Glenn Middleton Signed

[ElHijoDelVikingo]

Looking at the dundee forums they’re sad to see him go but not too sad. The vibe seems to be that he is incredible on his day but is inconsistent. Looking at his stats he’s not a prolific goalscorer, more of a Gibson than a Moly.

Looking forward to GM getting the best out of him.

Here’s his goal in the conference league which gave them a 1-0 win over Alkmaar (before losing 7-0 in the other leg lol)

https://x.com/dufcway/status/1929939431168868705

[mushRTID]

I wonder if this will put an end to the signing 'Haks' rumour, thoughts ??

I’d still sign him if budget allowed.

Imagine Haks, Middleton, Gibson, Moly.

I can’t see Hurst getting a look in anyway.

[Draytonian III]

Right a totally random observation about Glenn Middleton, he looks a lot like Danny Miller the actor from Emmerdale, “ there’s only two Aaron Dingles”

[ncRover]

I wonder if this will put an end to the signing 'Haks' rumour, thoughts ??

I’d still sign him if budget allowed.

Imagine Haks, Middleton, Gibson, Moly.

I can’t see Hurst getting a look in anyway.

Yes if Middleton isn’t the most consistent as Dundee fans say, and we know Gibson isn't always  either then Hurst can’t be relied upon as an option.

He needs to prove himself at League 2 standard with a loan before League One.

[MachoMadness]

I wonder if this will put an end to the signing 'Haks' rumour, thoughts ??

If the current trend is anything to go by, we'll probably sign him in about 4-5 years.

[In the box]

  Last season proved that we need two players for each position, the substitute bench just as important as the starters, because of the pace we try to play our own game at, and injuries that came at an important time of last season, and the ones that came in did the business and got us over the line by improving the defence as a unit less likely to give goals away.
  The teams that did well against us were the teams that didn't let us play at a high tempo and upset our game plan.
  The last ten games on paper were our hardest games in the run in, with games against quite a few teams around us at the top of the league where the points difference was tight and a lot of jousting for final positions.
  That suited our game as they also had to play for the most part an expansive game and commit to going forward and stretching the play.
  Our strength in depth and being able to put fresh legs on  in the last half hour of the game was a big reason for our end of season success as rarely could the other side match our pace and covering of the ground at that stage of the game, and players like Sbarra with his direct running and energy in that period was important, Senior another who provided energy at times.
   The odd team we struggled with like Wimbledon used the tactical foul and stop start tactic with the keeper and set pieces, we played the squad game better than other teams who in most cases when they put multiple substitutes on didn't have the same class of player in numbers and their standards dropped from their opening team selections, whereas we in most games got a shot in the arm especially energy wise. and little change in the calibre of player on the pitch.
  Being at a higher standard this coming season therefore means we have to try and get players for positions we are short in, central defence, keeper, striker and they must be as good or better than we have and capable of being starters all over the pitch as we are at a better level and will be in trouble with any drop in standards.
  Some of the fans favourites from last season might have to come to terms with an alteration in the pecking order as the players signed will hopefully not be coming here to make the numbers up and such as Flint could well come into the managers thoughts.

We have trusted in McCann to find what we need and so far he’s putting the pegs in the holes , I still can not believe he anticipated having to find a new back four line up . This imo only is his biggest challenge to fill the gaps left by Anderson and Olowu . L1 is more competitive and potentially more ruthless as teams likes of Reading , Bolton , Barnsley ,Blackpool and Rotherham will be wanting stamp their intentions on league  from the start . McCann knows where the dangers are and having a sound preseason with all his main players in place is important and getting that 15 plus goals from striker has to be a huge target !

[The Dav]

We can only dream eh ? and add Street into that equation, that would be a wet dream !!

[Reg of the Rovers]

Thinking about the starting 11 that can compete in league 1, there are still some gaps in my opinion:

                    Keeper (Gap)

Sterry   CH (Gap)   McGrath    Maxwell / Senior

Bailey   Gotts    Quality CDM (Gap)

Moly     Striker (Gap)    Gibson / Middleton

I still think we're weak in the middle of the park, Broadbent has come on but I'm not sure he can run the midfield in league 1. Spine of the team still missing.

Sharp, Ironside, Clifton and Broadbent all able understudies, but not start every game in Lg1 players.

Close, Sbarra and Westbrooke need a fresh start / loan elsewhere.

Loads of time left to sort it, but some big positions still left to fill. Wide forwards aren't where we're struggling so I'd love Haks or Wilkes back but not at the cost of a top centre mid, top keeper, top centre half and top top striker!

[NickDRFC]

Looking at the dundee forums they’re sad to see him go but not too sad. The vibe seems to be that he is incredible on his day but is inconsistent. Looking at his stats he’s not a prolific goalscorer, more of a Gibson than a Moly.

Looking forward to GM getting the best out of him.

Here’s his goal in the conference league which gave them a 1-0 win over Alkmaar (before losing 7-0 in the other leg lol)

https://x.com/dufcway/status/1929939431168868705

Looking at his appearances last season he was in and out of the team. That in itself can lead to inconsistency, but equally it may have been he was regularly dropped because he didn’t put together a decent run of form.

Most wingers often turn in inconsistent performances, particularly at our level, so hopefully we just see enough of them to make it a good signing.

[andyst79]

Looking at the dundee forums they’re sad to see him go but not too sad. The vibe seems to be that he is incredible on his day but is inconsistent. Looking at his stats he’s not a prolific goalscorer, more of a Gibson than a Moly.

Looking forward to GM getting the best out of him.

