Tony Mowbray just dismissed Maja for the same reason as you, haven't played football. Regarding Hedges he was more coy, but said probably not this window. Also indicated that we're looking at more than one signing, and that both loan and permanent was an option.

Rothwell was quoted last week as to enjoy his football more than any stage of his career, so not likely to throw his tools out I'd suggest. As a free agent in the summer, there's probably a big sign-on fee waiting and potential better clubs than Bmouth. Might be a promotion bonus for rovers as well 🙂

Managed to view 60 minutes of the U23 game via Leeds TV. Best game they have played all season and it was really great performance. 16-year old Ash Phillips was named captain, which is really unique at this age group, but what a wonderful talent. Had several forward burst where he just glides past players with pace. Dack managed 45 minutes, but wasn't that involved. Might be expected as it was the first outing and low on match fitness. Still was quality on the ball, and heavily involved in the third game with a nice through ball for Brown who setup Vale. There are not many better strikers at this level when Vale is on form, and he grabbed a hattrick. Think he could be a better option than Butterworth at times when we are low on numbers for the first team. Otherwise he's probably heading out for a new loan. Also have to mention Chapman who I thought was really good. Great application, helping back and getting on the ball. Played for the team, and based on that performance another one who could be an option of the bench. New signing Brown played right-back and looked decent. Determined and competitive, proved an outlet down the right hand and got an assist.

Google was wrong. Played in his usual central midfielder position. Different player to his brother, would say his style is a bit like Tom Cairney.

I think you are mistaken Mowbray's personal preference to the policy set in place by the club. A new manager would have the same restrictions.

Now you are just trying to be difficult. It's not everyday we are able to pick up the top Academy performer from a top PL club where all their fans are up-in-arms for losing him. We usually struggle to loan these kind of players, let alone buy on a long contract. As for no senior experince, Rheda showed it's still possible to make an impact. It should be possible to keep a long term perspective as well as bringing in more players with more senior experience.

I think you raise a valid concern, but I I think there is several reasons for the lack of first team promotions. The level of U23. Most teams will loan out their best young players, meaning that often is the "second" best + top U18 players that face in the league. Rovers on the other hand played with their best players and in most cases older than their opponents. Rovers was also more of a team, rather than spectacular individuals. The best players like Pike, Vale, Burns have all been loaned this season to get them to the next stage of being ready for senior football. Not many can go directly from U23 and impact senior football at the top end of the Championship. The ones you mention are not from the same "year", but have been bedded in over several years and agewise most of them have been 20+ before being involved. That said the signals are that the club have high hopes for the U18 talent pool and are clearing the path for them at U23 level. In an interview the Academy boss said they were actively lower the age group of the U23 to give them the best possible chance of producing the next senior players.

Great interview with him on RoversTv. Come across very well. When describing himself as a player he said with a smile "I like to kill the opposition, if you are allowed to say that"

That was not my point at least. My suggestion is that you need to have options upfront with different strengths. Pace for counter-attack and as a threat when opposition has a high line. We need flair and dribbling to cause unbalance when the the other team is digging in. Needs someone who able to hold-up the ball and link play when we are under the cosh. Also great to have someone who is good at getting at the end of crosses if other team is defending very narrow. The size of player is not that important. Also a plus if a player can bring more than one attribute to the table. I think Breo ticks a lot of boxes in that regards giving his form this year. Rheda is also a lot more than a pace merchant.

I watched Burns for Scunthorpe Yesterday. He put in a good shift, but not able to make much of an impact otherwise. They faced Exeter who was a far better team so he didn't have much to work with. Looked to play right wing, although switched at times. They failed to utilize his strengths and the couple of half opportunities he was a bit slow to pull the trigger. In general League 2 is very physical and the quality is pretty low. The ball is pinged in the air and it's a big difference from U23 where everything is played on the ground.

I've seen both on several occasions. For me Wharton reminds me a bit of Tom Cairney. Box-to-box midfielder who can control a game with his classy passing. Left footed and looks like he has all the time in the world. "Sees all the pictures" as Mowbray would say. His defensive side has improved as well. Garrett is someone I really like. He is more of a sitter (defensive midfielder). Played against Leeds in a pre-season and looked good. Will tackle anything that moves. He's a great tackler but a bit rash at times, and picks up quite a lot of cards. Needs to wise up when and where a tackle is needed. The best thing about him is that he is very good passer as well. Very calm in possesion, and almost always pick the right option. Can switch play and hit short and long with his left foot. For me he is someone who can challenge for Travis spot in the couple of years. He is far better on the ball than Travis. Incidently I think Wharton and Garrett should work well together.

