[Archived] possible transfer targets summer 2013

[Hekla]

Happy with the two signings from Hull. It looks like we have a hard working side with some flair. Rochina is the key player, play holding players behind him and let him attack at will.

[G Somerset Rover]

Happy with the two signings from Hull. It looks like we have a hard working side with some flair. Rochina is the key player, play holding players behind him and let him attack at will.

Exactly, absolutely crucial that he stays and we build the team round him. If we flog him then we'll be in for one boring season what with the type of signings we've made, that's for sure. Hard workers, but cairney aside, not an ounce of creativity.

[eire3382]

Well at least there is some encouragement to taken from these signings

It is obvious Bowyer is in charge of who is been looked at and brought in. It appears there is no interference from high.

Most signings are sensible ones with experience of this physical league. Most have done well as well, which means in theory you end up with an above average championship team.

The team finally looks at lot more balanced and a darn sight more energetic, hard working. You would think we are going to be a much tougher team to play against.

We finally have a specialist left back.

Cairney should be a big improvement on the performances of Murphy.

Taylor I do believe based on performances at Millwall a good wider midfield addition who is hard working enough to cover fullback, may allow Kane to get forward when possible.

If Evans comes I do think he is an improvement on Jones, you have Lowe and marrow as cover Williamson when fit.

We have options on width from nunes, judge and king. If McClean does come he is an improvement.

Upfront Rhodes, best, DJ and rochina(if he is staying).

When you consider we were 10 points of play offs last year with the obvious issues with the squad, turmoil within the club, there is at least some hope. Let's hope Bowyer is given time.

Let's hope they get in some experienced football people on the board who are left alone to run the club.

Don't take this post as any indication I have forgiven them for the way they have devastated our once proud respected club. I haven't just somehow trying to look for some hope in the mess they have created.

That does give me some hope as I do think we have improved the squad and the fat bald fool is no longer manager. But it also shows how tough a devision we are in. 10 points off the playoffs abd in a relegation battle up to the bitter end.

[Baz]

Spurr im not enamoured about, but at least its only a 2 year deal.

The boys from Hull, ok and at least they have experience in this league, although a little concerned that they are being let go before kicking a ball in the PL, without Hull really getting any replacements.

McClean looks a decent player to me. Ill take someone with a bad attitude, but good ability over the opposite any day.

Would have liked to have CKR back too, but nothing said on this.

[Blue blood]

Not sure why our signings have to all be great or awful. Think the truth is somewhere in between.

For me so far I'd class the signings as follows:

Exciting signings:

Taylor - lots of energy and attacking intent, a position that needed massive improvement, and proven at this level with good reports from his previous club.

Kilgallon - with Givet out in the cold we've really looked a bit short of defensive cover. I've made no secret of the fact I don't rate Dann, and for me Kilgallon is more than adequate cover. A solid, average premiership defender - which should be more than adequate for our needs. Definitely the proven quality we need in the team. Also being able to cover left back should mean poor Olsson and Morris don't play there so much which is a massive bonus.

Kane - good first loan spell, he's not Orr, looks very talented and is only going to get better. If he performed well in the car-crash of last season this season should see him really develop. Has real quality and significantly improves the team. Shame it's only a loan. Did I mention he's not Orr.

Decent signings:

Judge: the reason he's here not in the exciting signings is I wonder if he's a square peg for a round hole. Certainly got the potential to do well, having excellent reports (albeit from the division below us) and with Bowyer knowing him that should increase the odds of him doing well. He also likes attacking which is a bonus for our midfield! However, it was the league below, and there are question marks over where to play him effectively. Perhaps if we play a formation to suit him then he might sneak into the exciting category.

Spurr - good reports from previous club, and seemed a regular there. Oh, and he's a proper left back. A specialist left back is something we've been crying out for and having played championship for most of his career he won't be out of his depth here. Having said that Doncaster were one of the weaker teams in the division, and he's not got rave reviews or a reputation to be of good quality. If he were that good by 25 most likely he'd have been at some point playing for a top championship team, if not premiership club. Gut feeling is he fills a need and will do reliably, but won't be one of the key players to make a difference in this squad.

