JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW

[47er]

Well if TM is to be believed, speaking in the LT, we ARE signing Chapman next week!

[RevidgeBlue]

I thought Downing was a lot better than many on here gave him credit for, but I can understand the lad wanting to leave to get more game time.

What I can't understand given our current situation is Wharton being loaned out again. He's 22 in October, by now we should know whether he's good enough, n which case he should be starting games for us, or whether we need to move on. Wonder if he'll turn out to be the next O'Connell, not deemed worthy to see the light of day here but a very decent player elsewhere?

[RevidgeBlue]

Just now, 47er said:

Well if TM is to be believed, speaking in the LT, we ARE signing Chapman next week!

Better give the bench a new lick of paint!

This week would be better.

[bluebruce]

3 minutes ago, 47er said:

Well if TM is to be believed, speaking in the LT, we ARE signing Chapman next week!

He didn't say we are, or put a timeframe on it, he said there are possibly discussions to be had?

[SBlue]

10 minutes ago, bluebruce said:

People are missing the point about Paul Downing. It's not that we want to blow him off. It's that in a lot of people's views, we were already weak in this area, the players we do have left there are injury prone, and TM has zero intention of bringing in replacement cover or (far more desirably) someone to compete for a first team spot.

Wish people would stop counting Williams as a decent 4th choice, gynaecologists see less gash than the fans who've had to watch him this season.

I genuinely lolled.

I certainly understand the argument, but as far as defensive cover goes - this weekend we could conceivably have a bench containing Mulgrew, Nyambe and Williams. That’s a decent standard at this level. And probably a bit too defensive for me having 4 out of 7 being defenders and a goalkeeper!

I think we are ok for now, and I would prefer to get the journeymen that are going to get 2 games a season out of the way to allow youth a route through into the match day squads.

[Sparks Rover]

2 minutes ago, S8 & Blue said:

I genuinely lolled.

I certainly understand the argument, but as far as defensive cover goes - this weekend we could conceivably have a bench containing Mulgrew, Nyambe and Williams. That’s a decent standard at this level. And probably a bit too defensive for me having 4 out of 7 being defenders and a goalkeeper!

I think we are ok for now, and I would prefer to get the journeymen that are going to get 2 games a season out of the way to allow youth a route through into the match day squads.

Mulgrew will not be on the bench if fit.

Stop saying Del is good enough....he isn't.

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

4 minutes ago, S8 & Blue said:

I genuinely lolled.

I certainly understand the argument, but as far as defensive cover goes - this weekend we could conceivably have a bench containing Mulgrew, Nyambe and Williams. That’s a decent standard at this level. And probably a bit too defensive for me having 4 out of 7 being defenders and a goalkeeper!

I think we are ok for now, and I would prefer to get the journeymen that are going to get 2 games a season out of the way to allow youth a route through into the match day squads.

The problem is next week we could conceivably have Williams at CB. a youth player on the bench and  Rodwell and Mulgrew on the injury table.

[SBlue]

Just now, Sparks Rover said:

Mulgrew will not be on the bench if fit.

Stop saying Del is good enough....he isn't.

Well he’s certainly the next one I’d like out the door.

LB is far more of a priority than centre half this window or next.

[SBlue]

Just now, Wing Wizard Windy Miller said:

The problem is next week we could conceivably have Williams at CB. a youth player on the bench and  Rodwell and Mulgrew on the injury table.

I know what you are saying but how many players do we need??? How ,any can you keep around motivated if they aren’t even in the 18?

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

1 hour ago, blueboy3333 said:

Downing is a decent League 1 player. We have 3 better CH's and Williams who is just as good. Two players for every position is the normal mantra. Not sure I see the problem. All we've done is get rid of someone who never plays and won't improve.

Thanks Paul and good luck.

Don't think anyone has a problem with Downing leaving per se.  More the observation that Mowbray has no intention of addressing the cb weakness we've had for years.  Rodwell is not the answer in a back 2 (though could be excellent in a 3) -  no where near physically imposing enough.

[RevidgeBlue]

8 minutes ago, S8 & Blue said:

I genuinely lolled.

I certainly understand the argument, but as far as defensive cover goes - this weekend we could conceivably have a bench containing Mulgrew, Nyambe and Williams. That’s a decent standard at this level. And probably a bit too defensive for me having 4 out of 7 being defenders and a goalkeeper!

I think we are ok for now, and I would prefer to get the journeymen that are going to get 2 games a season out of the way to allow youth a route through into the match day squads.

For me too much quantity and not enough quality  at CB. We have three converted midfielders and a guy who's been playing at LB (badly) for the majority of his time here vying for the positions.

