I’d go one further and say JDT will be gone by the end of next season if we are not promoted or seriously pushing. The guy was a winner as a player, has been a winner in his short managerial career and will undoubtedly be in a rush to get into the Premier League asap. It wouldn’t surprise me if he has designs on managing one of the super clubs and sees us as a stepping stone!

”Get Rovers promoted asap, make a statement in the PL by keeping them up / mid table and then get a move…”

Sure I remember an interview with GB where he described JDT as ‘very ambitious’ whilst saying he ‘hoped’ we could keep him (JDT) happy over the longer term (by meeting his ambitious plans)

Hes in a hurry, which is all good for us!

3 hours ago, garnersfags said:

Glad Markanday played well, although I think Hanley's back-pass was his to win, and he didn't fully commit to it.

Probably better that he didn't get his foot to it in the end. 

Very interesting to see the ebb and flow of opinions on JDT.

It really is impossible to work him out, but I still maintain that his unfathomable change of personnel against PNE, after a 6 game winning run, was as arrogant and naive as I have ever seen, and has derailed our home performances since, including against Cardiff, despite the result.

There is something brewing though, I just hope we can achieve some consistency, and allow the same wave of confidence throughout the squad that we achieved following the Sheff Utd home game last season. 

This season really is as barmy and bizarre as last season. 

Really hope we can give genuinely serious focus to getting to the 5th round, after which anything can happen.

£12 or £15 tickets will be a start....

Really good win today....

 

I’ve felt like this about JDT, but have now come to the opinion that he genuinely plays lads who are doing what he demands in training. It’s been described as a meritocracy…I know from a couple of chats with those around the training ground that he’s VERY demanding and VERY specific on what he wants. You get in line or you don’t play…Dack, Buckley, Scott Wharton and now our club captain Travis have all fallen foul. Not a chance any of those would’ve been dropped by Mowbray.

The games at Burnley and Preston were baffling from the outside, but maybe he was making a point to the players as ETH and Arteta have done in certain circumstances. Whatever our opinion on JDT, he is the boss down there and in half a season he’s shown to the players that he’s not to be crossed.

I think one of the benefits of this style is that it keeps the wider group permanently interested because no one is untouchable. So you get good cup performances when you rotate the team because everyone feels they have a genuine chance!

6 hours ago, joey_big_nose said:

Yeah... JDTs been pretty ruthless. Everyone apart from Kaminski, Hyam and Morton have been dropped at one time or another.

Does feel a meritocracy though. Players previously frozen out who have performed well have come back and got regular starts (JRC, Dack, Garrett, Buckley).

Only players who look a bit hard done by to me are Markanday and Adam Wharton. Both I would have thought would have more minutes by now and when they play they look decent... Must be some off the field stuff.

I think, on the face of it you can probably add Ash Phillips to Markanday and Adam Wharton in the group that appears to have been hard done to…but in context, have they really? Would they have played the games they have under Mowbray, or any other manager this season?

The only one of that age group who has broken through is Garrett and that appears to be partially down to necessity, due to Travis poor form, and partially because he seems to be the one who is doing most of the stuff that JDT demands, as per the meritocracy you mentioned. 

I really wish Vale would prove me wrong and go on a scoring run in the team.

Either way, with the lads above, plus Leonard and Batty, our future is bright.

Add a forward and CM this window and we’re going nicely. Fwiw, I have no problem with the owners valuation or stance on BBD. As fans, we know we’re better with him…so IF someone takes him then we know we’ve had top dollar. If not then the owners are willing to take the hit. Their money, their prerogative.

I don’t think JDT suffers anything or anyone. Everyone seems to be falling in line…

My bet is that he’s had a VERY straight but respectful chat with Hirst and GB. Basically said he wants rid and we’ve gone back to Leicester, told them the craic so they’ve gone out and found him another club. 

3 hours ago, J*B said:

Six changes from Cardiff is what I’ve been told. 
 

Pears

JRC Hyam Wharton Pickering 

Travis Wharton 

Markanday Dack Brereton

Vale

I reserve the right to be wrong. 

Looks fine to me. No game since last weekend and no other game until next weekend.

