January window

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According to the Wirral Globe, Nige is happy with the squad he’s got and any business done will be towards the end of the window. Given Luke Norris is still out and not due back till March,I find this troubling. Surely there’s been ample time ( given his history of injuries) to have a ready made back up plan ready to action rather than waiting to the end of January to see who might be available.

The WG just reported what he said in his interview ( see Tranmere YouTube).

Our recent rum may mean that MP has concluded that we will not go down and are unlikely to go up. If that is the case it may be better to leave business until the summer, unless we can also off load some of the marginal players

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DevonExile
Our recent rum may mean that MP has concluded that we will not go down and are unlikely to go up. If that is the case it may be better to leave business until the summer, unless we can also off load some of the marginal players

So we will have Diet Coke with that rather than the 'full fat' one

All that is implied is that there will be no sticking plaster signings, but long term ones aimed at the future. Contracts expiring in the summer will allow more room for signings then.
If you look at the table carefully relegation is now a threat only if we don't get 40 plus points. It is all a gamble and I think I would keep my powder dry now.

I'd argue that MP will want the strongest end to this season we can have regardless of our prospects of making the top 7. If we float along meekly and finish 20th then there becomes a selling point struggle with next season's season tickets as the atmosphere would become downbeat and possibly toxic, a strong surge now and finishing 8th or 9th would create a wave of optimism which would likely cause an upward surge in ticket sales

Agreed 👍

Palios has always backed us in the Jan window to be fair. I expect a few additions and few to be leaving.

Now that Apter’s back I wonder if we will bother with anyone else! 🤷‍♂️

Time to cash in on Hawkes before he leaves for a free in the summer !

I think likely some will have to move out before any more come in. Could do with another striker i think, judging last year or so, Borris & Dennis pick up a few injuries and no guarantee when they return they hit the ground. Saunders also, seems to pick up knocks regularly ruling him out a few games.

Players unlikely to contribute, maybe Hughes, Hockenhull, could be made available. It’s a shame as I was really hoping both to do well.

Pike, will he be renewed? LOC injury may be timely for him. Maybe Starbuck return date will influence if we renew or not.

Leake, not sure he’s needed with Wood and resurgent Norris. Can we send him back and use loan for a striker, would seem more sensible.

Lewis & Merrie, I thinks it’s one or the other. We don’t need both and again, both prove to injury every couple months based on last year. Ideally move out both a bring a new CM in but probably unrealistic until summer. Could be difficult to move them on with injury record, likely they both stay and we don’t get another CM though.

And I agree with Jonesy, would be nice to keep Hawkes for competition but we also have Taylor. If someone is willing to pay money yes i think that would be sensible.

So I think there are options, although we have done superb of late and those returning from injury should make us stronger, so we may not see anyone else. But I think we will, it’s always nice as fans to see new players obviously but it’s important we make the team stronger, would definitely be great to see someone come in with the intention to be in the starting 11.

I wonder why Taylor isn’t selected more often? Is he recovering from injury and not fully match fit? He was a bit Apter like at times when he played initially.

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ALOTBSOL
I wonder why Taylor isn’t selected more often? Is he recovering from injury and not fully match fit? He was a bit Apter like at times when he played initially.

Ye it is strange mate, I remember the Crawley game in particular, I thought he was best in player on the pitch that day.

But not really seen since, I think he had a little injury back in Oct/Nov but has been available this past month or so. I don’t think he has played since signing new contract which is odd. But we have been doing well, maybe shows how strong our attacking options are.

[

👍

quote stek26][quote ALOTBSOL ]I wonder why Taylor isn’t selected more often? Is he recovering from injury and not fully match fit? He was a bit Apter like at times when he played initially.[/quote]

Ye it is strange mate, I remember the Crawley game in particular, I thought he was best in player on the pitch that day.

