KentExile

The only way to remove him from the esc calculation is is he is no longer on the books (as in either sold or released, he would still be on the books if loaned too)

No, the issue with Mafoumbi is his work permit status (with him requiring an esc slot), not his squad registration (he doesn't need to be included in the 25 man squad because of his age)

You removed 2 players who I had not already removed from the calculation myself (Forshaw & Hedges) Both of who essentially had their contracts extended during the summer, which shows that they are going nowhere, no matter what we think However, there could be a strong argument made that Leonard should be loaned out, which would free up space for a 5th signing

Following the arrivals of Miller & Henriksson, we will actually have 26 players who would need to be registered if Ismael was planning to use them this season K - Toth, Pears, Barrett, Michalski, Goddard CB - Hyam, McLoughlin, Carter, Wharton, Pratt LB - Ribeiro, Pickering RB - Miller, Alebiosu M - Travis, Tronstad, Tavares, Forshaw, Buckley, Garrett, Montgomery W/AM - Cantwell, Henriksson, De Neve, Kargbo, Hedges, Tyjon S - Ohashi, Gueye, Leonard, Mafoumbi Montgomery, Tyjon, Mafoumbi, Goddard & Michalski (and indeed any current player from the U21s not mentioned above) do not need to be registered in the 25 man squad due to their age It would seem from Ismael's comments that Pears & Buckley are on their way out, Garrett is injured in the medium to long term so probably won't be registered for the first half of the season (and will probably be loaned out in January anyway), it is unlikely that Pratt will be registered (I think he will be loaned out), which brings us down to 22. With Pears on his way, Barrett may possibly be included (as 3rd choice keeper) to allow Michaleski & Goddard to get loan moves, so we are on either 21 or 22 Takeaways & Assumptions So assuming no more players leave, we could technically bring in anything up to either 3 or 4 more in (including loans) I assume one of those potential 3/4 will be another goalkeeper to sit on the bench Personally I see Henriksson as taking up the "right wing" position (but narrower), & also covering Cantwell in the 10 role, rather than as one of the 2 at the base of midfield, Obviously any further outgoings from the above 25 (Travis? maybe due to his "contract situation") each free up a further space in the squad. It would probably be beneficial for Leonard to be loaned out when fit, which would free up an extra space in the 25. I suppose this would hinge on bringing in another striker first ESC Slots Henriksson takes up our 4th & final esc slot (the other being Toth, Kargbo & Mafoumbi, - Ohashi was switched to a standard work permit over the summer) Offloading Mafoumbi would free up an esc slot for another esc signing this summer (Baradji?) (no idea if this is the plan, just a possibility) In January, Toth & Kargbo should have played enough games to convert them to standard work permits which would free up 2 more esc slots In order to maintain 4 esc slots after this season, English qualifying players would need to play in at least 35% of minutes in the Championship for Rovers this season. 2024/25 onwards Criteria However, from this season onwards clubs will be able to plan for the number of ESC slots that they have, with the possibility that they could only have one if the number of minutes for EQP is lower than 20%. Number of available ESC places Weighted EQP minutes % Premier League Championship League One League Two >= 35% 4 4 2 2 >= 30% 3 3 1 1 >= 25% 2 2 – – >= 20% 1 1 – –

Nope, they did some more at the end of 2023, see below. Since the 3 that you mentioned above, Pears, JRC & Leonard (if you count him as first team) also signed contracts in the summer of 2023 For any faults he may have had, Broughton did the job with contracts

We cant be, sales/income do not impact the budget 😉

If he ever gets his career back on track, then I will concede that he may have figured out the do's & don'ts Until then.....

I cannot possibly see that social media rule being used in an attempt ro strong arm anyone into silence

Maybe they just meant close (in proximity) to a new contract, as Pasha had sneaked one under his mattress

I know I wonder how long it will be before Rovers renew the contracts of 3 first team players contracts in under a month again? Even 3 in a season seems fanciful

Wharton December 2023 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67665036 The last one who is still here (aside from Ribiero) was Pickering, the same week - https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2023/december/07/pickering-pens-new-deal-/ And Szmodics was the week before Then they sidelined & sacked Broughton, presumably for being proactive wasting money

He possibly/probably isn't, it is (an was) likely probably Pasha who has the ultimate say so However, if that is the case then Gestede is still culpable, as he has in effect, just provided a human shield for Pasha to hide behind

"Sales do not affect the budget" - Rudy Gestede April 2025

Former PNE manager John Beck, long ball merchant, grass long in the corners so the ball didn't run out of play after it was hoofed forwards https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Beck_(footballer)#Managerial_career

I didn't see the Stockport v Bolton game but this sounds familiar I might add ACD into that. I imagine people will be saying how good he was but he cost us the first goal and didn’t do the defensive work needed generally. Stockport targeted that side. And they also worked out that we are vulnerable on the transition when he cuts inside and loses it with JDC on the overlap. This is the thing - things can look brilliant pre season but look decidedly less so when under the scrutiny of proper football. https://the-wanderer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=27882&sid=31e3981ecaee6d011972e04223feb43e&start=240

ahem 😉

did Man Utd ever sign a 3rd/4th/5th choice keeper? 😉

I'm not endorsing it, just offering a viable explanation judging by the tight fistedness of our ownership

Maybe the rationale is better quality for bargain prices? Risky though

It will more than likely be our better players on higher wages who are sold to make way 😉

Or, if that still falls foul of esc rules, If Rovers really want him, they could just agree a deal in advance to conclude on 1st Jan

If Baradji needs surgery and is out for a few months, then he wouldn't have to be registered in the squad if I am right? Or, if that falls foul of esc rules, we could just agree a deal in advance to conclude on 1st Jan By the January window, at least one of Toth & Kargbo should have qualified for a standard work permit, so we will have a free esc slot regardless of what happens with Mafoumbi

We have both mentioned similar. Don't think we are looking for a typical "right winger", but someone to help the right back when out of possession, but drift inside to make a second "10" when we have the ball

Looking at clips, he seems able to come off the right to good effect., Allowing the full back to overlap, Id have him pegged as starting on the right, when everyone is fit, but also able to cover Cantwell

Nope, apparently got a knee injury as soon as he joined them though which ended his season