Our only actual specialist centre backs are out on loan. Really good defenders can sniff out danger in advance. People merely filling in and doing a job can't. 

Up until the last couple of games when Rodwell came in and did surprisingly well I think I'm right in saying the Mulgrew/Lenihan partnership was shipping goals at roughly  the same rate as the season we were relegated. There's plenty of room for improvement there if the manager saw it as a priority which seemingly he doesn't.

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

2 minutes ago, S8 & Blue said:

I know what you are saying but how many players do we need??? How ,any can you keep around motivated if they aren’t even in the 18?

I also get what you're saying.  We are weak aerially and its an issue late on in games, when we sit back.  Surely the intelligent thing would be to scour the lower leagues for a giant and plant him on the bench - purely to come on for the last ten mins if required and head a few balls away or go up the other end if we are behind.   Wouldn't cost much and he'd surely be happy with a place on the bench/squad and no pressure to start him.  Seems an obvious addition to me.

But then that would mean buying specialist players for a certain position.  Maybe we could tell Mowbray the lad is a midfielder...

[Fraserkirky]

West Brom are keen to bring 23-year-old Newcastle winger Jacob Murphy to the club on loan. (Express & Star)

 

Edited January 25, 2019 by Fraserkirky

[arbitro]

I am irked by Mowbray's comments about not offering Rodwell a new deal yet and he has 'laughed' off interest from Livorno. He is arguably our best centre half (and midfielder) and oozes class but the other three have all been given contract extensions with nothing for Rodwell yet. I'm afraid that Rodwell will start to look elsewhere and we will lose some real quality. Players like Rodwell on a free transfer don't come around too often.

[Stuart]

8 hours ago, blueboy3333 said:

Downing is a decent League 1 player. We have 3 better CH's and Williams who is just as good. Two players for every position is the normal mantra. Not sure I see the problem. All we've done is get rid of someone who never plays and won't improve.

Thanks Paul and good luck.

If our main two weren’t made of glass I’d be more inclined to agree.

Williams isn’t “just as good” as Downing though, IMHO.

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

32 minutes ago, arbitro said:

I am irked by Mowbray's comments about not offering Rodwell a new deal yet and he has 'laughed' off interest from Livorno. He is arguably our best centre half (and midfielder) and oozes class but the other three have all been given contract extensions with nothing for Rodwell yet. I'm afraid that Rodwell will start to look elsewhere and we will lose some real quality. Players like Rodwell on a free transfer don't come around too often.

Or the fact he's laughing it off means he's confident of getting him to sign, if he wants him.  Lad undoubtedly has sone talent but how many games a season would you get from him? Already been injured a couple of times.  All depends on what he'd want I expect.

[Stuart]

8 hours ago, S8 & Blue said:

Settle down mate I was laughing at him pointing out my own belligerence.

I thought the consensus was that we are a lot better in defence now if Rodwell is half the player he’s looking, and the uproar at sending out our fifth choice is a bit confusing. It’s a team game and I find it incredibly hard to pin our defensive hiccups on Mulgrew and Lenihan - two of our consistently best players.

This is all conjecture on a player we haven’t seen play, and the manager seemingly rates him to be fifth choice.

Maybe he hasn’t been loaned out like the others because he’s ready to contribute? (Mind blown emoji)

Nyambe is ok at centre half anyway... so make that 6th choice.

I wish I’d made some badges for the Paul Downing fan club!

Who hasn’t seen Magloire play? I rate the lad, he was captain the other night, but he isn’t ready for the first team.

Downing, ironically I’m not a huge fan, and think we need an upgrade on our cb first team players, let alone cover.

But what Downing is, is a no-nonsense defender who can step in and do the important basics really well. None of this playing Nyambe or Bell inside and sticking Bennett or Williams I’m at full back. This is where I have a problem with Mowbray there are too many sticking plaster answers to questions with make shift players filling in. Now, if we hadn’t spent (wasted) £7m on one player and he hadn’t told us “there is money available if we need it” then you could understand this approach. As is is we look to have no ambition and no real plan to develop a style of football, recruiting the right players. We are still relying heavily on players Mowbray inherited two years ago, and signings have been poor.

But seemingly we need to get down to Ewood because of how important we should realise a game is!

[ChrisPriceBaldSpot]

7 minutes ago, Stuart said:

Who hasn’t seen Magloire play? I rate the lad, he was captain the other night, but he isn’t ready for the first team.

Downing, ironically I’m not a huge fan, and think we need an upgrade on our cb first team players, let alone cover.

