MarkBRFC

Going back to Rudy's disastrous podcast appearances back in April, a striker was part of the plan then. He mentioned all the positions he would like to sign and a Striker was right up there. For some reason, that was quietly dropped (probably budget problems?) But now seems to have crept back on the radar again. For me we desperately need a new central striker to compliment what we have.

Far to much positivity for this version of venkys rovers this week with a good win and talk of a couple of exciting signings through the door. Rovers 0 Norwich 2, back down to earth with a thud,

Goddard was on the bench on Saturday, I wonder if he will be ahead of Michelski, seems to be a few years ahead of him in his development. Either way though, if Pears does go we absolutely need another keeper who has at least played some senior football.

He signed a 2 year scholar deal in the summer so you would presume so.

If we were in a similar situation to Sheffield Wednesday I think most would have sympathy. While we as fans know we are being run into the ground, to the wider football world all they see is us paying everyone on time every month, meeting hmrc requirements, selling players for profit but also spending a bit of money on replacing them. Technically, they can say they aren't doing anything wrong.

He was very loosely linked earlier in the window I think. Hasn't played a competitive game for over 3 years. But might be a better option to sit on the bench than Michelski, as it would allow him to play games for the Under 21's and maybe even a National League loan.

Either way, it looks like we will just about make both criteria's for season squad and match day squads this season as things stand.

So to summarise... It's 8 homegrown players needed for you're squad of 25 (under 21 don't count) It's 7 homegrown players needed in you're matchday squad of 20 (Under 21 do count). At the minute we have Alebiosu, Hyam, Carter, Wharton, Pickering, Taveres, Forshaw, Cantwell & Hedges who would qualify us for the 25 man squad The above plus Goddard, Michelski, Atcheson Montgomery, Batty, Tyjon who would qualify us for a matchday squad. Obviously not counting Travis, Buckley, Pears or Leonard. Is this correct?!

Yeah, to me he just looks like a bit of an upgrade on Gueye. Not sure he would be worth what Nixon thinks we will pay for him.

Needs to be a competitive cap, I presume that would push him further to make him eligible to convert, but I don't think we can do it until January anyway.

Don't count towards the 8 in the 25, but would for the 7 needed in a match day squad I presume? Goddard could be added to that too? (Not the 25 man squad)

Hmmm maybe. Going off this link - https://www.transferroom.com/gbe#calculator he would go to the exceptions panel. That website only has Morishita passing by 3 points too rather than 9, the difference being the International appearances.

No they haven't to be fair, seems to be silence on his fitness status. The only thing we have is from Nixon who said at the time of this signing that he was going for his op and will be out "a few weeks".

Something like this is what the last ESC spot should have been used for, a potential game changer, Not someone who will probably take until Christmas to get up and running. If we were creative surely we could have signed Baradji, sent him for his op while keeping him on loan at his current club until January, he then would have been fit and raring to go as a January signing.

Not said but I imagine central to replace Buckley.

Yeah i think so. Thats why I thought a bit further back might suit him, with those late runs into the box. We'll see how he gets used going forward, I think he will only be a bit part player this season with them integrating him slowly to he starter next season as I imagine Tronstad and Cantwell will be off next summer.

I think he will be used as an attacking midfielder, and admittedly I have only seen the minutes he has played for us so far. For me though I can't help but think he would be better as a "8" as the kids say today, doesn't look to have the nous or guile to play as a "10".

Elliot saying we want another midfielder after Morishita. Says not ruled out another striker but nowhere near a certainty. Think Nixon was well off with Afolayan.

Hea being bought in as a winger.

You can only be sure it's done when the club employee logs on to twitter to say "🇯🇵 🇵🇱👀"

I agree to an extent. I think he's worth a loan in league one and assess again next summer. Does him or us no good for him to be hanging around here as 3rd choice this season. We need to see if his body can handle playing twice a week at the level below before having him around the squad here for me.

Throw Henriksson in this section too.

Not possible in this window due to him needing a ESC spot.

Unlikely I would say.

I'd hope Morishita is a Buckley replacement. Would seem underwhelming if he's the right winger we're signing.