That *was* the January Window

[wilsdenrover]

10 minutes ago, Sweaty Gussets said:

Meaningless. 

Trav might have asked for a move. Rovers might want him out to facilitate an incoming. JDT might have been told that Trav was moving on and he had no say in it. 

 

You don’t consider that to be part of a manager’s job then?

[Dolly blue]

Avoid administration they say , the club will die they say…..we are currently operating as though we are in administration . As for our death …the symptoms were first seen as they walked through the door ..we’re  now beyond help.
 

When death is nigh we believe those in positions of trust to tell us the truth …we can’t believe a word that comes out of this club …it stinks from top to bottom…..

 

Edited January 5, 2024 by Dolly blue

[Sweaty Gussets]

Just now, wilsdenrover said:

You don’t consider that to be part of a manager’s job then?

You don't consider that the player has asked to leave because he isn't getting game time? Would you say, as club captain, he should have fought for his place? 

[Polky]

4 minutes ago, Sweaty Gussets said:

Not sure you've watched Ipswich recently but they play a different style to us and the demands on their midfield are different. They are a bit more traditional in their approach, with the likes of Morsy in midfield and a traditional winger.

Whether they play 'better football' is moot, I would say Travis just suits their style more. 

 

Yeah I think you’re right actually - my bad.

I remember watching them at the start of the season and they were playing some nice stuff. 
 

I did catch the East Anglia derby and they were a bit more ‘traditional’ as you’ve said. I put that down to just being a derby game. 
 

[Armchair supporter supremo]

Problem is you cant keep your captain on the bench forever as its obviously going to cause unrest in the squad. 

I think ideally rovers would like to sell him but they know nobody is going to even get in the ball park of their valuation. So maybe in their heads they think going out and getting game time at a club doing well will raise his stock back up so they can get a more reasonable fee for him in the summer (wouldn't be suprised if there's an option to buy in the loan agreement if they meet the valuation) 

Edited January 5, 2024 by Armchair supporter supremo

[Ben-2000]

5 minutes ago, wilsdenrover said:

You don’t consider that to be part of a manager’s job then?

Not at Ewood, more likely a decision from higher up.

[AllRoverAsia]

I can fault no player who wants to escape from the shit hole cesspit that is Blackburn Rovers.

[wilsdenrover]

3 minutes ago, Sweaty Gussets said:

You don't consider that the player has asked to leave because he isn't getting game time? Would you say, as club captain, he should have fought for his place? 

Can’t it be both?

He’s asked to leave because of a lack of game time and it’s a manager’s job to keep fringe players happy.

To your second question, all players should fight for their place.

[47er]

24 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Tronstad and Wharton are our first choice now. Tronstad is a much better all round player. We have upgraded here from Travis and Tronstad 

You talk as it we don't need back-up. Tronstad and Wharton won't play every game for one reason or another. Haven't you learned from our current injury crisis?

We can't keep dragging kids in short pants out of school and expect to win in the Championship. 

I have no confidence that this is about anything but money. We want another club to pay his wages so we can buy/borrow someone cheaper.

[wilsdenrover]

1 minute ago, AllRoverAsia said:

I can fault no player who wants to escape from the shit hole cesspit that is Blackburn Rovers.

Uh oh.

[JHRover]

7 minutes ago, RTM08 said:

Fallen out or not, if we want him out we should be demanding a sale, not a loan. Isn't that the whole point of the current model? A loan has zero benefit to Rovers at all.

Joke owners, joke management, joke club.

The whole point of the 'current model' is a hand-to-mouth existence whereby each and every year those running the club are tasked with cutting costs down. If that means getting a few bodies out the door on loan and saving on their wages for a few months then so be it. It will save them a few quid in the scheme of things, further weaken the squad and prospects of improving but they've never been interested in such things.

We've seen it in action many times with the 'penny wise pound foolish' approach of the shyster in the boardroom and it looks like they are now extending it to the first team.

[Sweaty Gussets]

LT analysis on Trav's move:

 

The Lancashire Telegraph understands that Travis has reluctantly accepted a move away from Ewood Park for the good of his career, considering his lack of game time.

The 26-year-old didn't start any of the matches over the busy festive period and has completed 90 minutes once since November the 10th. 

Travis hasn't started a Championship match in central midfield since October the first, a 4-1 home defeat to Leicester City. Since, he's been used as a substitute or to fill in for injuries and suspensions at full-back.

 

So game time is a huge driver for this move. Travis is not the type of personality to sit on the bench and be happy.

That is partly why Rovers have sanctioned the deal too. The captain holds a great deal of weight in the dressing room and having an unhappy figure around the camp isn't beneficial for either party.

Removing his wages from the books could also open the door for more wiggle room in the January window. If Tomasson isn't using him, the player is unhappy and the club need to balance the books, they'd argue it's the right move.

However, considering Rovers had a bid on the table from Millwall in the summer, albeit a very flimsy 800K, loaning him out isn't a great look. There was also interest from Major League Soccer side Atlanta whilst Luton Town were linked in the summer.

Another source of friction between Tomasson and Travis has been his position in midfield. The captain hasn't been used in the holding role that he excelled in under Tony Mowbray. Instead, Travis has been used as an advanced number eight which has looked clunky, at times. 

Whilst the midfielder has improved on his offensive side of the game, anyone can see that it hasn't brought the best out of his skill set. Travis best qualities are the defensive side of the game, adding energy, tenacity and tough-tackling at the base of midfield.

Sources claim that Travis has sought answers from Tomasson about his role in the midfield but to no avail. A lack of opportunity to showcase his ability in holding midfield, both in competitive matches and internal games, is another factor in this move away.

