That’s if they don’t get injured or disappear in revolving door non-league loans! Then team will limp on in disjointed fashion. Certainly, there is hope for some of these names but from an outside perspective I can’t but help viewing the U21s management as somewhat chaotic if not, at times, shambolic. The injuries are also a huge concern and the recruitment at that level has looked dubious recently, though the recruits are young players that may improve. I would say, the lack of relegation from PL2 can’t have helped the whole set-up, designed to develop players.

Another Holtby? Eustace appeared to have a soft spot for Sigurdsson purely based on his quotes. Was often talking him up.

Harrison Wood and Alex Baker I suppose will be released this year and futures of Mafoumbi and Gilsenan doubtful, Rovers have to be looking to bring in a few forwards at U21s level. I believe too much was asked of Tyjon too early in his physical development (though whether it is linked to his injuries is a medical matter) and the same will happen to Boggan, who may be the next ‘hope’, albeit he is older.

Not having so many players going through revolving doors on loan and back again must make a difference. Makes sense to loan out players to gain experience but not everyone at the same time and preferably longer-term to actually gain meaningful experience.

I’m guessing “gentleman’s agreement” is in place.

Agree, Kargbo looked like a Dolan-type. Eager small runner but link play and judgment dubious. However, it is early and can hope.

LB Ribeiro looks a good addition. Has a Givet look about him in a few ways. But pace will always let us down at the back against good sides.

Selling or, often, letting contracts expire… I do feel we lack quality in what is generally a low quality league. With a bit of investment, a chance to get into the play-offs arises - though the inevitable chasm awaits. Is Jack Barrett our 3rd choice keeper now? If so, that is reflective of the foundations at the moment, as he has been shaky since coming in, as far as I have followed. Our U23s are getting beat by non-league second strings. Individuals getting sent on short-term revolving door loans to non-league to ‘toughen up,’ but not much sign of quality or in some cases, games. But we’ll add value to our loanees so that their clubs can profit financially/on the pitch - see Ayari and Ben Chrisene.

Any chance of converting Beck’s deal to permanent? It seems he’s not rated highly enough to earn a recall when Liverpool are going on all fronts. It would take a fairly big bid but about time we spent having sold the generational talent in Wharton and lost the next big thing in Finneran… There’s dreaming. But really, we should be at least trying, however unlikely.

My impression is that Markanday was impressive and improving at Chesterfield but he wasn’t a class above. His record is 6 goals, 3 assists in 22 appearances it seems.

I think getting Garrett out might at least partly be a financial decision to allow others to come in. Makes no sense to have teenagers Frank Vare and Dunn on the bench in the last game and have him in the stands. I also wonder if Forshaw is going to contribute much more than Garrett could have. But we’ll have to see. If Garrett gets regular games, could turn out a good move for him.

Last Serie B recruit, Ciccio Grabbi? An excuse to remind fans that Rovers spent £6 million or so on a player, back in the early 2000s, who had a history of Ledderhose disease which affects the feet. Not widely reported in English then but you can find reports in Italian online. Translated article: https://www-calciofere-it.translate.goog/2018/12/17/ciccio-grabbi-e-ancora-una-fera-tifosi-rossoverdi-nel-mio-cuore/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp

Not been widely reported in places but the National League sides are putting out near second strings in this competition. I had hoped Joe Boggan might break through into the U23s this campaign. Hopefully, he’ll steer clear of injury and revolving door non-league loans and get a run of games somewhere beyond u18s.

Personally feel that as a leftie, Garrett would offer something more than Hedges on that side. Though, admittedly, scraping the barrel.

16 year-old, Rory Finneran, recently made his U21 debut for Newcastle. He’s been in their U18s, now promoted as a space becomes available. One would hope Rovers received fair compensation given his potential.