The Summer Transfer Window (Press Submit)

[Admiral Nelsen]

3 minutes ago, M_B said:

It would be interesting to hear what they have to say. 

I'm not against selling him, if he won't sign then he has to go, I'm just apprehensive about having to replace both him and Szmodics at the same time. Obviously a lot of people think he can be replaced easily, I hope that's the case but I think it's a big ask all at once. 

I'm 100% sure Eustace would rather him extend his contract, rather than try to replace him at the same time as Szmodics. 

 

That's probably right. I'd try and see it more as an opportunity though. 

One frustrating thing about Gallagher is that there isn't an obvious way to play to his strengths. He can't be a target man because his first touch isn't good enough. His movement isn't good enough to be an out and out goal scorer. He always seems like a square peg in a round hole. 

In the last few years under various managers we've tried to be a full possession team, a counter attack team, then JDT and Eustace. At no point did we feel like we had a set of players who complemented each other and suited a particular way - arguably apart from Mowbray's last year. Gally going at least means we can start again and recruit attackers who suit each other. Albeit without a decent budget. 

[alex l]

Selling your 2 senior attackers in the same window of course isn't ideal but the context can't be dismissed. 

Szmods' value will unlikely be higher at any other time with us and we can't deny him a move to the Prem. It would upset not just him but the squad and potential signings - Rovers would be seem as blocking pathways to progression. 

Gally hasn't signed a new deal and isn't likely to hit 20+ goals this season, as well as being probably the top earner. We've seen far too many players walk away for nothing in recent years. 

[Al]

Is there any suggestion of a tricky, quick winger to provide the crosses for our new centre forwards?

[KentExile]

From the LT re Gueye from a Recruitment Analyst based in Belgium

Nothing that wasn't pretty obvious from his highlight reels really imho

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/24483832.expert-explains-blackburn-rovers-can-expect-gueye/

Blackburn Rovers are close to confirming the signing of striker Makhtar Gueye from RWD Molenbeek.

The 26-year-old completed a medical on Monday and is now set to sign permanently at Ewood Park. This deal represents the first noteworthy outlay from Rovers since selling Adam Wharton in January.

Of course, Gueye is an unknown quantity in English football having spent his career playing in Belgium and, briefly, in Spain.

So, we've drafted in some help to get the lowdown on Rovers' impending recruit. Here's the view of Oli O'Connell, a Recruitment Analyst who has worked in the Belgian Pro League for the past three years.

What sort of profile is Makhtar Gueye, what can he offer a team?
He’s a target style 9 who has good height and understands how to use his body in duels. He’s relatively mobile, but tends to stay central and won’t do too much running into channels. He allows for direct play into his body and he’s a major threat from crosses. He will likely dominate Championship stats in terms of aerial duels won.

What are his main strengths and weaknesses?
As touched on, his main strength is his aerial prowess, both in terms of direct play into his body and then finishing attacks from crosses. He’s strong in duels and he’s improved his link play in the last couple of years too.

In terms of weakness, he’s a really big unit and he lacks that top-level speed and agility as a result, and he isn’t going to be someone who covers huge distances and pops up everywhere so he’s quite a niche 9 in modern-day terms. He's never been polished technically and that’s unlikely to change.

Do you think his skillset will suit the Championship? How does the Belgian Pro League translate, skill-level-wise?
The Pro League is a great level for younger players to develop, with some outstanding individual talent, but the bottom half of the League is relatively poor, which is where Gueye dominated.

The Championship is more duels-based and physically demanding, although they are relatively similar levels in terms of quality. Gueye’s physicality will allow him to dominate Championship defenders, but he will need to add intensity and consistency throughout 90 minutes as he’s quite temperamental currently.

11 goals for a relegated team is a decent tally. Is he a natural goal-scorer or does the team need to play to his strengths?
He isn’t a natural finisher, as I mentioned he’s technically quite scruffy and he doesn’t always pick the right finish or find corners. He’s outstanding with his head though, which is a dying art, so if he is provided with crosses he’s likely to score a few.

His area movement is good from all scenarios too, so he will find himself in scoring areas often and will likely score as a result of frequency rather than pure quality.

Any reservations about him adapting to English football? Whether that is on or off the pitch.
I think it’s fair to have some reservations. He didn’t adapt well to Spanish football at all, which is admittedly very different to both Belgian and English football.

He will need to right support around him and hopefully, he clicks with John Eustace and his teammates. If he does, and if the team is set up to suit his strengths, I have confidence he can make an impact.

How excited should Blackburn Rovers fans be?
I’m not sure excited is the right word, but it’s definitely an interesting signing. In the right environment, Makhtar has proven to be a clutch player and someone who can drag his team through games and score important goals.

He’s coming into peak age now, and he really needs to prove that he can put together a full season of strong form. If he’s motivated and well-supported, he’s the type of player who can become a talismanic figure. But equally, there’s a chance this could go very wrong!

