KentExile

No problem with them, but the question remains, surely they would take up an ESC slot if signed permanently? if this is the case then it seems unwise considering Rovers current transfer strategy involves bringing in players for the first team who in many cases need ESC slots. We would end up with another Mafoumbi situation. No issue at all if for some reason these kids wouldn't need ESC slots for whatever reason

On loan Rovers U21 player James Edmondson wins FA Cup goal of the round

If its the bold option, it would be an early xmas prezzie for us, one less talon on the club

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2025/december/11/boss-hoping-to-have-sonny-in-the-squad/

He is a young centre back learning the ropes, they are almost always due a lapse in concentration or 2. Still has to be taken into account that he is playing regularly at a higher level than Wharton, Carter & Lenihan were at the same age. But absolutely should be kept on loan and not be brought back to sit on the bench as a cheaper option to bringing in someone

Completely agree with the bold part. but we didn't have a days advance notice with Hyam during the summer 😉 They are more than happy to sell in the closing stages of a window and then say we didn't have any time to replace them

Closes 2nd Feb this year, think because the 1st is a Sunday https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/crm4y2v09yyo

Also, if they are having some halal food (and they will be for Gestede, Kargbo, Gueye amongst others) , it would be cheaper to have all halal food.. economies of scale, and simplifying ordering. One thing this regime loves is cheaper Where I would be surprised is if the general staff (in the main) cared in the slightest. unless they are big on animal rights The UK government doesn't have a legal requirement to ensure all animals are stunned before slaughter. Around 88% of animals slaughtered in the UK for Halal are stunned first. All animals slaughtered under the Shechita (for Kosher) are non-stunned.

Thanks 🙂 To me, that only references the injury, none of the rest of the speculation If he is still here in February, and surpasses 50 league appearances, then I will concede that all of the speculation should be put to bed. I suppose Rovers could put an end to any speculation even sooner and give our captain & star player a contract extension

Sounds like the job advertisement may as well read "Wanted, human shield, please apply within"

Can you post Cantwell's statement for me, in full, with a link. To my recollection he said something along the lines of "there are rumours which are false", he did not go into any clear specific's Bennetts was an extended contract, but that also comes with financial tie ins, so in my book is similar to the other two

It depends what part of the speculation/conspiracy we are actually talking about a - That at 50 league appearances, Rovers are due to pay a fee to Rangers b - That at 50 league appearances, Cantwell is due a pay rise/bonus payment c - That one or both of the above is true and Rovers did not want to stump up the cash d - That the injury to Cantwell was either completely untrue or overexaggerated so that he could be sold before he reaches that appearance threshold & Rovers had to stump up the cash e - That a sale has already been agreed Personally, I would find both a & b to be very believable to the point of at least one of them being highly likely, and we have seen before under these owners, (Salgado & Nelson come to mind. Elliott Bennett stated similar in a recent interview), that they have simply not played players due to financial reasons, so I do not see how anyone can get upset about people speculating based on prior events with the same owners Edit - Herb - I presume you mean given Cantwell's injury? If so, then why did Spurs give an "injured" Ryan Nelson a nice Premier League contract and salary when he joined them from us? I am aware that there was no fee, but they still would have parted with money for Nelsons wages & signing on fee. Not trying to be confrontational, just highlighting that there has been at least one prior occasion at this club, under this ownership, where injury/fitness concerns have been exaggerated in public, but the "buying club" have had no issues Chaddy - which part was Cantwell debunking? He only ever mentioned the injury , although if he did, then please can someone feel fere to post the link to that for me please as I have missed that

Starts on Wednesday for Edmondson - drew 1-1 - withdrawn on 75 minutes whilst 1-0 down Not involved in matchday squad Olson & O'Grady-Macken - lost 1-0 Boggan - won 3-0 - this will be his final game unless his loan is extended

Although he has played further forwards, he has primarily been a deep lying midfielder in his loan spells. He is more likely a replacement/cover for Tronstad than Cantwell https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cj698lk17wnt#Line-ups

Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael does not expect new signing Moussa Baradji to return to fitness until after the next international break in October.

one who looks like he cant be arsed

So he is like a worse version of John Buckley? 😉

He could technically be signed now, he jut cannot be registered until the window opens on 1st Jan. This is possible as "future signings" can be made, all paperwork completed etc, the top teams do so all of the time. This would mean that if he is signed as soon as the window opens, then 1 full window will have passed by the time the January window closes, so he could then be converted in the summer of 2027 when the registration window reopens. Obviously this relies on Rovers being organised and efficient, so is pie in the sky stuff

Would 1 full domestic registration period essentially mean 1 transfer window & mean that he could be converted during the summer? Either way, it seems a waste of an ESC slot unless he is the reincarnation of Maldini

I think so, although given his age (going back to the Mafoumbi discussion during the summer), one appearance would then mean he could be converted to a standard work permit "Or they can give Exauce Mafoumbi his Championship debut. As the player hasn’t yet made his senior debut for any club, making his first appearance in a bad second-tier league would earn him five points. He’d then get an additional 10 points for playing in the Championship, hitting the 15 needed to qualify for a GBE work permit."

Would hope (although not necessarily expect) that a 20 year old college kid who has never played a senior game would be a signing for the u21s, not the first team

probably a few £100K

Looks like Ismael got "his wish", and exchanged some/all of the transfer budget for "essential works on the pitch" https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2025/december/10/venue-change-for-fa-youth-cup-contest/