January Transfer window

[Emerald Isle Rover]

6 minutes ago, bluebruce said:

None of the indications are that we avoided it. We won't know of course, but all the press talk had us very interested, but that the player chose Sunderland. The fact a team in 4th place and 13 points ahead of us took him on despite knowing about his back, suggests he won't be out long.

3/4 weeks 

doak 2 months 

sunderland fans not happy said this is the 3rd player signed on loan whilst injured 

we wouldn’t have known about the injury it was picked up on the medical so a stroke of luck for us for a change 

[RevidgeBlue]

Bottom of barrel well and truly scraped with a succession of characters either not prolific or not match fit or both.

Cant believe that many are trying to defend the recruitment team. And as we were clearly plumbing the depths for the dregs despite lofty talk of Schlupp/ Bamford/ Danns/BBD etc  - why did we have to wait until the 3rd of Feb anyway?

[Paul Mani]

1 hour ago, Dreams of 1995 said:

Look, I know you love being the man to defend "just criticism" but the point is that our recruitment team 'wee with the willy we have'

Over the course of the previous few seasons, almost all of the signings have been met with a large degree of scepticism

I'm done with that. I'm well-versed to the fact we will be signing relatively unknown players, or young talent seeking to develop, or even older players in their twighlight. Because they are the pools we operate in. Am I happy about it? No. But will I constantly look to call those players 'crap' because they don't fit in with the Football Manager generation of 'wonderkids'? Nope.

And in fact, our progression has shown that largely we are getting it right. We have continued to outperform teams around us despite our budget constraints. Gueye - "crap"; Ohashi - "came from a crap league"; Weimann - "crap and old" etc etc etc etc

But despite all of that, this is another season we find ourselves in play off contention. We may not make it - fine. That's the horror of Championship football. But it looks as though this is another season that the hard-working & clearly very diligent recruitment team have taken a shoestring budget and produced a winning team

And so, with all that said and done, it has nothing to do with simply "getting behind the team ffs" and more to do with looking at the recent history and seeing that more often than not, the critique has been wrong, and the recruitment team has been right 

Amen! 🙏🏽

[ben_the_beast]

1 hour ago, wilsdenrover said:

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2025/february/04/emmanuel-eager-to-excite-at-ewood-/

I'd rather he say he was eager to get his head down, work hard and give his all in chasing down a top 6 finish.

It's just an interview and he'll be judged on the pitch, but when someone says they like the banter, doing tricks and having fun, but they don't like the weather it makes me a bit concerned. Especially when said player hasn't played a competitive minute for 9 months. 

[roversfan99]

1 hour ago, Dreams of 1995 said:

Look, I know you love being the man to defend "just criticism" but the point is that our recruitment team 'wee with the willy we have'

Over the course of the previous few seasons, almost all of the signings have been met with a large degree of scepticism

I'm done with that. I'm well-versed to the fact we will be signing relatively unknown players, or young talent seeking to develop, or even older players in their twighlight. Because they are the pools we operate in. Am I happy about it? No. But will I constantly look to call those players 'crap' because they don't fit in with the Football Manager generation of 'wonderkids'? Nope.

And in fact, our progression has shown that largely we are getting it right. We have continued to outperform teams around us despite our budget constraints. Gueye - "crap"; Ohashi - "came from a crap league"; Weimann - "crap and old" etc etc etc etc

But despite all of that, this is another season we find ourselves in play off contention. We may not make it - fine. That's the horror of Championship football. But it looks as though this is another season that the hard-working & clearly very diligent recruitment team have taken a shoestring budget and produced a winning team

And so, with all that said and done, it has nothing to do with simply "getting behind the team ffs" and more to do with looking at the recent history and seeing that more often than not, the critique has been wrong, and the recruitment team has been right 

You are using exaggerations and misconceptions to paint people into being negative for the sake of it. Some of what you say is beyond paraphrased to the point of being made up.

The response to Weimann signing was quite positive as a squad player who can score a goal which he has been. And Gueye and Ohashi were greeted with quite a lot of intrigue and excitement themselves. They certainly werent written off as crap when they signed. And the football manager wonderkid generation line again is totally baseless.

