12 minutes ago, Admiral Nelsen said:

 

Some interesting ones there. As a rule I don't like going for players just relegated and used to losing every week, but that doesn't always work. 

I don't think they'll go down, but there are massive red flags around Chair and especially Willock from QPR. Talentwise they should both be amongst the best players in the league (and might be beyond our reach), but they've looked like they've downed tools for really long spells over the last few years. Risky. 

I'd definitely be interested in James and Bacuna from Big Club. There'll be loads of interest in James though with him being so young. 

Don't think I'd take anyone from Wednesday. Rathbone stands out because of his name and that he always seems to do well against us, but he's older than I thought he was. Wouldn't be against signing him for the right price. 

Bacuna is pony. Flatters to deceive, looks a worldie when on it but it's few and far between. Sh*te mentality. There's probably a manager that can squeeze the talent out of him somewhere though. 

17 hours ago, B16Rover said:

John McAtee or Joe Taylor from Luton

Spotted John Mcatee (older brother of James at Sheff Utd) the other night against Pompey. He'll be 25 in the summer and out on loan in League 1... So Luton can't rate him that highly. Perhaps a loan opportunity or being involved in some deal for Sammie or Dolan. 

He signed for them in 2022. Can't seem to see anything about the length of his contract but some state May this year it ends, guessing they must have an option of another year else they wouldn't have loaned him out. 

Anyone seen more of this lad? Stats look decent but good enough to do it in the champ? 

10 minutes ago, TheRevAshton said:

Would like to see us move for Abu Kamara, he's had a solid return for Pompey this season and receives loads of praise.

Right-winger, left footed, will go back to Norwich with only a year left on his contract there.

Might cost a few million, so if we're allowed to spend (unlikely) I hope we move in for him - could turn out to be the next Morgan Whittaker... only 20 years old too, so ticks that box!

Oh nice spot. Didn't mention Pompey players because can't see them letting anyone go but as he's on loan with only a year left... Could be a good option. 

I keep a eye on league 1 every season to see if there's decent value for us. We've done well from this market in the past... e.g. Rothwell, Dack, Szmodics but this season there's not that much to pick from that wouldn't cost too much. A lot of the top goal scorers are of an age that doesn't offer a lot of resale value. 

I like Harrison Burrows at Peterborough, think he has the most assists in the league but top 6 champ clubs were sniffing around in Jan. 

Poku also at Peterborough, tricky, decent amount of goal involvements this season would be a good signing but with both him and Burrows... Their chairman will want top top dollar. 

Ricardo Santos at Bolton might not be a bad one, think he's in the last year of his contract, Fulham were sniffing around a couple of seasons ago. Big strong centre half. 

Many have mentioned Miles Leaburn might be worth taking a look at but would be dependant on price of how much of a gamble that would be. 

Perhaps Karamoko Dembele might finally be a serious consideration after being linked with him last summer. A solid 11 assists and would offer some genuine pace out wide that we've been lacking. 

Other than those, I'm not sure what else there in that league that would be a good option unless some of you know of any other potential league 1 gems?

6 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

Pace, pace, pace, pace, pace.

That's the difference between a lot of teams - Plymouth had it in spades so caused us all sorts of problems on the break. It's why they beat Leicester last night too. 

Yeah pace helps 100% but surprisingly we're one of the most successful teams on the counter attack. Leeds have it in Summerville and Gnonto but could be nullified. We definitely need more pace out wide and have done for years now. 

There's nothing in this league other than mentality. The difference in quality is negligible, it's just having the right manager with the right philosophy for the right players. Plymouth at Ewood looked a far better team than Leeds. It could have been a very different season for us if their mentality/attitude was better. 

37 minutes ago, DavidMailsTightPerm said:

Yeh, new manager is useless - he has had a full pre-season and not had his first choice midfield sold or injured.

What's that got to do with in game management? Has he never managed a football team before? 

No plan B after conceding the first, 11 men behind the ball, no high press trying to get back into the game. Not that they're better than us just shit tactics, shit mentality, shit preparation and shit performance. 

Disgrace the lot of them on and off the pitch. 

EUSTACE OUT

1-0 down and everyone is behind the ball with 11 men... Where the plan B FFS???

WE'RE F*CKING LOSING EUSTACE. 

Absolutely pathetic defending 

Looking at Swansea's side today, hardly any that I'd swap for ours, if any at all. Get at them. Winning that midfield battle will be huge, hope Bucky and Moran get hold of it early doors because of they do this lot will crumble.

We can get out of trouble potentially in the next 2 games, let's have it today!  

People mentioning the Wigan game, I could be wrong but wasn't that when he was thrown in due to injuries? At 25 now I'd like to think his experiences since that game at 23 years old have helped him to improve. 

8 hours ago, Hasta said:

Great sentiment, and I have been strenuously saying he's far better than Wahlstedt. His mistakes are now very infrequent and he is improving with age and confidence.

However your first paragraph is bollocks. Kaminski was "not in the same league" as Pears. Lol.

Think you mis-read that one.

