Academy & U21s

[roversfan99]

That last bit is the key. We need another first team attacking midfielder.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

2 hours ago, KentExile said:

In terms of best position, his lack of physical presence or real speed, but being a clever player (his awareness & movement is very impressive for his age), probably mean that being a 10 (more in the mold of a Dack rather than  a Cantwell) is where he will end up. Which is where he featured mainly last season, and also in the friendly last weekend

Can see him being Cantwells deputy this season, as it will enable that 1st team route, and also means that they have an excuse for not signing someone

In terms of his goalscoring, he had a start-stop season last time out due to a combination of injury and him "tagging along" with the first team instead of playing for the U21s, but still managed a ratio of 1 goal in 3 (1 in 1.5 if you look at minutes played) (reminder, he was 16 until March at this is at U21 level)

“ Paul Gallagher “ went through my mind watching him last weekend. If Gally had have been quicker he would have been a top striker. As it was he was blessed with only average pace. Having said that he had a good career playing in a deeper role without ever reaching the heights.

Edited July 19 by Tyrone Shoelaces

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

43 minutes ago, KentExile said:

In terms of best position, his lack of physical presence or real speed, but being a clever player (his awareness & movement is very impressive for his age), probably mean that being a 10 (more in the mold of a Dack rather than  a Cantwell) is where he will end up. Which is where he featured mainly last season, and also in the friendly last weekend

Can see him being Cantwells deputy this season, as it will enable that 1st team route, and also means that they have an excuse for not signing someone

In terms of his goalscoring, he had a start-stop season last time out due to a combination of injury and him "tagging along" with the first team instead of playing for the U21s, but still managed a ratio of 1 goal in 3 (1 in 1.5 if you look at minutes played) (reminder, he was 16 until March at this is at U21 level)

Thanks for the info.  Seems he's kind of a technical 'ten'👍🏻, not an out and out striker.  Still need one of those.  

[chaddyrovers]

28 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

That last bit is the key. We need another first team attacking midfielder.

So we might aswell sell Tyjon to Arsenal with your comments? 

 

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

31 minutes ago, arbitro said:

My granddaughter pointed out to me  that Harvey Higgins was on the photo shoot for the new kit. This young lad is a few weeks into his first year scholarship and the recognition of being in the kit launch is hopefully how highly he is rated.

Get him tied down as soon as possible if that's the case, no waiting or hesitating.

Of course it might just be that he was included because he is a Blackburn lad and from a family of Rovers fans but in my opinion it's the former.

He sounds the type of athletic striker that could play up top in the future.  

Edited July 19 by Wing Wizard Windy Miller

[roversfan99]

2 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

So we might aswell sell Tyjon to Arsenal with your comments? 

 

Did I say that? He can still be part of the first team squad without having an unhealthy reliance on him. Theres still scope for him to break through if hes ready.

You want another right back and keep justifying the Forshaw deal. So with 2 senior right backs and 4 central midfielders, we may aswell sell Montgomery, right?

[KentExile]

23 hours ago, Wing Wizard Windy Miller said:

He sounds the type of athletic striker that could play up top in the future.  

I wouldn't be entirely surprised if come opening day, Higgins is seen as back up for Ohashi & Gueye (& Leonard, unless he is loaned out), & Tyjon for Cantwell, with Kargbo, D Neve, Hedges and a new signing competing for spots out wide.

It also would not surprise me to see Rover attempts to appease Tyjon & Higgins, mean that they forget about Joe Boggan (another promising forward but not likely to reach the same level as the other two... which ironically means Rovers may have a greater chance at keeping him for longer), and result in him departing next summer when his current contract expires

Edited Sunday at 08:44 by KentExile

[MarkBRFC]

1 hour ago, arbitro said:

Get him tied down as soon as possible if that's the case, no waiting or hesitating.

Turns 17 on January 12th, so could tie him down for 3 years from then.

I'd like to think a pro deal is there waiting to be signed, along with Eze who turns 17 in September.

Saying that though Tyjon still hasn't signed despite allegedly having a pro contract on offer since March.

[Exiled_Rover]

53 minutes ago, Wing Wizard Windy Miller said:

Thanks for the info.  Seems he's kind of a technical 'ten'👍🏻, not an out and out striker.  Still need one of those.  

That's how I categorise Leonard due to his lack of height / pace. He'll have to play as a 10 (pushing on past the CF) or as a hard working L/RW as a 'playmaker' type. He has good movement / a good feel for the game too - albeit I wish his finishing was better.

[arbitro]

54 minutes ago, Wing Wizard Windy Miller said:

He sounds the type of athletic striker that could play up top in the future.  

He is. My granddaughter was at the same school as him and it was their sports presentation night recently. He was presented with several awards mostly for his athletic prowess in various disciplines.

I know the club have really high hopes for him.

[chaddyrovers]

3 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

Did I say that? He can still be part of the first team squad without having an unhealthy reliance on him. Theres still scope for him to break through if hes ready.

You want another right back and keep justifying the Forshaw deal. So with 2 senior right backs and 4 central midfielders, we may aswell sell Montgomery, right?

Unhealthy reliance? More cliches again. 

If you good enough you are older enough. 

