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But the manager will always have the last say on who we take the gamble on. Bassey is a great example - written of at LCFC and written off by many at Rangers early in his career. However no doubting Basseys hunger and desire and IMO that was driven as much by SG and MB as it was by Bassey himself. That's why I liked Beales comments about wanting to look players in the eye before signing them. Let's face it, if Cantwell and Davies development had gone to plan, we wouldn't be able to buy them - Liverpool were rumoured to be willing to pay £20M for Cantwell. We need to trust in MBs ability to indetify "hidden gems" and turn them into players. I willing to give Beale (as well as Cantwell and Davies if they sign) the benefit of doubt (let's face it, Beale hasn't even had 2 weeks of 1 window and some are writing him and the aforementioned players off).

There's no doubt Morelos is bigger than at other periods but not hugely so. Worth noting for context, he missed the best part of 5 months due to a muscle injury - hampering his fitness for at least that length of time and the manager insists he's carrying a knock again now perhaps hampering his ability to work at 100% in training outwith games. Do we accept that context or is he lazy? I'd suggest a combination of both but most crucially is we sort out his future one way or the other asap.

People don't seriously think we could afford Eddie Nketiah, do they? 🤣

Zambia is by far not one of the African countries renowned for top-notch players. We got one of their best ... but compared to the top guys from Senegal or Nigeria ... So I for one do not expect Sakala to be the ultimate or unfailing attacker. Since Beale took over though, a comparison in countable stats (icehockey-style) of our two wing-attackers: Rangers vs Hibernian - 1-0 ... Sakala (Kent) Aberdeen - Rangers - 0-1 ... Sakala (Morelos, Jack), 2-2 Arfield (Kent) Ross County - Rangers 0-1 ... Lundstram (Sakala) Rangers - Motherwell 3-0 Rangers - Celtic 2-2 ... 1-1 Kent (Sakala), 2-1 Tavernier (Sakala) Dundee Utd - Rangers 0-2 ... 0-1 Sakala (Jack, Barisic), 0-2 Tillman (Sakala, Tavernier) If it goes on like that, our right attacking slot is sorted.

My mate is a Norwich fan and he said this about Cantwell: "Great natural talent, not the fastest but can carry the ball well and work his way out of tight spaces with ease, he was an England u21 international 3 years ago but has gone downhill due to a bad attitude and inconsistent application to training, 3 different managers (incl loan to Bournemouth) gave him a chance and ended up removing him from the squad. Has a habit of shooting himself in the foot with social media use too. Apparently his agent is a nightmare tooz feeding his unrealistic ego and trying to get a move for years. Basically he's a championship Dele Ali haha Shame as he's actually from Norwich so could have been a legend here... But fans are tired of the constant issues, sulking and mini dramas now and most would agree a move away is best for everyone" Sounds to me like a player with lots of quality who needs some very good man management to get anything out of him. I guess he's on his last chance so who knows if Beale can get a tune out of him, but if he does then it could be a great signing.

Potentially, yes. I would argue the Bassey and Aribo signings were more of a gamble. Cantwell and Davies play/have played at a higher level than Bassey or Aribo: Bassey was released by Leicester's Academy, and Aribo was playing in League One. These guys are 24. Get them back to somewhere near their best within a year or two and we're making £10-15m on the gamble, if it works out. If they don't work, I think they are still of a decent quality right now.

Noel Cantwell once ordered me off the pitch at the old Highfield Road ground when he was manager. I was miffed because I was taking a break from painting his dressing rooms. Some things are never forgotten!

I went for Davies as he did well in both halves. Most of the rest had a dreadful 1st half.

Probably more than Nathan Patterson, but I'd take him back in a minute. Everton are a basket case, games played may not be a fair reflection.

You can't be paying attention, I've criticised poor performances from other players more than that eternally useless waste of space Kamara 😂 I watched as Windass removed Newcastle from the FA Cup on Saturday and couldn't help reminding myself what a colossal mistake it was to let him leave Rangers. Never was a hairstyle so badly missed.

Many posters have that player they struggle to see in an unbiased way: TB with Goldson, dB with Tavernier, DMAA with Kent... you with Kamara. Only my admiration for Josh Windass can be said to be truly impartial, unbiased and accurate.

