[Archived] possible transfer targets summer 2013

[alexanders]

Well Done GB on the Spurr signing ... Finally we've got a Proper Left Back after so many years....

The Olsenn twins were not up to it and Morris is just too weak and Fragile for me for that postion and should never have played at Left Back ... Left wing at a push ......Both Olsenn and Morris should be eased out ...

Really Haooy with this signing ....Excellant Left Back IMHO ....whoopee ..

Suprised no one has quoted this post.

Can you give anymore info about Spurr ? How come he has never played at a higher level? Is he an offensive leftback?

[Veevs]

I know you shouldn't read too much into what other fans say about a player that you're signing... But everything I've read just doesn't look good.

Let's face facts, our midfield was miles better with Dave Jones, without him we'd have probably gone down. Now we don't have him and haven't replaced him with some as good or better. It's ok having a decent back 4 and a striker who can score goals, without a reliable and inventive nucleus of the team to bring it together we have nothing... That's how we looked last season, nothing, no invention, no style, no idea. Someone who can retain possession, set up play & allow Rochina to make mistakes could be the difference between top half and bottom half.

We have a month to rid of this deadwood and sign some quality or the facts are, we'll be relegated.

It's that simple.

Look at it from a different perspective mate.. this time last year we had

A - A badly depleted strike force (Best injured and Rhodes not signed until the end of August).

B - A weak midfield (Jones was not with us at that point.. although many thought Etuhu/combo was going to do well).

C - We looked very dodgy at both left and right back (want out Olsson and Orr with very little backup).

D - We had a Kean managing the team.

E - We had over spent giving contracts to aging players..

F - We had just picked up half a dozen unknown Portuguese kids.

G - We had very few players who actually had any form of passion for Rovers as a football club.

H - We had no real leaders on the pitch.

Yes we have not signed the key midfielder we desperately need but at least we are looking and not exactly targeting bad players.. Leadbitter, Bannan, Spearing, Murphy.. we have also spent peanuts (have we paid for a single player yet?) and brought in a decent number of players with a passion for the club.

Spurr (if he has signed) - Rated left back with experience in this league.

Kane - Loan renewed, did well in his first season and can only improve (plus Chelsea link may come in handy).

Taylor - Decent hard working championship level midfielder.

Judge - Blackburn lad, creative, has looked good pre-season and was on the shortlst for player of the season for League 1.

Marrow - Blackburn lad but an odd one but may be a good addition to the dressing room.

Killgannon - Solid signing covering both left back and central defence.

It is a shame we have not shipped out more but at least we have got rid of some of the deadwood from the team, I think loosing Murphy and the want away Olsson will have a significant impact on dressing room Morale in the long run.

I still think we will fill that midfield spot and still bring in a loan player of some quality and possibly one or more other players depending on how much the midfield lad costs (still think GB is keeping his powder dry on this one should he have to spend more).. Yes I think we should of got someone earlier, but we didn't pick up Rhodes until the end of August.. so no need to panic just yet.

[The Rover of Finland]

Is Spurr our player or just another rumour?

[EgyptianPete]

Nasty???? Unless you are referring to those who castigate those for having an underwhelmed opinion of Rovers current squad and even then it's not nasty just frustrated. Perspective Pete, perspective

[Gally]

So I have to get real in my expectations when plenty on here seriously consider promotion to be something that may occur this season?

I see no signs of the squad being improved on last season. Even in the darker decades of the 70's and 80's when the club boiled a teabag for a month the club still produced the odd signing to wet the appetite.

It's just my opinion, and I will counter other opinions with it just as much and just as freely as posters counter mine, but it seems opinions are being driven out in favour of a collective positive mantra. Even Neal posted a constructive and fair assessment but was just dismissed as being negative.

Maybe we should have a rainbows and unicorns section?

Time will tell, but a lot of the positivity for me at least, comes not so much from the quality of players being brought in, rather their attitude.

If we ask ourselves what was really wrong with us as a team last season, two themes come up more than most. One, we were absolutely dire at keeping the ball, and two, that there was a more general lack of desire/fitness/mobility/work ethic or whatever you want to call it.

