[Archived] Alex Marrow signs

[JAL]

Assuming he's more mobile than Danny Murphy, we've made an improvement there straight away

If he can go forwards rather than sideways and backwards, better than JLowe. Double the improvement.

[Salgado Is A Hero]

Anyone can get promoted from the Championship. We shouldn't just accept we're here from now on. That's not what Bournemouth or Huddersfield fans are thinking so I don't see why we have to.

[Rover_Shaun]

Bournemouth and Huddersfield will not expect to be in this league indefinitely but up is not where they are looking.

Both would be happy with the likes of Marrow. I'd like to think Bowyer is aiming higher than survival..........

[ChrisyG]

No problem with Marrow coming back - he's about our level and the sooner people realise this the better - but we desperately need to shift Etuhu off the wage bill. He's a pointless drain on our finances and has no heart or desire to be here.

I watched Etuhu twice last season and I'll never forget the sheer lack of commitment. I've truly never seen a Rovers player look so disinterested.

[Gally]

I watched Etuhu twice last season and I'll never forget the sheer lack of commitment. I've truly never seen a Rovers player look so disinterested.

Mate of mine watched Etuhu a lot when he was at Norwich. Says he was top drawer until he was linked to a move, after which he seemed to be on strike.

Looks like we're suffering the same result without even seeing a good spell.

[Salgado Is A Hero]

Bournemouth and Huddersfield will not expect to be in this league indefinitely but up is not where they are looking.

Both would be happy with the likes of Marrow. I'd like to think Bowyer is aiming higher than survival..........

Huddersfield will be. They thought that last year and were even around the playoffs for a while. And DietCoke or whatever his name is these days said that's the aim. Bournemouth have seen other teams achieve back-to-back promotions and I guarantee they wouldn't rule it out. This league is far too unpredictable to settle for anything. Plus it's lacking in quality.

A defeatist attitude gets you nowhere in life.

[neophox]

Alex Marrow loves the club and will do his all for Rovers I know for sure. Not like Etuhu who will drain the club.

Gary Bowyer has worked with him and knows his potential. Bowyer has worked with the likes of Phil Jones som I trust him.

He looks a fit lad on the Pictures from Portugal, nice to see Kilgallon and Rochina too.

Did Scott Dann travel?

[Rover_Shaun]

Just don't get all this blindly trust Bowyer stuff. Maybe when he's done something to warrant it, but as yet he's a leap into the unkown who seems to be lacking a bit of imagination in signing ex youth players who couldn't cut it

[ChrisyG]

Mate of mine watched Etuhu a lot when he was at Norwich. Says he was top drawer until he was linked to a move, after which he seemed to be on strike.

Looks like we're suffering the same result without even seeing a good spell.

Yep. I think any player with that type of personality shouldn't be anywhere near our club. It's his job to be professional and give his all, which he clearly didn't/hasn't. Bad egg I reckon.

I wonder whether he's part of Bowyer's plans?

[Guest Norbert]

He'll be in the spine of the team no doubt.

[SoldierMo]

I for one am ready give Marrow a chance...to how many teams did Rovers struggle last season and when you looked at the teamsheet most of the players were unheard off

[DE.]

I watched Etuhu twice last season and I'll never forget the sheer lack of commitment. I've truly never seen a Rovers player look so disinterested.

Murphy shaded Etuhu when I saw them play for not giving a @#/?, but both were awful. At least one is gone, maybe Etuhu's attitude will improve without Murphy around? I don't know, I'm probably clutching at straws.

[CapeTownRover]

all im saying on this signing is that it is and i will repeat pointless. We still have Williamson, Etuhu, Lowe and we are looking to bring in Spearing. All play in a similar role to this lad, so i dont quite understand this signing except that we are just trying to sign for the sake of it. If he proves me wrong so be it, i will admit i made a mistake, but how many more of these type of midfielders do we need?

Our biggest issues have been service to Rhodes out wide, and creativity going down the middle. so what do we do? we sign defensive midfielders, and look to sell our most creative one in Rochina(if reports by Unleaded are true) We are not going to win games with defensive minded players all over the pitch, and then moan when Rhodes gets no service up front from the midfield.

[CapeTownRover]

how many times have you seen Marrow play?

i admit only seeing him a few times in the palace shirt, and while okay, he was nothing special. if you can guarantee me that he will be more than just a squad player, then i will have to rethink my opinion about this signing. Like i said, we have players who can slot into that def midfield or as a makeshift defender role, so i would like to know the real reason behind this signing. Like a few have said, it seems more about who Bowyer remembers as a youth player, and then bringing them back.

we have some really good youth players and reserve players who could just as easily have stepped up, but again in MY OPINION we just signing players like there is no tomorrow.