Underwhelming

Eastwood - third choice keeper, cheap, done ok for himself, nothing to get excited or worried about.

Marrow - not really cut it at Crystal Palace (albeit in part for injury) seems very similar to Lowe, and currently with Williamson, Etuhu and Lowe all able to play there seems a bit of a waste of money. Pre-season confirms he and Lowe together cannot play in a 4 man midfield, offer no creativity, and must be in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Not sure he's going to really improve the defensive mid position significantly, nor add anything else passing wise to that role. Ok player but unsure why signed.

Cairney - the mother of all underwhelming signings. A Hull (championship team, who despite promotion didn't look all that good) reserve. Hardly likely to improve the first team, certainly not the leader/top quality midfielder we've been crying out for to improve the team. Also my opinion of loans, since limited to 5, is that long term they should be players who significantly improve the team - like Kane - or cover a position in the short term as emergency cover. Not sure Cairney does either of these things, and big question marks over whether he's good enough to impact this team.

Good post and when put it into perspective we do have what you would now class as a good, honest squad.

If Evans is a leader then he will be vital - Still feeling that there might be a lack of experience. Sometimes you just need that one man who can organise and inspire - make that first crunching tackle. Imagine playing Burnley now. Would we feel more confident going into the game knowing that we have battlers in the squad if nothing else? Think I would.

The absolute key to our season IMO is Rochina. He should be given completely free reign in that hole - Yes he's frustrating, yes he can be greedy, but he is by far our most talented player and really the only on capable of something out of nothing.

Evans is the make or break signing which I'm unsure of. Based on last season I've a feeling he's good enough to improve the team - whether as a defensive or all round midfielder. And I think his leadership skills will be vital in our team.

However if he is just a defensive midfielder who isn't that great with the ball we're in trouble. What we needed was someone to link up the play. We've enough defensive mids - Williamson, Lowe, Marrow, Etuhu. What we need was someone comfortable in possession to link attack to defence. If Evans is not this kind of player and we've splurged our transfer money on him, I'd be very disappointed. Right now it's all about getting the missing pieces of the jigsaw - namely that ball playing centre mind. If Evans is that I'll be delighted. If he isn't (and no one else comes in) Bowyer will have made a huge mistake.

Agree about Rochina too btw.

[roversR4ever]

That does give me some hope as I do think we have improved the squad and the fat bald fool is no longer manager. But it also shows how tough a devision we are in. 10 points off the playoffs abd in a relegation battle up to the bitter end.

Its an incredibly tough league, I have a relative who is a baggies season ticket holder, who told me in no uncertain tones just how tough the league is. Until your team is in it its easy to underestimate it. Small improvements in your team can make such a huge difference when its so tight.

[spencey7]

Happy with the two signings from Hull. It looks like we have a hard working side with some flair. Rochina is the key player, play holding players behind him and let him attack at will.

Agreed 100%. After Rhodes (obviously) then Rochina is by far our most important player. It's been difficult to get a beat on Bowyer's opinion of him from his use in friendlies so far, but hopefully this is just the manager "playing down" someone he thinks will be a serious threat to defences this season. Persistent rumours of his desire to leave are worrying, it would be really deflating to see him go in this window.

Cairney, Evans, Spurr and McClean (if it comes off) all look like good additions. This is the most optimistic I've felt about Rovers in a long, long time.

[imy9]

Reading my World Soccer magazine and in their six of the best football league talent guess which Rovers player was given pride of place?? Henley? Rhodes?

Jason Lowe... Yes JAL lol.

[Ricky]

The Lowe situation always reminds me of this. Now I'm not saying it'll have the same outcome but it's a similar situation where the fans don't rate him but the manager clearly does.

http://www.thescore.ie/video-redknapp-defends-18-year-old-lampard-739643-Jan2013/

[oreilly]

Love that celebration. Just run back to your position screaming. Classic.

classic full back celebration!!