The primary frustration is with the owners for not giving us the money. Its a seperate argument to question whether we have got the best out of our tiny budget, but ultimately the question is, have we got enough to get into the play offs.

If we do manage to make the play offs, our biggest hope lies in Eustace who does seem capable of getting a team to outperform its individual ability as you say.

We have never made the play offs so the recruitment has never been right before in hitting our target. Down predominantly to the budget rather than the skills of those on the football side.

[Groundhog]

6 minutes ago, ben_the_beast said:

I'd rather he say he was eager to get his head down, work hard and give his all in chasing down a top 6 finish.

It's just an interview and he'll be judged on the pitch, but when someone says they like the banter, doing tricks and having fun, but they don't like the weather it makes me a bit concerned. Especially when said player hasn't played a competitive minute for 9 months. 

To be fair to him he does say in the next line: "I’m really happy and I’m ready to give my all for the club, because I really appreciate being brought here."

Interviews always paraphrase little off-hand comments and take things out of context.

If he bangs in 6-7 goals from now to the end of the season and gets us to the playoffs I'll buy him a nice warm coat. 

After all the chat and talk - and at the very least - we just need an extra 10-15 goals from the team between now and the end of the season. It's such fine margins. Just someone to convert chances more often than not. We're in a slightly better position than we were. 

Edited February 4 by Groundhog

[Emerald Isle Rover]

11 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Bottom of barrel well and truly scraped with a succession of characters either not prolific or not match fit or both.

Cant believe that many are trying to defend the recruitment team. And as we were clearly plumbing the depths for the dregs despite lofty talk of Schlupp/ Bamford/ Danns/BBD etc  - why did we have to wait until the 3rd of Feb anyway?

I certainly wouldn’t have danns and bamford in the ‘lofty’ talk category 

schlupp would have been good but too dear

bbd didn’t want to come back 

I agree in the main regarding our transfer window and nobody should be defended but when breaking players down in isolation compared to this time yesterday it ended better than we thought 

[Ricceh]

I mean if we loaned Danns and found out he was injured for 4 weeks this place would have a meltdown anyway, let's not kid ourselves.

[Paul Mani]

4 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Bottom of barrel well and truly scraped with a succession of characters either not prolific or not match fit or both.

Cant believe that many are trying to defend the recruitment team. And as we were clearly plumbing the depths for the dregs despite lofty talk of Schlupp/ Bamford/ Danns/BBD etc  - why did we have to wait until the 3rd of Feb anyway?

Ffs mate, what part of this don’t you understand?

The recruitment team, have to find the best players they can WITHIN the budget. If possible, leave your I FUCKIN HATE VENKYS hat off for a minute (It’s hard, I know) and look at what theyve managed to do with the square root of nowt!?

As for the rumours, did any of it come from the club? I mean, it’s likely that we did fancy Danns but where of any note are you hanging your hat on us making a serious play for Schlupp? Bamford? BBD? So in essence you’re judging the new signing against mythical scenarios and then deciding they’re all shit, based on that fantasy!? Crazy.

No one is saying it’s perfect. We’d all like a better budget, we’d all like better players. The blame for that lies squarely on Venkys. But what we are saying is that based on the perceived spending power, the recruitment team have actually managed to improve the squad depth, and dependant on what JE gets out of them, could have significantly improved the quality.

The club is fucked. We’re in managed decline and who knows where it all will end up. But, I’m confident that the team and manager who got us to 5th are now better equipped to at least maintain that form. If they can improve on it, then even better.

Its not ‘happy clapping’ it’s common sense and perspective.

[Exiled_Rover]

5 minutes ago, Ricceh said:

I mean if we loaned Danns and found out he was injured for 4 weeks this place would have a meltdown anyway, let's not kid ourselves.

In the Woodley "backup CF" role we'd be disappointed. In the "leading CF signing of this window" role yeah we'd be very annoyed. 

