all of which should have been disallowed (but are not) for increasingly ridiculous reasons... just to annoy them

He messed with the set up, both wide players coming inside rather than one holding the width. Should have started with either Hedges or Beck wide left, and left out one of Ohashi, ACD or Cantwell so that we could play the usual shape

Well, as we all know, in Andy Moran they definitely have the right player for a relegation scrap. I am sure he will not go hiding at all! 😉

In the early kick off, despite the sacking of the Bristol Rovers manager Matt Taylor, Jake Garrett is still not selected in the squad - drew 1-1 In the 3pm kick offs Starts today for Markanday won 1-0, Markanday with the assist for the goal Olson lost 2-1 Edmondson drew 2-2 Eastham drew 1-1 Honor won 2-0 On the bench Gamble lost 4-1 Powell won 2-1 Powell came on for the last 15 Atcheson lost 2-0 Not involved in match day squad Batty lost 2-0 Montgomery lost 2-0 Wood lost 4-0 Mullarkey-Matthews drew 1-1 Michalski & Ramwell lost 2-1 Cypriot teams (Saadi) play on Monday

After the last few years, I was dreading the January window and its annual embarrassment. But after the past few days of the Hedges thread, I think I may actually welcome it 😉

It could be argued that Rovers under Eustace do not play any wingers. At least not in the traditional sense. When in possession one of the "wingers" moves inside to effectively make two 10s behind a lone striker, and the other "winger" essentially plays more as a wing back, which is much more suited to Hedges (although Beck for me seems to offer more in that role as a starter). Whether that is because it is Eustace's favoured way of setting up, or if he is setting up that way because of the limitations of those available to him, is obviously up for debate

Apparently this is him, no idea who the guy in the picture in the article is

Tonight's games O'Riordan on the bench for Cambridge - lost 4-0 Vale still injured so not involved for Motherwell - drew 1-1

Joe Bryan? I seem to recall a few on here fancying him when he left Fulham a couple of years ago

If it was me offering the extension, it would be an attempt to reduce his basic salary, but bump his performance related clauses for appearances/goals/assists etc, to try to coax more consistency from him in regard to goal contributions whilst also negating any potential fall off in availability due to age/future injuries

So long as Hedges basic wage isn't too high, I have no issue with renewing his contract and having him as a squad player. Beck will not be here next season (unless Rovers manage promotion in which case we may be able to have him back on loan), which already leaves us needing to find someone to play on the left side (at either left wing or left back, I personally like Pickering at left back and Beck further forwards), so re-signing Hedges allows us to theoretically concentrate our search on someone who will go into the first 11. For all the talk of injury issues, he has played 98 first team games for Rovers in under 3 years since he signed (albeit boosted by a near ever present season in JDTs first year). But he has also been near ever present this year so far too. His injury issues were confined to last season) As a squad player, Hedges is useful, he is versatile, does not shirk defensive duties, puts in a shift, and is capable of temporarily plugging a gap in the side in case of injury/suspension/late in the game when we are trying to keep things tight.

Off the top of my head League - Premier League 2 - Next game v Wolves Jan 10th Cups - Premier League Cup - Next Game is against PNE Jan 7th Premier League International Cup - Next Game v Athletic Club 5th Feb National League Cup - Next Game v Forrest Green 21st Jan Lancashire Seniors Cup - Next Game v Bolton 18th Feb Central League Cup - Not sure on this one Having a quick google (which is were the dates have come from), It looks as though they haven't been knocked out of any yet (many are mini leagues like World Cup groups) U18s, U17s, U16s etc also have their own competitions too

Disappointing result as U21s lost 2-1 away to QPR in the Premier League Cup Leonard scored in the first half from the spot, but hit the bar from a 2nd penalty at the start of the second half before QPR equalised, and then hit the bar again later on from open play just before QPR scored their winner

Possibly, maybe even probably, but now that Southampton will have a new manager in place, it is not certain

As I said, I could see him on the left for Boro, ahead of McGree who rarely seems to play many more than 20 games in a season anyway, 15, 24, , 43, 22 (games in each of the last 4 years) & 13 so far this season https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/riley-mcgree/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/428061/plus/0?saison=&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=GB2&pos=&trainer_id= Incidentally, I could also see him on the left for Sheff Utd, who could then move Hamer back inside. or Sunderland (if Mundle and Watson are out for any length of time) Leeds, I agree with you, are probably too strong in wide areas for Villa to consider loaning him to them

He is more an inside forward/second sriker than a central striker, could see him wide left for Boro, where he has played mostly for Stockport, Doak plays on the right The only times he has been central striker, is in a 2 up front, cant see him working up front by himself as a lone striker

Boro, Sheff Utd, Sunderland & Leeds (amongst others) apparently https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united-sheffield-united-and-sheffield-wednesday-dealt-blow-as-rivals-lead-race-for-15-goal-marksman-4912675 https://www.sunderlandafc.news/transfers/sunderland-handed-january-transfer-window-boost-with-latest-louie-barry-update-aston-villa-want-one-thing/

yep https://www.premierinjuries.com/teams/southampton been injured since early October, "hopefully back some time in the new year"

Isn't he injured? (again)

Eustace - "We don't want to bring lots of players in, we don't need to. All of us connected just want one or two top-quality players to really help the group and they will want that too." If its just one or two, then I would imagine it is one centre forward & one wide player, both on loan, unless they can manage a free transfer

A loan for him would be the closest thing I would expect to a marquee signing in January, but competition will be very stiff

Barry more of a wide forward than a winger or striker, but would take him on loan. Ethan Ennis also looks quite useful Rovers have a history of returning to previous targets, so Godo on loan from Fulham may also be under consideration. He seems to have fallen into the same "trap" of too good for the U21s, not quite good enough for the first team situation (albeit in the Prem) that Duru is currently in here, Bindon (presume you mean) looks a decent young player, but I would be amazed if we are paying transfer fees, especially at centre back, I think it will just be loans Nathan Butler-Oyedeji - 21 year old forward with 7 goals and 6 assists in 9 games this season at PL2 level may be worth a look. More of a wide player, but is very pacey, out of contract at the end of the season and will be 22 by that point, so may be able to do a permanent deal there Striker, probably a loan for some 20/21 year old who is having a decent season in PL2

Apparently Vale is doing his "return to training, rehab stuff" at Rovers (presumably we have better facilities & medical staff than Motherwell) and he will be back there "in a few weeks" (as of last week) https://www.glasgowworld.com/sport/football/motherwell-fc/motherwell-injury-update-summer-signing-blackburn-rovers-loanee-4906667

https://www.instagram.com/bbcsportcumbria/reel/DDNDf4_MuVa/ Just seen this from last week, Barnes has still not played for Barrow and still not back in training