Meet the owners

[Bailey Vickerage]

On Broadbent, don’t think McCann meant the comparison between him and Whiteman as a player, think it’s more what kind of fee Broadbent could bring us in the future.

We’re yet to see what he can do as his season has been very stop start due to being in and out of the team and then when he started to get into a bit of form he got injured, it’s also his first season in the EFL so needs to be given time. McCann wouldn’t have paid a fee for him if he didn’t have potential to be a sellable asset for us. 

[PDX_Rover]

- We have the 7th largest attendances in the league (despite watching losing football for 3 years straight by the way).

- Club Doncaster adds significant extra funds to the budget that wouldn't otherwise be available.

- Bramall invests significant extra funds to the playing budget.

How can all these things be true while only being able to say we have a top half budget? It doesn't add up.

Last seasons budget was 14th if I remember correctly, so not sure how Bramall's significant funds have only slightly moved us up the pecking order.

I don't trust them 1 bit, the clubs a shambles and we'll be non league soon

Bell

[roversdude]

Anyone remember the abuse Whiteman got on here before he was deployed differently. Grant was the making of him

[roversdude]

All to follow on YouTube. I didn’t stay until end but highlights for me
- Grant hasn’t given up on play offs
- another poss loan tomorrow (midfielder as missing Zain) and would like another striker
- 8 players out of contract in summer and club has option on a couple more- no numbers given but implied a few would be released
- Terry is really positive- he took on chairman role because he can now dedicate the time needed.  He is not looking for a fellow investor, he wants to get performance on the pitch sorted and then the club will be much more attractive when it comes time to sell
- think current budget is top half of League 2
- biggest reason for our demise? Gavin said player budget- now recognise that sustainability has to be balanced with performance on pitch

He went a bit further than saying possible signing, actually signing a calm midfielder tomorrow.

We have experienced players but need more pace and legs

Did he clarify a loan or can we hold out any hope for permanent?

Never actually said loan just a signing

[Spilsby Red]

If some people aren’t happy with everything at the club go away and support someone else. Before anyone asks, I am a little disappointed where we are in the league at the moment. GM will turn it around. As for TB, if it wasn’t for him we would probably not have a club.
As I have said in another post, we have no Devine right to be beating any club.

Don’t like what’s happening then jog on

[Bills view]

Like others have said it is the budget talk that concerns me and the spin said over the last few years. I always had the impression that it was competitive enough for a promotion push.

The new language makes you mistrust what was said previously and now.

It's like politicians spiel.

Honesty please.

[Spilsby Red]

A good budget doesn’t guarantee promotion or play offs. They have said it was mismanaged. That’s being honest hence why past few managers have been sacked after being given a chance. Unfortunately we have players under contract at the moment.
As frustrating as it is with some games that players have not tried there are games some have. I believe GM will get the ones out he wants out but it might not be till the summer.

[Filo]

Like others have said it is the budget talk that concerns me and the spin said over the last few years. I always had the impression that it was competitive enough for a promotion push.

The new language makes you mistrust what was said previously and now.

It's like politicians spiel.

Honesty please.

The problem is that if they said it was a competitive budget there would be people still having a moan that they aren’t being told the truth. Then when they say the budget was the problem the same people then say they don’t trust them and still moan, the club just can’t win with some people

[Spilsby Red]

I agree. People want to slam the club for whatever reason.
We play now, not in the past. If mistakes have been made then so be it. No one is perfect. The now and the future is what matters

[Metalmicky]

Austerity

Not sure we can lump this on the Tories....? 

[Chris Black come back]

It’s a genuinely serious question. We have seen the damage done by the recruitment team when they had no cash, imagine if the cheque book is properly opened. Like Saudi on Don. Big wages for the mad, bad and over the hill.

[Upton Rover]

Regardless of what budget we have, it still doesn’t help when we’ve made some shocking signings over the past 3 seasons, including some from GM, it’s also doesn’t help in attracting the attention of good loan and permanent transfers, with our woeful performances over the past 3 seasons.

[Metalmicky]

All to follow on YouTube. I didn’t stay until end but highlights for me
- Grant hasn’t given up on play offs
- another poss loan tomorrow (midfielder as missing Zain) and would like another striker
- 8 players out of contract in summer and club has option on a couple more- no numbers given but implied a few would be released
- Terry is really positive- he took on chairman role because he can now dedicate the time needed.  He is not looking for a fellow investor, he wants to get performance on the pitch sorted and then the club will be much more attractive when it comes time to sell
- think current budget is top half of League 2
- biggest reason for our demise? Gavin said player budget- now recognise that sustainability has to be balanced with performance on pitch

He went a bit further than saying possible signing, actually signing a calm midfielder tomorrow.

