2025 Summer Transfer Thread. 😂

[JamieUK]

Another striker doesn't need to come in as a third choice. Every signing we make should be better than what we have already and this window we haven't done that. Keep on that way and we're forever downgrading and it will only lead to relegation.

[Exiled_Rover]

18 minutes ago, JamieUK said:

Another striker doesn't need to come in as a third choice. Every signing we make should be better than what we have already and this window we haven't done that. Keep on that way and we're forever downgrading and it will only lead to relegation.

Ohashi and Gueye are a massive upgrade on what came before them. 

You'd have to spend a pretty penny bringing in a better replacement (assuming you didn't strike lucky on the continent again). 

What they both struggled with last year was receiving quality delivery - that's where I think our paltry war chest should be spent. 

[Exiled_Rover]

1 hour ago, roversfan99 said:

Someone as a more direct alternative to Ohashi. Gueye can be an impact sub if needed.

Might as well sell him in that case. 

[Exiled_Rover]

1 hour ago, roversfan99 said:

Need a striker too. Moreso than a central midfielder IMO but I would like both.

Hopefully its not just loans from here on in. Maybe one or two at a push. Definitely should buy a new right winger.

I just think you're desperate for another CM. We fell apart when Tronstad and Travis got injured last year - we need to lighten their load.

Montgomery / Forshaw / Buckley can come off the bench and spell them for 10-15 minutes, but I wouldn't want to start any of them in a meaningful match. 

We need two guys like Baker who can start a midweek match without a second thought from the manager - hopefully Tavares is one of them. 

[roversfan99]

39 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

Might as well sell him in that case. 

I dont think he fits into this team, when he comes in for Ohashi we suffer both because he is a big downgrade but also he isnt the type of striker to just slip into our current team, he is totally different.

If it meant selling him to both upgrade and get someone that fits the style better, then by all means sell.

[roversfan99]

38 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

I just think you're desperate for another CM. We fell apart when Tronstad and Travis got injured last year - we need to lighten their load.

Montgomery / Forshaw / Buckley can come off the bench and spell them for 10-15 minutes, but I wouldn't want to start any of them in a meaningful match. 

We need two guys like Baker who can start a midweek match without a second thought from the manager - hopefully Tavares is one of them. 

I certainly wouldnt be opposed to another midfielder. Buckley needs to go and it made no sense to renew the contract of Forshaw. Aside from seemingly becoming a glorified cheerleader, good around the place etc.

Tavares has been our most significant summer signing so we really need him to provide proper competition for the main 2, if they stay, that is for sure. Baker did that as you mention.

[KentExile]

Not sure if its been mentioned, but Ismael stated that Garrett is not on the training camp as he has a major groin injury that requires surgery.

Although I would have thought that if he was in the running for the training camp in the first place, he would have been with the first team a couple of weeks ago vs Accrington, rather than  with the U21s against Celtic.  (especially given that Tavares & Forshaw were already absent from the first team squad with injury, & Montgomery was playing right back in that game, meaning that the trialist from Loughborough University came off the bench in a midfield spot)

[CaptainBeanfart]

9 hours ago, Exiled_Rover said:

Might as well sell him in that case. 

Substitutes are a huge part of the game now and often planned in advance. Managers frequently refer to "starters" and "finishers". Saying we should sell Gueye because he's not a regular starter is ridiculous. He can change a game when we need a plan B, and he's also incredible at defending set pieces if we're hanging on to a lead. 

Edited 5 hours ago by CaptainBeanfart

[RevidgeBlue]

3 minutes ago, CaptainBeanfart said:

Substitutes are a huge part of the game now and often planned in advance. Managers frequently refer to "starters" and "finishers". Saying we should sell Gueye because he's not a regular starter is ridiculous. He can change a game when we need a plan B, and he's also incredible at defending set pieces if we're banging on to a lead. 

Ugh. I know it's slightly more of a squad game than it was in the past but can we not get too Americanised and refer to starters or finishers please?

I've not seen anyone seriously suggesting we should sell Gueye, we're at least one striker short as it is imo.

