[Blue Baggie]

O'Brien and Dunn mentioned in media gossip.

[Salopbaggie]

To be honest, I do not really want to see any signings, until after the players have returned for preseason and Mason has had a chance to look at what he has to work with and what we really need. Styles is a prime example of not doing this, a midfielder being forced to play as a full back (which he did ok at) because we did not have a fullback. Let Mason get in and have a good look at what he needs rather than spending our limited budget on what the hierarchy thinks he might need.

[Blue Baggie]

To be honest, I do not really want to see any signings, until after the players have returned for preseason and Mason has had a chance to look at what he has to work with and what we really need.  Styles is a prime example of not doing this, a midfielder being forced to play as a full back (which he did ok at) because we did not have a fullback.  Let Mason get in and have a good look at what he needs rather than spending our limited budget on what the hierarchy thinks he might need.

If he's taken the job on and has not done his homework then more fool him. I will never believe a new manager has to have a look at what he's got. Let him sit in front of last season's games and watch them onTV. He can see exactly what he's got.

[drewks]

To be honest, I do not really want to see any signings, until after the players have returned for preseason and Mason has had a chance to look at what he has to work with and what we really need.  Styles is a prime example of not doing this, a midfielder being forced to play as a full back (which he did ok at) because we did not have a fullback.  Let Mason get in and have a good look at what he needs rather than spending our limited budget on what the hierarchy thinks he might need.

If he's taken the job on and has not done his homework then more fool him. I will never believe a new manager has to have a look at what he's got. Let him sit in front of last season's games and watch them onTV. He can see exactly what he's got.

.... I was under the impression that the modern set up of clubs - and I believe ours is moving this way, if not already moved - is that there is a whole recruitment team, and the HC is almost inter changeable - the club decides on the way to play, the players that should achieve that, and the jolly old HC coaches what is there....?
I'm not saying I agree with that at all!!

[Salopbaggie]

To be honest, I do not really want to see any signings, until after the players have returned for preseason and Mason has had a chance to look at what he has to work with and what we really need.  Styles is a prime example of not doing this, a midfielder being forced to play as a full back (which he did ok at) because we did not have a fullback.  Let Mason get in and have a good look at what he needs rather than spending our limited budget on what the hierarchy thinks he might need.

If he's taken the job on and has not done his homework then more fool him. I will never believe a new manager has to have a look at what he's got. Let him sit in front of last season's games and watch them on TV. He can see exactly what he's got.

There is a major problem with that though and that is, any manager watching a recorded game can only see what those players can do when they are playing in the style and under the instruction of a different manager. So they can't tell how a player might play under different conditions, that is why they need to see them in training, playing in a style in which that manager wants them to play.

[Stairs]

Twitter and all of the feeds into the newsnow collection point are all full of total bullshit!

I know click thru is important to get traffic to sites etc but the reputation of all of these bodies including Birmingham Mail and Express & Star is shot due to their Rediculous reporting methods.

Example: Banner headline - Player signs for West Brom. Article AI says that this would or should happen. Or Emile Hesky says and so it’s a fact.

They are all scum making up crap or spinning things so hard to hint at a truth that they should be ashamed.

There will be no activity of any real truth or substance for at least 4 weeks.

[Blue Baggie]

To be honest, I do not really want to see any signings, until after the players have returned for preseason and Mason has had a chance to look at what he has to work with and what we really need.  Styles is a prime example of not doing this, a midfielder being forced to play as a full back (which he did ok at) because we did not have a fullback.  Let Mason get in and have a good look at what he needs rather than spending our limited budget on what the hierarchy thinks he might need.

If he's taken the job on and has not done his homework then more fool him. I will never believe a new manager has to have a look at what he's got. Let him sit in front of last season's games and watch them on TV. He can see exactly what he's got.

There is a major problem with that though and that is, any manager watching a recorded game can only see what those players can do when they are playing in the style and under the instruction of a different manager. So they can't tell how a player might play under different conditions, that is why they need to see them in training, playing in a style in which that manager wants them to play.

I know what your saying, but it's all about doing the work and not finding out they're not able to pass or run with the ball. These guys are professionals and get paid accordingly. Mason has a few weeks before the season starts to set his team up. I'm not into the idea he needs to find out that certain players can't play in the way he wants. I certainly wouldn't pay a manager a million quid a year who was lacking in any area. I expect results from day one, we certainly don't need a 6 month learning exercise.

[Stairs]

Rangers fan friend of mine says Shankland was at the West Brom training ground yesterday and so I hope this means he will not be a last minute money grabber

[Stairs]

Nat Phillips. Liverpool defender who played for Derby last season seems to be available for a permanent move.

[Stairs]

Harry Tofollo, Mickey Moore and Dan Phillips added as apparently we are interested in them