Obv wants to give the likes of the whartons, Trav, Markanday and Vale a run out. All lads who need to be ready to play at any time. We’re so light in those forward areas 🙈

Reading the LT article on Dack this morning and hadn’t realised his contract was up in the summer. I think there’s an option to extend it but it’ll be interesting to see if we do…

2 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

I would give them 3 or 4 days off. Bring them back for training for Friday and next week. enough time to train for the Rotherham  game which is the priority

3 days be reet! Train Thursday, Fri, travel with the lads / rest on Sat and Sunday and then a full week before the Rotherham game. 💪🏽 

4 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

BBD was injured yesterday towards end of the game, keep feeling his hamstring so why risk any sort of injury. Gallagher and Pickering have just come back from injury so why risk them. Hyam and Ayala are crucial to our playoffs hopes. Rest them would be my choice. 

my team would be

                Pears

Carter Phillips Wharton Edun

   Wharton Travis Garrett

 Markanday Hirst Vale 

This would be my team though I’d even be tempted to play Mola for Garrett who will likely have to start the league match the week after with Bucko still suspended.

Unless we’ve signed one 👀🤞🏽

2 minutes ago, BankEnd Rover said:

Sorry the word should have been *shown more. His Press, change of pace, vision and passing is above both Travis & Morton…no arguments. 

Buckley has had a slow start to the season but is without doubt the best midfielder at the club. Buy an experienced CDM who is an 8/10 minimum every week (Think, a CDM version of Hyam) and Buckley would flourish. He needs something me like that in his ear. 

I actually like Morton and I think he’ll end up a top player in Liverpools first team squad, but not next season. Don’t forget, he’s only just turned 20 and this is his first loan, he’s nowhere near the finished articles but is a mainstay of a team ranked 3rd in the Championship. Wouldn’t surprise me if he’s shipped off to Europe to enhance his development next season.

I really hope Travis isn’t finished. He looks a yard off the pace In every game and technically seems to have regressed. He will be better suited to our change towards playing a little more direct, looks all at sea taking the ball on the half turn from a cb.

A Wharton and Garrett aren’t ready to play week in, week out yet. Get Travis back to his best and we don’t need any more….

4 minutes ago, PeteJD13 said:

I think we need to move on from the re signing of ex players as well. Rothwell won’t happen for a number of reasons. 

Agreed….never go back! In life, love or football!! 

7 minutes ago, JHRover said:

I think anyone expecting cash to be spent on permanent signings, particularly 'proven' calibre players or foreigners, is in for a disappointing window.

Someone like Rothwell would require a hefty contribution by Rovers towards his weekly wage which will stand at upwards of £20,000. 

What I'm expecting is perhaps another investment type signing along the lines of Markandy, Szmodics, Hyam - that being someone who has done well at the lower levels available for a reasonable price - and then perhaps a shuffle around on the loans. If we look at what we did last January I'm expecting similar - small amount of money spent back then on Hedges and Markandy, Giles on loan - that sort of business.

 

Agreed - wouldn’t be surprised if a couple of ex players like Rakip and Berget turn up. Both out of contract in their league, have played for and done well for JDT before so will tow the line and help to flush the old regime out…🤷🏽‍♂️

If they can find a couple more players as good as Hyam and Brittain I’d be delighted 😀 

5 minutes ago, JHRover said:

I think anyone expecting cash to be spent on permanent signings, particularly 'proven' calibre players or foreigners, is in for a disappointing window.

Someone like Rothwell would require a hefty contribution by Rovers towards his weekly wage which will stand at upwards of £20,000. 

What I'm expecting is perhaps another investment type signing along the lines of Markandy, Szmodics, Hyam - that being someone who has done well at the lower levels available for a reasonable price - and then perhaps a shuffle around on the loans. If we look at what we did last January I'm expecting similar - small amount of money spent back then on Hedges and Markandy, Giles on loan - that sort of business.

 

…upwards of £20,000. - Try £60k!!!!! 🙈

10 hours ago, J*B said:

I posted this at the time and was shot down big time. Travis especially was not happy one bit with his behaviour. 