It seems to me that all of Bowyer's signings so far are trying to address the second point. Any half decent Rovers side in my memory has been built on the majority of the side being a hard working, cohesive unit willing to compete and close teams down, with a couple of 'value added' players who turn draws into wins. If there is such a thing as a club having a 'traditional style of play' like West Ham and the like seem to think there is, then having a team full of committed, energetic players playing a pressing game is ours, and these signings all point to us getting closer to that.

Not saying that we couldn't still do with a midfielder who's a little more comfortable on the ball, but I think a lot of the positivity comes through a lot thinking that even if this side won't be troubling the automatic promotion places, it's starting to look like a team thta we can be proud of again.

[EgyptianPete]

So I have to get real in my expectations when plenty on here seriously consider promotion to be something that may occur this season?

I see no signs of the squad being improved on last season. Even in the darker decades of the 70's and 80's when the club boiled a teabag for a month the club still produced the odd signing to wet the appetite.

It's just my opinion but it seems opinions are being driven out in favour of a collective positive mantra. Even Neal posted a constructive and fair assessment but was just dismissed as being negative.

Maybe we should have a rainbows and unicorns section?

Or you could have a positive thread and a negative thread so we could go on our merry way.

[blueboy3333]

So I have to get real in my expectations when plenty on here seriously consider promotion to be something that may occur this season?

I see no signs of the squad being improved on last season. Even in the darker decades of the 70's and 80's when the club boiled a teabag for a month the club still produced the odd signing to wet the appetite.

It's just my opinion but it seems opinions are being driven out in favour of a collective positive mantra. Even Neal posted a constructive and fair assessment but was just dismissed as being negative.

Maybe we should have a rainbows and unicorns section?

Can you copy & paste where 'plenty' of people have said they consider promotion to be something that may occur? Or are you doing that thing again where you make stuff up and then argue against it? You know, a bit like when you said Spurr had spent the majority of his career in League 1. Thanks in advance

[RibbleValleyRover]

I don't think we have strengthened really, if anything it's more of the same so far. Fans appear to be just more enthusiastic because true blue Gary Bowyer is now in charge and they are riding the euphoria. Wonder how long that might last?

[Neal]

Look at it from a different perspective mate.. this time last year we had

A - A badly depleted strike force (Best injured and Rhodes not signed until the end of August).

B - A weak midfield (Jones was not with us at that point.. although many thought Etuhu/combo was going to do well).

C - We looked very dodgy at both left and right back (want out Olsson and Orr with very little backup).

D - We had a Kean managing the team.

E - We had over spent giving contracts to aging players..

F - We had just picked up half a dozen unknown Portuguese kids.

G - We had very few players who actually had any form of passion for Rovers as a football club.

H - We had no real leaders on the pitch.

Yes we have not signed the key midfielder we desperately need but at least we are looking and not exactly targeting bad players.. Leadbitter, Bannan, Spearing, Murphy.. we have also spent peanuts (have we paid for a single player yet?) and brought in a decent number of players with a passion for the club.

Spurr (if he has signed) - Rated left back with experience in this league.

Kane - Loan renewed, did well in his first season and can only improve (plus Chelsea link may come in handy).

Taylor - Decent hard working championship level midfielder.

Judge - Blackburn lad, creative, has looked good pre-season and was on the shortlst for player of the season for League 1.

Marrow - Blackburn lad but an odd one but may be a good addition to the dressing room.

Killgannon - Solid signing covering both left back and central defence.

It is a shame we have not shipped out more but at least we have got rid of some of the deadwood from the team, I think loosing Murphy and the want away Olsson will have a significant impact on dressing room Morale in the long run.

I still think we will fill that midfield spot and still bring in a loan player of some quality and possibly one or more other players depending on how much the midfield lad costs (still think GB is keeping his powder dry on this one should he have to spend more).. Yes I think we should of got someone earlier, but we didn't pick up Rhodes until the end of August.. so no need to panic just yet.

