Keeping positive

[Ryaldinhio]

IMO this hasn't been a shocking year as some are laying it out on here. We have signed a lot of young players and had a big change over, and IMO need to do the same again. This would be inline with what TB boss man is saying now on not wasting money and trimming squad. I think when you look at our squad now the average age is dropping sharpish which while it means taking a gamble on a few it also means if it comes off you can grow that squad together for 3,4,5 years or more as a core. I personally think GM is putting the foundations together for something special and we need to stick with him.

Below is my list of keep and release. I haven't bothered with most loan signings because that is inevitable but I have included Nixon because I think he would be a great signing at 20yr old.

Like the fact Louis is a Donny lad but we need a solid keeper and he is No2. As such replace Lawlor.

When you look down the list a lot are actually new and even if you wanna change a few, that is a young squad which for me is great.

I don't get the negativity towards Broadbent I see something there and believe he is worth the time. Not sold on sotona within our 'style' seen too much if him coming backwards, needs to be on last man.

Worth noting whilst we have a few injuries probably on 3-4 back or coming back that would make my cut.

Would see us releasing 11 players either now or end of season and adding 4-5.

Keep:

Gk - Jones - existing (2nd Keeper)

Rb - Sterry - new
Rb - Nixon - loan (sign perm if poss)
Cb - Olowu - existing
Cb - Faulkner - existing
Cb - McGrath - new
Cb /Dcm - Bailey - new
Cb/Lb - Senior - new
Lb - Maxwell - existing

Cm - Broadbent - new
Cm - Close - existing
Cm - Westbrooke - existing/new? (Contract extn)
Lm/Rm - Moly - existing
Cm - Biggins- existing/new?
Lm/Rm - Hurst - existing
Lm/Rm - Sotona - new - release if not going to play to suit him.
Cm - Flint - YT
Cm - Sam S Brown - YT

St - Ironside - new
St - Miller - existing
St - Goodman - YT

Release:
Lawlor
Anderson
Wood
Long
Seaman
Taylor
Rowe
Ravenhill
Degruchy
Kuleya
Lavery

Need:

GK:
Need to sign a proper class No1, too many games are 4 shots on target 3 goals. 2 shots on target 2 goals. Love a donny lad but not good enough.

Defence:
Need to sign Nixon, been a great player and young lad. Be a great signing.
Need atleast 1 solid CB.

Midfield:
Need to sign a CM. That may affect the descision on whim to keep.

Up front:
Need atleast 1 more upfront permanent but a proper signing, another signing on the level of Ironside but different type.

Whats your thoughts?

[Ryaldinhio]

Notably by the way I think we have the bones of a good squad.

Releasing that 11 should see enough funds to cover 4-5 real solid signings that would make some of the retained squad members rather than first teamers. 4-5 in the ilk of Ironside, performed at this level and above.

The wages of the 11 released should cover that??

[Spilsby Red]

Very good summary. Tend to agree with players that should be released. Think we should be pushing our younger players in and around the team to. These young players if nurtured right could be money earners.

[drfcsteve]

I’d agree with that keep and get rid list. Only change would be if we could get rid of Biggins I wouldn’t miss him.

[Draytonian III]

I would swap Rowe for Biggins, we need at least one experienced player, but the rest is fine. Brown and Flint have both signed professional contracts to run after their YT ones

[Spilsby Red]

Biggins to me needs an arm around his shoulder. There is in my view, a good player in there. Thought he was good against MK Dons and some say the same at Harrogate.
Don’t agree with keeping Rowe. Been a great player but not got legs now. Prime example is he gives a lot of fouls away ( as he did against MK). Been a good servant for us twice but we can get better I think

[Chris Black come back]

No organisation in central defence. No pace anywhere whatsoever. Midfield not enough muscle or too often guile.

[Upton Rover]

I wouldn’t keep Jones, we need to rebuild from the back, that includes getting in 2 keepers, no good paying a player that’s not worthy of been a EFL player

[Paul Simpson]

Agree on Jones , he’s had enough time now to step up but unfortunately hasn’t managed it. Broadbent will turn out well in the future imo. Not sure about Olowu? Thought we did well to keep him but he’s had a terrible season so far.

