Okoronkwo

[Metalmicky]

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster-rovers-francis-okoronkwo-everton-decision-lincoln-city-8667870

[Filo]

I think we need reassurances around his fitness before we go for him

[eastender]

Can we a ford to take a gamble , I'm undecided. Good luck to the lad , but I can't see many clubs wanting to give him more than a one year deal , if that. 

[mushRTID]

Everyone gets injured.

Sign him up, give him a pre season with Dave Rennie and watch him fly.

Really good player, I’m certain we will be in for him.

[Barmby Rover]

I hope that he wants to come to Rovers, so long as his hamstring problems are sorted. I would trust Dave Rennie to know and guide GM on this.

[ncRover]

We’ll sign TLT, Frankie, then one of the Northern Ireland u21 lads that Bayley McCann knows. Then maybe another ex-player.

I jest. I did like Frankie.

[Jersey Rover]

Maybe Frankie’s agent is one of the agents playing hardball over contract discussions McCann mentioned in his interview. He’s defo a risk with his injury record but worth a 2 year deal surely on what we saw whilst he was with us.

[i_ateallthepies]

Frankie looked impressive to me in the short time he played, would like to see him back here to pick up where he left off.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Maybe Frankie’s agent is one of the agents playing hardball over contract discussions McCann mentioned in his interview. He’s defo a risk with his injury record but worth a 2 year deal surely on what we saw whilst he was with us.

I doubt it. I think McCann is talking to other players who are likely to be in demand.

All Frankies loans appear to have been cut short by injury which is a real concern for a young player. So much so, Everton have released him which must be hard for him given his early promise and not being able to complete his loans.

There maybe something medically wrong which is affecting his physical development and why he's not robust enough, it can't be just bad luck.

I don't think we should be gambling on him until McCann has hopefully secured the forwards he wants.

[rover-n-out]

Ditto to all your above comments, I really liked his play in the short time he was with us, I think we could all see he was a classy player, I hope Mr. Rennie gives him a good old m.o.t. and passes him fully fit with no advisories!

[Ian Nimmo]

Unless there is a serious injury risk, then surely we should be interested in taking him on, given the potential that we viewed in the short time he was with us.
I seem to remember that grant said he needed time, and we started with limited game time. Then it soon became obvious that he had such potential to do a job and we were so desperate, his game time quickly increased, therefore did we contribute to his eventual end.
I would be amazed if Dave Rennie doesn’t know what level of risk there is with him, so in one way if it’s very low, we may well have an advantage over any other interested parties.

[graingrover]

I know nothing so listen to everything .I heard Grant  say at the end of last season that Rennie  had suggested to the player that he see a consultant about a hamstring(s) operation  to sort the problems he had been having .A subsequent interview with Grant revealed thst the operation  had been successful .Now that’s all I heard but it does make me think there will be  a sequel for the lad at DRFC . .

[Barmby Rover]

I know nothing so listen to everything .I heard Grant  say at the end of last season that Rennie  had suggested to the player that he see a consultant about a hamstring(s) operation  to sort the problems he had been having .A subsequent interview with Grant revealed thst the operation  had been successful .Now that’s all I heard but it does make me think there will be  a sequel for the lad at DRFC . .

Fingers crossed G, he will be OK, he was looking good when it all fell apart.

[Alan Southstand]

The problem is, even if he’s recovered from his multiple operations, will he be the same player? We need someone who can see a season out, not just a few games.

[Ryaldinhio]

I honestly dont know what people want.

2yrs ago we get Billy sharp, best EFL has seen, his legs have gone no pace......he never had any!

Neil Byrne, helped as part of a team wide improvement last season. People moaning.

Young lad here clearly got potential and from what we saw could make a HUGE impact but agreed risk in terms of injury.....we have the best medical team we have ever had. If we sign him the Dave Rennie has given the thumbs up. If thats the case and he comes good we will have the saleable assett you are all clammering for......but then you will slag the club off when he is sold.

In the handful of games I saw him in it is my genuine opinion he showed a lot more than Rob Street did in his first few games. 1000% we should take a chance on this lad IF dave rennie signs it off as a risk worth taking.

We wont be spending proper money on any one. So we are in the market of old strikers or taking a chance on a young lad released or someone from non-league. About time a lot realised that is who we are and come to terms with it.

[donny dave]

Totally agree

I honestly dont know what people want.

2yrs ago we get Billy sharp, best EFL has seen, his legs have gone no pace......he never had any!

Neil Byrne, helped as part of a team wide improvement last season. People moaning.

Young lad here clearly got potential and from what we saw could make a HUGE impact but agreed risk in terms of injury.....we have the best medical team we have ever had. If we sign him the Dave Rennie has given the thumbs up. If thats the case and he comes good we will have the saleable assett you are all clammering for......but then you will slag the club off when he is sold.

