Squad Review

[DutchRover]

Season over after a closer push than it had seemed we would make when Eustace left (congrats to him on Derby's escape, watch them outspend us 3x over in summer).

Figured it would be a good time to review the squad going into the summer, taking into account performances and contracts etc. Those more knowledgeable on the youth teams and our loanees feel free to contribute.

Goalkeeper:

Toth (2027) Pears (2027) Barrett (2025) Eastham (2025) Michalski (2027) Goddard (2025) Khan (2025) Honor (2026)

Toth showed enough in the last 5/6 games to be starting keeper next season, he may even push back into consideration for Hungary. Pears I think has run his course with us and I doubt he will be happy to sit on bench, sell if we can. Michalski is the big hope as I have heard it. 

Right Back:

Brittain (2026) JRC (2027) Duru (2025?) Montgomery (2026)

I worry the powers that be try to sell Brittain, but he is vital to us and deserves a new contract. JRC seems to be on the way out, I like him but too injury prone and Ismael doesn't seem to be a fan. Montgomery was a pleasant surprise coming into the team, I had higher hopes for Duru he needs a better loan next year. Need a back-up for Brittain in case of injury, and to renew his contract.

Left Back:

Ribeiro (2027) Pickering (2027) Batty (2025?) Powell (2025)

Strangely one of our more solid positions after years of turmoil. Ribeiro and Pickering is a solid first team duo under contract. Batty needs a good loan to push on next year.

Centre Back:

Hyam (2026) Carter (2027) Wharton (2027) Batth (2025) O'Riordan (2028) Litherland (2025?) Atcheson (2028) Davies (2026) Gamble (2025) Olson (2025) Pratt (2025) Doherty (?)

Again a reasonably solid group (assuming we renew Batth for another year). Arguably need one more left footed guy to cover while Wharton and Carter come back from injury. Maybe time to move on from O'Riordan, but I would give him one more loan. Don't know much about the younger guys, but Atcheson is the one I have heard best things about.

Centre Mid:

Travis (2026) Tronstad (2026) Buckley (2027) Forshaw (2025) Garrett (2027) Edmondson (2027) O'Grady-Macken (2025) Strich (2025) Murphy-Worrell (2025) Whitehall (2025) Caddick (2025) Saadi (2025?)

Trav and Tronstad are fantastic but again huge worry over contract expiry next summer and our unwillingness to pay our best players. Buckley seems to be heading out while Forshaw is exactly the sort of old guy we'll extend on the cheap. Garrett maybe needs another loan. Need to strengthen here unless one of the younger guys is ready to come through.

Attacking Mid:

Cantwell (2027) Weimann (2025) Wood (2025?) Gilsenan (2025) Tyjon (2026)

Sketchy group and needs strengthening . Weimann I think is too much of a risk to renew off injury. Wood and Gilsenan I think have missed shot. Tyjon is the future and needs to be in and around the first team next year or we will lose him. Cantwell a huge disappointment for his wages, I would not be opposed to selling him, though we would undoubtedly replace him with someone worse.

Right Wing:

Dolan (2025) Markanday (2026)

Dolan is 100% gone, I am sure of it. Markanday I would take up his option and give him a chance in preseason, but huge position in need of reinforcements, ideally pacy ones.

Left Wing:

Kargbo (2027) Hedges (2025) Bloxham (2025) Doherty (2027)

Kargbo showed flashes but too many daft fouls from over-eagerness. Hedges we apparently want to keep but maybe his injury derails that. He offers nothing going forward and I would only keep him as a back-up on reduced wages. Again, could do with strengthening.

Striker:

Ohashi (2027) Gueye (2027) Leonard (2027) Vale (2025) Mafoumbi (2027)

Ohashi seems perfect for Ismael and I have loved him from the start. Gueye not gelled it seems but in Jan/Feb he was our best player so I think he stays and we give him the summer to get with the program. Leonard as the third guy seems fair though he may be missing his chance to break-out. Vale can go. Mafoumbi struggled by accounts and if he is using an overseas slot we should offload. Hope there are more youngsters I do not know about.

 

Summary:

We need some depth at GK and defence if we let Pears go, but otherwise these positions are solid and just need contracts renewed.

Centre mid also needs depth and contracts but again the starters are excellent.