[ncRover]

Biggins to me needs an arm around his shoulder. There is in my view, a good player in there. Thought he was good against MK Dons and some say the same at Harrogate.
Don’t agree with keeping Rowe. Been a great player but not got legs now. Prime example is he gives a lot of fouls away ( as he did against MK). Been a good servant for us twice but we can get better I think

The trimming of the squad will free up SO much money. I’m not sure why the netto lot are complaining when it’s January and we currently have 35 players or something.

There are many better midfielders than Biggins out there available to us. We can’t fall in to the trap of “oh he’s done ok recently actually so might as well keep him”.

The grass is almost definitely greener with all the players coming up to expiry, bar maybe Westbrooke and Molyneux IMO.

I think there’s other players that match Close’s technical ability whilst offering more in the tackle, like Hiram Boateng who’s deal at Mansfield is expiring and he’s not first choice.

Someone like Andrew Dallas from Barnsley or Josh Kelly from Solihull would work well with Ironside as they can play wide in a front 3.

But what do I know?

[Bessie Red]

IMO this hasn't been a shocking year as some are laying it out on here. We have signed a lot of young players and had a big change over, and IMO need to do the same again. This would be inline with what TB boss man is saying now on not wasting money and trimming squad. I think when you look at our squad now the average age is dropping sharpish which while it means taking a gamble on a few it also means if it comes off you can grow that squad together for 3,4,5 years or more as a core. I personally think GM is putting the foundations together for something special and we need to stick with him.

Below is my list of keep and release. I haven't bothered with most loan signings because that is inevitable but I have included Nixon because I think he would be a great signing at 20yr old.

Like the fact Louis is a Donny lad but we need a solid keeper and he is No2. As such replace Lawlor.

When you look down the list a lot are actually new and even if you wanna change a few, that is a young squad which for me is great.

I don't get the negativity towards Broadbent I see something there and believe he is worth the time. Not sold on sotona within our 'style' seen too much if him coming backwards, needs to be on last man.

Worth noting whilst we have a few injuries probably on 3-4 back or coming back that would make my cut.

Would see us releasing 11 players either now or end of season and adding 4-5.

Keep:

Gk - Jones - existing (2nd Keeper)

Rb - Sterry - new
Rb - Nixon - loan (sign perm if poss)
Cb - Olowu - existing
Cb - Faulkner - existing
Cb - McGrath - new
Cb /Dcm - Bailey - new
Cb/Lb - Senior - new
Lb - Maxwell - existing

Cm - Broadbent - new
Cm - Close - existing
Cm - Westbrooke - existing/new? (Contract extn)
Lm/Rm - Moly - existing
Cm - Biggins- existing/new?
Lm/Rm - Hurst - existing
Lm/Rm - Sotona - new - release if not going to play to suit him.
Cm - Flint - YT
Cm - Sam S Brown - YT

St - Ironside - new
St - Miller - existing
St - Goodman - YT

Release:
Lawlor
Anderson
Wood
Long
Seaman
Taylor
Rowe
Ravenhill
Degruchy
Kuleya
Lavery

Need:

GK:
Need to sign a proper class No1, too many games are 4 shots on target 3 goals. 2 shots on target 2 goals. Love a donny lad but not good enough.

Defence:
Need to sign Nixon, been a great player and young lad. Be a great signing.
Need atleast 1 solid CB.

Midfield:
Need to sign a CM. That may affect the descision on whim to keep.

Up front:
Need atleast 1 more upfront permanent but a proper signing, another signing on the level of Ironside but different type.

Whats your thoughts?

Biggins has got to go! I was pleased when we signed him because I was impressed by him when he played against us for Fleetwood. However he has not produced enough since being here despite the odd world. His distribution, positioning & aggressiveness is very poor and I'm sure we could get better for the wage he will be getting.