[blueboy3333]

all im saying on this signing is that it is and i will repeat pointless. We still have Williamson, Etuhu, Lowe and we are looking to bring in Spearing. All play in a similar role to this lad, so i dont quite understand this signing except that we are just trying to sign for the sake of it. If he proves me wrong so be it, i will admit i made a mistake, but how many more of these type of midfielders do we need?

Our biggest issues have been service to Rhodes out wide, and creativity going down the middle. so what do we do? we sign defensive midfielders, and look to sell our most creative one in Rochina(if reports by Unleaded are true) We are not going to win games with defensive minded players all over the pitch, and then moan when Rhodes gets no service up front from the midfield.

You can repeat it as many times as you like but it doesn't make it true. Maybe Etuhu will be sold, or Bowyer doesn't rate Lowe and won't be playing him in CM? Maybe Bowyer wants to play to play two sitting DM's, with Marrow and Spearing his choices. Bowyer might still be after wingers and a creative attacking midfielder.

As for Rochina, he might have asked to leave. No point keeping someone who doesn't want to be here.

[CapeTownRover]

You can repeat it as many times as you like but it doesn't make it true. Maybe Etuhu will be sold, or Bowyer doesn't rate Lowe and won't be playing him in CM? Maybe Bowyer wants to play to play two sitting DM's, with Marrow and Spearing his choices. Bowyer might still be after wingers and a creative attacking midfielder.

As for Rochina, he might have asked to leave. No point keeping someone who doesn't want to be here.

and yet you believe what you just typed as maybe being true? ie that Bowyer might look at 2 DM's, or that he doesnt rate Lowe? You used the word Maybe twice, meaning that you are not sure about it yourself as to what GB wants to do.

again, its my opinion, and i just dont see the need for so many midfielders in the squad in that specific role. Back in the day, and im not old by the way, if you were a midfielder and you were part of the engine room, you had to naturally be able to attack when needed, and track back and defend when called upon. There was no such thing as a specialist DM. You had to be super fit to get up and down the pitch, and you had to be a good player to actually be able to pass, and defend without a problem

[blueboy3333]

I didn't say it was true, i was just giving you options as to what Bowyer MIGHT do. i haven't got a clue what he'll do. Just as you aren't informed enough to say Marrow's signing is pointless. I'd imagine Bowyer has a better idea than both of us. and he wants Marrow.

[Rover_Shaun]

I'd imagine Bowyer has a better idea than both of us. and he wants Marrow.

Still a big assumption.......as yet

[JBiz]

He's 23 year old - decent league experience up and down the country. Played a few positions...

The main positive for me though is he was in the youth/reserve team in 2008/2010. This is when Bowyer was first appointed. Played with Hanley, Morris and Lowe.

It's a very safe risk in terms of outlay. Fitness is key in this league and due to his background, he is certainly going to be a lot more hungry and energetic than Etuhu or Murphy. He is also a Rovers fan if what I am told is true.

[broadsword]

I see he refers to Bowyer as "Gaz".

Always makes me wary when players and management are on first name terms. Bet Beckham never referred to Fergie as "Alex".

I call it the Steve McLaren Syndrome.

[DE.]

I see he refers to Bowyer as "Gaz".

Always makes me wary when players and management are on first name terms. Bet Beckham never referred to Fergie as "Alex".

I call it the Steve McLaren Syndrome.

I agree it's a bit of a concern, but I guess it's a difficult one to overcome because Bowyer's been promoted from within. He knows most of the players from the stance of a coach, rather than a manager. It'd be very difficult for him to suddenly say "right lads, you don't call me Gaz anymore, you call me 'gaffer' or 'Mr Bowyer'". It just wouldn't work.

It's part of the risk you take with this type of appointment.

[broadsword]

I think you can demand that you're now addressed as "boss" or whatever, but only if you have a strong enough personality to be credible in making that change.

Otherwise you're just an over-promoted coach. In which case the next best thing is to get a really strong number 2 in.

[DE.]

The problem for Bowyer is that he has no track record to call on to back a strong stance. Until he's proven himself in a full season it'll be difficult to command respect like Hughes or Allardyce did (both came from the outside, also, which obviously helps). The next best thing is to retain the friendly atmosphere with the players and hope they have enough self-pride to work 100% regardless.

We'll see in the next few months whether that's true or not...

[Amo]

I think you can demand that you're now addressed as "boss" or whatever, but only if you have a strong enough personality to be credible in making that change.

I'd insist on being called Big Daddy.

[Brfcrule1]

I agree with cape town this is a pointless signing he has brought in has done nothing of note since he left.

Yet we had David Jones on loan here and he impressed yet we go for this chap.

I hope GB proves me wrong with this signing but I am sceptical and considering we could have had experience but instead we go for a former player who couldn't cut the mustard before totally underwhelming.

I can understand bringing back Judge as he has done well since he left but this signing does not inspire me to think we are aiming for promotion.

Tom sums it up perfectly we are more likely to be sipping squash with this signing rather than champagne.