building the squad in his image. He has been backed and his vision has been backed but in a sensible way that won’t endanger the club’s future.
Of course there is still work to be done and of course we have to see how it translates on the pitch but the signs look good to me.
Are we clear favourites for promotion? No. Are we guaranteed to succeed? No. Is there grounds for optimism? Absolutely. Can we judge Warne from here on in? No question.
With each passing day, this looks more and more like a Warne team. He is bringing in the characters, the leaders, the grafters, the example-setters that he wants.
Top six looks like a fair target and expectation at the moment, because there is a nagging feeling that something is missing for top 2.
I am confident of a positive season. We only look two or three forward players away from being a team no-one will want to face.

Knight - last season he was 6-7/10 in most games. He really wasn't all that good when you actually watch him. I'm not knocking the guy but let's not get carried away. And anyway, we need the money and his contract situation so tough, we had no choice but to sell.
McG - he's 37... he was class but could break down any time.  He wasn't a 25+ a season guy when we signed him - this was his best season ever and the team have to have some of the credit for giving him the ammo to score.... And anyway, no choice but to let go.
£10m beast - utterly, utterly useless when a) constantly injured and b) too expensive to actually play for us. No choice again.
I think the squad is massively improved by Sonny Bradley alone. I have massive respect for Davies but for me, he was done for 2 seasons ago. We need a striker, I'll agree with that but I think the signings are spot on - almost all Championship players at a decent age.

Sorry but got to add Eranio too WOW 🤩 

Knight - last season he was 6-7/10 in most games. He really wasn't all that good when you actually watch him. I'm not knocking the guy but let's not get carried away. And anyway, we need the money and his contract situation so tough, we had no choice but to sell.
McG - he's 37... he was class but could break down any time.  He wasn't a 25+ a season guy when we signed him - this was his best season ever and the team have to have some of the credit for giving him the ammo to score.... And anyway, no choice but to let go.
£10m beast - utterly, utterly useless when a) constantly injured and b) too expensive to actually play for us. No choice again.
I think the squad is massively improved by Sonny Bradley alone. I have massive respect for Davies but for me, he was done for 2 seasons ago. We need a striker, I'll agree with that but I think the signings are spot on - almost all Championship players at a decent age.

And Asanovic elbowing his way through midfield and defence - it'd be a joy to watch!

Imagine Baiano and Wanchope now that would b a sight to see 30 goals between em 💪

Would we bother with Dack.  He's not been great for 3 years and makes Bielik look like The Hulk.

Agreed. I think Bird has bags of potential - just needs to impose himself on games more and take more chances on his passing. He's technically very, very good. 
Thommo should be modelling himself on Lee Carsley - charge about, win it, give it, get back into position. 

Knight - last season he was 6-7/10 in most games. He really wasn't all that good when you actually watch him. I'm not knocking the guy but let's not get carried away. And anyway, we need the money and his contract situation so tough, we had no choice but to sell.
McG - he's 37... he was class but could break down any time.  He wasn't a 25+ a season guy when we signed him - this was his best season ever and the team have to have some of the credit for giving him the ammo to score.... And anyway, no choice but to let go.
£10m beast - utterly, utterly useless when a) constantly injured and b) too expensive to actually play for us. No choice again.
I think the squad is massively improved by Sonny Bradley alone. I have massive respect for Davies but for me, he was done for 2 seasons ago. We need a striker, I'll agree with that but I think the signings are spot on - almost all Championship players at a decent age.

My gut feeling about players is horrendously inaccurate (my friend group don't let me forget that every time I've said a new signing is a donkey, they become a cult hero) so I wouldn't worry too much. Thommo is not even close to the player Bird is right now. I just get the impression there's an incredibly talented player in Thommo.
But I also said Miles Addison would be England captain, and that Giorgios Samaras could be his generations Trezeguet so...

Agreed. I think Bird has bags of potential - just needs to impose himself on games more and take more chances on his passing. He's technically very, very good. 
Thommo should be modelling himself on Lee Carsley - charge about, win it, give it, get back into position. 