Here’s his goal in the conference league which gave them a 1-0 win over Alkmaar (before losing 7-0 in the other leg lol)

https://x.com/dufcway/status/1929939431168868705

Looking at his appearances last season he was in and out of the team. That in itself can lead to inconsistency, but equally it may have been he was regularly dropped because he didn’t put together a decent run of form.

Most wingers often turn in inconsistent performances, particularly at our level, so hopefully we just see enough of them to make it a good signing.

Even as high as the prem wingers drift in & out of games with poor end product at times .

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Thinking about the starting 11 that can compete in league 1, there are still some gaps in my opinion:

                    Keeper (Gap)

Sterry   CH (Gap)   McGrath    Maxwell / Senior

Bailey   Gotts    Quality CDM (Gap)

Moly     Striker (Gap)    Gibson / Middleton

I still think we're weak in the middle of the park, Broadbent has come on but I'm not sure he can run the midfield in league 1. Spine of the team still missing.

Sharp, Ironside, Clifton and Broadbent all able understudies, but not start every game in Lg1 players.

Close, Sbarra and Westbrooke need a fresh start / loan elsewhere.

Loads of time left to sort it, but some big positions still left to fill. Wide forwards aren't where we're struggling so I'd love Haks or Wilkes back but not at the cost of a top centre mid, top keeper, top centre half and top top striker!

I know hes not everyone's cup of tea bit I think Broadbent has progresses enough in McCanns eyes to take some shifting from that anchor role. I'll be very surprised if he doesn't start that first game.

[Lesonthewest]

Welcome Glenn. Looks like a tricky twinkle toes winger, maybe our new John Buckley! (For the more mature posters).

[Draytonian III]

We had few follow that path,I think John was the last, John Dowie, Billy Russell, Jim Dobbin and my all time favourite player Colin Douglas

[BigKeif]

I wonder if this will put an end to the signing 'Haks' rumour, thoughts ??

I’d still sign him if budget allowed.

Imagine Haks, Middleton, Gibson, Moly.

I can’t see Hurst getting a look in anyway.

For me, I’d rather us go for Markandy over Haks, if we’re going to sign another winger.

[les@donr]

We need the return of Street, and build a team around him.

[Sammy Chung was King]

I agree, the board if they can need to recruit Street, if they can get him at a reasonable price. Middleton will excite a lot of our fans, loves to run at defenders and will be tough to stop being able to use both feet and being fairly quick.

We need a goalkeeper, few central defenders who are fairly experienced but don’t lack in pace, I would say a couple of midfielders centrally and a couple of strikers . Still work to be done on the squad. I would take Street and Crew on loan if we can’t get them permanently.

Looking at how Crew’s profile has risen probably the harder one to get out of the two. I think Lincoln would sell Street if we put in a good offer.we will need a strong midfield in this league, someone who can control the game in there.

[GazLaz]

https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2025/june/03/watch-glenn-middleton-s-first-interview-as-a-rovers-player/

Superb interview. Comes across brilliantly.

[andyst79]

I agree, the board if they can need to recruit Street, if they can get him at a reasonable price. Middleton will excite a lot of our fans, loves to run at defenders and will be tough to stop being able to use both feet and being fairly quick.

We need a goalkeeper, few central defenders who are fairly experienced but don’t lack in pace, I would say a couple of midfielders centrally and a couple of strikers . Still work to be done on the squad. I would take Street and Crew on loan if we can’t get them permanently.

Looking at how Crew’s profile has risen probably the harder one to get out of the two. I think Lincoln would sell Street if we put in a good offer.we will need a strong midfield in this league, someone who can control the game in there.

Lincoln aren't going to loan us Street! I'd be astounded if we've not put a bid in to buy him, but I'd doubt they'd want to sell so it would come down to the player requesting to move. I think we stand a good chance of getting Crew for the season, it's a natural progression into L1 and GM nurtured him well last season which paid dividends for the run in. Leeds will be happy with his development while he was here.

[craigdrfc]

https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2025/june/03/watch-glenn-middleton-s-first-interview-as-a-rovers-player/

Superb interview. Comes across brilliantly.

Any insight on his stats/differentials Gaz?

[Bristol Red Rover]

I think this could be a great signing for our progression. GM goals in the last two seasons. He's not unlike the other GM, Grant, is he? Spooky!

Well worked in from the wing.
https://youtu.be/zNorYZS6o0s?si=xOw7GRvH2W8MY6DU&t=132

Edge of box strike.
https://youtu.be/oUCk829-zFI?si=lwe1TR_p-OCs4hA5&t=131

Swift counter attack, scored from 12 yards.
https://youtu.be/ebmwjwPVKes?si=XZGdZolr-JrqQoNn&t=51

Free kick from 30 yards out, straight in.
https://youtu.be/pvoJMt_dDXs?si=2m3d_YaxtIghaqII&t=50

Chip over keeper.
https://youtu.be/w5PFe_lhIMk?si=I5GOycUeFXEM1dOj&t=211

Start and finish of move from own half. Good positioning.
https://youtu.be/IB2N-zomvEA?si=HcSzsqnJlMqkalXh&t=426
https://youtu.be/B-MHbUwnORM?si=v8LIU_ZIu-7ipHck&t=284

Bit of a scramble.
https://youtu.be/JuvZroCbo18?si=TmzvVlfudYt0pkOQ&t=55

I'll post previous season's goals if anyone's interested.

[i_ateallthepies]

Judging by that lot the standard of goalkeepers in Scotland is pretty poor.

[BobG]

It always has been!

Come back Alan Rough....

BobG