Still many questions..

[wing commander]

    I have been a staunch supporter of this board since they came in and have defended them on many occasions while at the same time being a bit of a critic of Dickov...But events since last season finished means I'm now not so sure...
    Every man and dog knew this squad wasn't even close to been big enough to cope by the time we kicked off..And already a few games into the season we are fielding sub benches full of pure kids..So is that down to Dickovs poor management or the boards lack of backing needed to give us a chance of promotion...Dickov has always said he was happy with it but then he would wouldn't he.Managers who have a go at there own board,don't last long..
    So I was hoping that yesterdays transfer window would give me some pointers..There was talk of up to 3 coming in and I was hoping at least one would be a right back on a permanent deal...In the end we got a midfielder to replace Wellens who didn't go anywhere and he now faces a tough month or two trying to convince a sceptical Rovers public that he actually gives a toss...
    So why didn't we do more when we clearly needed it? Was it just that the players we needed weren't available or Dickov didn't want what was??,I doubt it..some very good players in our bracket moved yesterday..Or was it a case of the board just said no..!!! So I'm still none the wiser..Answers on a postcard please...

[Dagenham Rover]

Dickov did say there was another that nearly came off and that he'll be following up when the loan window opens..........................

[boro_rover]

It was exactly the same last season we started with a wafer thin squad. Depending on how far away injured players are, we may be trying to scrape through until we get some back. On paper the squad looks decent and a few additions will leave u not far off. We have a solid midfield and the defence barring a right back is good enough for this level. PD may be waiting on the loan window to try and bring in some more quality. Hopefully we will look to some premier league youngsters who have been doing well in their development squads as opposed to championship reject players should be where we are looking in my opinion.

[wing commander]

    That's true but last season everything was in the air with the takeover going on and on.We had to throw a squad together at the last minute so you can understand it..This season as Dickov said himself was his first chance to plan what he wanted properly..I don't actually agree that this squad is strong...Jones Mr Indestructable now has a neck like my sons toy robot,and I'm not as convinced that the promoted kids have what it takes either at this stage..Williams is a great addition but players who couldn't get a sniff in last years team like Evina are now starting games

[raggytash]

It would help if dickov stopped gambling on players who've not featured for months on end and players who've clearly lost it... I clearly think the board don't give a shit and the facts state that... Lowest league position in years, lowest attendances in years, and the meet the owners night should be very interesting unless all the questions are cherry picked as I suspect they will be

[RoversDave]

After the final whistle Williams was stretching his leg, took his penalty ok. Let's hope it wasn't anything serious.

[boro_rover]

Yes but evo a was signed as a full back and is playing in a more advanced role this season. Once N'guessen is back then I would expect him to be back on the bench. Also the calibre of players albeit most of them are injured are better than what we had last year in my opinion.
I do agree about Dickov playing a dangerous game signing injury prone players. But they do have undoubted quality when fit, and it's fairly evident that the board don't want to pay a fee for good players as it doesn't fit out business model. When the best lower league talent is fetching money into the millions we can't afford to compete. Some clubs such as Peterborough and dare I say it Barnsley look to the lower leagues for promising youngsters and it is a solid idea. It may be a gamble, but is probably the only way that the poorer lower league clubs have of unearthing a gem.

[andy didcott]

The questions won't be cherry picked tomorrow night at meet the owners, it's a free for all, anybody can stand up and ask what they want.

[Filo]

    I have been a staunch supporter of this board since they came in and have defended them on many occasions while at the same time being a bit of a critic of Dickov...But events since last season finished means I'm now not so sure...
    Every man and dog knew this squad wasn't even close to been big enough to cope by the time we kicked off..And already a few games into the season we are fielding sub benches full of pure kids..So is that down to Dickovs poor management or the boards lack of backing needed to give us a chance of promotion...Dickov has always said he was happy with it but then he would wouldn't he.Managers who have a go at there own board,don't last long..
    So I was hoping that yesterdays transfer window would give me some pointers..There was talk of up to 3 coming in and I was hoping at least one would be a right back on a permanent deal...In the end we got a midfielder to replace Wellens who didn't go anywhere and he now faces a tough month or two trying to convince a sceptical Rovers public that he actually gives a toss...
    So why didn't we do more when we clearly needed it? Was it just that the players we needed weren't available or Dickov didn't want what was??,I doubt it..some very good players in our bracket moved yesterday..Or was it a case of the board just said no..!!! So I'm still none the wiser..Answers on a postcard please...

I have to say, I find myself agreeing with that, we as a club appear to be at a crossroads, which way do we turn?

[drfc1951]

If the board said no why did they say yes to the 2 we did bring in.

[wing commander]

If the board said no why did they say yes to the 2 we did bring in.

 We have borrowed a couple that's all,thats no investment in our team for the future....We have no right back STILL which is crazy...And we always have injuries more than most...This squad was too small in various positions with poor cover...Yesterday was the last chance to give us long term balance and a chance and for me they have failed to take it...

[drfc1951]

I noticed that the majority of deals in our league were loan deals, its what happens in the lower leagues.

[Alan Southstand]

The Directors have made their stance clear - its based purely on sustainability. Obviously, that does not equate to having a push for promotion. We are simply not set up for it.

[Bristol Red Rover]

We have borrowed a couple that's all,thats no investment in our team for the future....We have no right back STILL which is crazy...And we always have injuries more than most...This squad was too small in various positions with poor cover...Yesterday was the last chance to give us long term balance and a chance and for me they have failed to take it...

Investment isn't just about buying players - that can be a poor use of funds. There's nothing wrong at all with a good loan deal, loans are always an important part of the picture. We'll have to see how these two work out. I expect there will be more to come.

I wonder who else was available to buy? Was the cost just too high? Money spent on loan deals in a few weeks time might make all the difference and be a far more effective use of funds. Ideally we can get season long loans, or ones that will extend that way.

As for investment in our team's future, the youth side of it shouldn't be ignored. Whilst it's not produced much in the way of impact on the first team's strength I think there has been an improvement on that score over recent years, particularly showing itself this season, and that is a significant
plus in my eyes, albeit one that needs great work on to even stand still.

This squad, if fit, is better than last season. Investment in solving the fitness side of things would be money well spent. Something isn't right in that area. Investment in improved coaching and firing up the players for games is also important.

[dknward2]

The loans that we have and the ones we may have soon if we bought them in jan then that would be investing in the team would it not