Nunes deserves a chance this season as does Sullivan. I also hope Kane is dropped to the bench and Henley plays rb he is a better prospect and I'd rather improve one of our own players than Chelsea's.

sullivan just picked up an injury :-(

[roversR4ever]

Not sure why our signings have to all be great or awful. Think the truth is somewhere in between.

For me so far I'd class the signings as follows:

Exciting signings:

Taylor - lots of energy and attacking intent, a position that needed massive improvement, and proven at this level with good reports from his previous club.

Kilgallon - with Givet out in the cold we've really looked a bit short of defensive cover. I've made no secret of the fact I don't rate Dann, and for me Kilgallon is more than adequate cover. A solid, average premiership defender - which should be more than adequate for our needs. Definitely the proven quality we need in the team. Also being able to cover left back should mean poor Olsson and Morris don't play there so much which is a massive bonus.

Kane - good first loan spell, he's not Orr, looks very talented and is only going to get better. If he performed well in the car-crash of last season this season should see him really develop. Has real quality and significantly improves the team. Shame it's only a loan. Did I mention he's not Orr.

Decent signings:

Judge: the reason he's here not in the exciting signings is I wonder if he's a square peg for a round hole. Certainly got the potential to do well, having excellent reports (albeit from the division below us) and with Bowyer knowing him that should increase the odds of him doing well. He also likes attacking which is a bonus for our midfield! However, it was the league below, and there are question marks over where to play him effectively. Perhaps if we play a formation to suit him then he might sneak into the exciting category.

Spurr - good reports from previous club, and seemed a regular there. Oh, and he's a proper left back. A specialist left back is something we've been crying out for and having played championship for most of his career he won't be out of his depth here. Having said that Doncaster were one of the weaker teams in the division, and he's not got rave reviews or a reputation to be of good quality. If he were that good by 25 most likely he'd have been at some point playing for a top championship team, if not premiership club. Gut feeling is he fills a need and will do reliably, but won't be one of the key players to make a difference in this squad.

Underwhelming

Eastwood - third choice keeper, cheap, done ok for himself, nothing to get excited or worried about.

Marrow - not really cut it at Crystal Palace (albeit in part for injury) seems very similar to Lowe, and currently with Williamson, Etuhu and Lowe all able to play there seems a bit of a waste of money. Pre-season confirms he and Lowe together cannot play in a 4 man midfield, offer no creativity, and must be in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Not sure he's going to really improve the defensive mid position significantly, nor add anything else passing wise to that role. Ok player but unsure why signed.

Cairney - the mother of all underwhelming signings. A Hull (championship team, who despite promotion didn't look all that good) reserve. Hardly likely to improve the first team, certainly not the leader/top quality midfielder we've been crying out for to improve the team. Also my opinion of loans, since limited to 5, is that long term they should be players who significantly improve the team - like Kane - or cover a position in the short term as emergency cover. Not sure Cairney does either of these things, and big question marks over whether he's good enough to impact this team.

Evans is the make or break signing which I'm unsure of. Based on last season I've a feeling he's good enough to improve the team - whether as a defensive or all round midfielder. And I think his leadership skills will be vital in our team.

However if he is just a defensive midfielder who isn't that great with the ball we're in trouble. What we needed was someone to link up the play. We've enough defensive mids - Williamson, Lowe, Marrow, Etuhu. What we need was someone comfortable in possession to link attack to defence. If Evans is not this kind of player and we've splurged our transfer money on him, I'd be very disappointed. Right now it's all about getting the missing pieces of the jigsaw - namely that ball playing centre mind. If Evans is that I'll be delighted. If he isn't (and no one else comes in) Bowyer will have made a huge mistake.

Agree about Rochina too btw.

I think you might be doing Cairney a little disservice, hes actually quite a talented player certainly on the ball, passing etc. His weakness is more hes not the greatest defensively. I honestly would have put him as decent biggest worry is we could end up only having him until January. As to Evans yes he is more defensive than a creative cm BUT he is in my opinion more dynamic and offers more than Jones did last year. One of those players in my opinion a team REALLY needs in the championship.

