2025 Summer Transfer Thread. 😂

[Emerald Isle Rover]

10 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

But even then if you think about it, how many attackers in each of the last 5 seasons or whatever have previously had below 10 goals in the prior year, and then havent boomed into prolific goalscorers.

Theres hope that the players I mentioned could improve how many goals they got, but it would be a welcome massive shock and exception if they started scoring at that level.

To me it wouldn’t be a massive shock if one of the mentioned players hit around 15 and most certainly would be welcome 

there are so many variables the truth is as mentioned before it’s a messageboard for opinion and debate and I can see why some would use the players recent numbers to try and project next year. I just try an look at it with a different perspective in regards to a years experience a new manager new tactics pre season etc 

not a full proof theory by any mean they could all stink the place out but equally 2/3 could do very well 

[roversfan99]

12 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

We have scouts Neal like Michael Cairney and Piotr Sadowski plus with Adam Owen, Rudy Gestede and Valerien Ismael contacts and knowing people in these countries has help us scouting and finding them players. 

Yes Sheffield United owners want to introduce AI into their scouting knowledge  

exactly Paul, Rovers are spending money and that's doesn't fit with the narrative some people want. 

Still need a right winger, centre back and forward signings. 

Championship experience? 

Ismael has made a big pint having athleticism in his team. 

I addressed that. Just saying Championship experience doesnt nullify that question. Jason Lowe and Corry Evans have that, lets get them back.

I literally said, if the only reason we signed him was for Championship experience, surely it would have been wiser to sign an experienced head in a position where we have less depth. Rather than a position where we had plans to sign 2, already have 2 key players there, and also have 3 other players in that position?

But again, you are keen dismiss healthy, constructive questions such as the make up of the squad, the balance of the squad, the utilisation of resources etc.

If you do merely try and debate these, you are being negative and glass half empty in your eyes.

8 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

We didn't get the playoffs cos of defeats to bottom 6 teams under 2 head coaches. That's the reason why we didn't make the playoffs 

Would more goals in those games not have solved that?

[roversfan99]

10 minutes ago, Emerald Isle Rover said:

To me it wouldn’t be a massive shock if one of the mentioned players hit around 15 and most certainly would be welcome 

there are so many variables the truth is as mentioned before it’s a messageboard for opinion and debate and I can see why some would use the players recent numbers to try and project next year. I just try an look at it with a different perspective in regards to a years experience a new manager new tactics pre season etc 

not a full proof theory by any mean they could all stink the place out but equally 2/3 could do very well 

Ohashi, Gueye, Kargbo and Cantwell between them got was it 18 goals between them last season, thats chucking in 2 penalties.

I would be massively dissapointed if that group didnt get comfortably more than that between them, that is for sure.

I also dont anticipate our defensive record being as strong so they will need to get more and we will need some new additions to also get some.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

1 minute ago, roversfan99 said:

Ohashi, Gueye, Kargbo and Cantwell between them got was it 18 goals between them last season, thats chucking in 2 penalties.

I would be massively dissapointed if that group didnt get comfortably more than that between them, that is for sure.

I also dont anticipate our defensive record being as strong so they will need to get more and we will need some new additions to also get some.

I think all 4 under performed (for one reason or another). I would hope they can increase that return between them.

[imy9]

Credit to Mercer- he stated two signings and Brittain signing a new deal before our first game! 

[roversfan99]

To be fair, I think without names its unremarkable. The Brittain one would be the scoop to be able to stop living off the Rhodes one he apparently came up with. Getting a bit old that. I really hope its true.

[Hullrover]

1 hour ago, RevidgeBlue said:

It's not silly at all. It's a fact we've lost 14 goals out of the squad.

One or two of the players above might theoretically catch fire in the manner you describe above but it's a lot more probable they won't and will perform in a similar manner to what they've done in the past.

If I buy a ticket for Euromillions tomorrow night I might win it as well.

It is 74 million if you win, then a cheeky bid might persuade Venkys to sell to you

[chaddyrovers]

12 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

I addressed that. Just saying Championship experience doesnt nullify that question. Jason Lowe and Corry Evans have that, lets get them back.

I literally said, if the only reason we signed him was for Championship experience, surely it would have been wiser to sign an experienced head in a position where we have less depth. Rather than a position where we had plans to sign 2, already have 2 key players there, and also have 3 other players in that position?

But again, you are keen dismiss healthy, constructive questions such as the make up of the squad, the balance of the squad, the utilisation of resources etc.

If you do merely try and debate these, you are being negative and glass half empty in your eyes.