We have experienced players but need more pace and legs

Did he clarify a loan or can we hold out any hope for permanent?

Matthew Craig on loan from Spurs apparently.

Another inexperienced and untested kid on loan ?
Hardly screams ambition or long term planning.

Lad signed an extension at Spurs in July......until 2026 - so I imagine the people at Tottenham rate him.  Can feature as a defensive midfielder, or at centre-back or full-back if required.

https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/spurs/transfer-talk/news/tottenham-announce-new-contracts-for-nile-john-matthew-craig_517466.html

https://www.footballfancast.com/spurs-craig-hojbjerg-postecoglou-premier-league-academy-youth/

[jmt23]

People should always, ALWAYS! Take what is said by owners, managers and players with a huge pinch of salt. It is always spin. This is not just football either, but any business talk.

There is usually enough information to find some truths in the words though.

[andyst79]

Regardless of what budget we have, it still doesn’t help when we’ve made some shocking signings over the past 3 seasons, including some from GM, it’s also doesn’t help in attracting the attention of good loan and permanent transfers, with our woeful performances over the past 3 seasons.

Exactly, irrespective of the amount it still needs to be used wisely. Wellens was quick to spunk the majority of his on his first few signings for example. Got to work smarter in our recruitment I appreciate the Premier leagues a different kettle of fish but look at Chelsea & Man U chucking good money after bad and then compare that with Brighton's model they're light years ahead.

[TonySoprano]

Like others have said it is the budget talk that concerns me and the spin said over the last few years. I always had the impression that it was competitive enough for a promotion push.

The new language makes you mistrust what was said previously and now.

It's like politicians spiel.

Honesty please.

Exactly, I trust them less now than ever.

The club has been ran shambolically for years, without any accountability.
It's like previous lessons haven't been learnt, and the clubs sleepwalking into non league.
Then you get the usual sycophants/ shills on here insulting or banning anyone who dares to question how the clubs been ran.

[Spilsby Red]

TS. You really should go and support someone else if that’s how you always feel about the club

[TonySoprano]

TS. You really should go and support someone else if that’s how you always feel about the club

Re read my modified post

[mushRTID]

If some people aren’t happy with everything at the club go away and support someone else. Before anyone asks, I am a little disappointed where we are in the league at the moment. GM will turn it around. As for TB, if it wasn’t for him we would probably not have a club.
As I have said in another post, we have no Devine right to be beating any club.

Don’t like what’s happening then jog on

The old “go and support somebody else” jibe. Incredible that people have concerns given our decline/current position isn’t it.

[Spilsby Red]

Past is the past. You would pick bones out of a potato
Yes mushRTID. it’s the same people spouting crap. Always putting the club/team down in every way. If people are that disgruntled and unhappy then don’t support the club. They put no positive or constructive posts down. So I stand with what I said.  Jog on and support someone else

[Campsall rover]

Past is the past. You would pick bones out of a potato
Yes mushRTID. it’s the same people spouting crap. Always putting the club/team down in every way. If people are that disgruntled and unhappy then don’t support the club. They put no positive or constructive posts down. So I stand with what I said.  Jog on and support someone else

I agree with what you say Spilsby but only up to a point though.
Yes we have some who only post negativity but it would be wrong if we as supporters didn’t question the way the club has been run over the last few years given where we are placed in league 2 right now.

The problem was Blunt that’s plainly obvious. He has imposed massive austerity on the finances and has not been open and honest with the fans about our budget.
TB has opened his eyes thanks to John Ryan talking to him about his legacy and has now decided and able  to give his time to addressing the the current situation the club finds itself in on the field of play.

We have an excellent manager with a winning mentality someone with a track record of success and a League 1 title on his CV.
If TB gives him a top 5/7 budget for next season then I believe GM has the nous to put a team together to finish top 3
Very pleased to hear his preferred system is 4-3-3 or 4-3-1-2
He only played 3-5-2 because of the injuries to our full backs Sterry, Senior, Maxwell & Nixon who have all been out for varying time spans.

Onwards and upwards we go. I think now TB has taken the helm we will see serious progress.
Patience is required as the current squad is not the finished article that will achieve promotion.
Next summer will be massive on the recruitment front.