I wanted Brittain to stay overall. Over a season injuries will happen but so far I like what I see in Montgomery. We been left short in centre midfielder area over the last couple of years so having 5 options at least cover that. 

I am NOT going and going Forshaw being here every week. You are like a broken record tbh

[riverholmes]

19 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Unhealthy reliance? More cliches again. 

If you good enough you are older enough. 

I wanted Brittain to stay overall. Over a season injuries will happen but so far I like what I see in Montgomery. We been left short in centre midfielder area over the last couple of years so having 5 options at least cover that. 

I am NOT going and going Forshaw being here every week. You are like a broken record tbh

Unhealthy reliance would, I would guess as an occasional observer, be correctly used to describe Rovers U21 use of Tyjon last season. He played as a lone forward for much of the season, ploughing a thankless furrow in a poor team. He got injured a number of times and didn't score much. He's no teenage Rooney, physically speaking, and obviously needs help as a striker.

Unfortunately, without support, I see something similar happening to him and Boggan this campaign. 

Edited July 19 by riverholmes

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

2 hours ago, riverholmes said:

Unhealthy reliance would, I would guess as an occasional observer, be correctly used to describe Rovers U21 use of Tyjon last season. He played as a lone forward for much of the season, ploughing a thankless furrow in a poor team. He got injured a number of times and didn't score much. He's no teenage Rooney, physically speaking, and obviously needs help as a striker.

Unfortunately, without support, I see something similar happening to him and Boggan this campaign. 

He’s not a  “ leader of the line. “ type striker. More of a Sammi type player.

[KentExile]

U21s lost 3-1 to Tranmeres first team, our centre forward scored, but none of our players named in the Tranmere report so who knows what sort of team we put out (given how many players were on the first team bench)

Edited Sunday at 05:11 by KentExile

[riverholmes]

6 hours ago, KentExile said:

U21s lost 3-1 to Tranmere, our centre forward scored, but none of our players named, in the Tranmere report so who knows what sort of team we put out (given how many players were on the first team bench)

Beaten by a team containing England's Gennaro Gattuso, Jason Lowe, is no shame....

[KentExile]

On 14/07/2025 at 08:17, MarkBRFC said:

Seemingly Garrett isn't in the first team picture at all seeing as we took a trialist to play half an hour in midfield at Accy instead of him.

At some point after the Accy game, he picked up a severe groin injury and will be out for a while

[KentExile]

Duru & Leonard started for U21s who lost 2-1 to Oldham's first team

Doherty with our goal

[arbitro]

14 hours ago, KentExile said:

Duru & Leonard started for U21s who lost 2-1 to Oldham's first team

Doherty with our goal

Interesting to see Barrett with the under 21's yet we have four goalkeepers out in Spain including two younger than him in Michalski and Goddard.

It made no sense in June when he got a two year deal (with another years option) and makes even less sense now.

[MarkBRFC]

I imagine Barrett is very cheap to keep around for training purposes and to play in the under 21s as an older head.

It looks to me that Michelski will be the 3rd (possibly 2nd if Pears does leave?) choice keeper to save a registration spot in the 25.

Obviously depends if the Under 21's play on the same day as the seniors but concerned that could hamper his development if he's not playing as much. Although thinking about it there is a lot of under 21 games/competitions these days so sure he will play his fair share.

[arbitro]

8 minutes ago, MarkBRFC said:

I imagine Barrett is very cheap to keep around for training purposes and to play in the under 21s as an older head.

It looks to me that Michelski will be the 3rd (possibly 2nd if Pears does leave?) choice keeper to save a registration spot in the 25.

Obviously depends if the Under 21's play on the same day as the seniors but concerned that could hamper his development if he's not playing as much. Although thinking about it there is a lot of under 21 games/competitions these days so sure he will play his fair share.

Excluding the under 18's we have six goalkeepers for the first team and under 21's.

For a club with no money that is over indulgent in my view.

[MarkBRFC]

3 minutes ago, arbitro said:

Excluding the under 18's we have six goalkeepers for the first team and under 21's.

For a club with no money that is over indulgent in my view.

I'm not sure it is to be honest.

You would need for me 3 GK's at both under 21 and Senior level for training purposes, also to cover for any injuries that might occur.

I imagine someone like Barrett will be on absolute peanuts, probably not much more than the average working man.

[Forever Blue]

 

[riverholmes]

That's a Damien Duff-esque goal if there ever was one. Will be interesting to see if Doherty progresses this year. Last campaign was a pretty poor one for the whole team, low scoring, disjointed by constant loan comings and goings and injuries. And, frankly, dearth of quality in some key areas.

If players like Doherty do go on loan, it'll be an even bigger struggle, which is why I think the club really need some (wise) additions for that level.

Edited yesterday at 09:40 by riverholmes

[Exiled_Rover]

3 hours ago, Forever Blue said:

 

He can't be far off the first team if he's scoring goals like that.

We have absolutely nothing out wide.

[bluebruce]

4 hours ago, Exiled_Rover said:

He can't be far off the first team if he's scoring goals like that.

We have absolutely nothing out wide.

Tbh as much as he did great work to get to that point, I don't see that going in against most Championship keepers very often. The goalkeeping was weak.