What a refreshing reply compared to the absolute toss I've just read. Don't get me wrong, there are some positives, most of which you have mentioned, (no Kean being one) Killagallon is a name I've been mentioning for some time, I think he'll end up being our first choice centre back.

Even with all these positives, I still worry because we have nothing until we have a proper CM. Lowe is possibly one of the worst players I've seen at Rovers, It worries me that he is still one of our first choice CM's. There is still time, you're right but before you know it we're panicking at the end of the transfer window.

Good response, hopefully others on here take note on how to debate (I'm with stupid)... Sigh.

[Neal]

Whoa there boy, brainwashed Steve Kean remains, i dont kin think so, i was being polite in my reply, obviously you dont know or have the inclination, and to call a fellow rovers fan a MORON just proves to me you really are not of that ilk.

One thing I've learnt since times got tough is, a lot of Rovers fans are morons. Once someone comes on here with a reality check or something deemed negative... They get hounded out.

I'm not all doom and gloom about the coming season, there are reasons to be optimistic. Unfortunately, there are more reasons not to be.

[Blue n White Rover]

I don't think we have strengthened really, if anything it's more of the same so far. Fans appear to be just more enthusiastic because true blue Gary Bowyer is now in charge and they are riding the euphoria. Wonder how long that might last?

Probably until we lose our first game by a big margin.

[T.J.Newton]

So I have to get real in my expectations when plenty on here seriously consider promotion to be something that may occur this season?

I see no signs of the squad being improved on last season. Even in the darker decades of the 70's and 80's when the club boiled a teabag for a month the club still produced the odd signing to wet the appetite.

It's just my opinion but it seems opinions are being driven out in favour of a collective positive mantra. Even Neal posted a constructive and fair assessment but was just dismissed as being negative.

Maybe we should have a rainbows and unicorns section?

You keep mentioning rainbows and unicorns, have you been eating funny mushrooms lately?

[roversR4ever]

What a refreshing reply compared to the absolute toss I've just read. Don't get me wrong, there are some positives, most of which you have mentioned, (no Kean being one) Killagallon is a name I've been mentioning for some time, I think he'll end up being our first choice centre back.

Even with all these positives, I still worry because we have nothing until we have a proper CM. Lowe is possibly one of the worst players I've seen at Rovers, It worries me that he is still one of our first choice CM's. There is still time, you're right but before you know it we're panicking at the end of the transfer window.

Good response, hopefully others on here take note on how to debate (I'm with stupid)... Sigh.

Hope Im not included in the "absolute toss". We all have differing opinions to some extent. Im not hounding you either. I don't think Lowe is quite that bad, might be ok with a gd cm next to him - holding my judgement until after this season - you will see worse players than him in the championship of that Im sure.. He should not be first choice though. I think he could be a good fullback as well. I do think we are all going to be worried until we get in a decent cm.

[Neal]

Hope Im not included in the "absolute toss". We all have differing opinions to some extent. Im not hounding you either. I don't think Lowe is quite that bad, might be ok with a gd cm next to him - holding my judgement until after this season - you will see worse players than him in the championship of that Im sure.. He should not be first choice though. I think he could be a good fullback as well. I do think we are all going to be worried until we get in a decent cm.

Fair play, if you ask any Rovers fan "why does Jason Lowe play?"... It totally stumps every single time. The only excuse for why he plays is because there is no one else... That desperately needs to be addressed because I can't take watching him any more, it's physically painful.

[gazsimm]

is the hold up with Bannan, because Spearing might now want to come to us? Glad we about to sign a proper left back at the club, if the rumours are true.

[Lancs Rover]

Yes I've read that too and have noted that there are more positive posts than negative. You cherry pick the negatives if you wish. I'll wait and judge for myself when I attend the matches. A few posters on here should just go and slit their wrists and leave the rest of us in peace.

Surprised you have not already slit your wrists. At least it would relieve us of your negativity.

I think you are totally out of order, pal.

[CrouchingNunhiddenCucumber]

I think we are a solid CM away from being outsiders for the play-offs. Certainly more to be optimistic about than this time last year.