In the handful of games I saw him in it is my genuine opinion he showed a lot more than Rob Street did in his first few games. 1000% we should take a chance on this lad IF dave rennie signs it off as a risk worth taking.

We wont be spending proper money on any one. So we are in the market of old strikers or taking a chance on a young lad released or someone from non-league. About time a lot realised that is who we are and come to terms with it.

[GazLaz]

I honestly dont know what people want.

2yrs ago we get Billy sharp, best EFL has seen, his legs have gone no pace......he never had any!

Neil Byrne, helped as part of a team wide improvement last season. People moaning.

Young lad here clearly got potential and from what we saw could make a HUGE impact but agreed risk in terms of injury.....we have the best medical team we have ever had. If we sign him the Dave Rennie has given the thumbs up. If thats the case and he comes good we will have the saleable assett you are all clammering for......but then you will slag the club off when he is sold.

In the handful of games I saw him in it is my genuine opinion he showed a lot more than Rob Street did in his first few games. 1000% we should take a chance on this lad IF dave rennie signs it off as a risk worth taking.

We wont be spending proper money on any one. So we are in the market of old strikers or taking a chance on a young lad released or someone from non-league. About time a lot realised that is who we are and come to terms with it.

Sharp an interesting one. Last two games aside he was miles off it last season. Cements the point that giving players of that age, however good they have been previously, is a risk. Giving 2 year deals to 30 odd year olds really is a negative value endeavour long term. Byrne calms people down though so that’s ok though I suppose! 

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I honestly dont know what people want.

2yrs ago we get Billy sharp, best EFL has seen, his legs have gone no pace......he never had any!

Neil Byrne, helped as part of a team wide improvement last season. People moaning.

Young lad here clearly got potential and from what we saw could make a HUGE impact but agreed risk in terms of injury.....we have the best medical team we have ever had. If we sign him the Dave Rennie has given the thumbs up. If thats the case and he comes good we will have the saleable assett you are all clammering for......but then you will slag the club off when he is sold.

In the handful of games I saw him in it is my genuine opinion he showed a lot more than Rob Street did in his first few games. 1000% we should take a chance on this lad IF dave rennie signs it off as a risk worth taking.

We wont be spending proper money on any one. So we are in the market of old strikers or taking a chance on a young lad released or someone from non-league. About time a lot realised that is who we are and come to terms with it.

I think it's fairly obvious people don't want to sign a player on a permanent basis,  take an undue risk and be lumbered with an injury prone player.

Whilst he has potential, McCann is looking at other players. If he can secure who he wants, then he might look at Francis by being in a better place to take that risk. He might even invite him to come on trial to give him a chance to prove his fitness.

[Rupee92ONLY]

We had a budget that was mid-table/top half of league 1 season just gone, I don’t know where this constant talk of lack of budget keeps coming from? The budget will have increased as well I imagine with the off field going well and the clubs stated aim to keep building on the pitch.

Forget his injury issues for a minute… we are talking about very very limited minutes that we saw Frankie in so I don’t really understand the comments spoken as fact from fans that he is definitely quality? It’s the exact same as when someone says Byrne is definitely crap and these people are quick to jump on that.

We play 1 up top and so won’t be having 4 or 5 personnel for that position, it will be 3. We already have Hanlan and saw over a full season what he offers. 2 of the 3 really have to be pretty likely to succeed on paper don’t they? We can’t really afford to gamble in this position this summer? That’s how I see it anyway.

[Metalmicky]

Sharp an interesting one. Last two games aside he was miles off it last season. Cements the point that giving players of that age, however good they have been previously, is a risk. Giving 2 year deals to 30 odd year olds really is a negative value endeavour long term. Byrne calms people down though so that’s ok though I suppose! 

You always critique really well GazLaz - be interested to know who you would be interested in signing, given that our budget is limited?

[Ryaldinhio]

I honestly dont know what people want.

2yrs ago we get Billy sharp, best EFL has seen, his legs have gone no pace......he never had any!

Neil Byrne, helped as part of a team wide improvement last season. People moaning.

Young lad here clearly got potential and from what we saw could make a HUGE impact but agreed risk in terms of injury.....we have the best medical team we have ever had. If we sign him the Dave Rennie has given the thumbs up. If thats the case and he comes good we will have the saleable assett you are all clammering for......but then you will slag the club off when he is sold.

In the handful of games I saw him in it is my genuine opinion he showed a lot more than Rob Street did in his first few games. 1000% we should take a chance on this lad IF dave rennie signs it off as a risk worth taking.

We wont be spending proper money on any one. So we are in the market of old strikers or taking a chance on a young lad released or someone from non-league. About time a lot realised that is who we are and come to terms with it.