Edited July 30 by KentExile

[FE123]

9 minutes ago, Al said:

Is there any suggestion of a tricky, quick winger to provide the crosses for our new centre forwards?

Wide players must be in the pipeline with the Gueye signing and Eustace previous style of play. Reckon they will be foreign again with Hedges and Dolan both still here and playing in those positions. Possible they will also look at loans for these positions as well

[RevidgeBlue]

14 minutes ago, alex l said:

Selling your 2 senior attackers in the same window of course isn't ideal but the context can't be dismissed. 

Szmods' value will unlikely be higher at any other time with us and we can't deny him a move to the Prem. It would upset not just him but the squad and potential signings - Rovers would be seem as blocking pathways to progression. 

Gally hasn't signed a new deal and isn't likely to hit 20+ goals this season, as well as being probably the top earner. We've seen far too many players walk away for nothing in recent years. 

You mean he isn't likely to score 10+.

[Gav]

57 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

 

Might run for one or two lost causes to make it look as though he's doing something but when it comes to what really matters like bullying the opposition, winning a header, busting a gut to get on the end of a cross or into a dangerous goalscoring position or putting his head/body in where it hurts there's none of that.

Alan Shearer left us in the summer of 1996 Rev.....

[Devon Rover]

5 minutes ago, KentExile said:

From the LT re Gueye from a Recruitment Analyst based in Belgium

Nothing that wasn't pretty obvious from his highlight reels really imho

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/24483832.expert-explains-blackburn-rovers-can-expect-gueye/

Blackburn Rovers are close to confirming the signing of striker Makhtar Gueye from RWD Molenbeek.

The 26-year-old completed a medical on Monday and is now set to sign permanently at Ewood Park. This deal represents the first noteworthy outlay from Rovers since selling Adam Wharton in January.

Of course, Gueye is an unknown quantity in English football having spent his career playing in Belgium and, briefly, in Spain.

So, we've drafted in some help to get the lowdown on Rovers' impending recruit. Here's the view of Oli O'Connell, a Recruitment Analyst who has worked in the Belgian Pro League for the past three years.

What sort of profile is Makhtar Gueye, what can he offer a team?
He’s a target style 9 who has good height and understands how to use his body in duels. He’s relatively mobile, but tends to stay central and won’t do too much running into channels. He allows for direct play into his body and he’s a major threat from crosses. He will likely dominate Championship stats in terms of aerial duels won.

What are his main strengths and weaknesses?
As touched on, his main strength is his aerial prowess, both in terms of direct play into his body and then finishing attacks from crosses. He’s strong in duels and he’s improved his link play in the last couple of years too.

In terms of weakness, he’s a really big unit and he lacks that top-level speed and agility as a result, and he isn’t going to be someone who covers huge distances and pops up everywhere so he’s quite a niche 9 in modern-day terms. He's never been polished technically and that’s unlikely to change.

Do you think his skillset will suit the Championship? How does the Belgian Pro League translate, skill-level-wise?
The Pro League is a great level for younger players to develop, with some outstanding individual talent, but the bottom half of the League is relatively poor, which is where Gueye dominated.

The Championship is more duels-based and physically demanding, although they are relatively similar levels in terms of quality. Gueye’s physicality will allow him to dominate Championship defenders, but he will need to add intensity and consistency throughout 90 minutes as he’s quite temperamental currently.

11 goals for a relegated team is a decent tally. Is he a natural goal-scorer or does the team need to play to his strengths?
He isn’t a natural finisher, as I mentioned he’s technically quite scruffy and he doesn’t always pick the right finish or find corners. He’s outstanding with his head though, which is a dying art, so if he is provided with crosses he’s likely to score a few.

His area movement is good from all scenarios too, so he will find himself in scoring areas often and will likely score as a result of frequency rather than pure quality.

AD
Any reservations about him adapting to English football? Whether that is on or off the pitch.
I think it’s fair to have some reservations. He didn’t adapt well to Spanish football at all, which is admittedly very different to both Belgian and English football.

He will need to right support around him and hopefully, he clicks with John Eustace and his teammates. If he does, and if the team is set up to suit his strengths, I have confidence he can make an impact.

How excited should Blackburn Rovers fans be?
I’m not sure excited is the right word, but it’s definitely an interesting signing. In the right environment, Makhtar has proven to be a clutch player and someone who can drag his team through games and score important goals.

He’s coming into peak age now, and he really needs to prove that he can put together a full season of strong form. If he’s motivated and well-supported, he’s the type of player who can become a talismanic figure. But equally, there’s a chance this could go very wrong!

So, without wingers who can cross the ball, this signing sounds pointless. We must be lining up a couple of wingers if we are banking on this guy getting some goals.

