Academy & U21s

[KentExile]

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2025/november/10/report--rovers-under-21s-1-4-derby-county-under-21s/

[arbitro]

After two excellent wins the young Rovers team came back to earth with a thundering crash.

3-0 down after ten minutes with Khan having an absolute Joe Cocker. He was responsible for all three although the defending didn't help. Derby got a fourth and at half time nobody could argue with the scoreline. 

We were comprehensively outplayed in every area of the pitch. We didn't get near to the intensity and pace of Derby and Vignal must have been worried that his first game would end in a humiliating defeat. 

Rovers were much better in the second half but I believe it was also a case of Derby taking it easier. 

Our goal was scored by Lewis Bell who I believe was making his under 21 debut. 

I don't think anyone came out with any credit last night. The first half must have been an eye opener for Vignal who surprisingly didn't make any changes at half time. 

I know I'm repeating myself here but last night would have been perfect for Carter to get an hours fitness work in. The pace and intensity with which Derby played would have been really good for his rehab. Instead he will probably play in a sedate BCD match.

 

[MarkBRFC]

2 hours ago, arbitro said:

Rovers were much better in the second half but I believe it was also a case of Derby taking it easier. 

Sounds familiar to a couple of days prior.

[KentExile]

Former U23 coach Billy Barr is now the manager at Workington Reds, & has brought in former Rovers U21 Tyler Magloire to join him in the 7th tier.

Without checking, I think they would know each other from their time at Rovers, and wonder if we may see a reunion of some other former U21/U23 players at Workington?

 

Edited 14 hours ago by KentExile

[arbitro]

7 minutes ago, MarkBRFC said:

Sounds familiar to a couple of days prior.

There were clear parallels in that respect but the first half past night was probably the worst I have ever seen the under 21's play.

[arbitro]

3 minutes ago, KentExile said:

Former U23 coach Billy Barr is now the manager at Workington Reds, & has brought in former Rovers U21 Tyler Magloire to join him in the 7th tier

 

Interestingly Billy Barr was at last night's game along with the Chorley manager Andy Preece.

Expect some loan deals going though soon.

[KentExile]

17 minutes ago, arbitro said:

Interestingly Billy Barr was at last night's game along with the Chorley manager Andy Preece.

Expect some loan deals going though soon.

Maybe not after last nights display 😉 

But it would make sense, Preece spoke after Pratt was recalled of a growing relationship between Chorley & Rovers, and Barr has obvious connections

[Parsonblue]

A steep learning curve for some our younger players last night.  The game was done and dusted after ten minutes.  Three-nil down and the goalkeeper having a night to forget and at no stage did we look like making a comeback in a dismal first half.  Derby added a fourth just before half-time and had completely dominated us in every area of the pitch.  

We did better in the second-half, but in truth, Derby had dropped off the pace with such a commanding lead.

We had a few regular under-21 players missing last night - a combination of international call ups and injuries.  It will be interesting to see how Vignal puts his stamp on this squad of players.  It seems clear that the policy, at the moment, is to push the Under-18's into the Under-21 team as quickly as possible.

[bluebruce]

3 hours ago, KentExile said:

Former U23 coach Billy Barr is now the manager at Workington Reds, & has brought in former Rovers U21 Tyler Magloire to join him in the 7th tier.

Without checking, I think they would know each other from their time at Rovers, and wonder if we may see a reunion of some other former U21/U23 players at Workington?

 

21 appearances in League One last season, to non-contract terms in the 7th tier is a hell of a drop. He must have been utterly dire in League One.

[KentExile]

14 minutes ago, bluebruce said:

21 appearances in League One last season, to non-contract terms in the 7th tier is a hell of a drop. He must have been utterly dire in League One.

He was also a regular starter for them during their promotion season from League 2 (albeit missed half the season with 2 seperate injuries) so cant be that bad.   Its his injury history more so than performances I think, hence the non contract move to non league to prove fitness & put him in the shop window.

Similar to what Lenni Cirino did before getting a move to league 2

Edited 10 hours ago by KentExile

[Hasta]

3 hours ago, KentExile said:

Former U23 coach Billy Barr is now the manager at Workington Reds, & has brought in former Rovers U21 Tyler Magloire to join him in the 7th tier.

Without checking, I think they would know each other from their time at Rovers, and wonder if we may see a reunion of some other former U21/U23 players at Workington?

 

 

9 minutes ago, bluebruce said:

21 appearances in League One last season, to non-contract terms in the 7th tier is a hell of a drop. He must have been utterly dire in League One.

https://cumbriacrack.com/2025/11/11/i-didnt-know-where-workington-was-new-reds-defender-on-his-signing/

[bigsigarner]

 

 

A tough watch. 

[bluebruce]

1 hour ago, Hasta said:

 

https://cumbriacrack.com/2025/11/11/i-didnt-know-where-workington-was-new-reds-defender-on-his-signing/

Blimey, didn't realise he was 26 now! Time flies.

