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Post by Rovers 12th Man on Apr 22, 2024 10:03:33 GMT
Can we expect a wave of contract announcements this week following Sam's farewell? Jed offered a new contract. Would now expect neither option taken on Grant or Martin Who will be the next to say goodbye? Why wouldn't we take the option on CM, it's not like we've a good record of signing 15+ goals L1 strikers in recent years? My money is on Martin, G Ward & Hoole staying, Rossiter being offered a deal but keeping his options open and the rest being released. It's questionable whether Wilson & Hunt plus possibly Brown will all be told they are welcome to look for moves. I've no idea what MT makes of Connolly & McCormick! It all depends on their wages for me. I would imagine both McCormick and Brown earn a fair amount compared to what they contribute on the pitch. If someone like Connolly is on low-ish wages then I would be inclined to keep him as a back up squad option as it is a long old season.
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Post by Rovers 12th Man on Apr 22, 2024 9:56:18 GMT
Genuine question pirate and maybe not one that you know the answer to but how many of these overseas players do you think would be interested in a move to a club like ours? Is getting a move into English football seen as that big a thing that they would maybe take a punt on moving to a club that potentially many of them haven't heard of? I am not trying to put us down but I know next to nothing about 3rd division clubs in Italy, Spain, Germany etc... And would there be work permit issues?
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Post by Rovers 12th Man on Apr 22, 2024 9:48:08 GMT
Each year we have out of contract players that leave, and likely know in advance they are off, yet the club wait until after the season ends to announce departures. How people can say the club not announcing Sam’s departure with two games left to go as poor form is beyond me. He’s been a good servant and I wish him all the best, but to make out that we (or he) has been robbed of a grand farewell is a bit much in my opinion Fair comment. But it is also a bit strange that he has done his farewells to the club before the season has ended and the retained list being announced along with the good bye and thank you post from Wael. Perhaps it isn't poor form from the club but it is odd that they have gone away from the norm for him.
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Post by Rovers 12th Man on Apr 22, 2024 8:31:11 GMT
Another vote for Derby. Solid at the back, protected by a good midfield who also did the creative stuff and pace up top and out wide.
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Post by Rovers 12th Man on Apr 22, 2024 8:28:32 GMT
fingers crossed all 3 are here, if JR proves fitness. Connolly miles away from being good enough, Rossiter is a good player but won’t stay fit. Evans a bit over hyped for me and if the rumours about his huge wage are true I’d hope the club moves him on. Connolly I agree with and Rossiter to some extent but for me, Evans I think is worth his wages. He is our second top scorer, often from a deeper midfield position, and has also got 8 assists. Not to mention he is the only one in the squad who seems to be able to take a good direct free kick. I would be looking to build the team around him, not move him on, as I am not sure we could/would get any better and Evans would only move to a club currently higher than us.
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Post by Rovers 12th Man on Apr 22, 2024 8:12:16 GMT
He was a big part of that L2 promotion winning team and for that, I think the vast majority of Gasheads will be very grateful. However, he seemed to be a bit off the pace in L1, especially this season, and with Barton having now departed, it seemed inevitable that he would be off at the end of the season. It is a shame it wasn't announced prior the Posh game (as it seems it was decided prior to this with the photos/his child on the pitch etc) so he could get a bit more of a send off but I'd like to think he would get a good reception here if/when he returns as an opposition player. All the best for the future Sam and thank you.
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Post by Rovers 12th Man on Apr 17, 2024 8:18:00 GMT
A few observations from me from last night...
1. Rossiter could be like a quality new signing next season if he can stay fit. His break up play, simple passing and leadership is just what that team needs. He is our ready made Finley replacement for when he inevitably moves back up North.
2. You cannot fault Martin's goal returns this season and his (usual) finishing, however with him in the team, it can sometimes be so frustrating to watch with his huge lack of pace. There was a couple of times last night where if we had someone through the middle who could challenge/beat the average L1 CB for pace then the perfect through ball from one of the CMs or wingers would have been on but you just can't do it with him as the striker. That team is crying out for some pace up top.
3. Brandon Aguilera... I like the guy, he seems fantastic with the young fans and he has scored a couple of really good goals for us, however, I am yet to be convinced at all and don't understand the love in with him... A lot of the time, he has been largely ineffective and last night, there was a 10 minute period where I forgot he was on the pitch. He may be on loan from a Prem club and has caps for Costa Rica but with his performances for us, if he was called John Smith and was on loan from Wigan, I can't see him getting the love in that he does.