Edited 6 hours ago by RevidgeBlue

[Christopher]

11 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

Ismael said that we arent close to anything and that we will get players in "when we can."

I hope doing business hasnt become less of a priority now we have filled a few squad spots or off the back of winning friendlies. Still certainly short and also need some things resolving.

Probably only 3 squad places available without outgoings, maybe Leonard will get a loan. 

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

 

Squad looking very thin.  

GK:Toth seems to be doing ok...Has looked better coming for crosses pre season. 

I'd be tempted to off load Pears if anyone is daft enough to take him.  Bring in an old experienced head for the bench. 

RB: If Britain stays (or is replaced), rb is covered. 

CB:  Problem area.  Carter injury prone and out for a while, Wharton is bound to get injured at some stage after the the time out he's had.  Only 2 experienced centre backs.  Definitely need one more. 

Needs money spending in the position and you'd want somebody with a higher ceiling than Mcloughlin.  No sign of the Hyam extension yet either. 

LB:  Well covered.

CM: We know Sonny and Trav are both reliable (if they stay).  We know Forshaw can do a job but he's injury prone,  is only good for 20 min cameos and has missed most of pre season with an injury - stupid signing.

Tavares injured so will clearly be well off the pace early doors - if he's even any good. 

Montgomery is young and unproven (a bit like a younger Garrett).  Doesn't look like he'll set the world alight but will likely flit between looking half decent and the game passing him by. 

Garrett- out for a while and not going to cut it. 

Buckley- ship has sailed.  A reasonably experienced option but needs to  move on and drop a league for his own career. 

We definitely need one more, first-team ready CM and a second if either Trav/Tron goes.  

RW: Hedges (nuff said).  Montgomery? No thanks to either.   Definitely need a first team right winger. 

LW:  Kargbo promising but raw.  Deneve is at least fit and has a good engine.  

Are there no promising wide players in the academy as third option?

The 'Ten':  Big season for Cantwell this year.  Seems fully fit.  He'll either have his best season in years or be a busted flush.  I quietly hope it will be the former.   Ohashi could maybe cover there but doesn't seem technical enough.  

Tyjon looks a promising understudy - but needs to sign a contract! 

CF: Gueye can be a handful.  Holds the ball up well and causes problems but can't finish.  Best off the bench from what we saw last season.

Ohashi struggles to hold the ball but will press all day and a good finisher. 

Leonard just too injury prone - needs a loan if and when fit.  

Can't think of anyone else - we seem very short in this position should Ohashi/Gueye pick up a serious knock. Need one more - preferably better than the 2 we have but that costs decent money. 

May have missed somebody but I make that:

1 cb

1 midfielder

1 RW

1 CF

That's a minimum without anyone leaving.   There's also an argument for a Dolan type replacement that can (at a push) play across the front line. 

Really, each if those players needs to be able to go straight into the first team which requires ££ not pence signings.  

Crack on Rudy.  Still waiting for the exciting summer to start. 

Apologies for the long post but I'm sat out in the sun with nowt else to do 😂. 

Edited 6 hours ago by Wing Wizard Windy Miller

[Tomphil2]

33 minutes ago, CaptainBeanfart said:

Substitutes are a huge part of the game now and often planned in advance. Managers frequently refer to "starters" and "finishers". Saying we should sell Gueye because he's not a regular starter is ridiculous. He can change a game when we need a plan B, and he's also incredible at defending set pieces if we're banging on to a lead. 

Not a fan of pre planned subs for the sake of it, the number of times that has altered a game we were doing ok in was needlless.

I'm going back to GB's time now where he always seemed to make a change on 65 mins for the sake it and its crept in a lot since then. Yes i get there will be times it's necessary but beyond that subs should be organic purely made to reflect on the game as it unfolds.

As for Gueye i agree, imo we've always missed a big athletic centre front man to throw on whereas a lot of other clubs see it as a must have in their squads in this league. God knows how many times we've had it done against us and lost goals because of it, horses for courses.

Learn how to utilise Gueye and he's a good asset.