It's a debate you want to time after time. You don't let it drop or moved on from it. 

Ismael wanted him back, Championship experience and knowledge, squad player, team player. 

What position would be in? You got championship experience in the keeper, defender and midfield areas. Pears, Brittain, Hyam, Carter, Pickering, Wharton, Hedges, Travis, Tronstad and Ribeiro 

12 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Would more goals in those games not have solved that?

So would a goalless draw against Hull or Stoke. 

[RevidgeBlue]

8 minutes ago, Hullrover said:

It is 74 million if you win, then a cheeky bid might persuade Venkys to sell to you

How to spunk it all away in 4-5 years!

[M_B]

27 minutes ago, DutchRover said:

I said earlier in the window that I thought we might spend a bit more this summer to quiet unrest and that is what they've done, even if they are inflating the quoted fees. The longer term damage being hidden is the wage cap, which is definitely being implemented, hence no new contracts and a reliance on relegated European talent.

That said, I have a more positive view of the signings so far than some here, and I the club does seem to be at least trying to copy a Brentford model of unheard European talents on the cheap. Whether it works remains to be seen...

I still think we will struggle this year, unless we bring in three or four more players, and offload guys like Buckley and Pears. CB and RW are major needs.

I remember hearing that Brentford look at teams that are seen to be over achieving, they then scout players from those teams.

It certainly works for them, has there ever been a better second tier forward line than the BMW? 

 

 

[Forever Blue]

51 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Ismael has made a big pint having athleticism in his team. 

I think we could all do with a big pint. It’s crackin t’flags out there. 

[roversfan99]

13 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

It's a debate you want to time after time. You don't let it drop or moved on from it. 

Ismael wanted him back, Championship experience and knowledge, squad player, team player. 

What position would be in? You got championship experience in the keeper, defender and midfield areas. Pears, Brittain, Hyam, Carter, Pickering, Wharton, Hedges, Travis, Tronstad and Ribeiro 

So would a goalless draw against Hull or Stoke. 

If we have so much experience, then why did we need him back in the first place? 

Just saying "Ismael wanted him" and "championship experience" doesnt make it right.

I dont think he is good enough and I dont think he was needed personally.

Im guessing from you, there are no question marks at all so far? Not about the individuals necessarily but about the way we have done things.

It doesnt have to be a criticism. One of my points, if we go and pay fees on a striker and right winger, then great. If we dont, then I dont get why we have spent on 2 midfielders. So it isnt a criticism yet, just a question.

I also dont get why we have so many midfielders. If say Tronstad signs a new deal, we have to sell Travis (or vice versa) and then we can shift Buckley and Garrett, then buying 2 midfielders makes sense. 

[roversfan99]

[47er]

1 hour ago, chaddyrovers said:

exactly Paul, Rovers are spending money and that's doesn't fit with the narrative some people want. 

its not promotion money is it?

[bluebruce]

1 hour ago, roversfan99 said:

To be fair, I think without names its unremarkable. The Brittain one would be the scoop to be able to stop living off the Rhodes one he apparently came up with. Getting a bit old that. I really hope its true.

I think you're being a bit unkind. The Brittain one would seal the deal, but saying 2 players would be coming in before the game when only one was out in the open, and after a fairly long quiet patch with no activity, is a decent effort. I'd give him the full sweep if the Brittain one is within a few days, too (club might decide they'd rather spread the news out to make it look like we are still active).

[JCRovers]

Stated earlier in this thread that I thought Ismael would play with a back three this season. Still think this will be the case but let's see in the upcoming friendlies how they shape up.

Stick with 4-2-3-1: Currently there are big gaps to fill on the wings as well as a need for backup for position behind the striker where Cantwell usually plays. Expect Travis, Buckley and maybe even Pickering to leave if that is to happen.

Change to 3-4-2-1: No need to go for attacking wingers in the transfer market but central defence will need to be strengthened instead. Expect Buckley to leave nevertheless. Hedges will find it difficult to get game time as he's not suited for any of the midfield roles.

 

[chaddyrovers]

40 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

If we have so much experience, then why did we need him back in the first place? 

Just saying "Ismael wanted him" an "championship experience" doesnt make it right.

I dont think he is good enough and I dont think he was needed personally.

Yes we know your thoughts and opinions on Forshaw and we all understand your opinion. Do you need to repeat it every week? 

40 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Im guessing from you, there are no question marks at all so far? Not about the individuals necessarily but about the way we have done things.

I would be like Centre defender signing in by now. 