4. Jevani Brown has rightly taken a bit of stick in the past and it wasn't his best performance again once he came on last night but his footballing brain is second to none in our squad. His little flick a few weeks ago that led to the Martin goal was sublime and last night, his dummy that allowed the ball to go to Thomas for the goal was again brilliant and largely went unnoticed.
5. How bloody good was it to see Anderton on that pitch at HT looking as fit and well as he did. He seemed to be genuinely emotional and I don't think I have ever heard the Mem so quiet during a half time interview with everyone listening to his every word. A really nice chap who will be forever remembered fondly here for that promotion season and the subsequent Gloucester Road lamp post party.
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Post by Rovers 12th Man on Apr 16, 2024 9:10:57 GMT
If MT picks our best team rather than whatever it seems he was doing for the last 6 weeks and we have that monkey off our back of not scoring a goal, I think we can follow up Saturday's result with another win.
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Post by Rovers 12th Man on Apr 16, 2024 8:12:03 GMT
This is what I said back in August. Okay, I go it wrong on Woods and Bogarde but I would add Conteh onto the list of players I would rather have in CM over Finley now. On his day, he is a decent player but I have a feeling he won't stick around now Barton has gone even if we offer him a new deal.
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Post by Rovers 12th Man on Apr 10, 2024 9:10:06 GMT
Whilst none of us are happy about what is happening on the pitch at the moment, there seem to be clubs in a far worse off position than we are at the moment when it comes to finances and owners. I want MT gone but organising protests against the owners as you seem to be suggesting is more than a little premature in my opinion. Did I mention a protest against the owners? Simple fact is we hear very little from them or our CEO these days. We as fans are at loggerheads with each other primarily due to the scouse narcissist and our President trying to satisfy his every whim. I do think that there should be more transparency from the club, but also the SC needs to be more active in terms of representing us. "Of course hell will have to freeze over before us as fans actually got off our asses and organised something together." That is what I read that line to be implying as I am not sure what else as fans we can organise so apologies if I have got the wrong end of the stick. But agreed, we have heard very little from the board during what have been trying times to say the least and is a time when we need some clear direction and leadership.
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Post by Rovers 12th Man on Apr 10, 2024 9:04:14 GMT
Still just about in; IF the form turned from now until the end of the season / improved a little (in theory not hard) I stand by the belief that he deserves a chance to re-build the squad. His one actual signing (Conteh) has been a good one, so there is reason to be hopeful. However, the form has declined such that a loss on the weekend should probably mean that - regrettably - it is probably time for him to move on and roll the dice; yes maybe he will turn it around with a summer and re-building the squad as he sees fit but - at that point - the lack of points over his tenure so far would probably outweigh (risk wise) giving him that opportunity. As unlikely as it seems though, if we were to get a win on Saturday, it could lift morale and result in us actually taking a "decent" points haul over the remainder of the games; if (and granted it looks a massive "if" at present) that were to happen, I would stand by my belief that he deserves the opportunity to have a clear out of the dross over the summer and have a proper crack at it next season. Would I be confident that - if afforded that opportunity - it would pay-off? No. But he would deserve that opportunity nonetheless in my opinion. Not to mention getting rid and bringing in someone else would not guarantee any better chance of success anyway. Make or break Saturday for me. FWIW, I actually think we'll lose and he will then be sacked. Agreed that Conteh has looked good, however, Aguilera, Baggot and Vaughan are also his signings and even though they are loans, I imagine they come with a fee and use up some of the playing budget and I would say none of them have set the world on fire here. Loan signings can make/break a season, like a certain Elliot Anderson. We will see what Saturday brings!
