Pre-season 2024/25

[riverholmes]

Team news versus Wigan today:

Pears, Pickering, Carter, Hyam, Brittain, Tronstad, Travis (c), Rankin-Costello, Bloxham, Vale, Dolan

Subs: Hilton, Saadi, Doherty, Montgomery, Atcheson, Biniek

Wigan

Tickle, Ramsey, Kerr (c), Aimson, McHugh, Payne, Adeeko, Sze, Rankine, Aasgaard, Stones

Subs Lonergan, Chapman, Igiehon, Reilly, Graham, Sibbick, Carragher, M. Smith, S. Smith, Thomas, Hugill

On paper looks a rather weak side and a short list of subs as the management look to give 90 mins to  first team players. There was a game v Morecambe last night and an U21 game v Wolves going on now. (Typically, no news from Rovers on that one).

Glimmers of hope lie in JRC, who is probably the star man, possibility of youngsters like Vale and  Dolan making dramatic improvements - and that the youth in Bloxham, Doherty (presumably the new signing and not the defender) and Biniek stepping up, though it’s asking a lot of them to take the mantle.

I think we pretty much know what the likes of Travis (returning prodigal son), Pickering and Brittain offer.

[philipl]

I wondered where the pre-season match talk was...

LT speculating Gallagher is missing because of transfer interest.

Big opportunity for Tom Bloxham 

[chaddyrovers]

Dolan playing in the 10 role with Bloxham on the left and Vale up front

[Polky]

Dominating possession but not doing a lot with it.

[TugaysMarlboro]

Bloxham has been a bit lively, he's at least tried to be positive going forward.

[KentExile]

JRC wasted out wide,

I Imagine that when Hedges is fit

1 - JRC will move inside and either Travis or Tronstad will drop out.

OR

2 - JRC to play in the number 10 spot when Szmodics goes

[MarkBRFC]

2 minutes ago, KentExile said:

JRC wasted out wide,

I Imagine that when Hedges is fit

1 - JRC will move inside and either Travis or Tronstad will drop out.

OR

2 - JRC to play in the number 10 spot when Szmodics goes

I think we go more 433 when Szmod goes with JRC, Tronstad and Trav all in there. Hedges right and Dolan left. 

JRC maybe give more licence to get forward than the other 2?

[Dan]

Jack Vale has just scored with a neat finish, nice through ball by JRC. 

[Hasta]

To be fair this game has been quite good for re-assuring that we won’t double-drop if we go down this season.

Edited July 27 by Hasta

[Hasta]

I take it back.

[riverholmes]

1-1 

Vale scores in draw. Sounds like JRC played well, making the assist. And Jalil Saadi seems to have been kept on at the club as the utility player - at least until new players come in. With no striker on the limited bench, he comes on for Vale at the end. What a turnaround, from being well off the radar for the first team for years.

A few notable absences - Szmodics, Gallagher, Gent, Scott Wharton

Edited July 27 by riverholmes

[KentExile]

24 minutes ago, riverholmes said:

1-1 

Vale scores in draw. Sounds like JRC played well, making the assist. And Jalil Saadi seems to have been kept on at the club as the utility player - at least until new players come in. With no striker on the limited bench, he comes on for Vale at the end. What a turnaround, from being well off the radar for the first team for years.

A few notable absences - Szmodics, Gallagher, Gent, Scott Wharton

Has played defensive midfield in every game that he has featured in this pre season.  Can only assume its a cheap squad filler due to lack of funds and the hope that his height will help in defending set pieces.

Still find it very strange that he has obviously signed a new deal but the club haven't bothered to announce it.

Edited July 27 by KentExile

[bazza]

2 hours ago, riverholmes said:

1-1 

Vale scores in draw. Sounds like JRC played well, making the assist. And Jalil Saadi seems to have been kept on at the club as the utility player - at least until new players come in. With no striker on the limited bench, he comes on for Vale at the end. What a turnaround, from being well off the radar for the first team for years.

A few notable absences - Szmodics, Gallagher, Gent, Scott Wharton

Thanks so much for the final score and report.

[GHR]

Looking at Wigan's bench, I genuinely had no idea Andy Lonergan was still going. Proper blast from the last that was.

[KentExile]

8 hours ago, GHR said:

Looking at Wigan's bench, I genuinely had no idea Andy Lonergan was still going. Proper blast from the last that was.

Exactly the kind of experienced keeper we will end up with, was ok once but now isn't far away from needing a Zimmer frame to get off the bench 😉 

Edited July 28 by KentExile

[Lancaster Rover]

On 28/07/2024 at 07:07, KentExile said:

Exactly the kind of experienced keeper we will end up with, was ok once but now isn't far away from needing a Zimmer frame to get off the bench 😉 

Think he’s there as GK coach rather than playing, he has a pretty successful private business coaching young GK’s. 

[Madon]

Does anyone know if you can pay on the day tomorrow? 

Are the new lads able to play? I know the strikers were subject to international clearance 🤔

[arbitro]

9 hours ago, Madon said:

Does anyone know if you can pay on the day tomorrow? 

Are the new lads able to play? I know the strikers were subject to international clearance 🤔

According to this https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2024/july/15/ticket-news--stockport-county-v-rovers/ they aren't but there is a link to Stockport's website to order online.

[Oldgregg86]

Is this game being streamed anywhere ?

[Madon]

I had to ring Stockport direct for tickets tonight. Their number is 0161 266 2700 and they email the tickets across to you. 👍🏻

[roversfan99]

Im guessing that there will be a second game perhaps behind closed doors now we are at the end of pre season as the players now need 90 minutes.

Maybe the first team/players with the most fitness will play v Stockport, but that would only include maybe one of the new strikers. Just a guess. Batth, McFadzean, probably Ohashi and perhaps Weimann may not make that team. With the usual suspects, Hyam, Pears, Pickering, Brittain, Carter, Tronstad, JRC, Travis and Dolan and maybe Hedges playing tonight along with perhaps Gueye.

[Herbie6590]

Some nonsense from me in the LT should you fancy…

 

[ROVER_N_OUT1978]

Excellent article Ian

[simongarnerisgod]

big mak starts,yoshi on the bench

[KentExile]

Will be interesting to se the makeup of the 3 behind Gueye, Would guess at Hedges right, JRC central and Dolan left, although all 3 could play in any of those 3 positions

Hardly matters, but strange that Eastham has suddenly appeared on the bench having not featured at all in pre season and not being taken to Austria

Edited August 2 by KentExile