rovers11

Nearly 2 games in and it's very clear we're toothless going forward. But we only need a RW apparently...

A terrible start but improved as the half went on. I feel like the game is as much about testing out some of the youngsters and new signings as it is about progressing through to the next round. Of that list, Tavares has been the standout. He looks very good and championship standard. Henriksson looks like a very tidy little player who will be very good once he's fully up to speed. Really like Miller too, he's the type of no nonsense defender that I think does well here. De Neve is not up to it and never will be. Can run all day but has no ability and plays it safe by going backwards everytime. Montgomery doesn't look up to the standard required either. Tyjon does but physically not quite there. The GK is nervous, that's very clear. Hard to judge him on his error.

Derby will stump up the required money for Trav. That will get done over the next week I'd imagine.

Cheap, low wages, no championship experience, and no other clubs in for him. I'd say it's a very credible link on that basis. Although he does look like a decent player tbf.

We can write off the Miyoshi deal now, it won't be happening. The last ESC spot will go to Baradji once Trav is sold. Mafoumbi will be released at that point to make room. Bucko will go out on loan and we'll get a loan midfield to replace him, who will then be back up to Tavares and Tronstad whilst Baradji undergoes his operation. That's my strong gut feeling. We are crying out for attacking talent and will flirt with relegation if we don't add a striker and RW. I still don't understand how a striker was a huge priority in Jan and we ended up getting an expensive one on loan. Yet, come the summer we no longer see it as a priority area. Although a great character, Gueye is not good enough, and Ohashi is still relatively inexperienced in this league. Leonard is an injury write off.

In terms of the new signing, I thought: - The two new RBs looked very good - McLaughlin had a very composed debut and looked good - De Neve looks to have nothing to his game and a pointless signing - Henriksson was anonymous. Only the WBA GK touched the ball less according to Sky. He was thrown in at the deep end though and think he'll turn out to be a good signing - Tavares had a brief cameo but looks far more mobile than Trav or Tronstand Desperately need a striker and RW.

Where on earth are the goals coming from this season? Did OK second half but never once looked like scoring.

We look dross so far but completely expected with the lack of investment and quality. De Neve is another Ryan Hedges. Toth looks worse than Pears. At least McLaughlin and Alebiosu have looked decent though. Henriksson not had a kick yet (only at WBA players!). Feels like another season we can pack up and go if we concede the first goal. Powderpuff.

Had a relegation release clause. Would be a good signing. Did Nicko's article suggest it's close or just one we're interested in?

I agree, I think he'll be a useful player away from home where we need to keep shape, be disciplined in your position, and press the opposition. Also at home when you're protecting a lead. He won't be a player who creates many chances or opens teams up. He's the polar opposite of AK in many respects. AK is dynamic, explosive and can produce something out of nothing. But you wouldn't count on him to keep shape, track back, or do his defensive work. That's why he's not a starter yet imo.

Up to 5 years shows we have very high hopes for this guy. Think he'll be a firm fans favourite.

I expect Axel to be announced today. I think Axel and Miller will be very shrewd signings and our best two this summer so far. If Baradji ever gets done, which I think he will eventually, then that's a trio of smart signings. Aggressive, physical players who have the right mindset and physical traits for the Championship. I think Tavares is also a shrewd signing and McLaughlin is solid. De Neve I'm not convinced about but, equally, don't know too much about him. Doesn't look to have the physicality for the Championship and not known for his technical ability either. Purely workrate and versatility; perhaps a better version of Chris Taylor. A decent squad player but the issue for us is that he looks like he's going to be a starter. Alebiosu is someone who I think will be out of his depth at this level and will be shipped out within 12 months but I could be wrong!

I strongly suspect we'll be linked with a marquee type signing before the close of the window just to appease the fans and to appear like there's some kind of ambition at the club. Of course, we won't sign them and never will have intended to. If it does get anywhere near a done deal then the paperwork will be left in drafts again 'accidentally'.

We won't be signing him for now. In other words, we've spent the Brittain money on Miller and Henriksson so we now need another sale before we can bring in Baradji or any further additions. I.e we're skint.

Absolutely Ismael would have wanted to keep him and I don't think it's a case of the board not listening or wanting to keep Brittain, it's simply that the player wanted to go to a more ambitious, well run club that pays a higher wage. Under this current ownership, we're just not able to compete financially or operationally with ~80% of the other clubs in this league.

Miller is a decent signing but he's not as good as the player he's replaced, so ultimately we're weaker now.

Telling words from Brittain on his move to Boro. In reference to why he joined: "It's clear everyone is pulling the same direction". A subtle dig at how things are run at Rovers I suspect. Not the first time a player has said that upon joining a new club.

Then Buckley will have to move to league 1 as he's not getting in anyone's first 11 in the Championship. Already flopped at Sheffield W.

I think he's got potential to be a prem league player in the future hence why some bigger clubs have been linked with him, but they probably want to see him perform at a higher level first. He has all the right attributes.