Wings/Attacking Mid is a huge weakness and looks woefully understaffed. Need at least 2/3 new players here, on each wing and maybe attacking mid.

Striker group is ok, I like Ohashi and Gueye and we are still waiting for Leonard to push on. Wouldn't say no to improving especially if Ismael doesn't want Gueye.

Edited 8 hours ago by DutchRover

[Forever Blue]

When it’s all laid out like that it’s quite shocking just how few ‘assets’ we have tied down beyond the end of next season.

This is supposed to be a professional football club in one of the most watched leagues in Europe. 

Fuck off Venkys. 

[DutchRover]

It's scary, and despite all their protestations since Glen and Co put the heat on they have still not renewed any forst team contracts except Ribeiro.

Travis, Tronstad, Brittain, Batth, Hyam all need to be tied down this summer. End of story, if they don't it is gross mismanagement.

[TheFinalCountdown]

I think we'll try and sell  Pears,Tronstad and Brittain as quickly as we can. 

I think Travis will be renewed as a rallying call.

JRC and Buckley will be forced out on loans or to anyone willing to pay cash.

Tygon and Higgins will be sold before September too. 

Doomsday... but we've been here several times before in the last few windows.

Edited 10 hours ago by TheFinalCountdown
More info

[DutchRover]

Forgot about Higgins, he's the one Arsenal are supposedly eyeing up stealing.

[simongarnerisgod]

think we all know every saleable asset will be sold this summer,there is no szmodics or wharton type money coming in,i feel sorry for ismael having to deal with it,just wondering if he`ll do a jdt/eustace and leg it before the **** hits the fan

[JCRovers]

My squad review:

GK: Toth, Pears

Sell Pears and get an experienced GK as backup to Toth

CB: Hyam, Wharton, O'Riordan, Batth, Carter

Sell Hyam, offer Batth a new one-year deal and get a left-footed center back since Wharton has struggled with injuries.

LB: Pickering, Ribeiro

Position looks good in terms of depth and experience, yes. But it's still a weak area that lacks pace and directness when Beck returns to parent club. I would have Beck back on loan in a heartbeat if possible.

RB: Brittain, Montgomery, Duru, JRC

Need to tie Brittain down on a contract beyond 2026 as he's a key player. Montgomery was a positive surprise in his appearances given that he normally is a midfielder. Feels like Duru needs another loan before being able to compete for first team spot. I would sell JRC and get an athletic right back as cover for Brittain. 

DM: Tronstad, Travis, Garrett, Forshaw

Need to have both Tronstad and Travis sign new contracts that extends their stay beyond 2026. Garrett needs another loan by the looks of it. I would not offer Forshaw an extension and get one experienced defensive midfielder on a permanent to provide backup and another on loan maybe.

AM: Cantwell, Weimann, Buckley

I would offer Weimann a one-year extension despite his injury issues. Buckley needs to be sold; his career has stagnated for the past two seasons. Think Ohashi could do a better job dropping a bit deeper to AM position and combine with the lone striker so not sure we need strengthening in this position. 

LW: Hedges, Kargbo

Kargbo need to show a lot more next season in terms of improving on his decision-making, otherwise this position looks rather weak.

RW: Dolan, Markanday

Dolan will most likely leave so we need to bring in a pacey right winger as replacement and maybe a backup on loan. Markanday might need another season in L1 before being able to compete. 

ST: Gueye, Ohashi, Leonard

Need a new striker, preferably a physical, mobile one with good aerial presence. Gueye has shown to perform well at times as target man but is inconsistent. Ohashi is decent as pressing forward but lacks pace to be a genuine threat in transitions or counter attacks.

Summary:

Sell (4): Pears, Hyam, JRC, Buckley

Buy/loan (8): experienced GK, left-footed CB, loan in a LB (preferably Beck again or someone similar), athletic RB, two DMs (one permanent and one on loan), pacey RW, and a mobile, physical ST 

 

[Ferrit]

Paper thin, and it's about to be even thinner. 

[joey_big_nose]

1 hour ago, TheFinalCountdown said:

I think we'll try and sell  Pears,Tronstad and Brittain as quickly as we can. 

I think Travis will be renewed as a rallying call.

JRC and Buckley will be forced out on loans or to anyone willing to pay cash.