Not sure if Markanday is the one. Think he is more like Rheda / Poveda. We do need a focal point as an option, who can hold the ball up. Was well impressed with Adebayo at Luton Yesterday, but probably too expensive now. Big unit with good movement, held the ball up well and looked dangerous throughout. Bournemouth struggled defensivly especially when Luton bypassed their midfield.

Given his Indian background, this is a deal I could see the Venky's taking a big interest in.

Spurs fans are pissed on the prospect of letting him go, so that's a good sign. Kudos to the player for rejecting their contract and wanting to play senior football. So many young players are happy to stay on big wages and never getting a chance.

Rovers has just announced it will be available for a stream for only a pound. Does anybody got the option for the match on their Rovers TV? It's not appearing on my subscription options EDIT: It is now available 🙂

As someone mentioned, Johnson can play as a make-shift centre-back, and Nyambe can probably do a job centrally in a crisis. Yes I agree that Carter probably is the better option, but in my opinion it will far more beneficial for him and the club to allow him to go on loan. He has outgrown U23 and if he plays there he is only stands in the way of the next batch, but that is the only way for him to have some match fitness. We kept all the youngster from going on loan in august, which they suffered from a development standpoint. The only option left after the transfer deadline was Non-League loans.

No point having him around as sixth choice. Much more beneficial to follow Wharton's path, developing on loan with regular game time and come back when he is ready for this level. In a real crisis there options like Sam Barnes who pretty much the same level as Carter. Young Phillips might also be an option. If against the odds, Lenihan leaves the club would probably bring someone in to replace him.

Played in pre-season and looked shaky. Was decent for the U23. Another reason for letting him was go was Eastham who is a better prospect. There is also the Greek guy who is a bit of a wild card, big Joe Hilton currently at loan in Scotland, Dowling who played Last U23. In addition Goddard for the U18 is supposwd to be promising. For me Eastham looks better than Pears, quite similar to Raya as a keeper. However needs a loan to adapt to senior football.

Fisher is probably better than Pears, but that doesn't say much. Fisher was never going to be our number 1, so it was fair to let go at 22. That's how the Academy is supposed to work. Producing players, some for the first team and some good enough to make a career later which result in some extra fees to the club.

Isn't that what we are currently doing? Most of our U18/U23 are rejects from Liverpool, United, City. Travis (Liverpool), Butterworth (United), JRC (United) all examples. I do get your point though. Instead of using 3 millions a year to run an academy, why not use a similar amount to purchase talent? Today's model have to produce to justify the expense.

Hate? Come on. Nyambe has been a regular starter since Tony took over 5 years ago. He's played 30-40 games each season, mostly limited by injuries. In two brief spells when fit, Bennett and JRC has been preferred. If Mowbray "hated" him, wouldn't he replaced him in those 5 years? And why try to give a new 3.5 year contract?

Watching Forest - Arsenal in the cup. Arteta just pulled off their left back Tavares for his performance after 30 min, at 0-0. Home crowd singing "You're fuc... shit". Tavares pissed. Poor man mangement in my book.

U18 game vs United was just cancelled after the teams were ready for kick off. Emergency services was not present and delayed + watery pitch. 8 pounds wasted on ManU TV 🙂

Why are people assuming that the potential new right back is to replace Nyambe now? We've talked all season that there is no cover there. JRC is too injury prone to be considered, in addition he can play multiple positions and considers himself a midfielder. The Irish guy is punt, coming from a league that is off-season and needs to get up to speed and tried at U23 level first. There is injuries, suspension and illness waiting so we need more bodies. A loan deal with a buy clause seems very sensible. In the summer we will know what the score is regarding promotion and contracts. If we are promoted, the squad needs a large overhaul as not that many are PL quality.

The way clubs run in the Championship are totally unsustainable, and we are one of the worst. https://www.football365.com/news/opinion-footballs-wage-crisis-sits-in-the-championship-rather-than-the-premier-league