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Post by Rovers 12th Man on Apr 10, 2024 8:59:39 GMT
A lot of people from all points of view have either got to breaking point or are incredibly close. Ultimately the actions of one man in February 2021 has set the club on course for this moment. I find it quite baffling that he and others don't cop more stick on here. WAQ's last appointment was the most divisive in the clubs history and saw one person ultimately take over the whole football part of the business and destroy it from within. It was built in Barton's image and was made to break when he left. The appointment of Taylor has frankly been poor, the length of time it took was embarrassing and the season has been saved pretty much by the league being appalling. The club has stagnated over the last 8 years, there's been very little improvement for supporters. The South Stand was frankly the bare minimum that should have been achieved in the AQ tenure and, he didn't manage to finish it while sole owner. For me that decision in February 2021 was the sliding doors moment, nearly every argument since and our current path can be traced back to that frankly idiotic moment. Absolutely nailed it. Only two people can heal the divisions whithin the club right now, and they are the majority shareholders. I just don’t have any confidence they have either the will or the ability to do so. We basically have the Kuwaiti equivalent of Jon Lansdown running the club now, without either Daddy’s money or enough English football knowledge. Of course hell will have to freeze over before us as fans actually got off our asses and organised something together. As per usual. Whilst none of us are happy about what is happening on the pitch at the moment, there seem to be clubs in a far worse off position than we are at the moment when it comes to finances and owners. I want MT gone but organising protests against the owners as you seem to be suggesting is more than a little premature in my opinion.
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Post by Rovers 12th Man on Apr 10, 2024 8:55:30 GMT
Setting aside the dreadful tactics, selections etc, my other concern about him staying is the players we would attract this transfer window. Like him or loathe him, Barton had contacts, something I am not sure Taylor has. When you add that to the fact we are a team who has been in utter free fall, we are not looking an attractive proposition for L1 play off quality players.
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Post by Rovers 12th Man on Apr 10, 2024 8:15:49 GMT
Still think it's nonsense? Must admit, I thought the Poll results would be much closer than they are. It seems Taylor has very little support from the fans now. I think last night sent most people over the edge, especially with there seemingly being no end in sight to the lack of tactics and goals. That atmosphere was the most poisonous I have known since Buckle.
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Post by Rovers 12th Man on Apr 10, 2024 8:09:15 GMT
When we appointed him, I must admit I was largely positive about it as he seemed to tick a lot of the boxes (young, L1 promotion, reputation of playing good football at Exeter) but for whatever reason it just has not worked out for him here. Whilst they may not be his players, a good manager would be getting far more from this squad than he currently is and that is the real worry.
Does he deserve a summer transfer window and a pre-season? Possibly. Would I trust him to make the right signings in the transfer window? Probably not no. So that coupled with the dreadful results and seemingly no clear plan on and off the pitch means it is time for him to go for me.
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Post by Rovers 12th Man on Feb 22, 2024 12:45:31 GMT
If the club cash in on Evans then that goes against everything they are saying in terms of rebuilding and aiming for the Championship in 3 years. I know we sold Collins but he was out of form and looked like he didn't want to be here, not something I see with Evans. He is one of the key players if we want to make a genuine good go at getting out of this league as I doubt we would get any better.
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Post by Rovers 12th Man on Feb 15, 2024 10:14:56 GMT
Anyone seen price? Latest tweet is only click to renew Can’t argue with the quick resolution but shocking it took us to moan! Adult £419 + £99 for one U14 or +£198 for two U14s. South Stand only.
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Post by Rovers 12th Man on Feb 15, 2024 9:30:53 GMT
I have had a season ticket for nearly 20 years and attend a few away games a season too so this pains me to say it but I am starting to fall out of love with this club.
The match day experience is no longer that enjoyable (not just because of the results on the pitch!) with the toilets, food and drink facilities shocking and whilst I am not as effected as some on here (no kids etc), the lack of financing and the increase for certain age groups is frankly disgusting during what are already challenging times financially.
The new owners seem so incredibly out of touch with the realities of the average Bristolian supporting a L1 club and I am sure this will hit the club hard financially with a drop in sales both this season and longer term with what the dark half of the city offer and for so so much less drawing in the younger fans.
This whole thing needs a major rethink and straight away.
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Post by Rovers 12th Man on Feb 8, 2024 13:38:52 GMT
Shall we ditch the quarters whilst we are it?
It is part of Rovers, it is tradition and it should stay. The Mem belting out Goodnight Irene after an important goal, result or even in memory of someone still gives me, and I suspect most other Rovers fans, goosebumps.
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Post by Rovers 12th Man on Feb 2, 2024 9:33:36 GMT
What about the circa £1m we were rumoured to be spending on JCH that was never spent last window?
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