Post by Henbury Gas on Feb 9, 2018 7:45:18 GMT
Darrell Clarke has dropped a hint on potential transfer plans involving two players at the end of the current season.
Clarke, who will see his side back in action against Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium this weekend, was active in the recent window with the signing of three players – two of which came in as free agents on February 1.
But providing an update on loanee pair Dom Telford and Marc Bola – the latter at Rovers from Arsenal and the other from Stoke City – Clarke has explained how he could look to bring them in on a permanent basis if the circumstances were right at the end of the season.
Bola has started the last five games for Rovers, bringing his appearance tally to 17 so far this season, while Telford has also feature 17 times, but has not started a game in Sky Bet League One.
“Bola has done quite well; he’s done okay,” said Clarke. “He’s a young lad.
“There was a recent I brought him and Dom Telford in on loan this season – they’re out of contract in the summer. I'm not sure what’s happening at those clubs.
“I looked at the bigger picture with those two if they potentially get released. It was about working on them as a project.”
Telford has netted three times since joining Rovers alongside Stoke teammate Ryan Sweeney, although two of those came in the Checkatrade Trophy against Wycombe.
He has not played for the first-team since the goalless draw with Blackpool last month, but has impressed throughout the season while featuring for the Rovers reserve side.
Reflecting on the striker’s lack of playing time, Clarke said: “Dom will be disappointed as he has not played as many minutes as would have liked. But he is grafting away in training.”
Clarke went on to say: “We will look at players but not just in the short term. A lot of people know I’m not a short term manager and we work on things, build things, reassess things and reshape the squad – these things take a little bit of time.
“We’re in an evolving period and things will take time. Consistency will come but that’s what happens when you have come a long way in a short space of time.
“As long as I’m seeing hard work. That’s the situation.
”Meanwhile, the likes of Bernard Mensah, Kyle Bennett and Tony Craig all recently arrived at Rovers, with the latter having made his debut last weekend in the defeat to Shrewsbury.
Clarke admits it will take a while for all three to get comfortable at Rovers.
“Tony, Kyle and Bernard are all doing well. It will take some time – we do plenty of work on the training pitch,” he said.
The Rovers boss also alluded to the fact that he could have some injured players back for the trip to Oxford. Daniel Leadbitter has not played since Boxing Day while Tom Lockyer has missed the last two matches.
“We will see what happens Saturday – I don’t like to give too much away on my selection. It’s nice to see one or two injured lads maybe back,” Clarke said
I like the sound of trying to get these players
Clarke, who will see his side back in action against Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium this weekend, was active in the recent window with the signing of three players – two of which came in as free agents on February 1.
But providing an update on loanee pair Dom Telford and Marc Bola – the latter at Rovers from Arsenal and the other from Stoke City – Clarke has explained how he could look to bring them in on a permanent basis if the circumstances were right at the end of the season.
Bola has started the last five games for Rovers, bringing his appearance tally to 17 so far this season, while Telford has also feature 17 times, but has not started a game in Sky Bet League One.
“Bola has done quite well; he’s done okay,” said Clarke. “He’s a young lad.
“There was a recent I brought him and Dom Telford in on loan this season – they’re out of contract in the summer. I'm not sure what’s happening at those clubs.
“I looked at the bigger picture with those two if they potentially get released. It was about working on them as a project.”
Telford has netted three times since joining Rovers alongside Stoke teammate Ryan Sweeney, although two of those came in the Checkatrade Trophy against Wycombe.
He has not played for the first-team since the goalless draw with Blackpool last month, but has impressed throughout the season while featuring for the Rovers reserve side.
Reflecting on the striker’s lack of playing time, Clarke said: “Dom will be disappointed as he has not played as many minutes as would have liked. But he is grafting away in training.”
Clarke went on to say: “We will look at players but not just in the short term. A lot of people know I’m not a short term manager and we work on things, build things, reassess things and reshape the squad – these things take a little bit of time.
“We’re in an evolving period and things will take time. Consistency will come but that’s what happens when you have come a long way in a short space of time.
“As long as I’m seeing hard work. That’s the situation.
”Meanwhile, the likes of Bernard Mensah, Kyle Bennett and Tony Craig all recently arrived at Rovers, with the latter having made his debut last weekend in the defeat to Shrewsbury.
Clarke admits it will take a while for all three to get comfortable at Rovers.
“Tony, Kyle and Bernard are all doing well. It will take some time – we do plenty of work on the training pitch,” he said.
The Rovers boss also alluded to the fact that he could have some injured players back for the trip to Oxford. Daniel Leadbitter has not played since Boxing Day while Tom Lockyer has missed the last two matches.
“We will see what happens Saturday – I don’t like to give too much away on my selection. It’s nice to see one or two injured lads maybe back,” Clarke said
I like the sound of trying to get these players
