2025 Summer Transfer Thread. 😂

[Waggy76]

2 minutes ago, davulsukur said:

They've not said anything you wouldn't expect them to in an interview like that.

Back on with another project, which will take a few years to bare any fruit, by which time the owners will have gotten bored and changed their minds again.

As others have pointed out, it seems the better players aren't on board with the self imposed wage cap and obviously have refused dismal new contracts at the club, as we all expected was the case.

Another, presumably deliberate, slip by Rudy was that there "are others in that situation" (1 year left on their contracts), and that something might have to be looked at in January. Paving the way for a Tronstad exit in a few months.

A couple of slight digs at the fans needing to turn up and get behind the players on a matchday and about the coalition's stay away statement.

I would be far happier if those 3 in the photograph , buggered off and never crossed the threshold of Ewood again..

[Wendal]

Same cycle on rinse and repeat - Pasha putting the designated puppets forward to take all the heat for Venkys decisions. To be replaced once they’ve served their purpose with a new cast of puppets.

The one constant on the ground at Rovers since the takeover is Pasha. Why? 

[Tricky]

15 hours ago, danger19_80 said:

Oh god, here we go

 

I thought it was alright, but get the frustration, stagnation year by year, poor comms, and watching committed players walk away hasn’t been great but it’s a new chapter now.

Yes, the wage cap is crap, but it’s forcing the club to be smarter and not just splash cash on aging players who wanted new challenges. Honestly, some of them weren’t giving 100% either and it showed clearing them out isn’t just about saving money, it’s about building a squad that wants to be here.

VI's support shows, and while it’s easy to be skeptical, he sees them every day. Gudjohnsen looks a proper talent, and there’s a foundation in this squad and they’re building something. 

It might take a season to click, but I’d rather back a project with potential than cling to the past and repeated failures of achieving the play offs. The club’s far from perfect, but there’s a shift happening. 

If its too much to bear, you could always support the bastards and get your England flags out...
 

 

[Tomphil2]

Building for what ?  What are they building for on the back of a cashing in exercise and wage cap ?

Because it certainly isn't for the top 6.

[Tricky]

4 minutes ago, Tomphil2 said:

Building for what ?  What are they building for on the back of a cashing in exercise and wage cap ?

Because it certainly isn't for the top 6.

Nah probably not top 6 this season to be fair but they’re building a squad that actually wants to be here. No more passengers, it’s a reset, younger, hungrier players, a clear style, and long-term planning.

[JHRover]

3 minutes ago, Tricky said:

 

I thought it was alright, but get the frustration, stagnation year by year, poor comms, and watching committed players walk away hasn’t been great but it’s a new chapter now.

Yes, the wage cap is crap, but it’s forcing the club to be smarter and not just splash cash on aging players who wanted new challenges. Honestly, some of them weren’t giving 100% either and it showed clearing them out isn’t just about saving money, it’s about building a squad that wants to be here.

VI's support shows, and while it’s easy to be skeptical, he sees them every day. Gudjohnsen looks a proper talent, and there’s a foundation in this squad and they’re building something. 

It might take a season to click, but I’d rather back a project with potential than cling to the past and repeated failures of achieving the play offs. The club’s far from perfect, but there’s a shift happening. 

If its too much to bear, you could always support the bastards and get your England flags out...
 

 

Is the club being smarter? Offloading people like Travis (academy developed and cost us nothing) and then having to take a big gamble going into the foreign markets paying cash to bring in someone injured, unfit and unproven at this level I don't see as 'smarter' - I see it as taking a massive gamble. Pats on the back that the new guy falls within the 'wage cap' but you have to factor in the money we've shelled out to bring him and others in that wouldn't have been needed had we paid the existing proven crop more money.

'Building a squad that wants to be here' - the last crop of players wanted to be here and their efforts in the first 6 months of last season proved that. A more committed, united, hard working group you would not find in the Championship under Eustace and led by the senior players. That's been dismantled - deliberately - for non-footballing reasons. It doensn't mean the previous players didn't want to be here and doesn't mean that the new lot do either - they'll be here because we are paying them more than their last clubs and will be out of here as soon as they get a better offer elsewhere.

