2025 Summer Transfer Thread. 😂

[pick32]

 Val said in pre-season, Cantwell was the only player on the pitch who could score a goal like that, he will be a special player for us this season. So any talk of him not being “Vals type” is nonsense 

[yeti-dog]

1 hour ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Do we think they've even realised the potential problem from an ESC standpoint?

From a fan's perspective I've also wondered how long it will be before we field a side without a single English or at least British starter?

I do think that if that happens it chips away at the bond or connection between players and supporters a bit.

I take your point and that we pride ourselves on our academy and players coming through. 

However, I don't see the fans of the big clubs giving a toss if their is full of foreigners if they're winning trophies.

 

[glen9mullan]

5 minutes ago, pick32 said:

 Val said in pre-season, Cantwell was the only player on the pitch who could score a goal like that, he will be a special player for us this season. So any talk of him not being “Vals type” is nonsense 

Maybe living arrangements? And cost to club?

[MarkBRFC]

Yeah again, Cantwell leaving would be nothing to do with him being "Val's kind of player" or not.

It's all about the savings and money in the door if he goes.

[sharpysharps86]

Yeah the Cantwell thing is weird. Maybe its simply because of how the club has treated several other players previously, but 'fit but not ready' sounds to me like 'we're trying to ship this guy out'.

Oh and look, we now have Henriksson to be a direct replacement. Said it the other day, the club will never look to build on what they have, only replace what they lose.

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

2 hours ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Do we think they've even realised the potential problem from an ESC standpoint?

From a fan's perspective I've also wondered how long it will be before we field a side without a single English or at least British starter?

I do think that if that happens it chips away at the bond or connection between players and supporters a bit.

Interesting point that last part.  I think 20 yrs ago maybe that would be  the case.  Foreign players were often considered mercenary players with little loyalty etc.  Same can be said about the British players in this era. 

It all comes down to how good the players are, in my opinion.  If the team is doing well, the fans will bond with whomever.  

If the players/team aren't performing, the fans will be on their back regardless of nationality. 

Danny Murphy, Bradley Orr leap to mind. 

 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

2 hours ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Do we think they've even realised the potential problem from an ESC standpoint?

From a fan's perspective I've also wondered how long it will be before we field a side without a single English or at least British starter?

I do think that if that happens it chips away at the bond or connection between players and supporters a bit.

When I first started watching we’d 4 out of the 5 starting forwards that were born in Blackburn. Ratcliffe, Pickering, Byrom and Dougie. Now the way we are going we’ll be struggling to have 4 English players in the team !

[glen9mullan]

It could be case of hard reset. 

Set new culture completely, philosophy and replace majority of squad with an unbiased approach. There have been that many changes across staff, management etc , that its likely to be a clearing of the deck chairs,  new start on playing side.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

7 minutes ago, glen9mullan said:

It could be case of hard reset. 

Set new culture completely, philosophy and replace majority of squad with an unbiased approach. There have been that many changes across staff, management etc , that its likely to be a clearing of the deck chairs,  new start on playing side.

That’s ok as long as it works. We’ve needed a culture change down at Ewood for years. The stats regarding games lost once we’ve gone behind speak for themselves. As do the stats regarding mid week away games lost. We’ve developed a losing mentality than needs driving out of the club.

[KentExile]

12 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

When I first started watching we’d 4 out of the 5 starting forwards that were born in Blackburn. Ratcliffe, Pickering, Byrom and Dougie. Now the way we are going we’ll be struggling to have 4 English players in the team !

2 regular English starters is my guess.  At least until Travis and Cantwell leave

 

 

[Emerald Isle Rover]

If it is a hard reset I still don’t understand why cantwell would be one to leave he’s only been here a year 

 

[chaddyrovers]

Ismael in his preview to WBA said they were being Cautious over Cantwell injury and he will be back next week. I don't see Cantwell leaving this season and I think Ismael actually see him as key player for this team. 

On the Travis situation, Ismael made very clear that Travis has been offered a new contract here as he said post Stanley friendly game. Would it surprise if he left before end of the window, no it wouldn't

It would zero surprise to see Pears and Buckley to leave. The writing has been on the wall for Buckley for the last 2 seasons. He needs regular first team football. If Pears isn't first choice then I always thought he would look to move on. 

1 hour ago, roversfan99 said:

But Miller is likely to be our first choice right back. So if hes needed to cover centre back, then thats 2 changes in 1.

I dont like when we try and cover 2 vacancies with 1 player. Versatility shouldnt mean signing less players. You cant play 2 positions at the same time.

We always have players who can play a couple of positions during a season like Henning Berg or Paul Warhurst or Lucas Neill. To be honest I actually think its makes perfect sense to have 1 or 2 players within your squad who can play a couple of positions. I don't see what your problem actually is.  

[roversfan99]

3 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Ismael in his preview to WBA said they were being Cautious over Cantwell injury and he will be back next week. I don't see Cantwell leaving this season and I think Ismael actually see him as key player for this team. 

On the Travis situation, Ismael made very clear that Travis has been offered a new contract here as he said post Stanley friendly game. Would it surprise if he left before end of the window, no it wouldn't

It would zero surprise to see Pears and Buckley to leave. The writing has been on the wall for Buckley for the last 2 seasons. He needs regular first team football. If Pears isn't first choice then I always thought he would look to move on. 

We always have players who can play a couple of positions during a season like Henning Berg or Paul Warhurst or Lucas Neill. To be honest I actually think its makes perfect sense to have 1 or 2 players within your squad who can play a couple of positions. I don't see what your problem actually is.  

Your problem is again that you've again misunderstood what I have put.

Versatility is obviously useful. My point is, if you need 2 players, signing one to cover both is not sufficient as he cant play them both at the same time.