You were absolutely bang on the the money. Confirmed by quite a few….for JDT to bring back he’d have to go against the coaches and most influential players wishes.

Rothwell pissed on his chips before he left. Common knowledge that he doesn’t believe that he has any developing to do…but also accepted in the training ground that he completely downed tools after his move broke down in Jan. Mowbray tried publicly to protect him but everyone knew….Prob the reason he hasn’t had a sniff yet this season either.

I just can’t see a point where anyone would want him back.

1 hour ago, Ossydave said:

Looked like a Glute strain the JRC injury, if so at least a few weeks out. 

Urgh 🤦🏽‍♂️

5 minutes ago, Sweaty Gussets said:

A contradiction surely. If BBD should have had a hat-trick then the service to him was fine. The solution is someone who will put the ball in the net between now and May. Exactly the same situation as it was last January. Hopefully a better outcome this year. 

Yeah, sorry….I meant we need to find a combination in midfield that works consistently. But the big challenge is to get the front players firing!! 💪🏽

Just now, RoversTilliDie said:

Can't see us keep getting away with 1-0 wins hanging on for 30 minutes plus, we need to develop the killer instinct in front of goal and put games beyond doubt. We can forgive them for this one bound to be nervous after losing 3 in a row we've stopped the decline for now. I was willing the ball in the net when Dack was in front of goal with the ball. It will give his confidence a massive boost scoring the winner. Also great to see BBD looking something like his best unlucky not to score.

All the forwards are out of touch. Iv watched a couple of games on the Tv over the last week or two and it’s less obvious until you see them live.

Today I say the front four trying desperately to spark…Dack was slightly off the pace at times but played some nice passes which weren’t picked up by Gally and BBD who are not making the movement at the right times. The decision making in the final third is absolutely atrocious. They need to play themselves back into form asap and get some fresh blood in there. Dack at full flow would really help as he is the glue and can feed team with assists too…🙏🏽

7 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

What is the truth? Fees that nobody knows, and varying opinions of the success or otherwise of those signings. So a mixture of guesswork and opinion.

I am sure that the Lancashire Telegraph had the fees estimated at £1.7m for Szmodics, £1.5m for Hyam and £900k for Brittain, but estimates being the operative word.

The truth is that we didn’t spend £6.5m on Szmodics, Hirst and Brittain. 

My take on the game..

Back four and keeper Solid. Now a little worried about how serious JRC’s knock is.

Midfield - Garrett’s best performance in a Rovers shirt. Broke the play up and range of passing was very impressive. Morton was decent. Trav tried when he came on but was still a little ineffective and rash for me. Little cameo from A.Wharton was good value. He prob should have had a goal at the end when BBD blazed over.

Forwards - All out of form. Dack the closest to his game, Hedges decent but BBD and Gally look miles off it.

My opinion - if the forwards can get going then we’ll go on a run. We should’ve been 3 up at half time vs Boro and BBD could’ve easily had a hat trick today.

We need to find a solution in midfield and get this front quartet firing! New options in both area would help 👍🏼

1 hour ago, RevidgeBlue said:

They did in summer to be fair  To the tune of around £6.5m. However most of it went on Szmodics, Hirst and a RB who has barely featured.

The recruitment needs to be far better this month.

 

Wow, don’t let the truth get in the way of a good story eh?

Actual spend this summer closer to £3m on Hyam, Szmodics and Brittain with potential to increase to close to £5.5m. Based on how good Hyam is, if they’d spent the full £3m on him  it would’ve been fine! The other two have been positive additions too and but for injuries would likely be fans favourites, and the rest were loans 🤷🏽‍♂️

But yes, they need to back him this month. A midfielder and two forwards please…send Mola and Hirst back 👍🏼

8 hours ago, Atko's Engine said:

Short memory here, the death spirals under Mowbray were so named for a reason!

I get the frustration of the last few games, but overall this squad & backroom team, given the challenging situation that existed when JDT walked through the door, have exceeded expectations, have they not? It's not fair to say that all the wins are fortunate and the defeats well deserved.