[beanie]

I disagree on Cairney a very highly rated player who got a bad injury and could not force himself back into the team because of bruces love for playing his mids and son. From what i read a good passing player who will be able to help control the mid when was the last time we controlled the center of the park. But then again you might be right it could be a flop can't wait till we get under way so we can all find out.

[AggyBlue]

I'm getting confused with all these signings, seriously how big is our squad??

Huge, full of mediocrity. I'd prefer a squad half the size and twice the quality.

[ihtd]

As a lad from Hull I've seen Cairney play many times since he made his debut as a teen and he is a quality prospect. I am very happy that he has signed as he can play! He can't put in a tackle to save his life but he can pick out a pass and put a killer ball through for the striker(s). He has been very unlucky with injuries and if he is fit and ready to play we have got a talent on our hands. He'll be back at Hull come Jan if he performs for us, they rate him highly but clearly want him to get playing time before rejoining their first team squad in what will likely be a relegation battle.

[Gally]

The Lowe situation always reminds me of this. Now I'm not saying it'll have the same outcome but it's a similar situation where the fans don't rate him but the manager clearly does.

http://www.thescore.ie/video-redknapp-defends-18-year-old-lampard-739643-Jan2013/

Love that video, I wonder if the fan still claims that Scott Canham was the better prospect

[Tom]

I'm actually thinking of Cairney as our most exciting signing at the moment and may be what we have missed

[Blue blood]

I think you might be doing Cairney a little disservice, hes actually quite a talented player certainly on the ball, passing etc. His weakness is more hes not the greatest defensively. I honestly would have put him as decent biggest worry is we could end up only having him until January. As to Evans yes he is more defensive than a creative cm BUT he is in my opinion more dynamic and offers more than Jones did last year. One of those players in my opinion a team REALLY needs in the championship.

I disagree on Cairney a very highly rated player who got a bad injury and could not force himself back into the team because of bruces love for playing his mids and son. From what i read a good passing player who will be able to help control the mid when was the last time we controlled the center of the park. But then again you might be right it could be a flop can't wait till we get under way so we can all find out.

I'd love to be wrong about the signings I'm dubious about, and it's good to get more information about him, thanks guys. The counter argument is that regardless of Bruce's preferences if he was good enough, he'd force his way in. But it's very encouraging to hear that he is highly rated and can actually pass a ball.

Bit worried about his lack of tackling though - not sure how or where he fits into the team. Would have to be a traditional 4-5-1 I think, as can't see him in the 4-2-3-1. Definitely not a replacement for the defensive 2, and wouldn't like him replacing Rochina in the centre of the 3.

[Clitherover]

Reading my World Soccer magazine and in their six of the best football league talent guess which Rovers player was given pride of place?? Henley? Rhodes?

Jason Lowe... Yes JAL lol.

Rated by lazy journos purely based on the fact that a very, very bad manager put him in his England Under 21 side lots.

Lets hope some Premiership teams pick up on it so we can ship him out for a few quid.

[roversR4ever]

The Lowe situation always reminds me of this. Now I'm not saying it'll have the same outcome but it's a similar situation where the fans don't rate him but the manager clearly does.

http://www.thescore.ie/video-redknapp-defends-18-year-old-lampard-739643-Jan2013/

Ive said it before, with Lowe we have to give him time. Last year must have been soo tough for him in so many different ways. Id like to see how he develops over the next year. Bowyer likes him, he has seen a lot of youth players over the years so must see things he likes in Lowe. Lowe does seem to be highly rated. I honestly cant make my mind up about him, but I hope we give him a chance in a stable team and not get on his back. He could develop into a decent all round cm. He has been involved in u19 u20 and u21 England teams (even been captain). So they must see something in him.

In the modern game you cant dive in with tackles, you need to learn to pressure and harass to get the ball back. You need the engine to do it. You could argue he has that, that technically he is not awful for that type of player and can pass a little as well. Give him the right cm partner or partners and he may carry on developing.