Tygon and Higgins will be sold before September too. 

Doomsday... but we've been here several times before in the last few windows.

Can't see Travis signing, kicked on hugely this year to being one of the best centre mids in the division. He will tread exactly the same well worn route as Lenihan, BBD and now Dolan.  Weve created a conveyor belt to get our best players to leave on a free next year.

I wonder if Tronstad will be drawn to the same sort of decision too.

[RevidgeBlue]

16 minutes ago, joey_big_nose said:

I wonder if Tronstad will be drawn to the same sort of decision too.

What incentive is there for anyone half decent to stay? 

They can stay at a Club with no aspirations of promotion on (relatively) rubbish money or.....

And that's assuming the Club havent already been taking steps to flog them off to keep the lights on in the first place.

[DutchRover]

Ohashi I do think would work really well as a 2nd striker in a two, can drop deeper to link play but also press from the front. Bigger guy next to him like Gueye would give him some more freedom too as he can get bullied by bigger CBs.

Again though, dunno if Ismael wants Gueye; I hope they can make it work because Gueye can be an absolute handful for defenders when he is on form (Jan-Mar).

I would like us to go back for some of our January targets if possible perhaps, guys like Elie Youan, William Geubbells etc, though I seriously doubt we can be bothered to fund such signings.

[J*B]

Up for sale: Pears, Hyam, JRC, Buckley, Gueye, Leonard

Return to sender: Beck, Sanderson, Duberry, Dennis, Woodrow

No new deal: Forshaw, Wiemann

Gone: Dolan

Renew: Hedges, Batth

14 replacements if I was in charge - a squad full of crap. 

[RevidgeBlue]

5 minutes ago, J*B said:

Up for sale: Pears, Hyam, JRC, Buckley, Gueye, Leonard

Return to sender: Beck, Sanderson, Duberry, Dennis, Woodrow

No new deal: Forshaw, Wiemann

Gone: Dolan

Renew: Hedges, Batth

14 replacements if I was in charge - a squad full of crap. 

Are you saying you WOULD renew Heges or you think that's just what they'll do?

He has to be top of the pile of crap imo.

[J*B]

11 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Are you saying you WOULD renew Heges or you think that's just what they'll do?

He has to be top of the pile of crap imo.

New deal, but a squad player at most quality wise. He’s better than Kargbo, that’s for sure. 

[TheFinalCountdown]

We haven't seen Pickering under Ismael either. Could be looking at offloading him too.

[RevidgeBlue]

2 minutes ago, J*B said:

 He’s better than Kargbo, that’s for sure. 

That's probably an extremely low bar.

[roversfan99]

I dont get why Hyam is being lumped in with the disposable crap.

[Forever Blue]

Hyam’s looked a lot better recently. He looks sharper and quicker. Think he was badly affected by injury and loss of confidence. Him and DB have been a good combo 

[joey_big_nose]

33 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

I dont get why Hyam is being lumped in with the disposable crap.

Yeah agreed, really decent season from him where hes been very good alongside Batth. After Travis, Brittain and Tronstad hes probably our most important player to retain.

[J*B]

3 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

I dont get why Hyam is being lumped in with the disposable crap.

Because unless he’s got an experienced defender next to him he’s all over the shop! Carter and Batth please. 

[JCRovers]

Funny how some on here are defending Hyam so I took some time to research the goals we've been conceding during the second half of this season and where the defensive errors lie:

Hyam (8 mistakes leading to goal). Points cost: 8

vs Sheffield Utd. 3/5
failed to pick up Ahmedhodzic at the back post for 1-1 (final result).

vs Cardiff 15/3
#1 doesn't follow his man when running back to the box, forcing Carter to cover near post and JRC being in a 1 v 2 situation at the back post for 0-1. 
#2 failed to pick up the movement of Meite, allowing the striker to ghost behind and time his header ahead of him for 1-2 (final result).

vs Stoke 12/3
misplaced pass in a dangerous area, leading to a transition for 0-1 (final result).

vs Swansea 22/2
#1 despite having a five-yard advantage, he was still beaten for pace in the transition (1 v 1) and couldn't prevent Peart-Harris from scoring for 0-2.
#2 failure to scan the pitch for threats, allowing plenty of space for Cullen inside the box to make it 0-3.

vs Coventry 21/1
fails to cut off passing angle/ pick up marking as Thomas-Asante score from a tap-in for 0-2 (final result).

vs Leeds 1/1
caused the penalty for 0-1 with a sliding tackle inside the box. 