You make it sound like there's a grand strategy to build a great side in place - but by your own admission and the 'wage cap' that will never come to fruition because players will want away the minute another club comes sniffing or Rovers decide to cash in because we aren't willing to offer them pay or terms in keeping with the Championship standard.

 

[Tomphil2]

3 minutes ago, Tricky said:

Nah probably not top 6 this season to be fair but they’re building a squad that actually wants to be here. No more passengers, it’s a reset, younger, hungrier players, a clear style, and long-term planning.

Players tend to want to stay where there is ambition and where they are treated correctly contract and wage wise.

I'd like to know who out of the ones who've left were the ones you are referring to as not trying hard enough ?

Aside from Buckley i don't think that accusation stands up after a 7th placed finish.

Only thing they are building for is to increase the squad value ready for another round of sales and another reset in a couple of seasons once they've finished cashing in a replacing the last of the current lot. Then they'll move the deckchairs again staff wise and a fresh set of faces will tell us the exciting journey we are about to go on again.

Which division we are in then is open to debate.

[Tricky]

9 minutes ago, JHRover said:

Is the club being smarter? Offloading people like Travis (academy developed and cost us nothing) and then having to take a big gamble going into the foreign markets paying cash to bring in someone injured, unfit and unproven at this level I don't see as 'smarter' - I see it as taking a massive gamble. Pats on the back that the new guy falls within the 'wage cap' but you have to factor in the money we've shelled out to bring him and others in that wouldn't have been needed had we paid the existing proven crop more money.

'Building a squad that wants to be here' - the last crop of players wanted to be here and their efforts in the first 6 months of last season proved that. A more committed, united, hard working group you would not find in the Championship under Eustace and led by the senior players. That's been dismantled - deliberately - for non-footballing reasons. It doensn't mean the previous players didn't want to be here and doesn't mean that the new lot do either - they'll be here because we are paying them more than their last clubs and will be out of here as soon as they get a better offer elsewhere.

You make it sound like there's a grand strategy to build a great side in place - but by your own admission and the 'wage cap' that will never come to fruition because players will want away the minute another club comes sniffing or Rovers decide to cash in because we aren't willing to offer them pay or terms in keeping with the Championship standard.

 

Smarter than clinging to a squad that ran out of steam? Absolutely.

Travis gave everything, no doubt but sentiment doesn’t win games and he wanted to be with his chum. The club are taking calculated risks to break out of the cycle of overpaying for comfort and getting mid-table returns. The foreign signings are gambles but so was sticking with a group that couldn’t get us over the line.

The idea that the old squad was full of loyalty and the new uns are just mercenaries? Players move on when better offers come, that's football. The difference now is we’re not bending over backwards to keep players who’ve hit their ceiling.

There now is a strategy you can either get behind or not: build value, build hunger, build a team that fits the manager’s vision. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than nostalgia and hoping for the best.

[Tricky]

4 minutes ago, Tomphil2 said:

Players tend to want to stay where there is ambition and where they are treated correctly contract and wage wise.

I'd like to know who out of the ones who've left were the ones you are referring to as not trying hard enough ?

Aside from Buckley i don't think that accusation stands up after a 7th placed finish.

Only thing they are building for is to increase the squad value ready for another round of sales and another reset in a couple of seasons once they've finished cashing in a replacing the last of the current lot. Then they'll move the deckchairs again staff wise and a fresh set of faces will tell us the exciting journey we are about to go on again.

Which division we are in then is open to debate.

 

and which of the ones that left would have stayed if they were given the contract/wages they demanded?

IMO, probably only Dolan tried his best hard enough consistently, the others i dont think we'll miss and look where he's managed to get himself, a decent side in La Liga.

I mean its football and also a business that's how it works, but the difference now is there’s at least a plan to build value and identity and better than recycling the same group and expecting promotion to magically happen.

[Exiled_Rover]

32 minutes ago, Tricky said:

 

I thought it was alright, but get the frustration, stagnation year by year, poor comms, and watching committed players walk away hasn’t been great but it’s a new chapter now.

