I don't think this young man is comparable to Izzy Brown or John Swift. They were both untried 18 year olds who had never played at Championship level. I think Brown had played a handful of games in Holland. Manning is 22 so young but not a kid. He has played quite a bit of football in the League of Ireland which may not be anywhere near The Championship in terms of quality but it is grown up mans football, and he has played 30 plus times for QPR in this league. A quick look at the QPR message boards suggests a lot of their supporters are surprised to see him go and they thought he would be a first team regular this season. I don't remember seeing him play at all, but on the face of it it and looking at other peoples comments it looks like he can add some needed athleticism and energy in the midfield, and on that basis it looks a good signing to me.
Wasn't comparing Ryan Manning to Izzie who flattered to deceive & Swifty who wasn't ready or didn't want to play for us. Manning is older & hope more streetwise.
Whatever happened to Tom Thorpe. Came to us from Man U and it was a shock to their supporters that he was released. What little I saw of him I thought he was ok, but went out to Bolton if memory serves. I thought he could have been one for the future at the time. Perhaps he didn't like it with us.