KentExile

Jones hasn't been running the academy since the summer restructure, That is now Paul Gray but I would have thought that Jones would have at the very least been a useful sounding board, and likely much more Jones, (having been here for close to 15 years), spends about 6 months in a more senior role (and presumably in closer contract with Waggott, Suhail etc) and jumps ship

Jackson saying the same TLDR - He has taken another job, and is currently working his 6 month notice period Blackburn Rovers' Head of Academy, Stuart Jones, is set to leave the football club, The Lancashire Telegraph understands. Jones has been at Rovers for over a decade and has worked within the youth system in various roles during that time. He has overseen the development of some of the club's finest youth prospects. In an Academy restructure this summer, Jones was promoted to Head of Academy, focusing specifically on the development of players aged 17-21 to make them ready for the first-team or a senior career elsewhere. Reports on Sunday claimed Jones was set for new pastures and that is accurate. The LT understands that Jones has handed his notice in at Blackburn Rovers but will still be at the club for the next six months. Club sources state Jones is 'ready for a new challenge' after well over a decade's service at Ewood Park. The club now have an extended period to source his replacement and begin the handover process before Jones' exit in June. The Academy remains one of Rovers' biggest assets and so this is a critical role for Blackburn to fill. Paul Gray was promoted to Academy Manager in the summer during the restructure and could be an obvious internal candidate to step up again. Rovers have yet to announce the appointment of a new Chief Scout, the role designed to replace John Park. Rudy Gestede continues to lead transfers with the aid of Adam Owen and Steve Waggott, as well as input from John Eustace. Interviews took place before Christmas so an appointment may have been made, with perhaps a notice period being served elsewhere. Rovers are expected to confirm an appointment through the official channels when the time is appropriate. The club will also be looking for a new analyst, with one of their team set to move to Middlesbrough.

He was one of the "new senior leadership team announced in the summer", along with Owen, Gestede & Park If this is indeed true, it is typical to see that 6 months later, only half of them are left at the club. Jones must have been ok, was head of academy for about 10 years before his new role, and the academy has produced. Park likewise has a decent reputation.. So it is worrying that the 2 more experienced operators are gone and we are left with Adam Owen, whose career history tells us he doesn't tend to stay in place for long, and Gestede.

I missed that he had been sacked, was just reading through the match thread, although after reading the fans comments, it is no surprise to see him relieved of his duties. Hopefully whoever replaces him is not adverse to having a rampaging wing back

Reading the Barrow forum to try and get an idea on how Duru got on, it seems he played as a right back in a 4-3-3 despite the BBC graphic on their match report stating he was played as a right sided centre back (well done as always BBC). Not the busiest of forums, but their fans seems happy with Duru despite the result. Although it sounds like they have had (he was sacked last night) the League 2 equivalent on JDT managing them, too attacking/not considering the opposition/narrow forward line/no protection for the defence/no plan B/sleepwalking down the table/etc

The closing date for applications is the day before they posted the advert

Only positive about today (random good Buckley performance aside), is that Rovers are still 5th owing to West Brom & Middlesbrough slipping up. Tired performance by Rovers, reinforcements (and pace) needed asap Edit - and another positive, Dingles out of the top 2

Starts this weekend for Markanday - drew 0-0 - former Rover Tayo Edun started for Peterborough Vale - lost 1-0 Duru - lost 2-0 - edit - Barrow manager was sacked following the game (credit Arbitro) Olson - won 2-1 - Altrincham now 6th and in a play off spot Eastham - won 5-0 - Ashton Utd 5th and in the final play off spot Honor - lost 2-1 On the bench Batty - lost 3-0 - Came on at half time with the score at 2-0 Goddard - drew 1-1 Bell - lost 3-1 - came on for the last 30 minutes Not involved in matchday squad Powell - drew 2-2 - Powell was involved for our U21s last night Saadi - drew 0-0 - possibly injured as he was withdrawn late on in their last game, or maybe Rovers are recalling him in light of Tronstads injury (before anyone panics, I am not being entirely serious about a recall)

Thanks as always for the report 🙂 Can I ask, was it a 4-3-3? or a 4-2-3-1 with Garrett as the 10?

Oxford have signed Helik from Huddersfield, apparently he could play tomorrow Do I remember him always playing well against us?

hasn't been in a squad since October, so possibly injured

U21s won 3-2 vs Middlesbrough. Wood with 2, and Mafoumbi with the winner off the bench with a shot from the half way line by all accounts, having not been involved in a squad since October (injured?) Baker (Alex, not Lewis) was sent off shortly after coming on a sub, with Boro equalising immediately afterwards for 2-2 late on before Rovers winner Powell on the bench makes me wonder if he has been injured, he was missing from the previous Chorley squad (where he is currently on loan) For anyone who is/was there, can I ask, was it a 4-3-3? or a 4-2-3-1 with Garrett as the 10?

Dion Sanderson following on from his debut with a great answer to the question "name the one thing that is really overrated in life" A - "Burnley" lol

In fairness, that's nothing that Eustace didn't already say yesterday "I don't think anything is imminent in the next few days, not that I'm aware of," "Brandon is another good player at this level. We have been linked with a lot of strikers already from the league. He's someone with good pedigree and someone who has done well over the last few seasons."I don't know if there has been a bid. I'm not aware if that's happened and if it has, ok, brilliant."

Haaland signs a 9.5 year contract at Man City keeping him under contract until the age of 34 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cvg44v08911o

Sounds like he had a minor hamstring injury, but he played vs Plymouth this week

https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/coventry-city-urged-to-cut-losses-on-thomas-asante-after-blackburn-bid/ Link Fixed

Not U21s etc but couldn't think where else to put this Former Rovers academy player Sam Barnes finally played some minutes for Barrow after signing in the summer, as Barrow beat Preston in one of the many youth competitions. Piece here on Barrows website about his injuries/update etc

You left out Billy Koumetio Mindboggling omission 😉

Rooney would get that team relegated 😉 Makes Gary Bowyer look like Pep

Possibly will be lining up directly against Markanday on Saturday if they both make their debuts

If it is close to accurate, you need to start a new career in either punditry or football betting syndicates 😉 By all accounts, Orient have an injury crisis of their wide players, so he should get his chance initially, it will then be up to Markanday to take it

Not sure that we can be that exact, but if he puts in a decent performance v Man City (or because it would make me chuckle, scores the goal that dumps them out of the FA Cup) then that might add a bit to his eventual transfer fee. Markanday not cup tied so can play, and sounds like a tie that will be picked for TV https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/manchester-city-fa-cup-fourth-round-opponents-2025-63872293

He played a blinder to my admittedly biased eyes yesterday