No team has been promoted or relegated on 1st Jan. JDT has a huge task on his hands and won't get everything right, nor will he turn us into the perfect team in a few months. The club is working with a budget of peanuts behind the scenes.

A bit of a reality check is needed. Someone mentioned tomorrow being a must win game, why put that much pressure on a match on New Year's Day??

I'm gonna confidently predict a win. Would be nice to see both Whartons start,and Markanday get a run out too to see what he can do, but whatever happens tomorrow I do believe that JDT has more of a clue what he is trying to achieve than most people seem willing to give him credit for.

 

Excellent post, finally some balance!

Happy new year guys 💙

37 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

I don't get how this was anything other than a normal, civilised debate, I am not sure of the purpose of the need either of people contacting you privately or indeed the patting yourself on the back afterwards. Absolutely bizarre.

Regarding the Brown signing, I don't understand what could possibly come to light that could add context. Just a cheap signing that hasn't and probably won't work out. 

 

And just because you don’t understand it doesn’t mean it’s not possible pal.

Happy new year 👍🏼

9 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Szmodics may not be on par with Hirst in terms of impact but he wouldn't make our best 11 and I think more often than not he is ineffectual. It told me a lot that Peterborough fans seemed unconcerned by his departure and with a track record of success at League 1 but not really beyond that, and him being not at an age where we are likely to make a profit on him, also factoring in a decent fee, I certainly wouldn't deem it as a successful signing. Maybe a 5 out of 10 if you are being generous. Morton plays unconditionally in what I think is our weakest area of the pitch and only rarely does he excel IMO, again 5 out of 10 at a push.

Neither have unconditionally failed like the 2 dollopers (Hirst and Mola) but there is a middle ground between a success like Hyam who has slotted in very well indeed.

The best right back of the Venkys tenure is not an award to be proud of, but he cannot be deemed a success until he stays fit. He has looked pretty steady when he has played (in his correct position) but until he does stay fit across a length period of time, it is a case of if my aunty had bollocks she would be my aunty. 

There are lots of other variables, emerging youngsters (absolute nonsense that Mowbray wouldn't have brought them through, he brought through plenty through) and injury recoverys included, but I was just judging just the transfer window which I think was bang average.

What further insider information could make any difference in judging the deal?

I don't see how you see a plan from Venkys. They have allowed the putting together (and subsequent tearing apart) of backroom teams throughout their time here, the transfer window was not a stand out one and they continue to allow assets (Brereton) to run their contracts down. We have seen new deals signed throughout the years, Kaminski, Travis, Dolan, Buckley again, Scott Wharton, Dack etc, but its on the most valuable assets where we literally have bids on the table that get fucked up.

I’ve explained my rationale re 4 of the 6 having a positive impact on our current position, based on the mess we were in when 6 of our first 15 left in the summer.

Re The Irish fullback…we don’t have a clue about what went on. So it looks odd, but without the benefit of any context we’re just guessing.

Re The Plan - it’s a simple as this. The summer was the first time they’ve appointed a strategic figure AND that party openly talked about ‘a plan’ 👍🏼

The world would be very odd if we all held the same opinions. I’ve provided mine on all of the above points. Judging on the interaction and individuals who’ve contacted me personally to show their agreement, I think it’s fair to say those opinions are shared with some on here.

Completely understand that you don’t feel the same. Hope you can respect my opinion and leave it there 👍🏼

1 hour ago, Leonard Venkhater said:

Agreed. I think we all thought we had gone into this season a little light. I suppose the question is why...Why are Venky's always late to the party...why were they so slow in moving on from TM? 

A good window is vital...

Football needs real planning and a formula. I have never seen either from Venkys until the summer. The appointment of GB in theory is their first move towards a strategic approach and we’ve seen some players sign extensions since so fingers crossed 🤞🏽 

6 minutes ago, 47er said:

3 points from the last 15 is more pertinent.

It’s relevant for sure, one win in 5 is worrying form, but not surprising. Go back to my post on the summer leavers and it’s clear that we were alarmingly short of players and backfilling with U23’s. So it makes sense that even with the incomings, a few injuries and poor form of Travis, BBD and Gallagher (Key players) we’re now struggling.