[alexanders]

https://championshipinsights.substack.com/p/blackburn-rovers-at-a-crossroads?r=489f15
 

A bit off-topic, but highlighted by our lack of transfer activity and weak squad Norways championship expert predicts relegation 

[JHRover]

19 minutes ago, alex l said:

Selling your 2 senior attackers in the same window of course isn't ideal but the context can't be dismissed. 

Szmods' value will unlikely be higher at any other time with us and we can't deny him a move to the Prem. It would upset not just him but the squad and potential signings - Rovers would be seem as blocking pathways to progression. 

Gally hasn't signed a new deal and isn't likely to hit 20+ goals this season, as well as being probably the top earner. We've seen far too many players walk away for nothing in recent years. 

I have zero interest in 'blocking pathways to progression'

The only thing that needs to progress is the Club.

All that matters is ensuring the Club doesn't slide into League One, which is going to happen soon if we keep up our current trajectory. It very nearly happened last year.

If that means suffering a loss on a couple of players or annoying a couple so be it.

[Iceman]

Rory Finneran to Newcastle via Fabrizio Romano 

[RevidgeBlue]

12 minutes ago, Gav said:

Alan Shearer left us in the summer of 1996 Rev.....

Well yes, obviously couldn't be further apart in terms of ability but poles apart in terms of attitude as well.

Shearer always left everything out on the pitch and put in a performance every week. Gallagher never puts in a performance.

When was the last time you watched a game and thought "Gallagher was magnificent today" or even " he was a bit of a handful"

Almost never.

[Forever Blue]

1 minute ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Well yes, obviously couldn't be further apart in terms of ability but poles apart in terms of attitude as well.

Shearer always left everything out on the pitch and put in a performance every week. Gallagher never puts in a performance.

When was the last time you watched a game and thought "Gallagher was magnificent today" or even " he was a bit of a handful"

Almost never.

I think, deep down, you’re going to miss Gally when he goes. 

[alex l]

19 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

You mean he isn't likely to score 10+.

Also not likely. But even if he was, I'm not sure that would be sufficient to say he's worth keeping for a year to then be allowed to go for nothing. 

[MarkBRFC]

"Blocking pathways" is the new nonsense in phase that everyone at Rovers now uses to justify cost cutting, signing nobody and using academy players.

If the academy players are genuinely good enough they will get to the first team regardless.

[Forever Blue]

34 minutes ago, Al said:

Is there any suggestion of a tricky, quick winger to provide the crosses for our new centre forwards?

Eustace has said he likes playing with the wingers you describe, and wants to sign one or two. 
 

He signed 2 or 3 of those types in his short time at Brum, including Kadra.

[Angry_Pirate]

1 hour ago, tomphil said:

Asking stupid money/wages/loan fees for kids who Prem clubs have nicked for low fees and have little to no intention of using them themselves.  Taking advantage of the fact the demand began to grow for cheap alternatives to fill squads because of the stupid transfer fees and wages of first teamers.

Totally agree.

If I could wish for one rule change, it would be that any loans going further down the pyramid, the cost would be fully covered by the parent club. Wage 100% and £0 loan fee.

Same division loans, or loans to a higher division (which do happen), are fair game.

Such a simple change would fix so much that is wrong with the structure of English football. I then wonder how quick/rash clubs would be to sign the likes of Rory Finneran, Ash Phillips, and Connor Mahoney to £15,000-£20,000 a week contracts.

Of course, clubs would perhaps just loan their young players to Belgium, Scotland, and France (etc) instead.

[alexanders]

Ayari won’t come back to Rovers then

[rigger]

15 hours ago, BankEnd Rover said:

When we purchased Szmodics did you think he would turn into the player he turned into? 
 

Remember his first few games? He was classed as not good enough! 

That first half away at Rotherham.

[KentExile]

27 minutes ago, rigger said:

That first half away at Rotherham.

When he gave it away for Rotherhams first, and missed a pen?

That was a year after he signed.  In all fairness, for many of us, the jury was still on on him at that point in terms of quality, if not effort and usefulness to the team.  He scored a couple in the 2nd half though and never looked back

Edited July 30 by KentExile

[RevidgeBlue]

9 minutes ago, Forever Blue said:

I think, deep down, you’re going to miss Gally when he goes. 

Busted.

Lol.

[MarkBRFC]

6 minutes ago, alexanders said:

Ayari won’t come back to Rovers then

Ayari is going to Sunderland regardless of this I think.

[RevidgeBlue]

1 minute ago, MarkBRFC said:

Ayari is going to Sunderland regardless of this I think.

Good signing for them.

[alexanders]

1 minute ago, MarkBRFC said:

Ayari is going to Sunderland regardless of this I think.

Did score and looks to be part of the future. Gross going will increase his chances to stay with Brighton I think 

[Angry_Pirate]

18 minutes ago, Iceman said:

Rory Finneran to Newcastle via Fabrizio Romano