Yes, the wage cap is crap, but it’s forcing the club to be smarter and not just splash cash on aging players who wanted new challenges. Honestly, some of them weren’t giving 100% either and it showed clearing them out isn’t just about saving money, it’s about building a squad that wants to be here.

VI's support shows, and while it’s easy to be skeptical, he sees them every day. Gudjohnsen looks a proper talent, and there’s a foundation in this squad and they’re building something. 

It might take a season to click, but I’d rather back a project with potential than cling to the past and repeated failures of achieving the play offs. The club’s far from perfect, but there’s a shift happening. 

If its too much to bear, you could always support the bastards and get your England flags out...
 

 

Splashing the cash?

Uncommitted players?

[JHRover]

14 minutes ago, Tricky said:

Smarter than clinging to a squad that ran out of steam? Absolutely.

Travis gave everything, no doubt but sentiment doesn’t win games and he wanted to be with his chum. The club are taking calculated risks to break out of the cycle of overpaying for comfort and getting mid-table returns. The foreign signings are gambles but so was sticking with a group that couldn’t get us over the line.

The idea that the old squad was full of loyalty and the new uns are just mercenaries? Players move on when better offers come, that's football. The difference now is we’re not bending over backwards to keep players who’ve hit their ceiling.

There now is a strategy you can either get behind or not: build value, build hunger, build a team that fits the manager’s vision. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than nostalgia and hoping for the best.

We had a squad that finished 7th on the final day after spending the entire season sat in the top 6, despite being so badly mismanaged that the manager ran off to have a relegation battle with Derby rather than try and finish the job. 

I think everyone in football would focus on retaining the best parts of what was there last season, and add to it to try and go one better in the hope of getting into the top 6 this season. That means keeping the spine of the team, adding some depth and more quality.

I don't agree that they 'ran out of steam'. Their efforts were derailed by another negligent January transfer window failing to improve the squad in any shape or form and then by the club allowing its manager to walk out because it wouldn't give him the tools to build or strengthen us further. 

There is zero evidence available that the new signings possess 'more steam' than those that have left. Infact a number of them are unlikely to be up to speed or familiar with the physical demands of the Championship and will take time to adjust. 

I don't agree there is a strategy other than saving more money and dumbing things down further. No I'm not behind it. I think it will end in relegation to League One, or at best several years of struggle in the Championship, neither of which were necessary given where we were last season.

'Build value' can't be done due to our contract approach - how can it? - even if these new players turn out to be world beaters we won't pay them the going Championship rate - so they will be off at the first opportunity. The only way we can build a quality squad is by paying them a competitive wage and offering 3-4 year deals. Otherwise it is a revolving door. 

Edited 5 hours ago by JHRover

[B16Rover]

10 minutes ago, Tricky said:

 

and which of the ones that left would have stayed if they were given the contract/wages they demanded?

IMO, probably only Dolan tried his best hard enough consistently, the others i dont think we'll miss and look where he's managed to get himself, a decent side in La Liga.

I mean its football and also a business that's how it works, but the difference now is there’s at least a plan to build value and identity and better than recycling the same group and expecting promotion to magically happen.

I hate football 

I don't want my club to have a plan to 'build value'.  In most ways it doesn't bother me in the slightest what the value is. 

Rather, the plan should be to 'get promoted' and given we finished 2 points off a playoff game worth 180m, we should be looking at what 'value' there is to those two points and questioning whether those nasty demanding snakes could've got us over the line with some reinforcements in January. 

The aggregator to it all, is this isn't the first 'transitional cycle' we've been through where some depth in January gets us with a sniff of promotion.  

[47er]

13 minutes ago, B16Rover said:

Rather, the plan should be to 'get promoted'

Get promoted and the rest takes care of itself---a point clearly missed by our beloved owners.

The only plan worth having.

38 minutes ago, Tricky said:

Smarter than clinging to a squad that ran out of steam?

How did the team "run out of steam"? After a collapse we rallied to finish 7th. On a good run at the end of the season. 

