This summer is a rebuild no doubt about it - however I think the strength of our academy puts us in decent shape for it. Basing us off a classic 4231 position as with what we have next season I feel it would work best.

Kaminski 

NEW - Carter - Wharton - Pickering 

Travis - Buckley 

Markandy - Dack - Diaz 

Gally 

First and foremost I don’t think it’s a forgone conclusion that Diaz stays. We probably value him at the 20million mark, though his lack of playing time and goals in the 2nd half of the season may put teams off. It wouldn’t surprise me if no team gets close to our valuation. The ideal scenario for me would be getting van Hecke and Khadra in a swap deal for him. 

There is no doubt that we need a new RB to replace Nyambe - and personally Zeefuik hasn’t proven himself to fork out a couple of million on him. I wouldn’t be opposed to another loan for him but I would personally go for Drameh from leeds (currently on loan at Cardiff). 
 

If van Hecke doesn’t return then and Lenihan leaves we will need at least 2 CBs. One who is first team quality and one who can provide decent back up. Kipre or Ajayi from westbrom (who have been out of favour this season) could be decent shouts.

Left back we are covered. 

2 CMs are needed - one to provide back up to Travis, and one to push Buckley for that position next to him.

The 3 positions behind the strikes looks alright to me - Diaz (?)Hedges, Dack, Markandy, Dolan and potentially Khadra, who I feel we will be able to get back either on loan or perm. If Diaz goes we will need to bring someone in tho even then I like the look of Markandy, Dack, Khadra behind a striker. 
 

The striker position will be key. I really feel Gally upfront can make a name for himself next season. Don’t judge him on his performances under this manager. Back up is needed tho and I again would look at leeds and see if we could bring in Tyler Roberts - could also grow into our first choice. 
 

So in short we need at least 6

GK: Kaminski, Pears, Sterg.

RB: New, JRC.

CB: Ayala, Wharton, Carter, New, New, Phillips. 

LB: Pickering, Edun.

CDM/CM: Travis, Buckley, Edun New, New, Garret.

Attackers: Markandy, Dolan, Dack, Hedges, Diaz (?), Khadra (?) New (?)

Striker: Gally, New

 

30 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

Is it obvious? His apathetic demeanour is no different than last season… but of course a month left on his contract is the big difference.

There’s no noise from the club that he‘ll be staying - even when we were high flying. The fact that the same thing has happened this season as the previous 3/4, esp with where we were at, just leaves his future inevitable imo. They should really have someone lined up immediately considering the amount of time they have had to prepare. 
 

With Waggot and TM gone I may have a management structure I can believe and invest myself in again. I really would go all out for jokanivic - bring him in and give a 2-3 year project. Plays fantastic football and has an excellent promotion track record. He’s not afraid to play young players either. He’s a manger who at least needs a season to implement his style of football before he can really be judged and at Rovers he won’t have the pressure to get immediate results - like he did at Sheffield United.  

would be interested to hear whether anyone has had a rumour of his replacement floated by them? 
 

I think it’s obvious he’s going this summer - tho he should of really have gone a month go. 

Jokanvic or Ismael for me would be the prime candidates. 
 

Ainsworth is most likely imo and someone who I would be genuinely happy with and willing to give a shot. 
 

If I am honest I just want a manger who I can believe in again, understand their decision making and actually plays up to date tactics. 

If it were up to me I would get Ismael or Jokanvic in now. Try and save the season and if not gives the new man a head start on the summer. 

Important game this. Must win if we are to cement ourselves in the playoffs. 
 

This may also seem wild but I still haven’t given up on chasing down Bournemouth. Their run in is extremely tough, and busy, which followed by there clear inconsistency almost guarantees the dropping of points. Furthermore they have to play Fulham at home Swansea away and then us away all in the space of 7 days before the final gameweek of the season. That week offers a potential swing of 6 points. All we need to do is make sure we are in range of them heading into that week. However for that to happen we don’t have much room for error. 
 

I would stick with 3 at the back. But it needs tinkering. 
 

kamisnki 

lenihan Van Hecke Wharton 

buckley Travis rothwell giles

dolan gally khadra 

No false 9. Gally up top with two excellent crossers in the wingback positions. Simple as that. 
 

4 minutes ago, riverholmes said:

I would be surprised if there was not some open dissent against Mowbray, in the changing room, from a player or two, given the first half display and tactics. And not just some of the youngsters, but some of the dominant voices who have been Mowbray favourites.

This game, though a win, seems like another flux moment, comparable to the Fulham thrashing defeat. Once again, there is uncertainty about the future formation and line-up. 

I would stick with 3 at the back, but adapt it to be more attacking. 
 

Giles should come in at LWB, Gally down the middle with Dolan and Khadra on either side. Eventually we’ll see Dack and Diaz come in for Dolan and Gally. I would also be tempted to give Buckley a run at RWB until nymabe is back. 

interesting…

6 minutes ago, davulsukur said:

As long as the plan isn't to have Giles whipping crosses into Dolan and Khadra.

Is Giles quick? Be a pretty fast front 3 if so.

Giles is rapid. However Dolan isnt - not sure why people feel he is.

Free hit in many ways but with the pressure off and Fulham’s style of play - it could be a game which falls into our hands.

I’m London based and live with a die hard Fulham fan who often has a spare season ticket - so I’ve seen a lot of them this season. When teams sit back and get physical with them they do struggle, although if they get an early goal it could become a very long afternoon as we found out a couple of months ago. 
 

Their left side of defensive is pretty shaken. Left back Robinson is there weak spot imo - although incredibly quick - is actually very limited on the ball and when pressed often gives it away. I hope that we target that. Lcb Tim Ream is decent on the ball however is very suspect when players run at him, would try and get Khadra up against him as much as possible. 
 

