v Hull City (a) - 23/8/25

[WacoRover]

Predictions:

- Hull scores first, & last; 

- wins will be few & far between this season;

- Rovers lose at least 2 more players who transfer out;

- the players who replace them, aren’t as good;

- this is all before we get our typical 7 or 8 debilitating injuries to 1st teamers. 

[philipl]

Apparently there is a story about Hull having to play the club cat against us because of an injury crisis behind a paywall somewhere...

[Ossydave]

4 hours ago, philipl said:

Apparently there is a story about Hull having to play the club cat against us because of an injury crisis behind a paywall somewhere...

Not much of a crisis they've got like 3 players out, the latest being Crooks, unless the mystery virus turns out to be particularly rampant.

[roversfan99]

Massive game already. Lose again and the concerns really grow.

I have always thought that people have overestimated our likeliness of relegation in past seasons but this one feels different. Birmingham and Wrexham already have miles better squads so they wont be close to a dogfight. Potential rivals like Hull, Charlton and Preston have all started well so a loss would just leave further ground to catch already.

We also know that no matter what results are, Ismael is safe as they wont be paying between 2 and 3 years of his contract up.

I presume we again will be choosing not to include our captain despite him still being a Rovers player for the time being?

[chaddyrovers]

 

10 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

I presume we again will be choosing not to include our captain despite him still being a Rovers player for the time being?

do you think we should pick up if the rumours are true about last week game why he wasn't involve? 

[Tomphil2]

The only reason we've had good seasons recently bar one and the only reason we actually stayed up then was down to the good starts and getting as many points on the table as early as possible.

So yes this one feels different and what concerns me is the conceding of goals early in games, an issue that never seems to go away no matter who is coaching them.

[roversfan99]

28 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

 

do you think we should pick up if the rumours are true about last week game why he wasn't involve? 

That he wasnt happy with the interviews and felt like he was throwing under the bus?

Then its an issue of our own making because he played the first game.

And yes, I know, you appreciate Ismael being "open and honest" I dont need to hear it again. Its just a shame that it leaves the team much weaker ahead of an important game.

[Tomphil2]

Head coaches being open and honest is good but we have to remember it's only up to a point.

In no way are they ever going to throw themselves under the bus nor their bosses, unless they feel it's time to get sacked and get paid up !

Literally hanging onto every word they say as gospel is for the fairies a pinch of salt is always needed.

[JPTSwindon]

If Travis is on the payroll still, he should be playing (as was the case with Sammy) - if he plays well, might encourage Derby to meet our valuation to secure the move he wants.  If he doesn't want to play, he shouldn't get paid.

[lraC]

1 hour ago, JPTSwindon said:

If Travis is on the payroll still, he should be playing (as was the case with Sammy) - if he plays well, might encourage Derby to meet our valuation to secure the move he wants.  If he doesn't want to play, he shouldn't get paid.

It might not be his fault though, as you never know, what is going on behind the scenes. 

[TimmyJimmy]

4 hours ago, Ossydave said:

Not much of a crisis they've got like 3 players out, the latest being Crooks, unless the mystery virus turns out to be particularly rampant.

Cats v Poultry - only going to end one way I'm afraid.

[DE.]

I just have no confidence in this squad at all. I think they'll put the effort in, no concerns there, but I just don't think the sum of our parts is anywhere near the level needed to compete effectively in this division. We are utterly devoid of creativity, outside of Cantwell, which means we'd need to rely pretty heavily on set pieces. But we're terrible at those as well. Can't see how the current team is expected to achieve anything other than relegation.

Other than that, looking forward to the game. 

[KentExile]

9 minutes ago, lraC said:

It might not be his fault though, as you never know, what is going on behind the scenes. 

Also, stands to reason that as Travis is one of our higher earners, this will also include him having higher performance/appearance bonuses/payments

Another few pennies saved!

Edited 3 hours ago by KentExile

[Lancaster Rover]

3 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

 

do you think we should pick up if the rumours are true about last week game why he wasn't involve? 

that's the thing with rumours, you get to pick and choose which you believe

[JHRover]

Travis has never struck me as a character who would refuse to play. Quite the opposite I think he'd put a shift in even if he wasn't 100% fit or ready.

Indeed he was available pre-season and at West Brom.

So yeah, on balance I'd believe that the issue is more that the Club are desperate to cash in and get his wages gone so are doing their level best to generate some sort of bidding war and ensure he doesn't get injured in the meantime. 

[Tomphil2]

2 hours ago, JPTSwindon said:

If Travis is on the payroll still, he should be playing (as was the case with Sammy) - if he plays well, might encourage Derby to meet our valuation to secure the move he wants.  If he doesn't want to play, he shouldn't get paid.

And if he plays and just goes through the motions trying to avoid injury or he gets himself sent off then he's a liability.

There's only one way to end this and we all know what it is and if not ten tell him you are going nowhere till summer so play properly and earn your wages or get suspended and fined. Then you'll be frozen out till the seasons end and only do your chances of a good contract somewhere else major harm.

All party's need to stop effing about now including Derby.

My own thoughts on this are perhaps those upstairs dragging it out till the windows end then conceding to Derby's offer at the last min therefore nobody else will come in.

Derby might well be banking on that or gong along with it.

[yankfan]

5 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

 

do you think we should pick up if the rumours are true about last week game why he wasn't involve? 

According to some he hasn’t been seen for 7 days. Can’t pick someone who’s not there 

[yankfan]

1 minute ago, yankfan said:

According to some he hasn’t been seen for 7 days. Can’t pick someone who’s not there