Knight - last season he was 6-7/10 in most games. He really wasn't all that good when you actually watch him. I'm not knocking the guy but let's not get carried away. And anyway, we need the money and his contract situation so tough, we had no choice but to sell.
McG - he's 37... he was class but could break down any time.  He wasn't a 25+ a season guy when we signed him - this was his best season ever and the team have to have some of the credit for giving him the ammo to score.... And anyway, no choice but to let go.
£10m beast - utterly, utterly useless when a) constantly injured and b) too expensive to actually play for us. No choice again.
I think the squad is massively improved by Sonny Bradley alone. I have massive respect for Davies but for me, he was done for 2 seasons ago. We need a striker, I'll agree with that but I think the signings are spot on - almost all Championship players at a decent age.

Knight - last season he was 6-7/10 in most games. He really wasn't all that good when you actually watch him. I'm not knocking the guy but let's not get carried away. And anyway, we need the money and his contract situation so tough, we had no choice but to sell.
McG - he's 37... he was class but could break down any time.  He wasn't a 25+ a season guy when we signed him - this was his best season ever and the team have to have some of the credit for giving him the ammo to score.... And anyway, no choice but to let go.
£10m beast - utterly, utterly useless when a) constantly injured and b) too expensive to actually play for us. No choice again.
I think the squad is massively improved by Sonny Bradley alone. I have massive respect for Davies but for me, he was done for 2 seasons ago. We need a striker, I'll agree with that but I think the signings are spot on - almost all Championship players at a decent age.

Knight - last season he was 6-7/10 in most games. He really wasn't all that good when you actually watch him. I'm not knocking the guy but let's not get carried away. And anyway, we need the money and his contract situation so tough, we had no choice but to sell.
McG - he's 37... he was class but could break down any time.  He wasn't a 25+ a season guy when we signed him - this was his best season ever and the team have to have some of the credit for giving him the ammo to score.... And anyway, no choice but to let go.
£10m beast - utterly, utterly useless when a) constantly injured and b) too expensive to actually play for us. No choice again.
I think the squad is massively improved by Sonny Bradley alone. I have massive respect for Davies but for me, he was done for 2 seasons ago. We need a striker, I'll agree with that but I think the signings are spot on - almost all Championship players at a decent age.

FTFY

Have they got any strikers? Asking for a friend.

I think it's a case of you wanted £2m for Knight, we wanted £250k for Wilson (that's what Bolton wouldn't meet), and we've ended up getting Knight for £1.75m (as per our local press).
Adds up to me.

I wouldn’t say it’s the best badge in football, but it’s in the top one.

Ask and you shall receive. 23 year old rwb Kane Wilson signed on a 2 year deal.
So that’s;
- a 23 year old
- two 27 year olds in Joe Ward and Josh Vickers
- a 28 year old in Callum Elder
- a 30 year old in Curtis Nelson
- and two 31 year olds in Sonny Bradley and Conor Washington.
Not exactly a Dads Army type summer is it? Not when you consider the players who left included Curtis Davies (38), Richard Stearman (35), James Chester (34) and, ignoring his immense quality, David McGoldrick (35). 
 

I can only echo what everyone else has said.
23, no fee, 2022 L2 player of the season, reaale value, looks a right handful in attack. I'd love to see him come off the bench and run at a tired L1 left back! 
The quality of player we've had come in for no money down is very impressive. (obviously, we haven't played a game yet but, y'know....)

Gloss it up as much you want but some clearly don't like Warne and that is ok, not everybody likes everybody i get it....If its football reasons though I still think thats unfair as looking at the game even today there was some nice neat interchanges of play on the floor and not hoofball as some say and even last season we played some nice stuff at times but some only see hoofball ? ( The second goal today was brilliant play and Radcliffe did what i want our midfielders to do...pass and move and get into the box ) 
Some seem to dislike Warne because he's a bit quirky, friendly etc etc ...I find this astonishing really !
What do you want ? a person who's un-friendly ? Closed ? obnoxious ? 
Also when we got Cocu as manager some instantly disliked him yet here was a proper gentleman and had played at the very highest level 
I don't understand what fans actually want sometimes but i guess we all have different opinions 
FWIW I like Warne he's a decent bloke and cares about the club, the fans and the players 👍
 

Who, let's be fair, didn't have a say in who went and for how much.

I don't see any substance in this at all - not sure why it's getting air-time (says he replying to the thread...;))

I don't see any substance in this at all - not sure why it's getting air-time (says he replying to the thread...;))