So, assuming that's our transfer business concluded.......

[RobTheRover]

... what's your starting XI for the first game if the season?

Roll the dice.

[Arsenal Of The North]

TLT

Sterry
McGrath
Grehen
Maxwell

Bailey
Gotts
Broadbent


Demola
Hanlan
Molly

[RobTheRover]

TLT

Sterry
McGrath
Grehen
Maxwell

Bailey
Gotts
Broadbent


Demola
Hanlan
Molly

No Middleton or Pearson? Interesting.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Crikey. Not sure what would be our best starting XI but I'm pencilling in a Second XI which doesn't look too shabby.

Obvs a couple of players who's future is questionable in Close, Westbrooke & Hurst but it will be interesting to see how McCann splits the squad for the friendlies.

I'd love to see a game between the Probables v Possibles.

[GazLaz]

TLT

Sterry
McGrath
Grehen
Maxwell

Bailey
Gotts
Broadbent


Demola
Hanlan
Molly

No Middleton or Pearson? Interesting.

Pearson will start. So will Gibson I think. I’d like to see some creativity in midfield. That’s where we will struggle looking at the squad.

[Jonathan]

I hope our business isn’t done. Whilst we’ve certainly made some encouraging additions, there are some obvious areas that still don’t compare well to what we finished last season with:

We still haven’t addressed the issues in midfield that in the last two seasons it’s taken the January loans of Craig and Crew to resolve. Without a player that can take the ball and control the game in there we are noticeably weaker.

Upfront we are weaker than the squad that finished last season. I don’t think we’ve come close to replacing what Street offered.

[jmt23]

TLT in goal.

Sterry RB

Given Pearsons higher level experience and the fact we’ve paid a fee for Grehen I assume those to be the first choice CB pairing.

LB I’m not convinced on what we have for both quality or injuries they pick up readily.

Mid - Bailey, Gotts, Broadbent

RW - Molly

LW - Middleton

St - Hanlan

We have lots of options for the bench to rotate as needed. Looking stronger than we were, is it enough?
I can only go on loans we have received from Lincoln - who were not wanted in their set up, this could be a bigger quality jump than we thought.  Or do Lincoln have an embarrassment of riches that they have zero idea what to do with them?

[KingKendrick]

I thought the same with the midfield creativity but Ajayi said in his interview that he can also play midfield with that I assume he means as the 10. Could also then get Middleton out wide with that. Either way some good options and plenty competition to keep players on their toes.

[Drover]

Too early for me to pick my favourite team,A few players I've seen little of,just pleased we got what looks like our business fully done before training starts.

[Nudga]

TLT

Sterry
Pearson
McGrath
Maxwell

Bailey
Westbrooke

Molyneaux
Gotts
Middleton

Hanlan

[andyst79]

TLT

Sterry
McGrath
Grehen
Maxwell

Bailey
Gotts
Broadbent


Demola
Hanlan
Molly

No Middleton or Pearson? Interesting.

Pearson will start. So will Gibson I think. I’d like to see some creativity in midfield. That’s where we will struggle looking at the squad.

I'm hoping Crew comes in on a season long loan, I should imagine there could be a late addition or 2 if we shift a few players on

[DearneValleyRover]

I would expect some of the squad will be on their way out and I don’t mean the youth players. I agree with Gaz, we need some creative spark in Midfield and another Striker at the bare minimum.

[Ryaldinhio]

We aren't done.

When has Grant ever taken only 2 loans?

Can see a striker coming in on loan, a CM and possibly another CB. All three probably depending on outgoings in all three positions.

[KingKendrick]

We aren't done.

When has Grant ever taken only 2 loans?

Can see a striker coming in on loan, a CM and possibly another CB. All three probably depending on outgoings in all three positions.

Hanlan/Ironside/sharp/Ajayi can all play up front. Highly doubt another striker will join this window. Only movement possible is Ironside but I can’t see him leaving.

[Alan Southstand]

GM has already said there is another centre back who we’ll have to wait for. If we get him, that only leaves room for 2 more loans - Crew & Mellon?

[GazLaz]

Wonder what the plan is with Westbrook and Close.