2 minutes ago, alex l said:

Don't think he's put a foot wrong since returning form injury. It might be argued the form of Leo means we appreciate what Pears does that bit more. Pears' speed off the line has been needed in recent games and he's not been rash in his judgement. Carry on like this for the remainder of the season and I don't think a new first choice keeper is on the list for summer recruitment. 

Yeah, don't get me wrong, are their better keepers out there? Probably. That we can afford? Probably not. Given his age and the fact he's got plenty of minutes of experience now under his belt, I think it would be silly to watch him go elsewhere and play the best years of his career. Some folk need to give him a fresh start IMO. 

I've always been an admirer of this lad and actually thought he was deserving of keeping his place ahead of Kaminski at the time. I argued with many mates who were convinced Whalstedt was a better option when he's clearly not even in the same league. Don't get me wrong, he has made errors in the past and he did make some notable errors last season but he also had some great games that he was never given credit for because people had already made up their minds. 

Since he's come back in, he's been absolutely brilliant in my opinion. On Saturday he kept us in the game but the fans got on this lads back so quickly when he makes a small mistake. Seems some already made up their mind that they think he's sh*t and to me it just seems a hivemind mentality. 

I personally feel i'll always give credit and criticism where it's due and this boy for his recent performances deserves a lot more. There was a fella giving him pelters all game on Saturday but not once clapped him or gave him credit for keeping us in the game.

An English goalkeeper at 25 years old, giving us performances like he has done recently is someone I see as a real asset, he's made some mistakes but you have to make some to become better and to me he looks like he's improved a lot. Even the small things like watching his near post better, his starting positions and angles when closing down 1 on 1's. His distribution has always been good aswell. 

Was nice to hear a chant of "England's number 1" and I really hope the fans start to get behind him now because his best years are firmly in front of him. Keep that chant going. Last night's performance was a real display of how good he can be especially when he has the confidence of the fans behind him.

Well done Aynsley Pears. 

Poor match but much better when Bucky came on, first thing he did was turned someone and played a forward pass getting us into an attack, a lot better and glad to see him back. I think a midfield 3 of Fleck, Buckley and Tronstadt is pretty decent at this level. Buckley played very much the Adam Wharton role and got a hold of the game for us and killed it for them really. Garrett is nowhere near the required level right now, same for Ayari, forget those 2.

Fadz was class again, exactly what we needed. MoM

Small shout to Pears, didn't have to do too much but cleared his lines well and made saves when required. Seems safe hands to me. 

Don't get me wrong, it was sh*t to watch but builds some confidence keeping a clean sheet. Hopefully if Bucky can find his feet it makes us a lot better to watch under Eustace and gives us that balance between his defensive style and brings back some ball retention we had under JDT. 

Get Hedges back in for Norwich and have them bombing forwards like against Stoke and we might get something. Play like we did tonight and we'll get murdered. We need to take more risks against Norwich from the off and give them something to think about. If we stand off them it won't be easy to watch. 

4 minutes ago, J*B said:

Not without any match fitness, although I agree and hopefully sooner rather than later. 

Pears

Hyam McFaz ORoirdon

Brittain Tronstad Garrett Christene

Szmodics

Gally Dolan

The sooner Garrett is out that team the better, but right now there’s not many other options. 

Hedges? He could play central. Had a shocker at Brum but so did everyone else. 

1 minute ago, TheRovers1994 said:

As said above I’ve never know a rovers side to be so soft, easy for bang average teams like Preston to bully us, this team lacks spine. We’ve lost our real creative source too and not replaced him which is what makes things look even greyer, not optimistic about this at all, our derby record has been piss poor since we got relegated to the championship originally. Preston are by no means a good side but are organised and hard working but as pointed out above again they would be more suited to playing jdt, this is the game that will really show how the new coach really is, taking these gobshites down a peg or two on Saturday would be a real statement 

The team picked on Saturday and at Brum is a lot more of a tougher physical side, I think we showed that on Saturday... Against Brum, we just simply didn't play well, I don't think we got bullied. 

It's a shame we have JRC out because we really need players like that in the middle for a game like Preston. It's a big loss in my opinion and makes me concerned that we will lose that central midfield battle and ultimately the game. Really hope his injury turns out to be nothing and he insists he wants to play. 

I think this speaks volumes about how the players had lost faith in JDT's philosophy. 

1 hour ago, windymiller7 said:

Unusually, we're actually getting a bit of coverage on SSN,  they've a reporter at Brockhall ready for JE's first press conference & looks like they'll be covering it at 1430 for those able to watch.

Also today's presenter is Emma Paton which is good enough reason alone for tuning in! 😉

Anywhere to watch this? 

Really hope he becomes our version of Sean Dyche. That's the thread of hope I'm clinging on to. Makes us hard to beat and well drilled. 

Reality is he's probably the next Micheal Appleton. 

Good look John. 

Just now, joey_big_nose said:

There's no way we could offer Allardyce what he would want in terms of financially, backroom, etc. Total non starter.

You still pick up the phone just in case. 

In the position we're in, if Sam Allardyce says yes... YOU PICK UP THE FECKIN PHONE.