Attackingly their game plan is fairly simple, but very effective. Get the ball wide and overload with the fullback or their top young talent carvalho. 3/5 atb should majorly counter this but we may need the wide forwards to track back at times. 
 

Much more winnable game than people think as I think our style of play is a good match up. Having Rothwell back will be key however as we need him to be able to move the ball out of their press and break through the lines.

38 minutes ago, all you need is duff said:

I think we need to rest Travis against Fulham. One yellow card away from a two match ban and I would say he’s highly likely to pick up a booking against that Fulham midfield 

Disagree - if we want anything out of that game then we need travis. In my opinion he has been our standout player in the last month or so. Has clearly up’d his game from just a defensive midfielder - now seems to be one of our main driving forces and often looks for the forward passes between the lines. 

How many have travelled? Would of loved to have been there myself tonight - feels like a massive game in our season.

Unfortunately I don’t think we have the depth to catch Bournemouth now. The top 2 look fairly comfortable now and have squads far superior to anyone else isnt the league so I can’t see to much drama there. 
 

I wouldn’t worry about us for the playoffs - I think we’ll get there fairly comfortably without  putting any real pressure on Bournemouth or Fulham. I say this because our goal scoring issues won’t last - for the past couple of seasons we have shown an ability to score a fair few goals, and have players across the team who can contribute. On top of that I firmly believe we have the best defence in the league in our first choice back 5, which imo makes us a really strong contender for those playoff matches when they eventually come around. 
 

What I would say is we need to overcome our weaknesses when we go behind. It’s been an issue which I’ve picked up on from the past few seasons and that truly lies at the door of TM - for all his success this season he has constantly failed to address this. 
 

A win against Millwall is essential to get confidence up heading into 2 important fixtures which I’m hoping for 4 points from. Fulham is a free hit. 
 

come on your rovers!

I think for the moment we need to forget about the top 2. Let’s just game by game focus on our job and cement ourselves in the playoffs. A win today would be massive in doing - providing some security despite the amount of games in hand around us. 
 

Two difficult decisions for TM regarding line up tonight - LB and Cam/false9. If Pickering is 100% fit then he gets the nod for me though I wouldn’t have any issues with Giles - I just feel he would be a better player to bring on from the bench. I would drop Buckley tonight. He hasn’t been at it recently and has cost us with his finishing over the last few weeks - I am a massive fan of his but he needs a break. Dolan is built for the false 9, eager to prove a point and get back in the starting 11 and looked lively from the bench against forest. For me he gets the nod. Back 3 picks itself.

kamisnki 

nymabe Van Hecke ayala Wharton Pickering

travis Rothwell 

khadra dolan Diaz 

Also I wanted to mention how impressed I have been with trav recently - he is so clearly up for the fight and i feel has carried us in the middle the last few games. More of the same please Lewis!

I mean I don’t mind Zeefuik starting - he hasn’t had a proper chance to show us what he can do.

With him and Giles we actually have out and out wingbacks.

Start of a crucial 6 game run for us, where I believe we need 4 wins and a draw to keep us in the auto race. 3 wins and 3 losses would keep us firmly in the playoff hunt. Anything less and I would worry. 
 

For me team has to be:

kaminski 

lenihan vanhecke Wharton 

nymabe Rothwell Travis Giles 

Khadra Buckley Diaz 

For some reason I am extremely confident that we will win this.

Lads we haven’t bid for solanke haha

Can we get some hints from people claiming that something is happening other than Giles?

12 minutes ago, darrenrover said:

Some folk are just never satisfied!😉😀

It's touch and go but if it were to come off, it would give us all a massive lift and a serious statement of intent. 

Fingers crossed and I'm logging off now to avoid temptation/frustration getting the better of me, as I've been inclined to do in the past!

COYB!!!

WE ARE The Rovers!!!

I really hope this isn’t your own assombalonga moment…  

1 minute ago, Mike E said:

I'd happily take Van Hecke out to accommodate Jones, personally. I don't actually believe he'll come, mind.

Regardless, I believe we need at least one more defender. We're only a couple of cards away from suspensions for some. Add injuries to that and we're buggered.

Nope. 
 

Van Hecke is the man.

4 minutes ago, Gavlar Somerset Rover! said:

This is exactly what I predict. Healy or similar will be rumoured later today, and then it'll just fall away.

I was really hoping for one big(ish) deal to try to get us over the line this season. Come on Rovers...best chance in a decade to return to the promised land.

Yes, the one I’m really hoping for is Ejaria from Reading. Would be an excellent wildcard/gamechanger for the squad.

I’m expecting Joe Rothwell to stay, Ryan Giles on loan until end of the season (quality signing btw which I feel is going a little under appreciated) and a late move for a forward which will collapse at the 11th hour…

3 signings needed today if Rothwell goes.

1 Lb/Lwb cover for Pickering and to allow Edun to compete for his preferred CM role.

A CM to replace Rothwell with something about them. Ejaria, Swift or Morgan Gibbs-White would be my choices.

A winger/striker to offer us an attacking alternative from the bench.
 

It seems like we’re not going to be afraid of using our academy players for squad depth which I don’t mind but we do need some cover. 

1 minute ago, JHRover said:

So this would have happened had Rothwell signed a new deal and been under contract for the next 3 years?

The club has literally been in talks with Rothwell for the last 18months.

They have seemingly financially done what they could to convince him to stay. Fair enough Rothwell wants to explore his options, however he should never be pushing for a move in the last days of the window to our main promotion rival. The club cants stop that - that’s on him.