WITH Roger Johnson looking set to complete a £7million move to Wolves last night you could understand a lot of Rovers fans wondering whether this was another player they have missed out on.

As news of the move filtered through the media, many of the blue and white army were busy on social networking sites and message boards asking why their club hadn’t been in for him.

There is no doubt Johnson has impressed at Birmingham City over the past couple of years and he will be a solid addition for Mick McCarthy’s men as they look to avoid relegation again next season.

Is he a spectacular signing though? No. He has only played two seasons in the top flight having previously played at Wycombe and Cardiff City. £7m seems an awful lot of money.

Had Chris Samba already left Ewood Park then I would agree with sections of supporters who argue that money needs to be thrown into finding a top class centre back, but he hasn’t and the longer he stays the more likely it is he will be at Ewood Park next season.

Arsenal’s supposed interest in Samba has been around for months now while Tottenham’s has been about for years. No concrete bid has been made and either would have to shell out a lot of money to tempt Rovers into selling.

So as it stands, Rovers can again look forward to boasting the proven defensive pairing of Ryan Nelsen and Samba and, with Gael Givet and Grant Hanley in reserve, cover in that position doesn’t look too bad even after the departure of Phil Jones.

That is why Rovers are looking at bringing someone like Cedric Mongongu in from Monaco. He is only 22 and will only grow in value as the years go on.

If the deal gets done, he can learn his trade in the Premier League without too much pressure and too many expectations and, in time, can mature to become the natural successor to Nelsen – once age catches up on him.

Mongongu can be snapped up relatively cheaply – £2.5m is a bargain in today’s inflated transfer market – and that will leave more money in the kitty to boost Rovers’ fire power for next season, which has to be the priority.

Goal scoring strikers are very difficult to find and, when you do find one, a high price tag and plenty of interest from rivals is inevitable.

Rovers probably still need two new strikers, with Nikola Kalinic’s future uncertain, and a central midfielder and the more money they save for this search the better.

If these new signings don’t materialise and money isn’t spent on that all-important ‘match winner’ then I agree it is time to start questioning what is going on.

But all the signs are the club know exactly where the money needs to be spent to strengthen and are working hard to deliver. Let’s just hope they come up with the goods.