Ribeiro (4 mistakes leading to goal). Points cost: 2

vs Watford 26/4
part of a zonal marking system? 
tried to reach the ball at far post by backing into the situation but got easily beaten in the air as Pollock timed it way better for 0-1.

vs Millwall 18/4
failed to prevent Ivanovic from getting away a shot inside the six-yard box for 1-1.

vs Sheffield Wed. 8/4
beaten easily in the air from a floating corner, resulting in a simple tap-in at the opposite post for 0-1.

vs Derby 8/3
caught way out of position, forcing Hyam to close down opponent on the left flank and leave central defence exposed for 0-2. 
took a free kick in offensive area moments before but didn't manage to run back. poor tactical setup?

Pears (2 mistakes leading to goal). Points cost: 1

vs Derby 8/3
passively stands at the goal line instead of having a more forward position at the free kick, 
resulting in him reacting too late for the second ball when trying to come out and punch. Subsequently misses the punch which leads to an open goal for 0-1.

vs Preston 31/1
failed to cover near post as Potts scored a consolation goal at the very end. 

JRC (2 mistakes leading to goal). Points cost: 0

vs Middlesbrough 4/4
tried but failed to intercept the pass being the last man in defence, leading to a 1 v 1 against goalie and an easy goal for 0-1.

vs Coventry 21/1
easily beaten in the air as Simms heads it in from close range for 0-1.

Tronstad (2 mistakes leading to goal). Points cost: 1. I'm discounting the Norwich game since they were down to ten men.

vs Norwich 1/3
failure to close down Crnac just inside the penalty box for 0-1. Rovers played with ten men at that point.

vs Burnley 4/1
failed to pick up the run from Flemming who heads it in for 0-1 from close range (final result) 

Hedges (1 mistake leading to goal). Points cost: 0

vs Swansea 22/2
failure to prevent Vipotnik from taking a shot inside the six-yard box for 0-1. Pears slow to react as the ball barely had any speed.

Carter (1 mistake leading to goal). Points cost: 1

vs Portsmouth 29/3
failure to follow Murphy as he plays one-two's with a teammate to get through on goal for 0-1 (final result).

Beck (1 mistake leading to goal). Points cost: 0

vs QPR 4/2
a bit unfair to be solely blamed since he was mismatched against Frey for 0-1 (height disadvantage). 
also, no player marking the near post despite free kick being close to the corner flag.

ACD & Buckley (1 mistake each leading to goal). Points cost: 1

vs QPR 4/2
ACD fails to pick up the run at the far edge of box, allowing a free header into the six-yard area. Scramble ensues before Colback scores from just outside the box for 1-2 (final result). Buckley failing to see Colback's run behind him.

Sanderson (1 mistake leading to goal). Points cost: 1

vs Bristol City 25/1
caught sleeping as Wells ran in behind before taking a deflected shot for 1-2 (final result).
 

---

As you can see, Hyam is by far the worst offender when it comes to critical defensive errors (i.e. errors that directly leads to goals and dropped points). Second worst is Ribeiro.

Hyam is a poor passer, doesn't pick up marking / scan the pitch for dangerous movements and lacks severely in pace. A complete liability in my opinion which has been shown time and time again this season, especially when Batth doesn't play alongside him.

[DE.]

People say Hyam needs an experienced player beside him like that's acceptable for a 29 year old. If he needs someone to hold his hand at this point then he's not that good.

[DutchRover]

Hadn't realised Hyam's critical error stats are that bad, but that said we would need to see how many he prevents to. From eye test he is often the guy blocking opposition shots in the box.

[neophox]

Keep Batth and Tronstad ... spine of this team and leaders! 

[Exiled_Rover]

10 hours ago, Forever Blue said:

When it’s all laid out like that it’s quite shocking just how few ‘assets’ we have tied down beyond the end of next season.

This is supposed to be a professional football club in one of the most watched leagues in Europe. 

Fuck off Venkys. 

Eustace laid it out on the table for everyone to see. 

He's a snake though, apparently.