Edmondson started for Macclesfield v Bamber Bridge, who did not name Mullarkey-Matthews in their match day squad Edmondson was withdrawn with 20 mins to go whilst Macclesfield were 2-0 up, the game finished 2-0 to Macclesfield.

Live stream on Sheff Utds YouTube, kick off at 7pm

Sadly I would imagine Leicester's main consideration is how big of a loan fee (and how much of his wages) a club would be paying. And Stoke will be paying more than Rovers (apparently his full wage is close to £40K/week and Stoke are currently paying about 75% of that) That's assuming Van Nistelrooy doesn't recall him and give him a go in the Prem

U18s are away to Sheff Utd this evening. Apparently Tyjon has been injured recently, although no mention of what the injury is https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2024/december/17/preview--sheffield-united-under-18s-v-rovers-under-18s/ This article states "Darragh Tuffy's youngsters". I was under the impression that Ryan Kidd was in charge of the U18s? Kidd's LinkedIn states that he is lead U18 PDP coach https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kidd-1895366b/?originalSubdomain=uk Tuffy's LinkedIn states that he has recently (October) changed to be Lead U18 Coach https://www.linkedin.com/in/darragh-tuffy-84819094/ Rovers site states Tuffy is U18s lead coach, and contains no mention of Kidd (pretty sure he used to be included here) https://www.rovers.co.uk/club/staff/ Tuffy was named as the "U18 assistant boss" after the previous game with Sheff Utd was postponed recently https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2024/december/06/tuffy--we-re-all-gutted/ Is Kidd still with us? Has he moved on? Or has his role been changed?

Batty not involved for Accrington drew 1-1 Batty was mentioned a month ago as having to undergo a late fitness test (a comment from the Accrington manager about him feeling the back of his knee). However, he has not featured since, and I have not seen any further mention of the extent of his injury Edmondson (probably) & Mullarkey-Matthews (unlikely as he hasn't featured for Bamber Bridge since August) may be in action against each other tomorrow night

If anything can be read into it, Garrett has "liked" Bristol Rovers' Instagram post about their manager being sacked https://www.instagram.com/p/DDojVvqvb0w/?hl=en

He has played both wide right (*) and as a 10 for Chesterfield, not as a central striker. They rotate Grigg and Madden as the lone forward. Yesterday he played wide right (*) * not as a winger, but as in inside forward

This might change Garretts situation considerably https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-rovers-set-sack-manager-9793762 Might be worth holding off on recalling him until we see if whoever replaces the manager has Garrett in his plans

Highlights from Chesterfield and Macclesfield games in case anyone wants to see the Markanday and Edmondson goals

Starts this weekend for Markanday won 2-0, Markanday scored the opener Olson won 1-0 Powell lost 1-0 Edmondson scored the third in a 4-1 win Eastham won 4-1 Honor lost 3-1 Michalski & Ramwell lost 3-1 Saadi won 1-0 On the bench Gamble drew 2-2 Atcheson was a late sub as they lost 2-1 Not involved in matchday squad Vale won 4-3 Garrett lost 2-0 O'Riordan drew 2-2 Montgomery lost 2-1 Wood won 5-1 Mullarkey-Matthews won 2-1 Accrington (Batty) play on Monday

I think he has played the last few weeks mostly as a centre forward, rather than in his usual deeper role as a 10. I am fairly sure he hasn't played wide this season

U18s won 3-1 away at Boro, Boggan & Joseph (2) with the goals

I don't personally see him breaking through here. He does take a good set piece though

From the Leeds site, sounds like Biniek had a good game https://www.leedsunited.com/en/news/u21s-report-leeds-united-2-4-blackburn-rovers

U21s won 4-2 away at Leeds this evening, O'Grady-Macken, Biniek & A.Doherty (2) with the goals

lost 3-2, Strich & Rhys Doherty for Rovers. I did watch the first half and Dunn looked very good, taking the ball off the defence in tight spaces and spraying passes all over

Starts tonight for O'Riordan - won 2-1 Olson - drew 3-3 On the bench Markanday - won 3-2, came on at half time with the score at 1-1, and scored the 3rd Gamble - won 2-0 Atcheson - lost 1-0 Not involved in matchday squad Montgomery was mentioned as being injured last week It is worth noting that Cambridge's and Chesterfield's games are in the EFL trophy, so they are heavily rotated teams

Alex Baker on the bench after being injured for 2-3 years. No Litherland or O'Grady-Macken, so they may be with the first team again

Rovers U21s play Oldham in the National League Cup tonight. Free stream here with a 7pm kick off This means the 2nd half clashes with the first half of the first team game, but I am fairly certain that the game is still available to watch for a while after it finishes (I can see full games for matches that were played a month ago so see no reason why this would not also apply this game)

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2024/december/09/academy-sides-progress-in-premier-league-cup/ some big wins for the U17s & U16s. Both finished top of their groups

https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-dodds-3513b9134/?originalSubdomain=uk Dortmund's recruitment in general is good His job role states he specialises scouting in the UK and Scandinavia, Although it looks as though he moved to Dortmund after they signed Bellingham, and I can only see Maatsen as someone who they signed based on his "areas"

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-doolan-b352936a/?originalSubdomain=uk Apparently John Doolan has been Brighton's "centre forward scouting manager" for just under 2 years. during which time, they signed two centre forwards, Georginio Rutter & Joao Pedro (for a combined £80M) who were both pretty stand out players in the Championship. Not sure how much scouting they would have needed beyond owning a television 😉 Before that, he was with Everton for a few years, and their recruitment in recent years has been far from stellar. Doesn't look like he was plucking unknown bargains out of Outer Mongolia or Timbuktu, which is likely the market Rovers will be reduced to

Good away win in terrible conditions, I thought it was interesting that Beck played the Pickering role at left back (tucking inside rather than bursting forwards) Why is it that Gueye seems to have a decent first touch, but every other touch gets increasingly worse?

I like him, box to box midfielder who can also play as a 10. fairly aggressive, has a goal in him However, I think he will remain on the bench (unless Rovers are 3 goals up towards the end of the game). Same applies to Litherland

Starts today for Markanday won 3-0, Markanday got an assist Gamble 2-2 after 90 mins, lost on penalties Olson 0-0 after 90 mins, won on penalties Edmondson 0-0 after 90 mins, lost on penalties Powell won 3-2 Honor lost 2-0 Saadi game abandoned whilst they were 2-0 down On the bench O'Riordan won 4-1 Not involved in matchday squad Batty lost 2-1 Vale won 1-0 Wood drew 1-1 Match postponed Garrett Eastham Mullarkey-Matthews Michalski & Ramwell No game today Atcheson & Montgomery