A new season, many of the same issues, but still a new beginning for what is looking more and more like Rudy’s Rovers with every passing signing.

Fewer and fewer of Tony Mowbray’s stalwarts remain, Valerien Ismael backed with a change in the dugout following David Lowe’s departure, and a more continental look to the squad providing extra intrigue as the Championship slog is set to get under way.

There remains an undercurrent of mistrust bubbling away however.

When you’re at the point where fans’ forum minutes can’t be agreed, and the publication of a fan poll result into a new flag is questioned, it doesn’t strike you as a harmonious football club.

But still, there’ll be some football to talk again.

BUT BEFORE THAT, THE POWER STRUGGLE…

I like a manager who communicates well, and I must give Ismael credit for his openness and seeming approachability and willingness to say it how he sees it.

I saw JDT as likewise (you knew it wouldn’t be long until I referenced him…), so will keep an interested ear as to whether his comments become any more marked or his tone irked as the season goes on like his predecessors.

While he rightly points to being the latest incumbent to be let down by decisions made prior to his arrival in terms of poor contract handling, many of those those charged with addressing such issues remain, which brings with it concerns.

Steve Waggott had his detractors, and no shortage of them.

But I don’t think there will have been anywhere near the level of dancing in the corridors of Brockhall among staff were the sword falling in another direction when the club’s chief executive became the latest suit to depart.

I may be seen as an apologist of his, but Waggott did at least have knowledge and understanding of football administration, and the lack of senior experience remaining is striking.

All his departure has done is really show where the balance of power lies, and why any potential replacement is likely to spell any real change.

I worry too about the connection between club and supporters, and what this may mean for the next generation.

PR disasters are never far away, and the financial squeezing of season ticket holders even further being seen as the best way to drive revenue screams of short-termism.

Given the financial implications, they may well have no option, which in itself tells its own story.

AS FOR THE SQUAD…

…my Football Manager days aren’t what they once were, so I don’t feel able to comment on much of the transfer business.

It strikes to adding some much-needed athleticism to the squad, which is something I can fully get behind, but in terms of strengthening the starting XI sufficiently, I’m yet to be convinced.

The Adam Forshaw resigning is something of a mystery to me, and feels akin to that of Kyle McFadzean 12 months ago, and may well end in a similar fashion.

The number of central midfield signings suggests a change in formation, the expected departures of Travis and Tronstad next summer, or both.

I’m not sure Sean McLoughlin is an upgrade enough to be a nailed on partner for Dom Hyam, and with Hayden Carter’s inability to prove his fitness for a prolonged period, and Scott Wharton’s continued back luck, this feels an area that Rovers still need to look at (though I did note Gestede described Lewis Miller as a ‘strong and composed centre-back’ when announcing his signing on his personal LinkedIn profile)

A lack of goals and creativity was an Achilles heel last season, and it looks weaker still heading into this season.

Yes, Yuki Ohashi is coming in on the back of a much-needed rest and will be charged with leading the attack, but while Makhtar Gueye is a popular figure around the club and did show glimmers as last season wore on, there’s still plenty of convincing to do for me. And may be the same for the manager.

The same goes for Augustus Kargbo, though I will afford him more time, which leaves Dion De Neve as the sole attacking addition thus far, again not someone who I’d expect to be putting up good numbers in terms of goals and assists.

I will give the club credit for building assets in terms of permanent signings, and thinking outside the box in order to be more competitive in the transfer market, but as to how ready made they are for the rigours of the Championship, and their ability to make an impact, I’m on the fence at best.

I still feel there are three more additions needed, not before any outgoings, but with the squad as it is (not including Jake Garrett), we’re up to 23 senior players who would need to be registered, just to avoid a repeat of January.

This will obviously fall with the potential departures of Pears and Buckley, and helping to further balance the books, and once all is said and done, the balance sheet may well come out fairly neutral once the window closes.

A ONE CONTRACT CLUB?

I bored myself last season with my endless talk of contracts, and despite promises to the contrary, turning Yuri Ribeiro’s short-term deal into a more permanent offering are about all that’s been mustered.

There has been plenty of conjecture depending on who you believe as to the efforts gone to in order to address it, but there’s no getting away from the fact that the club captain (Lewis Travis), and two senior lieutenants in Sondre Tronstad and Dom Hyam, lead the number of out of contract players.

Another in Callum Brittain has already gone, though his departure felt more an indictment of a perceived like of ambition rather than a financial one from what can be gleaned.

Using player sales to fund incomings, and the running of the club, isn’t new, it was almost a running theme after relegation from the Premier League that the player of the season award was almost a sign of who would be sold in that summer.

If the contract situation isn’t addressed however, the asset value dwindles, and it is hard to see who remains on that front.

This is where I can give Gestede some credit for bringing in players for low-value fees on longer-term deals, but given the majority of unproven at this level, it will take time, and likely a little fortune, for this to come to fruition.

Rovers’ recent model, whatever that may be, has led to the thought they are now a ‘one contract club’.

A player signs, has 18–24 months or so to impress and if so, be sold, or if not, see out their contract and leave on a free after several years of committed service.

Maybe it’s something the club are coming to terms with themselves.

SO WHAT WILL HAPPEN?

Last season showed how much a good start can help in terms of league position, having been within 20 minutes of making the play-offs despite it feeling like they didn’t win a game after the turn of the year.

Often when expectations are at the least, Rovers deliver the most, but I’m not that low on their chances this season as I was last, which leads me to think that a solid mid-table finish awaits.

What I hope for most is no mid-season meltdown off the field which has seen the club hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons in each of the last three years.

I’m going for 14th, with Yuki Ohashi (13) as top scorer and be player of the season, Lewis Miller to be the pick of new signings, Sidnei Tavares to be the biggest disappointment, and for Valerien Ismael to still be manager at the end of the campaign.

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