KentExile

That will will be true of every player in the first team squad, given the passage of time 😉 The downgrade continues

Its up https://www.rovers.co.uk/live/0_q3cypct5

Question for those watching via Rovers website Is it just me who when clicking "watch live" on the site, it just refreshes the screen?

I imagine that De Neve is in because he offers pace on the break & Ribeiro offers very little as a wing back Given De Neve starts, Ribeiro makes more sense than Pratt to cover for De Neves lack of positional awareness down our left TGH is average at best, runs around a lot but no positional sense, hopefully Cantwell & Morishita can provide some creativity in midfield Can only think Tavares is in because Ismael thinks he has more discipline than TGH as the deepest of the 3 midfielders (also possible TGH still carrying a knock after the tackle at the end of the first half the other night)

Agree with that although based on his goal return at PL2 level, his correct current level is the U21s 3 goals in 3 this season 4 goals in 7 last season

He cant (legally speaking at least) sign a pre contract with another English side until the final month of his deal (its the final 6 months of his deal if he went to any other country) Not that I am disputing that he may well end up at another English side

I may be splitting hairs, but for the majority of the game, last night, Rovers looked to be playing more a 4-3-3 than a 4-2-3-1. Pre match, I had expected Tyjon to be the "10", but he looked to be one of two "8s" (sorry to those who hate the numbers thing), and quite often the other "8" Vare was more advanced than Tyjon. But how deep he was looked to be tactical rather than an individual choice (maybe that's the impression created from me watching on stream rather than live in person?) Tyjon did seem to push up more as the game got towards its closing stages and Rovers were chasing the winner

and unfortunately, Rovers have not yet given a pro deal to any of the players on display last night (unless Wilkinson got one.. they have still not officially announced his signing), which means if Arsenal (or other clubs) do try to poach them, we are not in the best position to keep them, and if we do lose them then we are not going to maximize their value

I think it may be competition specific. Several other regulars for for u21s (Joseph, Decandia, & especially thinking of Vare) also featured last night too. FA Youth Cup looks to be seen by the club as a little more prestigious than just u18 league games. We have 1 u21 game & 1 u18 game next week, so I guess we will get a clearer picture after those match report https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2025/december/12/report--rovers-under-18s-2-1-southampton-under-18s/

Starts today for O'Riordan - lost 4-3 - replaced after 58 minutes whilst 3-2 down - Connor O'Riordan 4 - One of many at fault for the second and then got outmuscled by Salech for the third, just after half-time. Not a day to remember for the loanee, who was hooked just before the hour Wood - won 2-0 - replaced after 75 minutes with the score at 1-0 On the bench Barrett - lost 4-1 - remained on the bench throughout Edmondson - won 1-0 - FA Trophy game, looks like a rotated side - came on after 65 minutes with the score at 1-0 Not involved in matchday squad Olson & O'Grady-Macken - drew 2-2 Farkas - won 2-0

Tyjon will be a 10, Sergeant & McCoy wide, Joseph up top Vare and Ball should be a good base in midfield too

This game is available to stream free via Southampton's site/app, you may have to register, but that is also free https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/video/live-video-blackburn-u18-vs-saints-u18-fa-youth-cup

bonkers yes, but also cheaper, which is what matters to them most

only if San Diego don't trigger their purchase option and cancel his loan early, and even if they do that, he cannot play for Rovers until January

He does play at right wing back for Australia. Not that I have watched those, so I couldn't tell you how well he fits that role

Preview of this evenings game https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2025/december/12/preview--rovers-under-18s-v-southampton-under-18s/

It would explain the strange views of one or 2 online How much would it cost for Venkys/Pasha/Rudy to buy a few hundred pro Venkys "bots" to post on twitter/LT/here?

Seeing as we are playing the predicting game I think that if/when Tronstad is back, it will be TGH at RWB, or if Tronstad isn't ready yet, then Litherland/Atcheson will be brought in at at RCB with Miller moving to RWB Also have a sneaking suspicion that unless Hedges is fit, De Neve will be brought in at LWB, with Ribeiro as LCB, and Pratt relegated to the bench... Nothing against Pratt, but think De Neve may be seen as covering for the pace lost by Alebiosu not being with us, whilst Ribeiro is more natural to cover for De Neves lack of positional awareness down our left side. I believe Alebiosu is still available this weekend. if so, then any predictions are as of the Millwall game next weekend

Carter has played 1 senior game this season, and that was 3 months ago, he hasn't even featured for the U21s since August. He will not be ready to start, They have already brought him back from injury too early twice this season, so will be cautious of doing so again. As such, I would be amazed if we even see him on the bench much before new year

oh I don't know, He will likely never player the Tronstad role well, but he will do it badly 😉

yes https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2024/august/30/rovers-complete-cantwell-capture-/

fixed it for you 😉 Edit - just because it is logical, doesn't mean it is true, but surely you can accept why people come to these conclusions?

Its not about how recent a signing they are, its about when their contracts expire

There has very evidentially been a lowering of the wage structure at the club since he signed. They have signed several players in the past, on contracts which they have later decided were too high and so have later either sold or released them at the end of their contracts. Why would Cantwell be different? Do you think they will be tying him down to an extended deal? The evidence of the last few years suggests not. If not, then like Travis, Brittain, Hyam, they will be looking to cash in for what they can get in the next 6 months or so.