 

At Ipswich, Travis will operate in his natural role, with Kieran McKenna playing a 4-2-3-1 which is better suited to the midfielder. The argument for Blackburn fans will be that if he's good enough for the team sat second in the division, he should be good enough for Rovers.

Tomasson may argue that the captain hasn't shown the desired qualities in possession to play as his single pivot. It's a role Adam Wharton has occupied when the two have played together, with Wharton particularly impressive at receiving the ball under pressure and playing through the lines.

Sondre Tronstad has occupied that role since coming into the team at Queens Park Rangers. He has been in excellent form since he broke into the side and it's allowed Wharton to play further forward, where he is more effective.

Simply put, there is an argument that Travis just didn't suit Tomasson's style of football.

Until December, there were no real cries for Travis to come back in. But a run of one win in eight has changed the mood in the fan base. 

At Huddersfield, particularly, there was a complete lack of fight. Rovers didn't, and perhaps couldn't, dig in and stay in the game, against a side with far inferior talent.

The team has been accused of being too soft during this period. The goals conceded column is alarming and needs to be rectified. 

 

It's impossible to argue that Rovers are a stronger squad, at the time of writing, without Travis, for those reasons, if nothing else. In what is already a difficult transfer window, this has added an immense amount of pressure.

Rovers must now replace Travis as well as address the other obvious areas that need bolstering in the squad. Incomings are expected this month but the financial landscape at the club has not dramatically altered since the summer.

We're five days into the window and the pressure is on. Strap in, it could be a bumpy ride.

[TheRevAshton]

Bring on Administration, we're on our way to League One anyway.

Edited January 5, 2024 by TheRevAshton

[wilsdenrover]

2 minutes ago, Ben-2000 said:

Not at Ewood, more likely a decision from higher up.

I can’t imagine it will be Travis but if that’s the case at what point does JDT say ‘if he goes I go’?

[CheshireRover]

On a positive note, Betway have us at 33/1 for relegation still. That means if you put £20 on, you'll receive enough (just) for a season ticket to watch League One Blackburn Rovers under Simple Steve's directorship.

This is a disgusting decision and those who sanctioned it should be publicly outed and sacked.

[JHRover]

This time last year we were enjoying our 6th month in the top 6 of the Championship. Ipswich Town were in League One.

A year later we are dropping down the Championship and are now looking over our shoulders at the relegation zone, Ipswich Town are 2nd in the Championship and looking to stay in the promotion race, 23 points above us.

We are now loaning our captain, one of the few remaining experienced players we have, to Ipswich Town, for their promotion run-in.

And people don't have a problem with these decisions or the direction we are taking? Wow

[Sweaty Gussets]

Just now, wilsdenrover said:

Can’t it be both?

He’s asked to leave because of a lack of game time and it’s a manager’s job to keep fringe players happy.

To your second question, all players should fight for their place.

How can a manager keep a player happy who is demanding game time when the manager only rates him as 3rd or 4th choice? It's not likes he's a young kid, he's club captain. 

Travis wants to move cos the manager doesn't rate him, the player has therefore asked to move. Not sure that can be pinned on the manager. No player has the divine right to be picked. 

[47er]

2 minutes ago, CheshireRover said:

This is a disgusting decision and those who sanctioned it should be publicly outed and sacked.

Agree but If they were they would be replaced by others who owed their jobs to Venkys.

Nothing would change. All roads lead to India.

[davulsukur]

Well, we're about to announce a signing 👀

[Irish_Rover]

Its bonkers as far as I am concerned. Regardless of whether he is getting a game lately (and he absolutely should have been tried at least somewhere in the latest losing run), he is still an experienced head in a squad full of kids. I wouldnt have been a fan of selling him as there should be always a place for him in the team if not the squad, but to just loan him out to a team riding high just seems such an odd decision when we are already at the bare bones for squad depth.

[Andy]

It makes sense, to be honest - he's nowhere near the first team picture and even when he does play, he's not in his strongest position.
He's technically very limited and doesn't suit JDT's preferred style of play.

Can't imagine JDT will be here next season, so let Travis go and sit on Ipswich's bench / maybe play a few games between now and the end of the season and see where we are in the summer.

It's been indicated that we'll have a few incomings this month, so Iit'll be interesting to see how the transfer window pans out and I'll reserve any further judgement until that time.

[Crimpshrine]

1 minute ago, Sweaty Gussets said:

How can a manager keep a player happy who is demanding game time when the manager only rates him as 3rd or 4th choice? It's not likes he's a young kid, he's club captain. 

Travis wants to move cos the manager doesn't rate him, the player has therefore asked to move. Not sure that can be pinned on the manager. No player has the divine right to be picked. 

All clubs need 3rd / 4th choice players for obvious reasons. Our 5th / 6th choices are not good enough for the championship.

From a footballing perspective, we cannot afford to lose Travis from the squad. He should be told to fight for his place.

He will probably be 3rd/4th choice at Ipswich too but they obviously see the benefits of experienced squad players 

[jim mk2]

Blimey I bet Travis can’t believe his luck, moving to a club pushing for automatic promotion from one sinking into a relegation battle

Good luck to him. I imagine CambridgeRover is delighted 😀 

[ABBEY]

1 hour ago, chaddyrovers said:

Why change the team style just for Travis? 

how is the current style working out without him?

[roverblue]

57 minutes ago, dingles staying down 4ever said:

We wont change from a 3 man midfield as people forget that Szmodics is the attacking midfielder of the 3. It would mean going to a midfield 4

Yeah I get the argument for that. For me the positions he occupies on the pitch makes me consider him more of the attacking forward 4 than in midfield.