Quote from JE on rovers website: We’re a work in progress, we’re fighting, we’re scrapping and the 22,000 Rovers fans who came to support us today can see that we’re trying to do the right things. Wonder who gave him that number - the Loons in Pune will be impressed with Waggots work at bringing back the fans

Sorry if i missed it earlier in the thread but was Eustace saying to Parker at the end?? seemed pretty agitated

Contract ate the computer and dog couldn’t work the back up fax machine. Waggot was offsite on an important event (bowling night) whilst Gestede was in Belgium trying to scrounge a plane ticket for a 32 year old striker whose never scored… But we will appeal and try to get the deal for O’Brien reinstated Edit: forgot to mention the 5 year extension for O’Riordan before loaning him out to Bamber Bridge

A big question is if he will be allowed to quit or if he would need to pay to leave. Not sure if WBA would be willing to cover that additional expense and the pissing about that the Vs would do (unless he mentions Suhail in a presser to speed things up…)

When you are resorting to Harry Leonard and John Buckley to transform a game against your historical rivals who are known for being strong and physical then the head coach must be almost as pissed off as we are…

It is on Viaplay if you know a subscriber (should also be on in most sports bars if you can to one and tell them to switch from skiing and hockey repeats… 😉

Worth keeping in case Tron, Baker and JRC are out/knackered? Low wages and I think he could the job better than Buckley but I might be being unfair…

When are Wharton and Carter expected to be “back”? Can’t see signing a CB being priority if they are back next season whilst we still have mcfadz on the books. Dolan I like but I think he feels undervalued and will get more money (if not game time) elsewhere Buckley - taxi please Striker needed, winger (or modern equivalent) and a left back are next on the list. Will we sign anyone other than loans - no because we are already achieving the requirements (ie staying in championship) edit: Leonard needs to play regularly for someone and possibly work on adapting his game to the modern game as my feeling has always been “poacher” in terms of skillset

No Leonard on bench

Hope you are right but we live in interesting times - any opportunity to bring in a fee and cut costs will surely be looked at by those entrusted with making sure we keep paying our bills. As for Travis/Tron: I think any team seriously looking at promotion might consider them a worthwhile option (even at a few million) to see out the season in case of injuries. Irony alert would be if we received an offer for Pears...

On Eustace - I felt like he didn't read the room on his appointment but will hold my hands up and say that he is a far better manager and coach than I thought. Also seems to have found a way to have good morale within the club whilst now being able to communicate to fans that he is aware of the bigger issue (without making it a distraction) On January: my biggest fear is that we will lose Beck back to Liverpool and maybe even accept an offer for one of our better players (Trav, Tron or Cantwell).

I like him, think he contributes a lot to the team ethos, is useful on the ball (at times), get in the right places for the opportunities and can actually win a header/flick on from a goal kick. Fortunately we, so far, aren't relying on him to bang in 20 goals because his finishing is absolutely dreadful but he genuinely does cause problems for defenders creating chances for others. Without his "charisma/cheerleading" i'd be way more critical but every time he has come on with 10 to go to see the game out then we have achieved that objective. If, on the other hand, we needed a goal with 10 to go then i would still consider him an option. Not to actually score himself but in some way to create the opportunity for someone else to score...

Wasn’t there something about toll roads when scouting players that got mentioned earlier this year as well that pissed off the scouting dept? Maybe he was informed that as part of rovers drive towards environmental sustainability that his bike (2nd hand) was being delivered next week…

Didn’t costs rise for the accounting period? I agree with what you are saying but Rovers always seem unable to actually reduce costs (on paper) when it is bloody obvious that they reuse teabags and use both sides of bog roll..

Travis and/or Tronstedt are but neither would bring big money. Maybe Pears if a PL club need a British player to fill their quota and don’t read this forum 🤣

Jack Vale or Gueye? I know which one I have seen contribute more to the team but we desperately need Chile to give him a call unless Leonard steps up or we sign someone else come January (or the summer if we are close enough to 50 points by January)

Then we could just shut down every thread other than the Venkys thread. That we as fans want the club to invest in players and be run properly doesn’t need repeating ad nausem. Discussing the merits and weaknesses of linked players and our squad based on reality that we have the owners we have and are currently looking at short term, cheap recruitment options

I don’t disagree but my only opinion is that if Beck is a better option than Batty then it is a signing that strengthens us. We aren’t looking to replace Pickering - we are looking for this season’s Chrisene (imo)

I think we will go 5 at the back against better teams

The only question then is whether the Liverpool lad is better than Gent. The answer from the scouts/coaches/recruitment team is a resounding yes.

We lack cover for LB and Pickering Isn’t the best wingback. A pacy lb on loan that can play wingback is a very shrewd move for strengthening the team/squad. What is the problem? If anyone genuinely believes that our sales are for anything other than running costs (in which I include cheap transfers to keep us in the championship) then I must be watching a different film… edit: Gent sold not loaned.

If the process is open and based on the mutual goal of improving the team/squad then the only problem is if the recruitment team can insist that a player is picked. Otherwise - John we are signing this guy for the squad. If he turns out worse than what we have already - no worries we’ll find a buyer. Provided the coach is genuinely interested in improving the team, hasn’t been lied to about his job description and is listened to regarding positions that need strengthening then the system works (to a point) and changes of head coach are pretty seamless

Pears or Ruddy - who would you want in a battle at the dingledome? Next season or even after January is another discussion but right now I think Ruddy would improve the team/squad. If we are really lucky he might even contribute to improving or at least validating our GK coaching

Simple question: would Ruddy improve our team/squad this season? IMO - yes. Maybe could improve Pears as well. Is he a risk - of course but frankly we need a leader in goal if we Hyam, Carter, Pickering and Brittain is our back 4

Wondering if our operating costs and wages will continue to create a 20m “hole” despite obvious cutbacks - just who is being paid and for what… Otherwise our recent sales and cutbacks coupled with increased revenue from tv, cup run, “record sponsor deals” (🤔) and slightly higher attendances should mean that “20m a season” is no longer needed although a certain amount of extra funding is required I’m sure for most championship clubs