[bluebruce]

22 minutes ago, Emerald Isle Rover said:

3/4 weeks 

doak 2 months 

sunderland fans not happy said this is the 3rd player signed on loan whilst injured 

we wouldn’t have known about the injury it was picked up on the medical so a stroke of luck for us for a change 

Tbf yeh that's about double what I expected. Bit of a risk unless they're confident in their other options whilst he gets fit. If it were us, I'd maybe have accepted him and Dennis, but with reservations as likely neither is ready to go.

In and of itself, a player out that long brought on loan...you can take that risk start of the season I'd say but there's not a lot of months left now to take a player who is guaranteed to miss at least one of them.

[Emerald Isle Rover]

2 minutes ago, bluebruce said:

Tbf yeh that's about double what I expected. Bit of a risk unless they're confident in their other options whilst he gets fit. If it were us, I'd maybe have accepted him and Dennis, but with reservations as likely neither is ready to go.

In and of itself, a player out that long brought on loan...you can take that risk start of the season I'd say but there's not a lot of months left now to take a player who is guaranteed to miss at least one of them.

That’s the gamble yes I agree been out of the squad for forest so assuming he wasn’t close to being top target or it could have easily been done earlier 

Iv stressed numerous times on this forum this month we missed a trick with the block of fixtures we had I genuinely believe we left 3/4 points out there - al hamadi was my first choice think we should have been all over that 

but I do think Dennis is a signing I can get behind but as you said how long for and is it too late time will tell 

[Dreams of 1995]

15 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

You are using exaggerations and misconceptions to paint people into being negative for the sake of it. Some of what you say is beyond paraphrased to the point of being made up.

The response to Weimann signing was quite positive as a squad player who can score a goal which he has been. And Gueye and Ohashi were greeted with quite a lot of intrigue and excitement themselves. They certainly werent written off as crap when they signed. And the football manager wonderkid generation line again is totally baseless.

The primary frustration is with the owners for not giving us the money. Its a seperate argument to question whether we have got the best out of our tiny budget, but ultimately the question is, have we got enough to get into the play offs.

If we do manage to make the play offs, our biggest hope lies in Eustace who does seem capable of getting a team to outperform its individual ability as you say.

We have never made the play offs so the recruitment has never been right before in hitting our target. Down predominantly to the budget rather than the skills of those on the football side.

No it isn't an exaggeration

Woodrow is "crap"; Gueye is "crap". It's easy to use the forum search function roversfan and tbh we all know it's what is wrote as we read it ourselves

But nevertheless my post wasn't aimed at outing individuals. It's a general overview of what I see. There's been a negative perception of our recruitment over the past 3 / 4 seasons. It is easy to see why - the big names go elsewhere these days. We all wax lyrical about Baggies signing Armstrong, or Boro signing this man, or Hull signing this man

It's quite common to see the words "ambition" used when speaking of other clubs

But here we are, competing and at times bettering those around us whilst spending quite a lot less than them

And for me, that is down to what must be an incredibly productive recruitment team. Or else what is it - luck?

If we do manage to make the play offs then it is a consolidated team effort, driven by a manager who has recognised the way this bunch of players are required to play and has drilled them well. Not one man, not ten men but all involved - even Gueye, who as far back as 4 weeks ago had 1 wooden leg and three left feet in the eyes of some

I am not saying that people are being negative "for the sake of it". People will see a negative for many reasons - some may think we should 'think bigger'. I'd agree with that. For others it may be that they have a general dislike of the player bought; think we need players in other areas; but sometimes people may just be a glass half empty type. The theme remains though - a general negative outlook. I suppose, if you don't consider yourself as a negative poster, then what I wrote has no bearing on you. And if you think I am saying people are being negative simply for the sake of it, then my post is not explained very well.

It is that it has become quite clear that certain fans' expectations are not aligned with the resource we have. You can set yourself up window after window for disappointment, or you can look at it for what it is. That we are continuing to achieve more than the sum of our parts; and that for all of the players that come from crap leagues, with no ambition, or are crap, they continue to perform beyond expectation despite all the obstacles in their way

[SuperBrfc]

The signings are about as good as we could have made (on paper for now) based on what little we had to spend. I expected a lot worse to come in based on the Forshaw signing. However, we have added pace and options upfront using relative buttons. Fair play to Rudy on that front.