I am wondering why we have signed/are signing 2 centre midfielder. Hopefully Ismael will update post game on Saturday 

We got 3 in so far and another tomorrow hopefully. So thats 4 in. Surpassing some people views we wouldnt have any in. 

On the signings, I never heard of any of them. So looking forward to seeing them playing either on Saturday or next Saturday 

 

 

40 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

It doesnt have to be a criticism. One of my points, if we go and pay fees on a striker and right winger, then great. If we dont, then I dont get why we have spent on 2 midfielders. So it isnt a criticism yet, just a question. 

It's a question we can't answer yet

40 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

I also dont get why we have so many midfielders. If say Tronstad signs a new deal, we have to sell Travis (or vice versa) and then we can shift Buckley and Garrett, then buying 2 midfielders makes sense. 

We see in coming weeks but I expect to see Buckley and Garrett to move. 

[roversfan99]

[roversfan99]

18 minutes ago, JCRovers said:

Stated earlier in this thread that I thought Ismael would play with a back three this season. Still think this will be the case but let's see in the upcoming friendlies how they shape up.

Stick with 4-2-3-1: Currently there are big gaps to fill on the wings as well as a need for backup for position behind the striker where Cantwell usually plays. Expect Travis, Buckley and maybe even Pickering to leave if that is to happen.

Change to 3-4-2-1: No need to go for attacking wingers in the transfer market but central defence will need to be strengthened instead. Expect Buckley to leave nevertheless. Hedges will find it difficult to get game time as he's not suited for any of the midfield roles.

 

I would be very surprised to see Pickering go and I find him to be a steady Championship full back.

I think assuming the 4231, De Neve will be behind Kargbo.

[chaddyrovers]

12 minutes ago, JCRovers said:

Stated earlier in this thread that I thought Ismael would play with a back three this season. Still think this will be the case but let's see in the upcoming friendlies how they shape up.

Stick with 4-2-3-1: Currently there are big gaps to fill on the wings as well as a need for backup for position behind the striker where Cantwell usually plays. Expect Travis, Buckley and maybe even Pickering to leave if that is to happen.

Change to 3-4-2-1: No need to go for attacking wingers in the transfer market but central defence will need to be strengthened instead. Expect Buckley to leave nevertheless. Hedges will find it difficult to get game time as he's not suited for any of the midfield roles.

 

I dont see him playing 3 at the back. 

When De Neve signed Ismael's comments were he can play as a 11 or 7. 

That's says 4-2-3-1 to me with plan B being 5-3-2

 

[roversfan99]

As an 11 or 7. Modern day football eh. So as a winger.

Hopefully he will be given freedom to really exploit transitions with a solid double pivot behind him and help to get our xg up.

[RoversClitheroe]

51 minutes ago, JCRovers said:

Stated earlier in this thread that I thought Ismael would play with a back three this season. Still think this will be the case but let's see in the upcoming friendlies how they shape up.

Stick with 4-2-3-1: Currently there are big gaps to fill on the wings as well as a need for backup for position behind the striker where Cantwell usually plays. Expect Travis, Buckley and maybe even Pickering to leave if that is to happen.

Change to 3-4-2-1: No need to go for attacking wingers in the transfer market but central defence will need to be strengthened instead. Expect Buckley to leave nevertheless. Hedges will find it difficult to get game time as he's not suited for any of the midfield roles.

 

God Pickering in a defensive position scares the fuck out of me.

Terrible anticipation, slow and let's the ball bounce far too many times

[roversfan99]

He reads the game well and anticipates danger well. He is slow but he often positions himself to avoid being exploited.

[Exiled_Rover]

5 hours ago, Emerald Isle Rover said:

A lot of luck is required in the loan market out of the above doak stands out head and shoulders but looks as though he will be staying in the prem 

Unsurprisingly the teams that are willing to spend the most on loans are the luckiest. 

[Fraserkirky]

4 hours ago, RoversClitheroe said:

God Pickering in a defensive position scares the fuck out of me.

Terrible anticipation, slow and let's the ball bounce far too many times

Can’t think of any slower professional FB I’ve ever seen. Good on the ball though. 

Impressed, we have spent more than I guessed going into the first preseason game. The Baradj guy looks like a new cult hero type, absolute Nzonzi unit. Looks like he can play too.

Would imagine Buckley out the door next, would be a very good league 1, CM orchestrator.

Al Saharfi RW Loan with Option

Kaupedi CB Buy

Marc Guiu ST Loan from Chelsea

Sell Buckley/Garett

I would be happy with that, would consider that to be a stronger squad than what we had 12months ago.

Edited July 11 by Fraserkirky