The challenge is who is taking Pears, or Buckley for that matter. There's not a championship club that thinks he's good enough to be a no. 1 and he won't want to drop down a league so I'm not sure where he goes. Maybe a move abroad on loan. A lower championship club (which is what we are anyway!) or top lge 1 club may be interested in Buckley, but again likely to be a loan move. Has decent technical ability but no idea how to use to to influence games. A bit of a nothing player.

A good chance two signings will be announced today. Probably waiting on Boro to confirm Brittain has completed his medical etc and then the announcement will be timed with when Boro announce Brittain to soften the blow.

If we sign Miller, Henriksson, and Baradji then the quality of our transfer dealings this summer rockets. Not impressed with who we've signed already but these 3 players are the calibre of players we should be aiming for and will be very good additions once fully settled. I think all 3 deals will get done. Baradji will replace Travis. Still need a RW, ST, and CD and then we are there.

Swedish guy sounds a very credible link. He'll be back up to Cantwell. For what it's worth, here's an AI generated scouting report on him: 🧾 SCOUTING REPORT: Axel Henriksson 🔹 Basic Information Attribute Details Full Name Per Axel Nils Henriksson Date of Birth 16 April 2002 (Age 23) Nationality 🇸🇪 Sweden Height / Weight 1.89 m / ~75 kg Preferred Foot Right Position(s) CM, CAM (Attacking Midfielder) Current Club GAIS (Allsvenskan, Sweden) Contract Expires December 2026 Market Value €1.2M (Transfermarkt, 2025) EU Passport ✅ Yes 🔹 Technical Attributes Skill Rating (out of 10) Notes First Touch 8 Smooth under pressure, controls in tight areas Passing – Short 7.5 Smart combinations, especially in the final third Passing – Long 6.5 Capable but not a deep-lying distributor Dribbling 7.5 Confident ball-carrier, good burst in midfield Finishing 7.5 Times runs into the box well, composed shots Crossing 6 Limited usage; not frequently wide 🔹 Tactical & Mental Attributes Skill Rating (out of 10) Notes Off-the-Ball Movement 8 Sharp movement, finds half-spaces consistently Vision / Awareness 7.5 Reads attacking options well, plays clever passes Work Rate 7 Tracks back but not naturally defensive Positioning 6.5 Can be caught high or out of shape when defending Decision-Making 7 Generally calm, still developing under pressure Leadership 6.5 Confident but not vocal or dominant 🔹 Physical Attributes Attribute Rating (out of 10) Notes Acceleration 7 Decent burst but not electric Stamina 8 Box-to-box engine, maintains high energy Strength 6.5 Can be outmuscled by more physical mids Agility 7 Moves well for his height Injury Record ⚠️ Knee injury in 2021; has Crohn’s disease, managed well 🔹 2024–2025 Performance Snapshot (Allsvenskan) Stat Value Appearances 26 (20 starts) Goals 8 Assists 4 Avg Match Rating 7.12 (SofaScore) Passing Accuracy 83% Key Passes / 90 1.4 Shots / 90 2.2 Duels Won % 48% 🔹 Style of Play Role: Advanced Playmaker / Mezzala / Box-to-Box Likes to: Drift between lines and receive on the half-turn Make late runs into the box Combine quickly in central areas Avoids: Heavy defensive responsibility Slowing play down Player Comparison: Upside comp: Alex Scott (Bournemouth) or Emiliano Buendía Current comp: Jordan James (pre-Lazio) or Sammie Szmodics (less proven finisher) 🔹 Suitability for Championship Category Assessment Technical Fit ✅ Yes – creative midfield roles, especially in 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 Physical Readiness ⚠️ Needs adaptation – tempo and duels will be a step up Tactical Awareness 🔁 Improving – press-resistant but positional discipline needed Mentality ✅ Strong, resilient – managing Crohn’s while progressing Transfer Risk ⚠️ Moderate – first move outside Sweden, needs transition time 🔹 Recommended Path Ideal as a depth or rotation option in the Championship first. Could thrive under possession-based systems (e.g. Swansea, Coventry). Alternatively, consider a stepping-stone move to: Netherlands (Eredivisie) Belgium (Jupiler Pro League) Poland (Raków/Czestochowa already interested) 📝 Verdict Rating: 7.3 / 10 Ceiling: High-end Championship starter or lower-tier Premier League squad player Current Level: Top Allsvenskan / Championship squad option Availability: Contracted until 2026, likely €1.5M–2M needed “Smart, attack-minded midfielder with box-to-box drive and goal threat. Technically ready for the Championship, physically and tactically still developing. High-upside signing with the right integration plan.”

Freeing up wages from Buckley and Pears will surely mean more wiggle room in the transfer market beyond 2-3 players. Pears is an awful keeper and Buckley offers nothing, so a good decision to try and move them both on. Will there be any takers though?!

2 new signings incoming. Miller and another. My guess is Baradji. Think we were stalling that deal until we sold someone and can now complete it due to Brittain going.