It has been a very low bar throughout this ownership, I know, but not long ago the buttons were wasted on the likes of Ennis, Telalovic, Mola, Riordan and Co. The guys that have come in this month are of another level compared to them.

[Emerald Isle Rover]

14 minutes ago, Paul Mani said:

Ffs mate, what part of this don’t you understand?

The recruitment team, have to find the best players they can WITHIN the budget. If possible, leave your I FUCKIN HATE VENKYS hat off for a minute (It’s hard, I know) and look at what theyve managed to do with the square root of nowt!?

As for the rumours, did any of it come from the club? I mean, it’s likely that we did fancy Danns but where of any note are you hanging your hat on us making a serious play for Schlupp? Bamford? BBD? So in essence you’re judging the new signing against mythical scenarios and then deciding they’re all shit, based on that fantasy!? Crazy.

No one is saying it’s perfect. We’d all like a better budget, we’d all like better players. The blame for that lies squarely on Venkys. But what we are saying is that based on the perceived spending power, the recruitment team have actually managed to improve the squad depth, and dependant on what JE gets out of them, could have significantly improved the quality.

The club is fucked. We’re in managed decline and who knows where it all will end up. But, I’m confident that the team and manager who got us to 5th are now better equipped to at least maintain that form. If they can improve on it, then even better.

Its not ‘happy clapping’ it’s common sense and perspective.

Elliot confirmed interest in schlupp, bamford and danns 

said bbd was never on the cards 

theres still a massive issue though Paul. Fans can feel rightly aggrieved or lied to as waggott openly told us that ffp isn’t an issue he said there is money to spend and venkys will support that. All these loans and short term deals would suggest that’s not the case

now Ribiero and Dennis for me could be really really good signings. But as fans we have the right to ask why the last day? Dennis clearly wasn’t their top target so who was and what was the reason for moving on?

my big issue is the timing and I’m sorry not for one second am I having it’s hard as a valid excuse. Plenty other teams got business done well before yesterday so to me that’s not good enough reason 

what’s the plan? I’d love to know like is this the ‘all in make or break’ short term signings for top 6? As come the summer we could be losing around 11 players and likely the manager too

[Emerald Isle Rover]

4 minutes ago, Dreams of 1995 said:

No it isn't an exaggeration

Woodrow is "crap"; Gueye is "crap". It's easy to use the forum search function roversfan and tbh we all know it's what is wrote as we read it ourselves

But nevertheless my post wasn't aimed at outing individuals. It's a general overview of what I see. There's been a negative perception of our recruitment over the past 3 / 4 seasons. It is easy to see why - the big names go elsewhere these days. We all wax lyrical about Baggies signing Armstrong, or Boro signing this man, or Hull signing this man

It's quite common to see the words "ambition" used when speaking of other clubs

But here we are, competing and at times bettering those around us whilst spending quite a lot less than them

And for me, that is down to what must be an incredibly productive recruitment team. Or else what is it - luck?

If we do manage to make the play offs then it is a consolidated team effort, driven by a manager who has recognised the way this bunch of players are required to play and has drilled them well. Not one man, not ten men but all involved - even Gueye, who as far back as 4 weeks ago had 1 wooden leg and three left feet in the eyes of some

I am not saying that people are being negative "for the sake of it". People will see a negative for many reasons - some may think we should 'think bigger'. I'd agree with that. For others it may be that they have a general dislike of the player bought; think we need players in other areas; but sometimes people may just be a glass half empty type. The theme remains though - a general negative outlook. I suppose, if you don't consider yourself as a negative poster, then what I wrote has no bearing on you. And if you think I am saying people are being negative simply for the sake of it, then my post is not explained very well.