Take this example. Say if we need Miller at centre back, he is most likely to be our first choice right back, so one issue solved creates another.

[alexanders]

Doesn’t make any sense to invest heavily in the academy and then just ignore it. It’s about striking the correct balance.
 

on the part about the importance of local lads, short term lots of foreigners and players with little to no connection to the academy or Lancashire might  work. 
 

long-term it’s a major mistake; seen this so many times in other clubs and experienced it firsthand 

[Exiled_Rover]

52 minutes ago, KentExile said:

2 regular English starters is my guess.  At least until Travis and Cantwell leave

 

 

Until the next wave of Academy graduates are blooded that's how it'll stay - English players are expensive and they don't seem to want to take punts on players like O'Riordan (who might yet still develop into an excellent Championship player) from the lower leagues.

[Exiled_Rover]

7 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Your problem is again that you've again misunderstood what I have put.

Versatility is obviously useful. My point is, if you need 2 players, signing one to cover both is not sufficient as he cant play them both at the same time.

Take this example. Say if we need Miller at centre back, he is most likely to be our first choice right back, so one issue solved creates another.

Only in the same way that Carter can play RB.

He's not first choice at it, but over the grind of the season it's nice to have that flexibility in your squad.

If Alebiosu can't start a few games then he's not worth his wages.

[47er]

2 hours ago, glen9mullan said:

Heard, of course there needs to be someone who will take them, but if those suitors come in, there gone.

I'm sure Derby will be in for Travis if he's available. 

[KentExile]

1 minute ago, Exiled_Rover said:

Until the next wave of Academy graduates are blooded that's how it'll stay - English players are expensive and they don't seem to want to take punts on players like O'Riordan (who might yet still develop into an excellent Championship player) from the lower leagues.

Yep, although Alebiosu (and players of his ilk... English "unknowns" playing abroad) might also come into the equation... especially if/when our ESC slots dry up

[Exiled_Rover]

6 minutes ago, KentExile said:

Yep, although Alebiosu (and players of his ilk... English "unknowns" playing abroad) might also come into the equation... especially if/when our ESC slots dry up

On a related note, now that Wednesday's embargo has been lifted I actually think they could be a dark horse.

They've lined up two United youngster on loan. I wouldn't be surprised if a whole load of PL Academies dump their players there for a year to get Championship experience.

You know they're going to get a lot of football.

[chaddyrovers]

20 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Your problem is again that you've again misunderstood what I have put.

Versatility is obviously useful. My point is, if you need 2 players, signing one to cover both is not sufficient as he cant play them both at the same time.

Take this example. Say if we need Miller at centre back, he is most likely to be our first choice right back, so one issue solved creates another.

No I haven't misunderstood anything thanks RF99. 

I thought examples weren't allowed after you starting kicking off when I used an possible example of us easing Leonard backinto the first team. 

No its doesn't create another problem given we have another right back but sometimes you might want to go 3 at the back for the last 10 minutes of games so moving Miller next to Hyam and Wharton whilst bringing on Alebiosu for the right winger makes perfect sense. Have you actually thought of that?  

[KentExile]

6 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

On a related note, now that Wednesday's embargo has been lifted I actually think they could be a dark horse.

They've lined up two United youngster on loan. I wouldn't be surprised if a whole load of PL Academies dump their players there for a year to get Championship experience.

You know they're going to get a lot of football.

Well, 5 players.. can only have a max of 5 loan players in a matchday squad

[AspRover]

1 hour ago, pick32 said:

 Val said in pre-season, Cantwell was the only player on the pitch who could score a goal like that, he will be a special player for us this season. So any talk of him not being “Vals type” is nonsense 

I've said it before but Cantwell's issue last season was that teams found it too easy to isolate him and push him off the ball - I used to think that the answer was to drop him deeper so he could be covered by the midfield a bit more, now I'm hopeful that the seeming drive to get the rest of the team looking bigger, fitter, stronger in general will help protect him.

We also need another player on the pitch with that 'aura' that the opposition are a bit scared of, so that the markers get split up rather than just seeming to having three on Cantwell at all times. Maybe that can be Kargbo or Henriksson.

Still think he'll work out fine.

[Mercer]

1 hour ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

When I first started watching we’d 4 out of the 5 starting forwards that were born in Blackburn. Ratcliffe, Pickering, Byrom and Dougie. Now the way we are going we’ll be struggling to have 4 English players in the team !

So true!

Barrie Ratcliffe obviously fell short of the other three but a lovely bloke and we used to buy our meat from him on his 3 day Blackburn Market stall.

Edited 3 hours ago by Mercer

[sharpysharps86]

On Travis - I do expect him to go this window, not based on anything other than a gut feeling. I imagine that the likes of Suhail and Gestede aren't overly fond of him because he was such a supporter of Eustace, and he appears to actually care about the fans and the club...something neither of those two seem to give two hoots about.

Trav to Derby makes a lot of sense. I'd be gutted if he went there though, probably more so than any other championship side. I don't really have any ill feeling towards Derby, but the fact that they've taken so many ex-Rovers now is just so disappointing, especially when it could've been so easily avoided.

Outside of that situation and the obvious need for a RW, we appear really short up front. They've not replaced Weimann or Dolan really, while Leonard looks unlikely to ever make the step up either. Where will the goals come from if Ohashi and Gueye are not firing?

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

7 minutes ago, Mercer said:

So true!

Barrie Ratcliffe obviously fell short of the other three but a lovely bloke and we used to buy our meat from him on his 3 day Blackburn Market stall.

He was a bit lightweight in the days of killer fullbacks. He’d have done much better under today’s refereeing attitudes.