The big worry I have is the succession to TB. He is 81 and will not be around forever.
Whichever league we are in who is going to want to take the club over? Is there someone out there who is a genuine fan of the club with some serious money. Someone really genuine?

[pib]

Past is the past. You would pick bones out of a potato
Yes mushRTID. it’s the same people spouting crap. Always putting the club/team down in every way. If people are that disgruntled and unhappy then don’t support the club. They put no positive or constructive posts down. So I stand with what I said.  Jog on and support someone else

Yes, fewer supporters. Exactly what we need.

[Jonathan]

It absolutely NOT the role of the VSC, the Supporters Club or any other fan or fans group to act as the comms and reporting link from this event.

It’s quite clear that the Free Press has had its budget / resources cut to the extent that it can almost no longer report on the football club.


The apparent apathy towards filling that void (professionally) elsewhere within the club is quite amazing for a club that clearly does work hard on fan engagement. I’m assuming perhaps Liam Hoden (who I do normally rate) could be unwell or temporarily absent, which is fine, but where’s the cover for such an important event?

[Bailey Vickerage]

It absolutely NOT the role of the VSC, the Supporters Club or any other fan or fans group to act as the comms and reporting link from this event.

It’s quite clear that the Free Press has had its budget / resources cut to the extent that it can almost no longer report on the football club.


The apparent apathy towards filling that void (professionally) elsewhere within the club is quite amazing for a club that clearly does work hard on fan engagement. I’m assuming perhaps Liam Hoden (who I do normally rate) could be unwell or temporarily absent, which is fine, but where’s the cover for such an important event?

Liam Hoden was at the event yesterday and the full event will be posted on YouTube in the next couple of days.

The free press havent posted about the club since Steve Jones left. 

[Draytonian III]

I’m starting to think Mr Soprano might not be a Rovers supporter just a troll, he might know a lot about football and Rovers, but that’s just my opinion

[Spilsby Red]

I agree Campsall. There has been issues but the constant berating of TB and the club without back up is not needed. I agree to disagreements with being constructive which I have happily in the past, read listened and voiced my opinion in a disrespectful way (once I didn’t and was told by a reader) to which I realised I was wrong and apologised.
It is only a few, I know that.
I agree with your post. Blunt seemed to be a big issue. Thankfully TB has been proactive and in the manager we have someone who wants to win and doesn’t gloss over if it’s been rubbish.
He has to have time to make things right and to get players out he doesn’t want, for one reason or another.
We have to be thankful for JR, TB and others after that certain chairman in the 1990’s. We were so close to not having a club to support.
Rome was built in a day.

[roversdude]

Im guessing the DFP will either pick through this thread or wait until the video is out and report breaking news from that

[roversdude]

Felt slightly embarrassed when the guy asked last night why we aren’t signing players such as Sully and Stock

[steve@dcfd]

The spokesman for the club said that all the meeting will be on YouTube in the next couple of days. So giving X updates was not on the agenda.
It was a good meeting and well attended.
Grant explained his thinking when it comes to getting in players. Money is available to a certain level but people who think we can go out and get players paying either a transfer fee and wages that is top of league two or into league one need to think again.
It was said by Gavin when questioned that the problem over the last 2 seasons has been lack of Resources trying to be sustainable. We now have a slightly different attitude but our budget is top half of the table.
Unfortunately this season injuries have continued and we are paying wages of players who have not been available plus extra medical costs.
The new head of medical and physio therapy is now looking at this and we should see improvement 6 month down the line.
Let’s hope we see more consistent approach on the field to improve our position in the league. Grant bringing in young players who can get round the pitch to add to the experience players we already have we all hope that works but have reservations.

[McCammon egg n chips]

Felt slightly embarrassed when the guy asked last night why we aren’t signing players such as Sully and Stock

Doesn't this say more about you than whoever asked the question?

When Stock signed he was a decent League 1 player, very well known to the manager. As for Sullivan, it doesn't really need saying but he was also from a fellow League 1 team - and had a very high calibre having had a decent Premier League career.

Where are the proven signings this time? Joe Ironside.. any others? We're a team of unproven lower league and non-league players. With two more youngsters recently added.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out the quickest way out of League Two is to assemble a team of experienced League One/Two physical grafters with a few promising youngsters. But then the 14th best budget in the League will rarely stretch to that...

I keep reading that this is a tough league etc etc. It's really not. It's a crap league with crap direct physical football. I haven't been impressed with one League Two side we've played against since we dropped down. How we still can't compete after nearly 18 months at this level is laughable.