KentExile

Initially, probably Tavares, "our player", "has had a year to adapt" etc will be the terms for that one Based on pre/early season, Montgomery was earmarked for the role of cover this season, until the Bradford cup game prompted a rethink as to how ready Montgomery/Tyjon/Michalski are. TGH was then brought in after that, but promoting the youth will be revisited next summer Leaving next seasons midfield options (*) as Baradji, Tavares, Montgomery & Forshaw & one of Isaac Dunn/James Edmondson/Jake Garrett as the emergency option If Baradji doesn't work out or if Forshaws legs actually fall off then Rovers may look at another, who will be a cheap buy from overseas * not counting Cantwell, who I also expect to leave next summer, or Henriksen/Morishita, who will no doubt be seen as his replacement

He was also essentially a stop gap to fill in for Baradji until he is fit, so assuming Baradji goes to plan, gets fit, and is good (lots of ifs), TGH is theoretically just backup Regardless of how Baradji does, TGH will be sent back at the end of his loan, Montgomery will be given a new contract (on considerably less than what TGH would require) and touted the solution to our midfield and right back cover issues with terms such as "academy minutes", "player pathways" etc being spouted

Based on the wages Birmingham have been paying since their new owners took control Rather than "big wages", maybe the term should have been "bigger wages than what Rovers currently pay"

We had a €4M option to make Zeefuik's loan permanent, there was never an intention to take that up either, sometimes clauses get added at the insistence of one party "just in case"

He is both according to his linkedin

We did technically have a set piece coach by default when Eustace was here, I do not recall us being particularly great with set pieces then The most niche role I recall seeing was a throw in coach for Liverpool a few years back, wonder how many hours a week he worked?

He has now changed his linkedin to state he joined Rovers in November as "Set Piece Coach Analyst" https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-ventre-9553006a/?originalSubdomain=uk

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-ventre-9553006a/?originalSubdomain=uk Danny Ventre UEFA A licence & AYA holder, Recruitment & Talent ID, Set pieces Experience Assistant Manager Waterford FC · Full-time May 2025 - Oct 2025 · 6 mos 1st Team Coach Bristol Rovers Football Club (Official) · Full-time Jul 2022 - Apr 2024 · 1 yr 10 mos Blackpool FC 6 yrs 1 mo6 yrs 1 mo Head PDP u23/21 Coach Full-time Jul 2021 - Jul 2022 · 1 yr 1 mo Lead Youth Phase Coach Lead Youth Phase Coach Aug 2019 - Aug 2021 · 2 yrs 1 mo Lead Foundation Phase Coach Full-time Jul 2016 - Aug 2019 · 3 yrs 2 m

Suppose it depends on if the terms of his new contract a couple of months ago meant that they could sack him for less than they originally could? Unlikely, but possible

Newcastle's actions/use of Finneran do not suggest that is the case. When fit, he has been a regular in their U21s since just before he turned 17 in February, and he has played more minutes for their U21s this season than any other player currently under the age of 18. All of which would suggest they rate him rather highly. Even if they did have cold feet, it wouldn't matter one jot, he signed a contract with them and compensation is payable, they are merely hoping that by stalling for as long as possible, Rovers will get desperate and accept a lower amount/sell on fee etc. Unfortunately they are probably not wrong

Possibly add Cantwell to that too, as no chance he is signing a new contract either

Both right, born in Belgium to English parents

And a difference that those in charge will find out again either in January or next summer, when the inevitable sale of the player who will by then be known as "Greedy Greedy Toth" comes back to bite us on the behind

I still think he struggles to change things mid match (despite what happened v Southampton last week), but he does tend to set us out to start the game well, and as you say, the players do seem to be playing for him

don't worry, Jake Garrett & Baradji will be fit soon... like 2 new signings 😉

Duru hasn't played for his loan team in weeks (and doesn't even make their bench these days) so likely they chose to send him back in January Hey presto... like a new signing

Are you not placing much hope on him having an improvement in his second season to rival that of Szmodics? 😉

I wasn't aware of that Is that a new rule? or an old one that I've been oblivious to all of my life?

