KentExile

O'Riordan interview from local press in Doncaster - posted below Connor O'Riordan says no discussions have been had over his immediate future. The centre-half arrived at Doncaster Rovers in the summer on a loan arrangement from Championship side Blackburn Rovers. That agreement is set to run for the entirety of the 2025-26 campaign. However, as Rovers chief Grant McCann has referenced in the past, virtually all season-long loan agreements have January break clauses for either club inserted into them. Given O'Riordan's fine form since arriving in South Yorkshire - only ever-present skipper Owen Bailey has racked up more league minutes - there's been a concern among some Rovers fans that his parent club could potentially recall him. But Blackburn's decision to allow him to feature in the FA Cup last weekend - meaning he's now unable to play for another team in that competition - gave a strong hint at their intentions And when asked by the Free Press if he's had any chats about what happens in the New Year, the 22-year-old says it's just business as usual for him. "No, I've had no conversations about that," said the defender. "I don't really tend to worry about that stuff anyway. I just need to keep my spot in the Doncaster team and that's all I'm thinking about. "Blackburn seem to be really pleased. I speak to the loans manager (Jordan Rhodes) quite a lot and they're happy with me. "He chats to me quite a lot and tries to get to as many games as he can. On a Sunday he'll have watched clips back of my performance and we get feedback. Anything I feel I need help with I can always ask him and he always gives me good support. "There's a few of us (out on loan) at Blackburn and so if any of us is going through stuff we can speak to each other because we're all going through the same experiences." Speaking of experiences, O'Riordan has had plenty since graduating through the famed Crewe academy. He made his debut at 18 - ironically against Doncaster - and has played in all three divisions of the EFL. There was also a short but memorable loan stint up in Scotland at second tier Raith Rovers. He says that that five-month period in Fife laid the foundation for the big-money move that followed to Blackburn. "I honestly think that move was the best thing in my career, going there," he recalled of the half-season stay in the 2022-23 campaign. "At Crewe my whole life was there so to go up to Raith it really brought me out of my shell. I'd always tell any young player, if they get the opportunity to go out on loan and play at a decent level then it's a no-brainer. "For me, it was a life experience too. I was only 18 when I went and it was about five hours from Crewe and I went there by myself so I had to learn how to cook, live by myself, do my bed! "It really made me mature as a person and I really enjoyed my time there and it just helped me kick on in my career because when I went back to Crewe I was ready to go and play in the first team."

because he is a 17 year old kid and no where near ready for the first team

a 10 seems to be his best position, no shortage of teams who play with one If so, he would seem to be behind Cantwell (when fit and until he is sold once they decide that the cannot agree a new contract for him), Morishita & Henriksen in the first team picture at Rovers

They haven't announced the set piece coach yet either, despite him having taken the job at least a week ago

U21s currently playing Leyton Orient in the PL Cup, according to sofascore, it finished 1-1, Joseph with Rovers goal Honor Odugun Eze Davies Pates Strich Ball Dlamini Boggan Powell Joseph Eze went off injured in the first 10 minutes

No worries, Miller can move over to wing back and Carter can step in.... oh never mind, I see the flaw in my thinking

Start this evening for Edmondson - won 3-1 - played the full game On the bench Pratt - lost 1-0 - remained on the bench throughout Pratts loan was extended through until January 3rd

Chris Samba cost us less than £0.5M Did Ryan Nelsen cost a fee? In my head he cost about £25K, but everything on line suggests he was a free

If you mean the Football manager game which I mentioned in another post on this thread they had Travis at £15K/week at Rovers, £25K/week at Derby All basic figures, you could be looking at adding another £5K-£10K/week in appearance fees, etc

That is a middling wage at Birmingham these days, they have a few on more than £30K/week I think the deal for TGH to move to Birmingham permanently (at that wage) was agreed the previous summer as part of his initial loan deal & was an obligation based on them getting promoted last year Edit - apparently the permanent deal was agreed (in advance) in February, and then after their summer recruitment spree they decided he was surplus to requirements

And yet still, certain clubs including our own, keep thinking that they can be the ones who will manage to do this and still manage to tread water

Confirmation from Ismael (if it was needed) that the summer recruitment & pre season was based on Rovers playing a back 4. Which logically would mean that January's recruitment needs at least 1 extra centre back, a right wing back to cover for Alebiosu, and a striker (just in terms of numbers, without even thinking about improving the quality of our playing squad) "I wouldn't say it was my system I wanted to play at the beginning of the season but you have to evolve with your player, with the feeling."

For what it is worth, Football managers head of research for the EFL is a Birmingham fan, and they have TGH on £18K/week, with Rovers paying £10K/week of that

U21s v Man Utd report