I do think he deserves the chance. What ever happens he is a decent kid, he doesn't deserve fans in the stands getting on his back destroying his confidence. We need to remember he is young, especially for a cm player.

[roversR4ever]

As a lad from Hull I've seen Cairney play many times since he made his debut as a teen and he is a quality prospect. I am very happy that he has signed as he can play! He can't put in a tackle to save his life but he can pick out a pass and put a killer ball through for the striker(s). He has been very unlucky with injuries and if he is fit and ready to play we have got a talent on our hands. He'll be back at Hull come Jan if he performs for us, they rate him highly but clearly want him to get playing time before rejoining their first team squad in what will likely be a relegation battle.

In your comments lies the biggest worry for me, if he performs we would could lose him at the time when everything becomes critical. Lets hope there is an option for extending the loan or buying if we like him. Bruce may not rate him highly enough for the Prem.

[Al]

Spurr im not enamoured about, but at least its only a 2 year deal.

The boys from Hull, ok and at least they have experience in this league, although a little concerned that they are being let go before kicking a ball in the PL, without Hull really getting any replacements.

McClean looks a decent player to me. Ill take someone with a bad attitude, but good ability over the opposite any day.

Would have liked to have CKR back too, but nothing said on this.

Yes Baz. We are going to badly miss CKR's skill, speed and aggression this season. I would like to see him back.

[roversR4ever]

That's also my opinion but i was replying to a poster who said the winger is dead in modern day football. They are becoming scarce in the Prem these days but in the Championship plenty of teams still use them, to good effect, that was my point.

Sorry was also using a tablet for that post didn't mean to put in so it looks like you commenting.

I understand the point you are making. I agree with everything you have said. I think people need to understand those same pacey players who were told to stay and hug the line and beat the full back are still there in the game, its simply they are now used differently, allowed and expected to come inside more. swap sides of the pitch to be able to do it. That type of player helps you to be successful. Its really just an attempt to stop that type of player becoming to isolated in a game. That also often those same players may contribute more goals by coming inside, but you still see them leaving a fullback for dead.

Simply those players roles have been expanded. If any doubt it they really should watch more than once Barcelona being dismantled.

[moerpho]

I'm getting confused with all these signings, seriously how big is our squad??

Can someone do a recap of the ins and outs?

To sum up - our squad according to Rovers official site:

1 Robinson

2 Kane

4 Kilgallon

5 G Hanley

6 Lowe

7 King

8 Dunn

9 Best

10 DJ Campbell

11 Rhodes

12 Pedersen

13 Eastwood

14 Olsson

16 Dann

17 Williamson

18 O'Sullivan

19 Taylor

20 Etuhu

21 Marrow

22 Orr

23 Rochina

24 Morris

25 Judge

26 R. Hanley

27 Henley

28 O'Connor

30 Nunes

31 Givet

32 Rosado

33 Formica

34 Kean

Cairney

Spurr

If the McLean-deal goes through we'll have a squad of 34 players! We seriously need to get rid of some dross and high earners, but I fear we'll have to resort to paying off contracts like ala Murphy. Sets a bad precedent if you ask me - just go to Rovers, fail to perform and you'll get paid either way. We desperatly need someone to come in for some of these players, but won't get my hopes up.

[Neal]

Ive said it before, with Lowe we have to give him time.

I do think he deserves the chance. What ever happens he is a decent kid, he doesn't deserve fans in the stands getting on his back destroying his confidence. We need to remember he is young, especially for a cm player.

He has already had time, if you're good enough then you're good enough... The boy plainly isn't. Loan him out and see if he can find his feet on someone else's time because he cant be a justified pick above the other midfielders we have now.

[K-Hod]

He has already had time, if you're good enough then you're good enough... The boy plainly isn't. Loan him out and see if he can find his feet on someone else's time because he cant be a justified pick above the other midfielders we have now.

Agree with this.

Marrow is a much better bet in the defensive midfield role based on what I've seen so far, he actually puts tackles in....