Starts this weekend for O'Riordan - won 2-1 - played the full game, had a goal disallowed - 7 - Back at his old club and put in a quiet and commanding display. Barrett - lost 3-1 - played the full game Edmondson - won 6-3 - played the full game Pratt - lost 2-1 - played the full game, will be his final loan game unless it is extended again Wood - won 2-0 - subbed off after 64 minutes with the score at 2-0 On the bench Farkas - lost 2-0 - remained on the bench throughout Not involved in matchday squad Olson & O'Grady-Macken - won 3-1 Duru - drew 2-2 - lost on pens which I think means that scores are level at 1-1 with one to play Edit - Looks like I may be wrong re players being cup tied, as per Wilsdens post on the next page, it appears that as of this season, players can now play for up to 2 teams in the FA cup, but only one in each round Macclesfield (Edmondson) & Chorley (Pratt if his loan is extended) are both due to play on Tuesday in the only midweek games for our loanees

U18s drew 0-0 with Man Utd, very little info on this one apart from Man Utd had someone sent off on the stroke of full time

Rover posted incorrect details on their official story (not sure if this was accidental or deliberate, neither would be a surprise), Bold parts below are the most pertinent https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/25406730.clarity-blackburn-rovers-deal-transfer-confusion/ Leo Duru has left Blackburn Rovers on loan Leo Duru's loan move from Blackburn Rovers to San Diego FC has caused confusion after the two clubs released contrasting information. The American youth international has joined the Major League Soccer club to gain more first-team experience. Duru had a productive loan at Barrow in the second half of the 2024/25 season. However, he returned to Rovers injured after picking up a foot problem at the end of his spell with the League Two side. That delayed his start to pre-season, and he didn't feature in any of Valerien Ismael's squads. Instead, Duru was earmarked for another loan and Rovers confirmed his move to San Diego on Wednesday, citing that the deal runs until mid-October, when the MLS season ends. However, San Diego stated that the deal ran until June 2026 and the deal included an option to buy. That has left Rovers fans confused. The Lancashire Telegraph understands that the initial loan does run until December, which is when the MLS play-offs end. However, there is an option to extend that loan deal until June and there is every expectation that will be taken up. The agreement also includes an option for San Diego to buy Duru at the end of his deal, understood to be a six-figure sum. The 20-year-old signed a new contract with Rovers in 2024, which runs until the summer of 2026 with the option of a further 12 months. The MLS season runs from late February until October every year. So Duru will spend the rest of this campaign with San Diego and the likelihood is that he'll be there for pre-season and the start of next season too. Duru made his debut for the USA Under-20s last year and therefore decided to make the move despite interest from clubs in League One and League Two. The Academy graduate has made three first-team appearances for Blackburn in his career, with his Championship debut coming in the dying embers of the East Lancs derby against Burnley last August. San Diego currently sit top of the Western Conference division following 16 wins from their 27 game so far this season. Edit - I have a feeling that because of FIFA and/or international transfer/squad regulations, even if his loan did end in October, he cannot return outside of a transfer window anyway (or at least cannot play for us until the window reopens), so the earliest he can be back with us is January, although Wilsden is probably the man to check with on that

U21s 3-0 up at Man Utd at half time, Doherty, Boggan & Powell with the goals Man Utd U21 had won their last 5 games and were top of the table before tonight's game

U21s away at Man Utd this evening - preview apparently Garrett may feature, Tyjon is away with England U17s U18s at home to Man Utd tomorrow morning

This weekends games for our loanees Saturday - 3pm kick off O'Riordan - score/update - FA Cup game, if he plays then is cup tied Barrett - score/update - FA Cup game, if he plays then is cup tied Olson & O'Grady-Macken - score/update - FA Cup game, if either play then are cup tied Edmondson - score/update - FA Cup game, although already cup tied as played in previous rounds Pratt - score/update - will be his final loan game unless it is extended again Wood - score/update Farkas - score/update Sunday - 1:30am kick off (UK time) Duru - score/update Macclesfield (Edmondson) & Chorley (Pratt if his loan is extended) are both due to play on Tuesday in the only midweek games for our loanees

Rated more highly than Tyjon but Chido Obi Martin turned down £15K-£20K/week at Arsenal as a 16 year old * to sign for Man Utd for more than £30K/week To one of those clubs, or Chelsea, Man City etc, £10K/week for a player to see if he maybe makes it is chicken feed * agreed in advance for when he turned 17 in November last year