Anyone have any idea why the Bannan transfer has been put on hold?

[alexanders]

Anyone have any idea why the Bannan transfer has been put on hold?

Agent Asking for a large Sign-on fee

[martonrover]

Clearly still need at least one central midfielder & I expect to see poor old Jordan looking lost again without a decent strike partner.

[Veevs]

What a refreshing reply compared to the absolute toss I've just read. Don't get me wrong, there are some positives, most of which you have mentioned, (no Kean being one) Killagallon is a name I've been mentioning for some time, I think he'll end up being our first choice centre back.

Even with all these positives, I still worry because we have nothing until we have a proper CM. Lowe is possibly one of the worst players I've seen at Rovers, It worries me that he is still one of our first choice CM's. There is still time, you're right but before you know it we're panicking at the end of the transfer window.

Good response, hopefully others on here take note on how to debate (I'm with stupid)... Sigh.

Thanks mate, you are right in our need for that central midfield player (or two IMO), and I do worry that our dopey shelf salesman is going to mess it up but last season we didn't get our big signing in until the last minute and there are still some pretty good names in the hat.. loan (not a fan of loans but beggars can't be choosers) players like Powell/Chalobah and Spearing/Bannan and co are still available (and when they realise that no PL club is going to come in for them they will think again).

I kind of share your feelings to a degree on Lowe, but he is a young lad (who was very highly rated) who has had massive pressure placed on his shoulders and to date has not exactly had a decent/settled/complimentary partner in midfield nor a manager who could make best use of him so I still think he can come good in the long run if used correctly.

I am at least confident that GB is both looking in the right direction and attempting to resolve the obvious issues (LB/RB Done, Hard workers Done, Passion for the club Done, Bad influences mostly removed etc etc).

[Veevs]

Clearly still need at least one central midfielder & I expect to see poor old Jordan looking lost again without a decent strike partner.

I get the feeling that we will see allot of the 4-2-3-1 next season but with two of the three pushing forward (Taylor/Judge/King/Formica/Rochina/Rosado have all played in very advanced midfield roles to a varying levels of success), personally think Rhodes is better with a partner and wide players but hey ho.

[EgyptianPete]

One thing I've learnt since times got tough is, a lot of Rovers fans are morons. Once someone comes on here with a reality check or something deemed negative... They get hounded out.

I'm not all doom and gloom about the coming season, there are reasons to be optimistic. Unfortunately, there are more reasons not to be.

Still no reason to call me a moron

[Al]

So I have to get real in my expectations when plenty on here seriously consider promotion to be something that may occur this season?

I see no signs of the squad being improved on last season. Even in the darker decades of the 70's and 80's when the club boiled a teabag for a month the club still produced the odd signing to wet the appetite.

It's just my opinion but it seems opinions are being driven out in favour of a collective positive mantra. Even Neal posted a constructive and fair assessment but was just dismissed as being negative.

Maybe we should have a rainbows and unicorns section?

How many times, in how many ways are you going to tell us that you think that we are crap? I for one am sick of your whining. I'd have a bit more respect if you actually attended matches but all you do is whine like a spoilt child. Go and support or shut it!

[roversR4ever]

Fair play, if you ask any Rovers fan "why does Jason Lowe play?"... It totally stumps every single time. The only excuse for why he plays is because there is no one else... That desperately needs to be addressed because I can't take watching him any more, it's physically painful.

I think he can be a decent championship level defensive midfielder and may develop as he gets older. The problem is without that good cm alongside him the weaknesses in his game become more apparent and obvious. We haven't had that decent cm for far too long - I will readily admit I thought Murphy would be decent for a couple of years based on his previous record at Fulham who was so poor last year it was shocking. The minimum requirement for a player is full effort.

[unleaded]

Interesting to note that GB beat Mick McCarthy

And Readings Nigel Adkins to Spurrs signature!....both tried really hard as they both need Left Backs .. Cresseell replacement and Reading have just released Shorey & Hart ...

It's good to see our Manager come out on top on this occasion....Well Done all he needs to do now is stop public ally patting Lowe when everyone knows he's Crap...