But what Downing is, is a no-nonsense defender who can step in and do the important basics really well. None of this playing Nyambe or Bell inside and sticking Bennett or Williams I’m at full back. This is where I have a problem with Mowbray there are too many sticking plaster answers to questions with make shift players filling in. Now, if we hadn’t spent (wasted) £7m on one player and he hadn’t told us “there is money available if we need it” then you could understand this approach. As is is we look to have no ambition and no real plan to develop a style of football, recruiting the right players. We are still relying heavily on players Mowbray inherited two years ago, and signings have been poor.

But seemingly we need to get down to Ewood because of how important we should realise a game is!

No ambition?? TM might have inherited a lot of the squad but I would argue he has developed most of them into better footballers with a better attitude. He has brought in young, hungry players (Dack, Armstrong, Rothwell, Nuttall, Reed(on loan), hopefully Chapman, and then the likes of Raya, Nyambe, Lenihan, Travis have blossomed under his leadership. Yes some of his signings haven't worked out but that happens at every club. Look at Man United! He has stated all along, and I don't know why people don't revert back to this point before slating him, that this isn't a case of sign everyone he wants this season and go shit or bust on promotion. 3/4 transfer windows is what the plan was. I for one would be happy with that. 

[deryck guyler's spoon]

Obviously this a forum for debate and everyone is entitled to an opinion. However, some seem to genuinely believe that they know better than a man who has spent around 40 years in professional football, has largely compiled the squad and sees the players in training every day. Astonishing.

 

Edited January 25, 2019 by deryck guyler's spoon

[K-Hod]

39 minutes ago, deryck guyler's spoon said:

Obviously this a forum for debate and everyone is entitled to an opinion. However, some seem to genuinely believe that they know better than a man who has spent around 40 years in professional football, has largely compiled the squad and sees the players in training every day. Astonishing.

 

Who's that then? Have you got some posts to quote? Or are you just going to admire the view from your high horse?

[tomphil]

21 minutes ago, K-Hod said:

Who's that then? Have you got some posts to quote? Or are you just going to admire the view from your high horse?

He'll not be alone.

[Angry_Pirate]

I'm of the view that you can't state that the likes of Williams, Smallwood, Downing, Samuel, Gladwin, Caddis and Whittingham etc are no way good enough... yet be concerned or unhappy due to "lack of depth" upon their departure.

If they are clearly not good enough for our current team/league position, get rid. Maybe one of our youth team players is actually (far) better and just waiting for a chance to move up the queue... Travis, Raya, Nyambe or Smallwood, Steele, Caddis?

We aren't going down, so now would be the perfect time to get rid of as many "deadwoods" (regardless of their previous contributions), and see if we have any other Lewis Travis type potential in our club already that we can test out in the result of a major injury blitz some people expect and fear so badly.

If we have to blood another Jay McEveley, Grant Hanley or Phil Jones instead of playing a Downing or Williams for 10 games, would anyone really be unhappy if they are the difference between us finishing 9th or 12th?

Thanks Paul, really nice bloke and honest pro, hope he does great at Donny. 

[Tom]

I tend to think there’s some kidology going on with a Rodwell, Mowbray will want to keep him grounded and not get too comfortable.

I’d be offering him a new contract but it’s a fine balance and a risky game 

[rigger]

9 hours ago, RevidgeBlue said:

I thought Downing was a lot better than many on here gave him credit for, but I can understand the lad wanting to leave to get more game time.

What I can't understand given our current situation is Wharton being loaned out again. He's 22 in October, by now we should know whether he's good enough, n which case he should be starting games for us, or whether we need to move on. Wonder if he'll turn out to be the next O'Connell, not deemed worthy to see the light of day here but a very decent player elsewhere?

Do Bury play with 3 at the back? Perhaps he is being loaned out to get used to the system, ready for the big push next season.

Edited January 25, 2019 by rigger

[Bigdoggsteel]

Morning all

Fascinating insight into Mowbrays approach to the transfer window here. All very honest and you would have to say practical

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/17383775.mowbray-on-why-rovers-havent-made-any-january-signings/ 

I found this quote most interesting. I wonder who he is talking about 

“Have we got the numbers to go and take someone out of our rivals in this league? They won’t be cheap and you’d have to pay over the odds and hope they grow in to an asset.

On the quotes about players from Europe though. I understand his point of view, but it proves what a lost of us speculated about him largely favouring British and Irish players or guys who have come through the youth set up like Raya. You ain't arriving over from European football and getting straight into Tonys team! Not sure I fully agree with him. There are obviously bargains to be had, but you certainly need to have done your scouting. 

Edited January 25, 2019 by Bigdoggsteel