It is that it has become quite clear that certain fans' expectations are not aligned with the resource we have. You can set yourself up window after window for disappointment, or you can look at it for what it is. That we are continuing to achieve more than the sum of our parts; and that for all of the players that come from crap leagues, with no ambition, or are crap, they continue to perform beyond expectation despite all the obstacles in their way

I still think ‘ can call it negative / glass half empty’ whatever 

we have been in fantastic position 3 jans running 

we as fans have the right to ask the question of previous failings and lack of investment/ambition who wouldnt question it after what’s gone before?

we have a solid championship team but as shown 1/2 injuries in key positions and our form took a nosedive. So all we ask is for some help and I’m sorry but forshaw isn’t that (don’t care if he was available/cheap) Garrett could have done the same if not better

we got 3 experienced bodies in yesterday which saved an abysmal window let’s be honest it’s no slight on the team or JE but fans have the right to ask the question of what do venkys what out of us 

[islander200]

28 minutes ago, Paul Mani said:

Ffs mate, what part of this don’t you understand?

The recruitment team, have to find the best players they can WITHIN the budget. If possible, leave your I FUCKIN HATE VENKYS hat off for a minute (It’s hard, I know) and look at what theyve managed to do with the square root of nowt!?

As for the rumours, did any of it come from the club? I mean, it’s likely that we did fancy Danns but where of any note are you hanging your hat on us making a serious play for Schlupp? Bamford? BBD? So in essence you’re judging the new signing against mythical scenarios and then deciding they’re all shit, based on that fantasy!? Crazy.

No one is saying it’s perfect. We’d all like a better budget, we’d all like better players. The blame for that lies squarely on Venkys. But what we are saying is that based on the perceived spending power, the recruitment team have actually managed to improve the squad depth, and dependant on what JE gets out of them, could have significantly improved the quality.

The club is fucked. We’re in managed decline and who knows where it all will end up. But, I’m confident that the team and manager who got us to 5th are now better equipped to at least maintain that form. If they can improve on it, then even better.

Its not ‘happy clapping’ it’s common sense and perspective.

At the end of the day we have signed a 34 year old who couldn't get in a relegation threatened team 

A defender who couldn't get in a league one side 

A left back released by his current club mid season and only contracted here till the summer 

A forward in Woodrow who hasn't had many minutes for a club struggling for results at the bottom end of the table 

And a forward who hasn't played a competitive match in 9 months .

Do you really believe Eustace is happy with that?

Do you really believe supporters should be happy with that?

[islander200]

The window ended better than expected 

But it does show how far the club have fallen under venkys with the amount of posts on Facebook describing the window as excellent

[KentExile]

6 minutes ago, islander200 said:

The window ended better than expected 

But it does show how far the club have fallen under venkys with the amount of posts on Facebook describing the window as excellent

I'm still waiting for us to be fined and/or have points deducted for fielding an ineligible player in a week or two

If that doesn't happen by mid February, then I will agree that the window was better than was expected 😉 

Edited February 4 by KentExile

[RevidgeBlue]

34 minutes ago, Paul Mani said:

Ffs mate, what part of this don’t you understand?

The recruitment team, have to find the best players they can WITHIN the budget. If possible, leave your I FUCKIN HATE VENKYS hat off for a minute (It’s hard, I know) and look at what theyve managed to do with the square root of nowt!?

As for the rumours, did any of it come from the club? I mean, it’s likely that we did fancy Danns but where of any note are you hanging your hat on us making a serious play for Schlupp? Bamford? BBD? So in essence you’re judging the new signing against mythical scenarios and then deciding they’re all shit, based on that fantasy!? Crazy.

No one is saying it’s perfect. We’d all like a better budget, we’d all like better players. The blame for that lies squarely on Venkys. But what we are saying is that based on the perceived spending power, the recruitment team have actually managed to improve the squad depth, and dependant on what JE gets out of them, could have significantly improved the quality.

The club is fucked. We’re in managed decline and who knows where it all will end up. But, I’m confident that the team and manager who got us to 5th are now better equipped to at least maintain that form. If they can improve on it, then even better.

Its not ‘happy clapping’ it’s common sense and perspective.

Well, that's your opinion, I've got mine, hope Im completely wrong, the proof of the pudding will be in the results for the rest of the season.

If you're happy to be in "managed decline" and can just shrug your shoulders and accept it then that's entirely your prerogative.

