U18s are 3-1 up at half time. No updates on Rovers academy twitter. Rangers to have one, but they have no idea who the Rovers players are by the looks of things

Gheorghe Hagis kid playing for Rangers,

U18s are playing Rangers at 1pm, friendly game, so updates will probably be limited at best

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2024/august/19/loan-rovers--marvellous-markanday-s-dream-debut-/ Next up for our loanees: Connor O’Riordan: Cambridge United v Blackpool - Saturday 24th August Jake Garrett: Bristol Rovers v Tottenham Hotspur Under-21s (Bristol Street Motors Trophy) - Tuesday 20th August Dilan Markanday: Chesterfield v Manchester City Under-21s (Bristol Street Motors Trophy) - Tuesday 20th August Harrison Wood: Annan Athletic v Alloa Athletic - Saturday 24th August Felix Goddard: Dundalk v St Pat’s - Friday 23rd August Pat Gamble: Oldham Athletic v Fylde - Tuesday 20th August Nick Michalski and Lorenze Mullarkey-Matthews: Ashton United v Bamber Bridge - Tuesday 20th August Tom Atcheson and Kristi Montgomery: Marine v Farsley Celtic - Tuesday 20th August Joe Boggan: Ilkeston Town v Macclesfield - Tuesday 20th August Sol Honor: Sheffield v Clitheroe (Emirates FA Cup replay) Tuesday 20th August

Still only 32, currently a free agent. If the injuries haven't completely got rid of his pace, could probably still do a job as a late sub at this level. Looks like he was used as an option from the bench for Fenerbahce last season

Apparently Matt Gardiner is a specialist in set pieces, so we already have one https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2024/february/10/in-profile--matt-gardiner/

Whilst I agree with him that Siggy and Gueye do not take up an ESC Slot (and Ohashi does). I am not sure that what he states about Mafoumbi not needing to take an ESC slot due to his being U21 is correct. I am almost certain that Sunderland had to use an ESC slot on Mayenda last season and he was 19 at the time Edit - Apparently not Mayenda, but U21 players do take up a slot as per below. So Rovers have 2. Mafoumbi & Ohashi https://analyticsfc.co.uk/blog/2023/06/21/introducing-esc-the-new-gbe-guidance-opens-up-recruitment-post-brexit/ "Sunderland have been mentioned for their penchant for niche cases in their recent recruitment. They were one of the few clubs to have used the different process for Under 21 players successfully, bringing the likes of Jewison Bennette and, recently, Nectarios Triantis to the North East. The ESC slots give them the opportunity to work their network and model to an even greater degree, as was the case in the Semedo deal."

Pretty sure this is the plan, albeit hampered by JRCs current lack of fitness/mobility/legs

There is the possibility that when he is fully fit, he could play the wide role in a similar way to how he played RB (coming inside to create overloads) But he is never going to be a "winger"

Eustace mentioned after the Derby game that JRC had been playing with an injury. Maybe its just a case of JRC "playing through the pain" for the good of the team whilst the squad is stretched? If that is the case, then hopefully a new signing or two will enable JRC to have a rest and get back to his best (which for me would also involve a switch back into midfield to compete/rotate with Travis/Tronstad)

Last weeks question was "are Sheff Wed very good, or are Plymouth very bad?" I think we can now safely say that Sheff Wed are not very good

Andy Todd maybe too

Caption Competition?

Mokoena? but for a different reason 😉

Apart from this season where he has 15 in 21 in the J league? https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ryo-germain/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/511448/plus/0?saison=2023&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=

He signed his last contract at Fulham last summer, as a 20 year old academy graduate who hadn't played above league one (barring 3 sub appearances for Fulham) Wouldn't imagine wages would be an issue, but the fee required would surely be out of Rovers reach unless there is a massive change in mindset from those in control of the purse strings

Long term injury according to Luton forum https://members.boardhost.com/lutonoutlaws/thread/1723447267.html

Unless a keeper is brought on from a European club at a decent level. Rovers obviously looking in Belgium, Netherlands etc, and the top tiers there are decent enough to qualify players for work permits outright

Got a work permit when he first signed, as he had played enough games at a decent enough level (Dutch top tier)

He was on the bench yesterday

and yet their fans are saying he should be in their strongest 11 https://gaschat.co.uk/thread/22690/strongest-starting-eleven Markanday by all accounts was outstanding for Chesterfield, but in League 2, I would genuinely expect him to be in the divisional team of the season without breaking a sweat

Potts was a winger before he was converted to a wing back, and they signed a Danish winger the day after Lowe was sacked off. Not much in the way of back up, Its the lack of full backs that may dictate how they will have to play in the short term

Numerous U21s involved in lower leagues

he is