[Sammy Chung was King]

It’s been proven our midfield hasn’t been good enough for some time, or the defence. Because of this the forward line can’t function properly. In goal we haven’t had someone we can rely on for some time. It’s about getting the right players that compliment each other.

[RoversInSpain]

Agree with the opening post.
If we are serious about a top 3 position I wouldn’t be at all concerned to offload Biggins, Close and Olowu ( they’ve all contributed to a pretty low tier 4 league standing, last season and this).
Westbrooke is a difficult one, on a medium / long term injury, not sure he will come back as good or good enough or be laid off even longer. From the outside and not knowing his full condition he seems too much of a risk.

[Campsall rover]

Biggins to me needs an arm around his shoulder. There is in my view, a good player in there. Thought he was good against MK Dons and some say the same at Harrogate.
Don’t agree with keeping Rowe. Been a great player but not got legs now. Prime example is he gives a lot of fouls away ( as he did against MK). Been a good servant for us twice but we can get better I think

Tommy Rowe gives a huge no of fouls Spilsby.  His legs have gone, he can’t play 90 mins anymore. Went totally missing after Harrogate got 2nd goal. 
He is supposed to be our captain and most experienced player ( Woods injured ) but I have seen very little if any leadership from him on the pitch.

What we are lacking most of all is a leader in both the dressing room and on the field of play.
Dean Saunders probably had the easiest job he would ever have had at Rovers because he had Rob Jones.
Now I know there are not many RJ’s out there but by heck we need one in this team.
I think if we had a fit Richard Wood who that had played in the 26 league games this season then we would be much higher in the table than we are.
Obviously total speculation but I think we would be around that 7th place spot right now with Wood.

[Goole Rover]

I agree Campsall there does seem to be a lack of verbal communication. I only played in the Doncaster senior league but we were talking, advising all the game and after if you didn’t perform.

[roversdude]

Agree with that CR

[NickDRFC]

Biggins to me needs an arm around his shoulder. There is in my view, a good player in there. Thought he was good against MK Dons and some say the same at Harrogate.
Don’t agree with keeping Rowe. Been a great player but not got legs now. Prime example is he gives a lot of fouls away ( as he did against MK). Been a good servant for us twice but we can get better I think

Tommy Rowe gives a huge no of fouls Spilsby.  His legs have gone, he can’t play 90 mins anymore. Went totally missing after Harrogate got 2nd goal. 
He is supposed to be our captain and most experienced player ( Woods injured ) but I have seen very little if any leadership from him on the pitch.

What we are lacking most of all is a leader in both the dressing room and on the field of play.
Dean Saunders probably had the easiest job he would ever have had at Rovers because he had Rob Jones.
Now I know there are not many RJ’s out there but by heck we need one in this team.
I think if we had a fit Richard Wood who that had played in the 26 league games this season then we would be much higher in the table than we are.
Obviously total speculation but I think we would be around that 7th place spot right now with Wood.

Wood started 5 of the first 6 games and we took just 1 point from those games (plus another point when he came on against Mansfield). Agree that we lack leadership, but I've not seen any evidence in the games that he has played that he's the answer.

[edlored]

Add close and biggins

[Sammy Chung was King]

Biggins to me needs an arm around his shoulder. There is in my view, a good player in there. Thought he was good against MK Dons and some say the same at Harrogate.
Don’t agree with keeping Rowe. Been a great player but not got legs now. Prime example is he gives a lot of fouls away ( as he did against MK). Been a good servant for us twice but we can get better I think

Tommy Rowe gives a huge no of fouls Spilsby.  His legs have gone, he can’t play 90 mins anymore. Went totally missing after Harrogate got 2nd goal. 
He is supposed to be our captain and most experienced player ( Woods injured ) but I have seen very little if any leadership from him on the pitch.

What we are lacking most of all is a leader in both the dressing room and on the field of play.
Dean Saunders probably had the easiest job he would ever have had at Rovers because he had Rob Jones.
Now I know there are not many RJ’s out there but by heck we need one in this team.
I think if we had a fit Richard Wood who that had played in the 26 league games this season then we would be much higher in the table than we are.
Obviously total speculation but I think we would be around that 7th place spot right now with Wood.