 

1 hour ago, KentExile said:

He was also a regular starter for them during their promotion season from League 2 (albeit missed half the season with 2 seperate injuries) so cant be that bad.   Its his injury history more so than performances I think, hence the non contract move to non league to prove fitness & put him in the shop window.

Similar to what Lenni Cirino did before getting a move to league 2

Fair enough, still seems strange to drop from 3rd tier to 7th tier just because he missed half a season with injuries (but also the whole season prior I suppose). Would have thought someone around 4th or 5th tier would happily take a chance. A Premiership player in a similar position wouldn't have to drop to the National League typically, which is the same amount of tiers difference as this.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 hour ago, KentExile said:

He was also a regular starter for them during their promotion season from League 2 (albeit missed half the season with 2 seperate injuries) so cant be that bad.   Its his injury history more so than performances I think, hence the non contract move to non league to prove fitness & put him in the shop window.

Similar to what Lenni Cirino did before getting a move to league 2

Didn’t he sustain a really really bad knee injury at Northampton ?

[RoverCanada]

Yeah, Magloire did both his ACL and MCL, so, tough one to come back from... especially for him, who, if I remember right, had absolutely top tier speed, but not much else. If he lost a step... could be a sharp fall off.

Part of why I suspect he was able to secure four straight decent loans, even if he never seemed up to it in his Rovers cameos. Managers probably thinking they could do 'something' with his athleticism, but then getting found out quick.

He did manage to hang on with Northampton for a bit, so perhaps I'm being too harsh, and would be happily corrected! I try not to shame Academy products who have at least managed to hang on in L1 or L2, which is no joke!

[Tom]

See Owen Beck played against us last night but was subbed after 40 minutes, come in for a bit of stick from Derby fans for never being fit it’s a shame he’s lost another half season 

[Exiled_Rover]

2 hours ago, bigsigarner said:

 

 

A tough watch. 

That Khan lad makes Pears look world class.

[RevidgeBlue]

11 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

That Khan lad makes Pears look world class.

Nah, we clearly lost because the referee was shit.

[RevidgeBlue]

What a shambles, the Club is completely on its arse from top to bottom at all levels.

[chaddyrovers]

Why didnt Jack Barrett or Felix Goddard play as keeper? 

[arbitro]

1 minute ago, chaddyrovers said:

Why didnt Jack Barrett or Felix Goddard play as keeper? 

Solomon Honor has had several outings this season and performed well.

Barrett is at Tranmere on loan but I'm not sure why Goddard didn't play.

[jim mk2]

1 hour ago, Tom said:

See Owen Beck played against us last night but was subbed after 40 minutes, come in for a bit of stick from Derby fans for never being fit it’s a shame he’s lost another half season 

Looked a great prospect with us but seems to have lost his way. Hope he gets over his problems and has a good career. 

[RevidgeBlue]

3 minutes ago, arbitro said:

Solomon Honor has had several outings this season and performed well.

Barrett is at Tranmere on loan but I'm not sure why Goddard didn't play.

What's the point in having so many keepers and having to send one or more out on loan and have others sitting around?

[arbitro]

Just now, RevidgeBlue said:

What's the point in having so many keepers and having to send one or more out on loan and have others sitting around?

Giving Khan and Barrett new contracts was questioned at the time with neither good enough in the opinion of many. They will be on low wages I know but whatever it is it's money down the drain.

[SuperBrfc]

On 10/11/2025 at 12:36, chaddyrovers said:

The one part of the article that stood out for me, I also spoke with Sir Kenny Dalglish a few days ago and he told me great things about the environment at this football club. 

 

@arbitro spot on info last week 👍

 

Good appointment on paper, has vast experience and has worked at some big clubs. Something that hasn't been been mentioned so far, is that Vignal is part of the HSH stable. HSH, the same agency who represented Coyle, Lambert, Mowbray and others over the past decade plus. I know it doesn't guarantee success on the pitch, but I'm quite optimistic as they have always had a reasonable talent pool. Coyle aside, of course. We could do with Ravanelli up top! He'd still be better than Makhtar and Gudjohnsen, even now, aged 56! Any chance, Craig?

I vaguely recall somebody sharing a rumour on here a couple of years ago about Mike Sheron being the cousin of Dave Sheron (HSH). I could be wrong on that one, though. Point being, HSH, have some bloody good 'uns.

Anyway, Mike leaves after a good ten year spell here and Vignal looks like he could be a steady replacement based on his CV. Hopefully he can settle in soon and do a similar job to what Mike did. We desperately need these players to come through from a business point of view. I also like that he took the time to speak to Kenny about the club beforehand. For once, I will give him some credit as he is the head honcho. Well done, Suhail. You have a a heck of a lot more to do yet though to turn this club around. The first team is the be all and end all. Never forget. Sort it out!