Sharp an interesting one. Last two games aside he was miles off it last season. Cements the point that giving players of that age, however good they have been previously, is a risk. Giving 2 year deals to 30 odd year olds really is a negative value endeavour long term. Byrne calms people down though so that’s ok though I suppose!

Gaz, I think we signed Billy, he didnt fit McCanns style, we didnt play how he needed apart from two games. I said it from the begining if we played to his strengths he would have been 20goals a year and I still believe that. Never in his career has he been a loan striker getting ball booted up field to him. He had no chance. Styles make fights.

Is someone at 30 odd guna take a 1 yr deal? If we wanted him, which we must have, then maybe 2yr was the compromise?

Is there ANY 30plus yr old that isnt a negative investment? Didnt Lincoln investment 250k of a young striker then loaned him out to L2? Unfortunately we arent in the market of investing and as I keep saying a LOT of this comes down to budget, though I know we arent allowed to say.

[Ryaldinhio]

I honestly dont know what people want.

2yrs ago we get Billy sharp, best EFL has seen, his legs have gone no pace......he never had any!

Neil Byrne, helped as part of a team wide improvement last season. People moaning.

Young lad here clearly got potential and from what we saw could make a HUGE impact but agreed risk in terms of injury.....we have the best medical team we have ever had. If we sign him the Dave Rennie has given the thumbs up. If thats the case and he comes good we will have the saleable assett you are all clammering for......but then you will slag the club off when he is sold.

In the handful of games I saw him in it is my genuine opinion he showed a lot more than Rob Street did in his first few games. 1000% we should take a chance on this lad IF dave rennie signs it off as a risk worth taking.

We wont be spending proper money on any one. So we are in the market of old strikers or taking a chance on a young lad released or someone from non-league. About time a lot realised that is who we are and come to terms with it.

I think it's fairly obvious people don't want to sign a player on a permanent basis,  take an undue risk and be lumbered with an injury prone player.

Whilst he has potential, McCann is looking at other players. If he can secure who he wants, then he might look at Francis by being in a better place to take that risk. He might even invite him to come on trial to give him a chance to prove his fitness.

I agree, I wouldn't want us to take a risk, but we have Dave Rennie and IF we sign him then he has signed it off and I take his nod over anyone on here.

Might look at Frankie? Is McCann looking at others? Who is he looking at? Not seen the reports. That is genuine by the way, not seen any leaks who we are looking at.

[Danmckay456]

I can see why McCann wants a few more older heads , a bit of experience will help us in games you have to dig in or scrap for something. Fans are far too quick to write players off if their name isn’t a name they are aware of or trust Twitter comments from an ex club

[Ryaldinhio]

We had a budget that was mid-table/top half of league 1 season just gone, I don’t know where this constant talk of lack of budget keeps coming from? The budget will have increased as well I imagine with the off field going well and the clubs stated aim to keep building on the pitch.

Forget his injury issues for a minute… we are talking about very very limited minutes that we saw Frankie in so I don’t really understand the comments spoken as fact from fans that he is definitely quality? It’s the exact same as when someone says Byrne is definitely crap and these people are quick to jump on that.

We play 1 up top and so won’t be having 4 or 5 personnel for that position, it will be 3. We already have Hanlan and saw over a full season what he offers. 2 of the 3 really have to be pretty likely to succeed on paper don’t they? We can’t really afford to gamble in this position this summer? That’s how I see it anyway.

I dont understand how people can claim to know what budget we had and where that sits against others. How were we mid to top half? And you say we will have gone further so you think we are we now top half to top? Really???? Just have a think about that.

My opinion on Frankie was in the few games we saw he looked bigger and stronger and gave more than Rob Street in his first few games. So in that glimpse if he is available on a free and we trust our medical team, if they agree I would take him in a heartbeat.

Dave Rennie has kept the injuries to a minimum all season. Also we took a gamble on Bailey, thats worked out pretty well.......admittedly that wasnt a recurring hamstring injury. But as noted above Frankies issue was reported as being operated on succesfully.

[GazLaz]

Sharp an interesting one. Last two games aside he was miles off it last season. Cements the point that giving players of that age, however good they have been previously, is a risk. Giving 2 year deals to 30 odd year olds really is a negative value endeavour long term. Byrne calms people down though so that’s ok though I suppose! 

You always critique really well GazLaz - be interested to know who you would be interested in signing, given that our budget is limited?

I’ve put dozens of players up on here, and other social media platforms, over the years that have ended up being great.

Can’t really do it any more as any players I like I filter to the people I work for.

[dickos1]

I honestly dont know what people want.

2yrs ago we get Billy sharp, best EFL has seen, his legs have gone no pace......he never had any!

Neil Byrne, helped as part of a team wide improvement last season. People moaning.