[Tricky]

47 minutes ago, JHRover said:

We had a squad that finished 7th on the final day after spending the entire season sat in the top 6, despite being so badly mismanaged that the manager ran off to have a relegation battle with Derby rather than try and finish the job. 

I think everyone in football would focus on retaining the best parts of what was there last season, and add to it to try and go one better in the hope of getting into the top 6 this season. That means keeping the spine of the team, adding some depth and more quality.

I don't agree that they 'ran out of steam'. Their efforts were derailed by another negligent January transfer window failing to improve the squad in any shape or form and then by the club allowing its manager to walk out because it wouldn't give him the tools to build or strengthen us further. 

There is zero evidence available that the new signings possess 'more steam' than those that have left. Infact a number of them are unlikely to be up to speed or familiar with the physical demands of the Championship and will take time to adjust. 

I don't agree there is a strategy other than saving more money and dumbing things down further. No I'm not behind it. I think it will end in relegation to League One, or at best several years of struggle in the Championship, neither of which were necessary given where we were last season.

'Build value' can't be done due to our contract approach - how can it? - even if these new players turn out to be world beaters we won't pay them the going Championship rate - so they will be off at the first opportunity. The only way we can build a quality squad is by paying them a competitive wage and offering 3-4 year deals. Otherwise it is a revolving door. 

Understand where you're coming from 7th place with a stronger January window and some backing for the manager could’ve made all the difference but that's hindsight now.

The new signings will take time to adapt, no doubt but it doesn’t mean they’re not capable. It’s a different approach—less about short-term fixes, more about building a team that can grow together.

The contract model might need work but if we give this group time and back the project with patience, it might just surprise a minority of fans who seem hell bent on preparing for relegation.
 

[Eternal Optimist]

if you scroll back 12 months to the transfer window forum from 2024 the messages on here where exactly the same, rubbish window, relegation is bound to happen, board out etc and then we finished 7th. Exactly the same tone this year. If some of the new signings can hit the ground running I think we can have a pretty decent season, barring a few top teams in the league its not a brilliant Championship in term of quality (like last year) New Japanese lad looks pretty decent and certainly an upgrade on Dolan. If Gudjohnsen can score which it look like he can at international level anyway then there are positive signs of life.

 

[JHRover]

4 minutes ago, Tricky said:

Understand where you're coming from 7th place with a stronger January window and some backing for the manager could’ve made all the difference but that's hindsight now.

The new signings will take time to adapt, no doubt but it doesn’t mean they’re not capable. It’s a different approach—less about short-term fixes, more about building a team that can grow together.

The contract model might need work but if we give this group time and back the project with patience, it might just surprise a minority of fans who seem hell bent on preparing for relegation.
 

There won't be any time or patience if results don't improve because at less than a point a game relegation is quite likely.

It isn't the fans that are 'hell bent' on preparing for relegation it is the Club due to voluntarily pursuing a policy of rapidly dismantling a proven competitive squad and replacing it with a totally inexperienced questionable quality squad at low cost.

Unless you are very, very good the likelihood is that this policy will result in a deterioration in results, something you seem to accept with all the talk about 'patience' which basically means we should accept a decline in performances, results, league position as a result of choices the management have made this summer. Why should we accept that rather than expect an improvement on last year?

I'm not interested in a team that can 'grow together' - as pointed out a combination of a wage cap not competitive at this level, an obsession with cutting costs, a high risk recruitment strategy and general unwillingness to compete financially in this division this means there will be no growth or project because the minute a player proves himself of quality in this league we will be vulnerable to him being poached by a rival e.g. the mighty Derby.

We had a squad that had 'grown together' with people like Travis, Brittain and Dolan who had been at the club for years, often since academy days.

It is as much short term now as it was last summer only with a lower cost base.

[Tricky]

5 minutes ago, JHRover said:

There won't be any time or patience if results don't improve because at less than a point a game relegation is quite likely.

It isn't the fans that are 'hell bent' on preparing for relegation it is the Club due to voluntarily pursuing a policy of rapidly dismantling a proven competitive squad and replacing it with a totally inexperienced questionable quality squad at low cost.