Saunders did a wise thing, Campsall. When he was bringing players in, he brought people in who could manage the team, on the field for him. As a manager that is a great position to be in, where you can rely on the men on the field to know what is needed. Whether it’s budget restraints or the present manager can’t handle the older players, we don’t have those types in our squad on the whole.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

The OPs not far off and there's a couple who we might not agree on but, as someone else said, once we can clear the decks somewhat, and start seeing a clearer picture, it will free up funds which can be invested in more robust quality.

Let's be honest, negotiations around those we want to lose and those we want to keep, don't always go the way we would like although, we're way past the time to show any sentiment or misplaced loyalty.

We don't know what the environments like at the training ground for the players,  but outwardly, we've got to drop any sense that we're a rest home for ageing old pros and become a place for encouraging development and high performance.

If TB understands this, which I expect he does, then there has to be some flexibility afforded to McCann to see this through.

[Michael Shaw]

Craig Matthew on loan from Spurs until the end of the season. So that's a midfielder added.

https://www.spurs-web.com/spurs-news/report-spurs-youngster-is-heading-to-league-two-side-on-loan/

https://the72.co.uk/2024/01/09/doncaster-rovers-poised-to-land-tottenham-hotspur-midfielder-on-loan/

[moses]

Rowe still has a role for us this season. At Harrogate he had a poor game apparently, but he scored the goal from nothing (everyone else would have passed the ball from where he picked it up) and created our best chance by giving LM an easy finish that he skied.
No new contract but without Rowe we would be a much softer touch.

[drfchound]

How many players did Grant bring in at the start of the season and how many of them don’t appear to have done the business for him?

[DearneValleyRover]

How many players did Grant bring in at the start of the season and how many of them don’t appear to have done the business for him?

Apart from the loans the only players McCann has signed are Lawlor, Broadbent and Ironside the rest were all setup before he arrived

[drfchound]

So Faal, Nixon and Roberts on loans in then.

[dickos1]

Bailey, senior, sotana, Sterry,
I can’t see that all these signings were already done before the end of last season.

[Ryaldinhio]

So Faal, Nixon and Roberts on loans in then.

2 out of 3 loans successful isn't bad going.

Also got Marsh but lost with unfortunate injury which has meant needing to stick with the same up front.

[Ryaldinhio]

As original post lads we had a big turn around in summer and in the next two windows we need the same.

Reading all the above it seems to be
11-12 out
4-6 in

I think whilst they haven't said it publicly this year has been getting the solid foundation of youth in the club to give them time to get rid of the chaff which will make money for a few serious signings in the summer for a promotion push next year.

They could never have said that publicly because:
A- the fans would go mad
B- the players either older or on the fringe their heads would go down
C- saying your aim is to consolidate in l2 and push next year would mean people like Joe I not signing......how pissed off must he be?! Battling week in week out with kids round him whilst out keepers let in 70% of shots on target!!!!

BUT

Stick with GM, make the sweeping changes again and we will have a real solid squad for going again next yr.

This yr has been strange, Wrexham and Notts C coming up with them funds whilst Stockport Gillingham etc were spending.

Next season won't be the same. 3 of them 4 gone. Chesterfield/Barnet coming up??? Won't do that. Maybe Reading if they come down and 1 of the above who don't make it.

League 2 is a strong league IMO. Think it was Neil Warnock on talk sport beginning of season saying league two is the only league you can lose 11 games and win the league with a game to spare, and he wasn't taking piss he was saying how competitive and open it is top to bottom.

[DearneValleyRover]

Bailey, senior, sotana, Sterry,
I can’t see that all these signings were already done before the end of last season.

I’d forgotten about Sotona, the other 3 were sorted before McCann was appointed

[Ryaldinhio]

Just watching the 'meet the owners' vid.

Didn't realise Biggins was 28, always assumed he was a young un, 20/21, with development taken into account I wouldn't have ditched him. Player to develop

Now I have been informed of his age at 28, which means 29-30 on the way he would 1000% be on my release list.