Well peeps, how do you think it will go this season?
The squad has already been supplemented with some low cost (possibly prudent) arrivals, with Pompey's star young keeper, Notts County's star midfielder and Millwall's star right winger. Young Kane from Chelsea, (a player I like already), Kilgallon from Sunderland and DJ Campbell have also been recruited.
Ollson, Murphy and others have been allowed to leave, but it is safe to say the squad still needs further trimming and re-shaping. Rumours that some lower level PL teams may be in for Dann, the constant whispers surrounding Jordan Rhodes (Hull and Bolton have been mentioned) and high earners such as Robbo and Givet still to resolve / discard.
My take is that we are still way too reliant on Rhodes and need some creativity and goals from somewhere else. I believe we are still two or three quality players short of a sustained promotion push and remain hopeful that some money will be freed to buy some recognised, better quality players that will create internal competition and give us a presence on the field.
With Agnew leaving, Singh marginalised, Shaw very quiet and seemingly Bowyer being supported in his role things have been much calmer at the club of late. Although there is a very good argument to state we could or should concentrate on solidifying our position and consolidating this season, the rewards for getting to the PL are larger than ever and in my view we must have a decent go at it this time round or run the risk of being marooned at this level for years to come.
I am pleased GB has been given his chance, but feel he now needs some decent financial support to buy some genuine quality upfront and in creative areas. There are always many tight games in this division, the squad is already very large and a tad lob-sided, but with two or three cute additions could have enough to challenge the top six all year.
COYB.
2013 / 2014
posted on 16/7/13
Hope your right because he would be sorely missed in the new season!
posted on 16/7/13
Hey oojw, ditto. Getting a season ticket this season?
Said this before so doubtless repeating myself but I think it'll take more than £8m to get Rhodes. The length of his contract and absence of a release clause makes it Rovers decision whether he goes rather than his. And why would Rovers sell him unless its for a decent profit? I'd expect any bid under £10m to be immediately rejected.
I have resisted so far, first time in 23 years, not that it is making me happy. Damned if you do, damned if you don't!
posted on 16/7/13
Haha yeah, I'm pretty sure I'm gonna cave and get one this season. If nothing else it gives me an excuse not to go out Saturday night and so saves me from playing hungover on Sunday morning.
I just wish some atmosphere would come back to Ewood, the Darwen End experiment seems to be backfiring now as our few remaining singers are split up and at opposite ends of the ground. Whereas the original idea was to have home noise behind both goals, we've now got a situation where its quiet behind both.
posted on 16/7/13
On a non-related issue…..anyone know the the Doncaster game was moved from Saturday 17th to Friday 16th August? I checked Sky’s schedule and there not showing it live. Was supposed to be going to the game with the girlfriend and her family (they’re all from that neck of the woods) and can’t make the Friday cos I’ll be stuck in work
On the plus side…..I don’t have to go to a football game with the missus….
posted on 16/7/13
^^^^^ Not sure Wild. Seems odd if Sky are not showing it live. Then again it would seem odd if Sky were showing it live! Rovers v Doncaster hardly rolls off the tongue.
I took my ex-Mrs to 11 games one season in the mid-1990's. Shearer, Sutton, Ripley, Sherwood, etc. Shearer scored in every single game she went to!
posted on 16/7/13
Nice post OOJW but I can't share your hopeful enthusiasm, the squad has too many journeymen and a few overpaid oldies. There maybe some decent loanies again like last year but that's a poor way to run a club (assuming that anyone IS running the club!!). Hope I am wrong as usual.
My wife's first Ewood trip was a 5-1 stuffing of Sheff United, Dunn was unplayable, happy days.
Duggy
posted on 16/7/13
Hi Duggy, nice to hear from you as always. You and others may well be right, as mentioned we can only really judge the incomings and outgoings when the dust has settled and we know where we are up to. Plenty of movement to come I would wager and let us hope any new additions will be of recognised quality and give us all a reason for looking forward to the season ahead.
The loan market is a very useful area of recruitment if you get it right.
posted on 16/7/13
Not optimistic for this season in terms of promotion. I think we'll keep Rhodes - his price is too much for teams to look at - we'd want what we spent on him at least. However beyond that, the quality isn't there. The players we've acquired are not top-notch in this division - aside from I believe Kilgallon is a shrewd signing and Kane looks a promising player - hope we can get him from Chelsea long term if he proceeds as he did last season.
The big question for me is Bowyer. Did well in his stints in charge...but its for a full season. However part of me thinks that he will put together a strong team, greater than the individuals and play a system that works. Would be nice however to see a couple more come in (Spearing would be good) and keep on disposing of no-hopers.
posted on 18/7/13
Millwalls star right winger!
I have one fear about the season ahead and Jordan Rhodes. I think that on the last day of the transfer season he will be sold, leaving no time what so ever for a replacement. We need to get someone else in upfront, but who? I can really see Arry or someone like that poaching Rhodes at the last minute leaving us totally fecked.
Rhodes scored 27 last season and someone will gamble on him, even if he was to only score 15 in the prem, its a fairly good buy if other team members pop in goals too,as someone mentioned above the money is massive now in the premier league, well worth splashing out 10-12 million on a gamble. He was our highest goal scorer last year by far, second was Scott Dann with 5 I think. Thats bad.
posted on 18/7/13
I'm expecting a better season, the signings have been more sensible.It's good to see some of dross gone and i can't see Rovers selling Jordan Rhodes and i can't see any club offering 10-12 Million.I still think midfield is the big problem some quality is definitely needed