What's  slightly irritating from my perspective is that earlier in the window you predicted the window would be shit (it was) that there would be no money spent (there wasnt) yet simply on the basis that some bodies have come in you now seem to be happy irrespective of the quality. Dennis has scored seven goals in four years and I dont think he's played this season. Will he be even able to get up to match fitness within a reasonable time frame? And we've supplemented him with a 30 year old with a similar scoring record who's registered 0 goals in 16 appearances this season.

I dont think we're going to need an abacus to keep the score for the rest of the season.

[...]

sounds really keen to be here, potential signing come summer?

 

[jim mk2]

5 minutes ago, ... said:

sounds really keen to be here, potential signing come summer?

 

Of course he is! I bet he can’t believe his luck. My answer to him would be, stick the ball in the net mate and we’ll think about it

[superniko]

28 minutes ago, islander200 said:

At the end of the day we have signed a 34 year old who couldn't get in a relegation threatened team 

A defender who couldn't get in a league one side 

A left back released by his current club mid season and only contracted here till the summer 

A forward in Woodrow who hasn't had many minutes for a club struggling for results at the bottom end of the table 

And a forward who hasn't played a competitive match in 9 months .

Do you really believe Eustace is happy with that?

Do you really believe supporters should be happy with that?

All 5 of those signings will be gone in 16 games time too (how many will we actually get out of Dennis?)

I’d caveat that January isn’t the time for long-term building, but it still looks pretty bleak, especially when you consider Hyam, Brittain, Travis, Trondstad (Dolan, Weimann, Batth and Hedges too) are all out of contract in the next 18 months. 

Edited February 4 by superniko

[lraC]

13 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Well, that's your opinion, I've got mine, hope Im completely wrong, the proof of the pudding will be in the results for the rest of the season.

If you're happy to be in "managed decline" and can just shrug your shoulders and accept it then that's entirely your prerogative.

What's  slightly irritating from my perspective is that earlier in the window you predicted the window would be shit (it was) that there would be no money spent (there wasnt) yet simply on the basis that some bodies have come in you now seem to be happy irrespective of the quality. Dennis has scored seven goals in four years and I dont think he's played this season. Will he be even able to get up to match fitness within a reasonable time frame? And we've supplemented him with a 30 year old with a similar scoring record who's registered 0 goals in 16 appearances this season.

I dont think we're going to need an abacus to keep the score for the rest of the season.

Pretty much nail on head for me that.

[Paul Mani]

15 minutes ago, islander200 said:

At the end of the day we have signed a 34 year old who couldn't get in a relegation threatened team 

A defender who couldn't get in a league one side 

A left back released by his current club mid season and only contracted here till the summer 

A forward in Woodrow who hasn't had many minutes for a club struggling for results at the bottom end of the table 

And a forward who hasn't played a competitive match in 9 months .

Do you really believe Eustace is happy with that?

Do you really believe supporters should be happy with that?

It’s just spin mate. Most players being signed in January are leaving because they’re out of the team, out of favour, out of form. The be  set players are being ‘taken’ from teams but Schlupp, BBD, O’Brien and even Danns are leaving because ultimately they can’t get in their own team, right?

Adam Armstrong - the messiah according to some on here is leaving Southampton because he’s been absolutely crap. He’s also scored less goals than in the Premier League (a much harder league) than our new forward and yet you’ve chosen to focus on Dennis not playing when ultimately there’s not a lot he can do if his parent club have 60 odd players? . Both pov’s are valid, you’re just choosing to focus on the negative. In truth, there’s not much to choose between Dennis and Armstrong, but at a push, removing the romance of a return, I’d say Dennis is a better player.

I don’t know what Eustace is happy with. If he knew we had the square root of fuck all to spend then he might look at the lads we’ve signed and be delighted?! 🤷🏽‍♂️

As a fan, I’m not happy because I think we should’ve invested at least £10m in fees this January. No one is saying we should be happy. But by hook or by crook, it would seem to me that the squad which started and finished January in 5th is now stronger than it was when the transfer window opened. How much stronger will be revealed over the next few weeks, but in the meantime, I’m focusing on what this group can achieve.

As JE’s biggest supporter, from this position, having got to Feb in 5th and added to the squad, if we don’t finish in the top 6, it’s as much on him as anyone else. We’ve got players returning and new enforcements. Get on with it, I say!