Sounds like a player best avoided to me.

I like him, a great natural finisher. Not as good a forward as a Gabriel Jesus but a proper poacher.

The only way we could get money for him now is selling him by the pound .

Aye, there is a worry there, but as buster says, we need to give the manager some trust here. I used to argue that we shouldn't be shopping in the EPL, but I think that's changed. These clubs have so many players it's very easy to fall out of favour, and incredibly difficult to get back in. The clubs are so awash with cash, they almost give up on players as assets and get rid. I like the idea of this pair.

See that Eddie Nketiah has scored another couple for Arsenal tonight - can't believe we're not looking to sign him......🤷‍♂️😜

But isn't that always gonna be the case given where we are financially? Even when we were shopping at "Harrods" we still managed to buy some duds.

I bloody hope it's very different

Haven't a scooby about the player but if the above is true that three different managers got fed up with him and jettisoned him, then the gambling odds become longer. I have droned on about bringing in too many players on long odds gambles, whether it be for injury history, attitude or whatever. It's akin to punters doing football accumulators. It has been the plan to bridge the financial gap. ie. (ex)quality on the relative cheap, hoping to keep them fit or provide the right motivation. Personally, I don't think it is the way to go. Developing mostly hungry, fit and motivated young players has to be the way forward. It will be very interesting to see what the squad looks like come the end of the summer transfer window.

The man of the match thread is going to be longer than the game thread at this rate

A good friend was on the medical staff at the time, and that was the reason. Granted, your theory would also have played a part in the decision.

Fair enough, but its one injury.

From what I recall watching him at games,although scoring a number of goals,he was lazy and withdrew from making tackles and not a good team player.

Couldnt afford his right pinky!

The rumour was we were after him on a bosman last summer but he renewed at Arsenal.

Occasionally! Ive also said how good a player he was/could be and praised him for rare good performances. Hardly a vendetta. I’ve also expressed frustration about Tav but also voted him MOTM when he deserved it. You’re barking up the wrong tree.

Nice try.

Can they do that? I thought the IFAB rules had to be consistent throughout FIFA/UEFA and all local FA's?

No but Bassey & Aribo were 2 players seeking to establish themselves. Tom Davies & Cantwell fall more into the Matondo category for me in that they’re trying to get their careers back on track. That worries me.

No one thought for a minute that we'd get what we did for those two when we signed them, hindsight is indeed marvellous.

I don't know - but having both played in EPL (and Championship in Cantwells case), they are further on in their development than Aribo and Bassey (who were gambles and we are lucky both paid off - let's bot forget Bassey was written off by a large section of fans early in his Rangers career). We are developing our own players via the Academy but no matter how much money you throw at it, or who you employee to run it, not every player will be a Patterson or a Bassey. If we do sign Cantwell and he can recapture the form he showed early in his career, we'll make a fortune on him. It's a gamble, but all signings are.

It should not be the main market we’re in though. Far from it. As well as developing our own players from the academy, we should be looking at home & abroad for young players to develop & sell on. Like Bassey & Aribo. Will Tom Davies or Cantwell bring us anything like Bassey & Aribo did?

Tsb’s bête noire (we all have one) is Goldson.

JohnMc, Yep, it was Steve Conroy and Des Roach, both self confessed Sellik supporters. I believe they have a Ref' Podcast. It got more interesting during Sportsound. PQ brought in another self confessed Sellik supporting Ref', Kenny Clark. He remains involved in refereeing, in that he serves on a UEFA Committee. He agreed to appear to help explain VAR and it's interpretations. He told the Producer he would NOT discuss individual cases. Further, he was anxious to communicate UEFA experiences of some members(including England) having employed VAR for 5-6 years. Scotland's experience is 5-6 weeks. After Sellik supporting Kheredine Idessane had interviewed Ange; then a posse of Sellik supporting types, Pat Bonner, Tom English, Martin Dowden, ................... and former Sellik TV employee, Michael Stewart ....... etc - all got stuck into Kenny Clark on individual case motive.

Lampard 41 matches in charge of the Toffees and only 12 wins time to chase him .

Aye, generally the issue seems more to do with the hand ball rule / interpretation, than it is with VAR.

No chance him going to the EPL