Unless you are very, very good the likelihood is that this policy will result in a deterioration in results, something you seem to accept with all the talk about 'patience' which basically means we should accept a decline in performances, results, league position as a result of choices the management have made this summer. Why should we accept that rather than expect an improvement on last year?

I'm not interested in a team that can 'grow together' - as pointed out a combination of a wage cap not competitive at this level, an obsession with cutting costs, a high risk recruitment strategy and general unwillingness to compete financially in this division this means there will be no growth or project because the minute a player proves himself of quality in this league we will be vulnerable to him being poached by a rival e.g. the mighty Derby.

We had a squad that had 'grown together' with people like Travis, Brittain and Dolan who had been at the club for years, often since academy days.

It is as much short term now as it was last summer only with a lower cost base.

You’re right, results do matter and patience will wear thin quickly if points arent picked up, that’s the reality. But I don’t think this rebuild is about preparing for relegation, it’s about trying something different after years of falling just short. The old squad had grown together but also hit a ceiling. The Jan window and Eustace exit were setbacks, but they'll have exposed deeper issues the club have since addressed.

The new approach is risky, no doubt but risk doesn’t always mean decline. If even a few of these signings settle quickly and the team gels, we will be competitive. It’s not about accepting worse results it’s accepting change takes time. Let’s see where we are after 10–15 games before writing the season off.

[MarkBRFC]

20 minutes ago, Tricky said:

Understand where you're coming from 7th place with a stronger January window and some backing for the manager could’ve made all the difference but that's hindsight now.
 

If only they had some history to look back on to prevent it just being hindsight.

[Tricky]

2 minutes ago, MarkBRFC said:

If only they had some history to look back on to prevent it just being hindsight.

they learn the hard way, or just stop looking backwards.

[Emerald Isle Rover]

16 minutes ago, Eternal Optimist said:

if you scroll back 12 months to the transfer window forum from 2024 the messages on here where exactly the same, rubbish window, relegation is bound to happen, board out etc and then we finished 7th. Exactly the same tone this year. If some of the new signings can hit the ground running I think we can have a pretty decent season, barring a few top teams in the league its not a brilliant Championship in term of quality (like last year) New Japanese lad looks pretty decent and certainly an upgrade on Dolan. If Gudjohnsen can score which it look like he can at international level anyway then there are positive signs of life.

 

I stated that at the start of the window that last year was the same in terms of predictions towards relegation etc and we proved that all wrong.

However there’s 2 massive differences this time around 

1. last season we didn’t lose the core of the team - losing 1/2 is fine 5/6 is not fine 

2. we seen the start we made last season compared to this one it’s def different. Do the players deserve patience and time yes of course they aren’t to blame but we shouldn’t be in this position 

[roversfan99]

The video is as everyone expected. A heavily sanitised pile of shit. Hand picked questions, the 3 of them sat comfortably knowing they wouldnt be pulled up on anyone.

I dont think any of them come across well, I would love to know what Ismael really thinks about the window. Gestede in particular is not a likeable figurehead and again reverted back to the crap about a minority spreading division.

Some take away points to mention are again the painting of players as just wanted to move without any probing. Why are no players willing to sign here? Is our wage budget really that restrictive? Where the offers put to them in writing as it feels like we happily got rid of players earning competitive Championship wages? The contract record or lack of over an extended period of time cant just be ignored.

Ismael also said that this was a summer of transition that wont happen again. Why not? Loads of other players are out of contract in 1 or 2 seasons, what will change? Will players finally start signing up here?

It also seems that we wont be signing another defender. Love how they are pushing that Miller is one of 4 centre backs now based partly on a cup game, and it seems like TGH is going to cover right back. Which only leaves Tavares who has been very questionable to partner Tronstad. 

They also mentioned how much pace we have now. In attack, have we? None of the attackers we signed seem quick.

They also kept pushing Montgomery, I havent seen this development that they have seen.

Also, whats going on with Pears? When is Baradji back fit?

[bob fleming]

2 hours ago, Wendal said:

The one constant on the ground at Rovers since the takeover is Pasha. Why? 

