JPTSwindon

Anyone (still) play Torn?

FM26 - Just got Rovers promoted in my first season via the Play Off's. Also reached Q/F of the League Cup and S/F of the FA Cup, so a pretty decent season. Venky's would have been pleased as I trimmed the squad (sales and loans out) to try and get the financial situation more stable, using the Under 18's (future) stars to pad out the squad for the long season. Tryon is key. Toth, Wharton and Karibo worthy mentions.

Striker, (along with every other club)... I'd take a punt on someone from League One or Two ready for the step up. Suspect we need to lose a few players to free up any sort of budget (transfer fees / wages etc) so could be a challenging January.

My issue with boycotting is I just can't see an alternative (rich) owner on the horizon. We aren't a sleeping giant, our catchment area is crowded and for all Venky's failings they have sunk £230m+ in for absolutely no return which will worry potential investors. Now, if they were refusing to sell to a serious, rich owner then fair enough (which in some clubs cases is what was happening). To stay at this level we need circa £20-£30m to stand still - I just can't see alternatives at the moment.

Good solid point and performance, much appreciated with a Middlesborough supporting relative!

Yes in recent years our undoing has been against the struggling teams! Perhaps we aren't set up to take a game to an opponent? This is a must win - give us some breathing space and chance to build on recent performances - surely, come on Rovers!

Late to this topic (sorry) - but what a poor attendance (I know the reasons) that is a real concern for the future of Rovers, we can't / won't stand a chance of being (financially) competitive at this level if this isn't addressed.

2 votes for me... Venky's - all leads back to them, the good and err... everything else! Adam Wharton - best player of the era, who literally kept the lights on midst Venky's tax affairs. What an empty cupboard!

I see O'Neill has let be known he would have been happy to carry on!

I wonder if suddenly lots of fans turned up for a 'home' match, whether that money would help the Ladies team, or just into the general pot? 1st point, start of the great escape - would be good for all those who (rightly) bemoaned what happened to them over the Summer turned up for a match over the festive period.

Oh to have Don Mackay to come and work miracles with the budget / squad... VI is frustrating - clearly it is a weak squad, and at times he has had positives (but for 2 pitch floods we'd be in a less nervous league position) - but the substitutions, time and time again goals against quickly flow. Nervous times.

Not all lost for Pickering - He has the best average rating for me on Football Manager 26, swings and roundabouts hey?

Yes indeed - should have been a loan, but guess they were desperate for a small transfer fee? Suspect Gueye is on a higher wage too.

Poor, poor... Perhaps Val should delegate substitutions / tactical changes to someone else. Between the manager and flooding we are literally chucking ourselves into League 1. Really poor.

Late to the party (sorry!)... My friend and I went to this - what a (surprisingly) enjoyable night - as good as I have seen us this season. We were also proud to make the Rovers photo gallery - though our respective wives mocked us for several days. For once, good times!

I could get that on merchandise if you want!

Southampton are terrible at the moment, so an easy 3 points for them. If memory serves me right a few Rovers managers have been dismissed following a defeat to Southampton - Roy Hodgson and I am sure there was another around that era? Here's hoping!

Hard to see how you'd convince a manager to leave a bigger club like Carlise, sigh.

I am (normally) glass half-full, pragamatic and realistic... However, this is grim, absolutely grim. The team is lightweight - lacks quality, we are in real, real trouble. (I don't even want to think about the next two fixtures). VI should be fired - hopeless. Grim.

Is this match on TV / online?

Out of interest has all the interest around the women's team generated any additional supporters?

I hope O'Riordan kicks on in this loan spell. I saw on Facebook that he has had a good start to this loan spell, so could he (finally) be a Wharton / Carter who comes back ready?

Late to the party here. Great result, cracking performance and boy did we need it! Lets hope we can kick on now - good time to face Norwich!

Michalski - any chance he could play? He needs game time one way or another.

Frustrating that we were out of the League Cup so quickly as another 'easier' draw would have given us another chance to look at our no.2 keeper. As per earlier posts, suspect Pears (fair enough) having waited so long to be the established no.1, didn't want to be a no.2 again at this stage of his career, plus he (in theory) has some transfer value (which we desperately need) and wages that the club want off the books. On balance he was a reasonable keeper, but much harder to move on a dropped keeper, than one on a good run (which he did have a few times).