KentExile

Confirmation from Ismael (if it was needed) that the summer recruitment & pre season was based on Rovers playing a back 4. Which logically would mean that January's recruitment needs at least 1 extra centre back, a right wing back to cover for Alebiosu, and a striker (just in terms of numbers, without even thinking about improving the quality of our playing squad) "I wouldn't say it was my system I wanted to play at the beginning of the season but you have to evolve with your player, with the feeling."

For what it is worth, Football managers head of research for the EFL is a Birmingham fan, and they have TGH on £18K/week, with Rovers paying £10K/week of that

U21s v Man Utd report

Like so many before him, only once he has a year left on his contract, so his "added value" is curtailed by terrible contract management... again

Although Dolan is getting regular minutes for a team who are currently sixth in La Liga

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