[Emerald Isle Rover]

There’s now 3 windows for subs and now allowed 5 subs

most teams now do subs based on timings in game it’s the way the game has gone 

most managers look at their bench around the hour mark to freshen things up or change the game. The issue with that is needing a good squad as you don’t want to be making 2/3 subs around 65mins and there’s a massive drop off in quality 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

3 minutes ago, Emerald Isle Rover said:

There’s now 3 windows for subs and now allowed 5 subs

most teams now do subs based on timings in game it’s the way the game has gone 

most managers look at their bench around the hour mark to freshen things up or change the game. The issue with that is needing a good squad as you don’t want to be making 2/3 subs around 65mins and there’s a massive drop off in quality 

The fact that there has been a drop off in quality when we’ve subbed players has led to us conceding more than our share of goals in the last 10 minutes of games. Just my opinion. 

We’ve also kept key players on the pitch for too long because our subs weren’t good enough. That leads to them getting tired and then getting injured.

[Exiled_Rover]

58 minutes ago, CaptainBeanfart said:

Substitutes are a huge part of the game now and often planned in advance. Managers frequently refer to "starters" and "finishers". Saying we should sell Gueye because he's not a regular starter is ridiculous. He can change a game when we need a plan B, and he's also incredible at defending set pieces if we're banging on to a lead. 

He's far, far more effective starting games than coming on as an 'impact sub'.

[Emerald Isle Rover]

9 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

The fact that there has been a drop off in quality when we’ve subbed players has led to us conceding more than our share of goals in the last 10 minutes of games. Just my opinion. 

We’ve also kept key players on the pitch for too long because our subs weren’t good enough. That leads to them getting tired and then getting injured.

I don’t think we’re that bad or we certainly have improved our game management in the last 10mins of games this last season or so think a lot of our struggles recently has been starting games 

but I do agree there are times where we take too long or when we do make the sub the impact hasn’t been there 

[roversfan99]

16 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

He's far, far more effective starting games than coming on as an 'impact sub'.

Our win record when he starts compared to when he doesnt wouldnt back that up.

[Forever Blue]

17 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

He's far, far more effective starting games than coming on as an 'impact sub'.

Gonna have to see your workings out for this one? 

[MarkBRFC]

I think things will be fairly quiet now until the last week or so of the window, apart from links to outgoing players.

[Emerald Isle Rover]

Gueye - 6 goals this season

4 of them he has started 

2 from the bench 

6 assists

4 from starts

2 from bench

individually he probably excels better starting but the team probably are better with Ohashi starting 

[Torgeir]

8 minutes ago, Emerald Isle Rover said:

Gueye - 6 goals this season

4 of them he has started 

2 from the bench 

6 assists

4 from starts

2 from bench

individually he probably excels better starting but the team probably are better with Ohashi starting 

When our workhorses went missing through injury we couldn't hold it together any longer. Travis, Tronstad and Ohashi, plus Brittain, do a tremendous amount of running, and are all integral to the team. Gueye works hard but with his big physique he can't move around as well as Ohashi and he doesn't always apply it in the best way; makes silly fouls and isn't as tactically aware in the pressing.

[Dreams of 1995]

12 minutes ago, Emerald Isle Rover said:

Gueye - 6 goals this season

4 of them he has started 

2 from the bench 

6 assists

4 from starts

2 from bench

individually he probably excels better starting but the team probably are better with Ohashi starting 

Some really big points saved with those goals. That's what I remember

The Sheffield Wednesday goal was a highlight for me. That was a game Rovers lose. We were made of sterner stuff last year

[Emerald Isle Rover]

I like Gueye he offers something different but the way Val wants to play from the off doesn’t overly suit him

but he can change games is a handful and with a year behind him would like to see what this season brings for him

[Browjd]

One major trend every season is that we always have a sustained slump of games in the second half. This is down to having a poor squad - as soon as injuries hit, we can't replace with any quality (coupled with poor January transfer windows). We need a better bench. 

[roverandout]

Can anyone honestly say its been a good window so far? I can't