Young lad here clearly got potential and from what we saw could make a HUGE impact but agreed risk in terms of injury.....we have the best medical team we have ever had. If we sign him the Dave Rennie has given the thumbs up. If thats the case and he comes good we will have the saleable assett you are all clammering for......but then you will slag the club off when he is sold.

In the handful of games I saw him in it is my genuine opinion he showed a lot more than Rob Street did in his first few games. 1000% we should take a chance on this lad IF dave rennie signs it off as a risk worth taking.

We wont be spending proper money on any one. So we are in the market of old strikers or taking a chance on a young lad released or someone from non-league. About time a lot realised that is who we are and come to terms with it.

Sharp an interesting one. Last two games aside he was miles off it last season. Cements the point that giving players of that age, however good they have been previously, is a risk. Giving 2 year deals to 30 odd year olds really is a negative value endeavour long term. Byrne calms people down though so that’s ok though I suppose! 

There’s a massive difference between signing a 38 year old striker and a 33 year old centre half.
Not many strikers play until their late 30s, whereas lots of centre halves play until their mid 30s

[Rupee92ONLY]

We had a budget that was mid-table/top half of league 1 season just gone, I don’t know where this constant talk of lack of budget keeps coming from? The budget will have increased as well I imagine with the off field going well and the clubs stated aim to keep building on the pitch.

Forget his injury issues for a minute… we are talking about very very limited minutes that we saw Frankie in so I don’t really understand the comments spoken as fact from fans that he is definitely quality? It’s the exact same as when someone says Byrne is definitely crap and these people are quick to jump on that.

We play 1 up top and so won’t be having 4 or 5 personnel for that position, it will be 3. We already have Hanlan and saw over a full season what he offers. 2 of the 3 really have to be pretty likely to succeed on paper don’t they? We can’t really afford to gamble in this position this summer? That’s how I see it anyway.

I dont understand how people can claim to know what budget we had and where that sits against others. How were we mid to top half? And you say we will have gone further so you think we are we now top half to top? Really???? Just have a think about that.

My opinion on Frankie was in the few games we saw he looked bigger and stronger and gave more than Rob Street in his first few games. So in that glimpse if he is available on a free and we trust our medical team, if they agree I would take him in a heartbeat.

Dave Rennie has kept the injuries to a minimum all season. Also we took a gamble on Bailey, thats worked out pretty well.......admittedly that wasnt a recurring hamstring injury. But as noted above Frankies issue was reported as being operated on succesfully.

Because we literally got told from O’Hara of the VSC. The clubs get updates of where their budget sits them in their respective leagues and then the club pass that information (im guessing not specifics?) to the VSC themselves in their meetings.

No I am not saying an increase in budget would mean we are further up the budget league for this season. That’s not how it works. Other clubs might have increased there’s further. MK Dons are added to the equation etc.

The budget is clearly not a problem for the reasons stated in first paragraph. We won’t have cut the budget.

[Belle Vue Boy]

The kids 21 available on a free and Everton paid a million for him not long ago. Lincoln also signed him before us and got promoted so clearly they thought he could do a job and before his injury I thought he started to look like he was settling in.

With the budget we’re probably gonna have signing him on a free at 21 is a no brainer for me if he wants to come back. What’s the worst can happen gets injured leaves on a free or stays fit gets 40 goals and gets sold for money about time we took a gamble on someone and as many say Dave Rennie I’m sure could put him right

[IDM]

What the hell is a "negative value endeavour".?

regardless of a player's age or length of contract, their immediate value to the club is shown by what they produce on the pitch.  If they help bring us a good season (or 2) then they have proved their value surely.?

[i_ateallthepies]

We had a budget that was mid-table/top half of league 1 season just gone, I don’t know where this constant talk of lack of budget keeps coming from? The budget will have increased as well I imagine with the off field going well and the clubs stated aim to keep building on the pitch.

Forget his injury issues for a minute… we are talking about very very limited minutes that we saw Frankie in so I don’t really understand the comments spoken as fact from fans that he is definitely quality? It’s the exact same as when someone says Byrne is definitely crap and these people are quick to jump on that.

We play 1 up top and so won’t be having 4 or 5 personnel for that position, it will be 3. We already have Hanlan and saw over a full season what he offers. 2 of the 3 really have to be pretty likely to succeed on paper don’t they? We can’t really afford to gamble in this position this summer? That’s how I see it anyway.

It is widely accepted on here that we aren't in the market of paying the kind of fees or wages needed to sign an established, known quantity in the CF department so whoever we sign is a gamble of one sort or another.  We saw him play last season and he looked to be able to perform in the role GM wants to play.  As Ryaldinhio stated, IF Dave Rennie gives the nod then it is a gamble worth paying.  We did indeed see what Hanlan offers last season.  He is robust and a trier, I don't remember him being out injured much if at all.  Perhaps we should sign more like him.