Can only think that he represents the "stakeholders".

[Eternal Optimist]

6 minutes ago, Emerald Isle Rover said:

I stated that at the start of the window that last year was the same in terms of predictions towards relegation etc and we proved that all wrong.

However there’s 2 massive differences this time around 

1. last season we didn’t lose the core of the team - losing 1/2 is fine 5/6 is not fine 

2. we seen the start we made last season compared to this one it’s def different. Do the players deserve patience and time yes of course they aren’t to blame but we shouldn’t be in this position 

Totally understand what you are saying losing a number of first teamers is not great at all but will they be missed that much. I get they knew each other in terms of playing together and out new crop will take a while to gel so that's a worry but, Batth and Weimann are currently being slated by Derby fans for being tosh, Dolan far to inconsistent and frustrating and was slagged off all season by fans so no wonder he jogged on. Travis was a run around but football wise was very limited, people more bothered about the emotional connection to Travis than his ability. Hyam is a loss but only because of the timing, think given time he could have been replaced. 

Start of the season has been poor and i think the new signings especially ones we signed at the end of the window need to be in the first 11 quickly and then we can judge. Until then we just don't know if all this is extremely worrying or a stroke of genius

[rigger]

1 minute ago, roversfan99 said:

The video is as everyone expected. A heavily sanitised pile of shit. Hand picked questions, the 3 of them sat comfortably knowing they wouldnt be pulled up on anyone.

I dont think any of them come across well, I would love to know what Ismael really thinks about the window. Gestede in particular is not a likeable figurehead and again reverted back to the crap about a minority spreading division.

Some take away points to mention are again the painting of players as just wanted to move without any probing. Why are no players willing to sign here? Is our wage budget really that restrictive? Where the offers put to them in writing as it feels like we happily got rid of players earning competitive Championship wages? The contract record or lack of over an extended period of time cant just be ignored.

Ismael also said that this was a summer of transition that wont happen again. Why not? Loads of other players are out of contract in 1 or 2 seasons, what will change? Will players finally start signing up here?

It also seems that we wont be signing another defender. Love how they are pushing that Miller is one of 4 centre backs now based partly on a cup game, and it seems like TGH is going to cover right back. Which only leaves Tavares who has been very questionable to partner Tronstad. 

They also mentioned how much pace we have now. In attack, have we? None of the attackers we signed seem quick.

They also kept pushing Montgomery, I havent seen this development that they have seen.

Also, whats going on with Pears? When is Baradji back fit?

The small minority that are spreading division, are the ones that are in charge of the club. 

[Emerald Isle Rover]

2 minutes ago, Eternal Optimist said:

Totally understand what you are saying losing a number of first teamers is not great at all but will they be missed that much. I get they knew each other in terms of playing together and out new crop will take a while to gel so that's a worry but, Batth and Weimann are currently being slated by Derby fans for being tosh, Dolan far to inconsistent and frustrating and was slagged off all season by fans so no wonder he jogged on. Travis was a run around but football wise was very limited, people more bothered about the emotional connection to Travis than his ability. Hyam is a loss but only because of the timing, think given time he could have been replaced. 

Start of the season has been poor and i think the new signings especially ones we signed at the end of the window need to be in the first 11 quickly and then we can judge. Until then we just don't know if all this is extremely worrying or a stroke of genius

Well we can only judge what we have seen to date and what we have seen is regression from last years squad to now.

Travis is streets clear of Tavares at present 

Brittain is a top 5 champ right back

hyam is better than what we currently have

so we’re pinning our hopes on Morishita and gudjohnsen to be good but they will take time and that’s the issue certainly the one that I have is we shouldn’t be in this position what ideally should have happened is we sign Morishita/gudjohnsen/miller on top of last seasons squad probably minus Dolan weimann and batth as all were likely to go

add Baradji to the mix -   Vals words in the interview about transfers saying miller was due in 3 weeks before he signed but got injured so they didn’t want to chance it. Why sign a player in Baradji who failed a medical and is currently injured? Doesn’t make sense