[Chris Black come back]

TLT

Sterry
McGrath
Grehen
Maxwell

Bailey
Gotts
Broadbent


Demola
Hanlan
Molly

No Middleton or Pearson? Interesting.

Pearson will start. So will Gibson I think. I’d like to see some creativity in midfield. That’s where we will struggle looking at the squad.

Pearson if fit is so obviously starting. Will be best defender out of that group by far. Was playing in Championship a year ago. He starts.

[Chris Black come back]

We aren't done.

When has Grant ever taken only 2 loans?

Can see a striker coming in on loan, a CM and possibly another CB. All three probably depending on outgoings in all three positions.

Think further loanees are dependent on departures. Otherwise they aren’t going to get in the squad and it’s a waste. Close and Westbrooke unlikely to both be here at start of season.

[Rovers91]

TLT

Sterry
McGrath
Grehen
Maxwell

Bailey
Gotts
Broadbent


Demola
Hanlan
Molly

No Middleton or Pearson? Interesting.

Pearson will start. So will Gibson I think. I’d like to see some creativity in midfield. That’s where we will struggle looking at the squad.

I'm hoping Crew comes in on a season long loan, I should imagine there could be a late addition or 2 if we shift a few players on

We definitely aren't finished yet probably another this week but I still expect 1 or 2 more to come in as well as we start to move some out.
I would like Crew back but Stockport wanted him in January as well, I could see him going there on loan this summer.
Definitely some creativity short as Sbarra and Clifton will not be good enough for league 1 and I would move Ironside out for another striker in.

[Chris Black come back]

Probably more like:

TLT

Sterry
Pearson
McGrath
Maxwell

Bailey
Gotts
Broadbent

Gibson
Hanlon
Molyneux

[Ryaldinhio]

We aren't done.

When has Grant ever taken only 2 loans?

Can see a striker coming in on loan, a CM and possibly another CB. All three probably depending on outgoings in all three positions.

Hanlan/Ironside/sharp/Ajayi can all play up front. Highly doubt another striker will join this window. Only movement possible is Ironside but I can’t see him leaving.

I reckon Ironside, close, Hurst to move on perms.

Young ones and maybe Sbarra to go out on loan.

Not sure with Westbrook. I think he is good enough but just wierd how he was out of favour back end of season when fit.

[andyst79]

Wonder what the plan is with Westbrook and Close.

I'll personally drive Close anywhere he wants to go myself & to anyone who suggests he'll be better suited to L1 give your head a wobble

[roversdude]

Wonder what the plan is with Westbrook and Close.

And Hurst

[RoversInSpain]

If any players leave I’d be very surprised knowing how much GM loves options in every position.
One exception….
Close needs to go, he just does not have a stomach for football with Doncaster Rovers, never has had never will. Judging that he’s still here and rarely looks particularly stressed, I assume he’s on a good wedge though. Strangest contract extension ever.
Westbrooke, just a squaddie….

[RobTheRover]

I think Westbrooke gets a bad press. I quite like him. He's a grafter and a battler and can pick a pass.  I'd definitely keep him around.

[ncRover]

We need a left back on a short term loan.

Senior is still out injured from last season when he pulled his hamstring.

That leaves just the injury prone Maxwell.

[Jonathan]

I think Westbrooke gets a bad press. I quite like him. He's a grafter and a battler and can pick a pass.  I'd definitely keep him around.

I like Westbrook but McCann doesn’t seem so keen.

[Lifelong supporter]

TLT

Sterry     Pearson     Grehan     Maxwell

Bailey     Gotts

Molyneux     Ajayi     Middleton

Hanlan

[Sammy Chung was King]

We need a left full back, a bit of creativity centrally as well, don’t think we are done yet.
We’ve have a lot of good options in the squad, it isn’t going to be easy to hang onto a starting place this season for anybody. I would expect a few loans going out as well. Nice mix of experience and potential. Happy with the business so far.

[Rovers91]

I think Westbrooke gets a bad press. I quite like him. He's a grafter and a battler and can pick a pass.  I'd definitely keep him around.

I think most fans like him because he's a good footballer but for some reason his face doesn't fit. Last season in midfield we only had him and Crew that had the composure needed in midfield.