Anf Faz

Especially in defence, with attackers trying to twist you this way and that. Your balance and ability to shift direction quickly if you've been sent the wrong way are key. Hard to do that at such a gargantuan height. Still, if he somehow has a bit of that going on too then might be a promising one to watch. Otherwise he'll just be an exposable lummox.

In terms of what has been said, I look at the scenario objectively and with a level of understanding about how clubs and dressing rooms are run. I genuinely don’t know what’s gone on, but for VI to go that hard, there’s either a really valid reason, or he’s DEAD. Because the lads will stop playing for him if he’s lying. Based on what I’ve seen and heard, VI seems like a reasonable chap, and the lads obviously played (very well) for him on Sat (post said incident)…so I’m just saying if he very surprised if he’s made it up. Whatever Trav has done has REALLY pissed them off 🤷🏽‍♂️

I'm not a stats guy but if memory serves he won 4 of the last 6 last season, didn't he draw the other 2 (?). This season he's had chaos to contend with behind the scenes. We played WBA and got cheated by the ref on a penalty. The cup match was a resy team turnout with many starters rested - doesn't count in my book, Birmingham was tough to take, we lost but that was down to the naivety of the new guys not him so I'm putting that in the should have won column. Hull, yes a nice win. I'm not making things out to be perfect but it's a pretty solid start. New players in the house - we live in interesting times.

Also Sir Roger.

Exactly. The T2000's are a lot cheaper to run than the T1000's to use Paul's analogy.

Simon Garner says “Hi..!” 😉

His ego far exceeds his achievements.

Hmmm......... "You can't judge without knowing exactly what's gone on" (Fair) But....... "There's no smoke without fire!" (Unfair) Obviously he's a (very) good player for the level we're at, not a great one and the Club will survive without him. We lost Shearer and the Club's still here (just about).

I think cutting the wage bill is his prime objective. Reinvesting a % of sale proceeds makes sense to an accountant if it reduces your ongoing running costs. I very much doubt he views the football club as anything other than a project upon which to impose his “lean” philosophy. Everything he does is predicated on cost cutting. He views new players in the way a finance director will spend on a new printer if it uses less ink than the old one. Don’t be fooled.

I haven’t judged Trav once….either way. He’s a good player. Not a great one. The end.

The problem is in football it's speed over the first 3 to 8 yards that is usually decisive.

I’ve got to go with Rovers. Two more signings through the door (not that they will provide immediate help) who should eventually boost the club. Defending looking good, Rovers, 2; Sarge 🇺🇸 , 1.

Hypothetically, (as I doubt the above is the case) I'd say definitlely not. But then you're straying into very different realms there than simply running the Club badly. If a Club is "only" being run badly it's down to the disaffected fanbase to shift them not the Authorities.

Taller guys normally have a high top speed, because of their leg stride, its acceleration and agility/turning circle where big guys usually struggle

I don’t think either are world beaters tbh. But both were EXTREMELY important to John Eustace’s team. It’s horses for courses.

Its narratives being thrown around by fans on X as a good excuse for selling him.

Is he winning matches? His record isnt the best and its 1 win 3 losses so far this season.

I’d say based on previous experiences, I’d be happy to say Mclouughlin is good enough. Alebiosu is defo an unknown. The real interesting part of that post and why many of us are now Intrigued is because now most of our squad are in the middle ‘not sure yet’ band…which is both exciting and fucking terrifying in equal measure!

Interesting if he has pace because guys that tall usually don't.

Hasn't it been said that he intends returning to Norway at the end of this season ?

Some really good posts on here recently, enjoying the reading. On Hyam, the introvert thing is probably why he plays better with a tough guy next to him. He's defo not a shouter and organiser. I like 'nice' people, good for the dressing room. He's a good CB and I hope he stays. On the Ferrari/Skoda thing (made me howl), I had a conversation with Bill Fox years ago about a player I wanted Rovers to see (they did and he signed but that's another story), my big plus point was that whilst raw he was lightening quick. Bill's comment was and I quote "You can coach a monkey to cross a ball but you can't coach speed, we'll take a look." Ferraris rule I think :-) On VI, I think I'm in a very small minority here but I really like VI. I didn't but I've warmed to him a lot. He's honest - players know where they stand with him and that's important, he's clear about his strategy and is getting the players in that fit with that (no square pegs in round holes), he's winning matches and those that he doesn't he come close to (dodgy refs mostly). Far from perfect but to damn by faint praise he's likely the best we could have got for this mad house and is exceeding my expectations. He also gives the impression that he actually believes that good times are around the corner, which is nice for a change. I know, hope kills you.

Apparently he is 6ft 7, and turned 16 in January https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tony-henderson-280a381b4_archie-15-dob-15-01-2009-6ft7-cb-unattached-activity-7272167973212061699-Ajz6/ DOB 15-01-2009 6ft7 CB Highlight was playing Vs Tooting & Mitcham in London SNR Cup. Best game was at Home to Luton & away to Gillingham u17s. Changed and adapted how HE plays over this time, so very coachable. Strength Height Pace great attributes for any Defense. 100% resilient and determined. His parents are pretty good as well

YES! But that hasnt stopped you obviously!

Would it not be more prudent to understand what Travis might have done, before casting said judgement? Here’s my take - VI doesn’t seem like a bad guy. He also seems quite straight talking. To publicly ‘out’ Trav, he must’ve done something he really doesn’t like. And for him to say he’s let the lads down is HUGE! If he hasn’t done anything wrong, then Ismael is finished with that group, they’ll never trust him again. Which makes me think there’s potentially something in it. That Trav has overstepped the mark…probably come out at some point.