Paul Mani

You don’t need to be playing against the best every week at CB as Pratt has demonstrated coming back from loan at Chorley to the Championship. I haven’t watch O’Riordan play this season but he’s getting high praise and seemingly excelling in L1, and the club have recognised and recalled him. My initial post was about ‘bodies’ because when you look at depth, then I make it 6x CB, including O’Riordan and Pratt once Wharton and Carter are back. With the link to Gibson, it looks like they want 2x additional (including O'riordan) making 7x and I would guess that’s because they don’t trust the fitness of Wharton and Carter. When you look at the striker situation, with Gueye completely frozen out, they now need 2x just to stay competitive. The most confusing thing for me is the narrative from VI that this evolution to 352 wasn’t planned. A few of us called it in the summer when we were offloading wingers and signing wingbacks. Signing Andri and keeping Gueye, then stockpiling CM’s. On a personal note, I saw the formation change coming a mile away and only the sale of Hyam on the final day of the window went against it. If Hyam had stayed, Gueye stayed in favour and Kargbo kicked on, then we’d be 100% built for 352 anyway! It was inevitable. Wonder why VI is spinning that!?

Why a winger? We don’t play with wingers… 2x strikers, a RWB and a CB for me. I would be happy with O’Riordan back from loan. No point in Gibson for me but looks like we want 2x CB’s because we don’t trust Wharton and Carter to stay fit for a prolonged period of time. If they get two in, they can use Miller as RWB cover. Though Pratt and Litherland have been outstanding, you can’t pin our hopes on them. We’ve plenty of Midfielders, still creating chances, and once we get a couple back from injury we’ll be fine there. Review again and Address it in the summer.

I just haven’t seen a lot of him. He’s not started many and usually comes in for a cameo. Not saying I’ve seen anything good specifically. For those in the ‘Jury is out’ group. There are some who are obviously in a better position than others. Baradji looks promising, whilst TGH, DeNeve and Tavares have had more chances without doing much, but Henriksson hasn’t really played yet. Personally, I hold out hope on Baradji, Henriksson and Tavares (who I still think there’s a player in). DeNeve doesn’t look up to it, so far and TGH is just, “Meh”. Can see the latter two leaving.

Not sure as a fan I’ve seen enough to write any of the new signings off yet, though I understand why Vi believes he can. Heres my take: Has worked / shown enough - McLoughlin, Miller, Alebiosu, Morishita, Gudjohnson. Jury is out - Tavares, Baradji, TGH, Henriksson, DeNeve Based on circumstances, and our need to clear some space for the “3 or 4” Val wants, it’ll be TGH, and DeNeve at most risk, plus Gueye, Pickering, and maybe Kargbo. With a view to signing a RWB, O’riordan back from loan and 2x Strikers (1x foreign buy, 1x loan). Note - Midfield will need a full review in the summer. With Sonny leaving we’ll have to see if the likes of Baradji, Tavares, and Henriksson have kicked on.

I reckon the 3 or 4 Val mentioned wanting in are: RWB - purchase CB - Potentially O’riordan recall. ST - Purchase ST - Loan out: Gueye and Pickering or De Neve

Fwiw I actually fancy getting O’Riorden back and playing for Rovers. Looks like he’s kicked on on loan and deserves a chance.

Baaaah humbug…Here he is!!

That’s fair. Plus Gueye gives us another option if we’re going all out for it in the second half.

As you were fellas! Subs - Pears, Miller, McLauchlin, Pickering, Montgomery, TGH, Kargbo, Henriksson, Gudjohnsen Strong bench and leaves DeNeve and Gueye in the stands but could easily add those two back in and take out Christi and Henriksson?

Agreed. Managed. Decline.

Remember when I said, I thought we might sell Hyam and lean onto Carter, Miller, McLoughlin and Wharton @roversfan99 ??? Call me Nostradamus 😩😉🙈

This didn’t age well…👀🤣

Yup, being reported by reputable source in the target location = VERY likely! I watched his reel this morning and he looks good. Clean striker of the ball, left and right foot. Resembles his dad with a couple of cute finishes too. PS - before the naysayers come on saying he hasn’t scored many in the last year, if he had….hed be worth 10x what we’re paying. We have to sign them at this stage and hope they hit that curve whilst playing for us.

Watching the managers interview - I’d agree with you!

Eh!? There’s no chance this is being leaked by Rovers.

Leonard is as good as gone. I reckon VI has refused to admit it because they won’t rubber stamp that deal until they get the one they want. Elliots source probably closer to the player.

Yup, makes the striker links more realistic. We’ve likely agreed something with someone to allow Leonard to go. Interesting next few hours…

My opinion. If he stays fit, he will be a far better player than either of our current incumbents. Which in itself is a red flag…time will tell.

Posh don’t buy shit strikers mate. Wouldnt surprise me in the slightest to see them polish him up for a season or two, him score a bucket load of goals and get sold for a princely sum to a top Championship / Lower PL team. Watch this space. 🙈

Nah mate. You’ve only got to have watched him and listened to his coaches to know that his ceiling is VERY high. If he’d been fit, like Bucko and not hitting the heights then I’d have happily waived him off. But for a million quid, why not just loan him for a season? If he can stay fit and score goals, we’ve got a great lad coming back to us next summer. If he flops, and / or continues to breakdown, then he’s had his chance. Like I said, this is the one I’m gonna stick my nick out in and say, well regret!

Harry Leonard - Top player, injuries have blighted his career so far but if he can shake them off, has a VERY high ceiling! I’m gonna stick my neck out and say this will be the sale we will live to regret. We shouldn’t be selling him. Arggghh

Re Smit… “It’s a big risk!!!….” Ermmmm yes!! Every signing we make is a huge risk because we don’t have the money to have someone nailed on. If he had scored 22 in the second division and then 15 last season his price tag would be 5-10m now. The lad who’s signing for Newcastle went to Stuttgart for free last summer and is about to be sold for £69m! With every one of these players, we’re hoping to pick them up and hit that hockey curve moment. At least at 22, the Dutch lad has time and room to grow. I still don’t reckon we’ll sign him or Soumane. The art of misdirection…👀

I really wish we’d sign Jizz Hornkamp! Wow, what a name! 🤣🤣🤣👀

It’s just a hunch and not aligned with what the club or manager has said. I just feel someone will come and test our resolve for him. Plays every game, very consistent, just called up for Scotland….

I don’t think we target players or clubs who do that. I don’t know for sure….just looking at the way our transfers seem to pan out.