But not really seen since, I think he had a little injury back in Oct/Nov but has been available this past month or so. I don’t think he has played since signing new contract which is odd. But we have been doing well, maybe shows how strong our attacking options are.[/quote]

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stek26
I think likely some will have to move out before any more come in. Could do with another striker i think, judging last year or so, Borris & Dennis pick up a few injuries and no guarantee when they return they hit the ground. Saunders also, seems to pick up knocks regularly ruling him out a few games.
Players unlikely to contribute, maybe Hughes, Hockenhull, could be made available. It’s a shame as I was really hoping both to do well.

Pike, will he be renewed? LOC injury may be timely for him. Maybe Starbuck return date will influence if we renew or not.

Leake, not sure he’s needed with Wood and resurgent Norris.
Can we send him back and use loan for a striker, would seem more sensible.

Lewis & Merrie, I thinks it’s one or the other. We don’t need both and again, both prove to injury every couple months based on last year. Ideally move out both a bring a new CM in but probably unrealistic until summer. Could be difficult to move them on with injury record, likely they both stay and we don’t get another CM though.

And I agree with Jonesy, would be nice to keep Hawkes for competition but we also have Taylor. If someone is willing to pay money yes i think that would be sensible.

So I think there are options, although we have done superb of late and those returning from injury should make us stronger, so we may not see anyone else. But I think we will, it’s always nice as fans to see new players obviously but it’s important we make the team stronger, would definitely be great to see someone come in with the intention to be in the starting 11.

Ye agree with this assessment. Particularly on Merrie and Lewis, who both seem injury-prone and surely we can get better in the CM position.

If we are looking for a goalscoring bargain who can hold the ball up, Rouman burrell of cove rangers looks really decent

I see Jesse Lingard had sacked his agent and has said money is not the driving force for him finding a new club, lets offer him £5k a week until the end if the season. Tongue in cheek obviously , he can go alongside the Robbie Fowler Steve McManaman signings 🤣

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Bored rover
I see Jesse Lingard had sacked his agent and has said money is not the driving force for him finding a new club, lets offer him £5k a week until the end if the season. Tongue in cheek obviously , he can go alongside the Robbie Fowler Steve McManaman signings 🤣

Not sure the southern SWA can stretch to that

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the kav

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Bored rover
I see Jesse Lingard had sacked his agent and has said money is not the driving force for him finding a new club, lets offer him £5k a week until the end if the season. Tongue in cheek obviously , he can go alongside the Robbie Fowler Steve McManaman signings 🤣

Not sure the southern SWA can stretch to that

lol

I seen elsewhere mention of the southern SWA supposedly contributing to Apter deal. Does anyone know what this means or how they supported it?

Fair play and great news obviously, it would just be interesting to know how/what they contributed.

I think that today has showed us that we lack that little bit of quality. Whether MP pushes the boat out and frees some money for the right type of players is another story.

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stek26
I seen elsewhere mention of the southern SWA supposedly contributing to Apter deal. Does anyone know what this means or how they supported it?
Fair play and great news obviously, it would just be interesting to know how/what they contributed.

Obviously it was hard cash. Whether it was on general grounds, to see off a relegation threat or to support recruitment towards the play offs is a mystery.
The latter would put the onus on Palios to go further. Not sure that he can or even should. We will not outperform the likes of MK enough to catch them, that must be very clear now. We would need to win 12 of the 18 probably at least

I wonder? I have seen Norman Smurthwaite, the Ex-Port Vale Chairman, at plenty of games over the past year or so. Might it be, now that PJ z has died, that Mark P is more able to take money off him, or even that Mr Smurthwaite might be able to buy into the club? If this was the case it might mean more funds for transfers?

We need to be very careful where potential investment comes from, Mr Smurthwaite was not and is not, flavour of the month for many Vale fans, especially after the acrimonious way he sold the club.

Palios would never contemplate this guy, we'v enough cowboys locally if we need one. I'd guess the Indonesian connection is your only bet they have to put in on top of their £4 million, anyone else would need to cover that first.

Mark and Mr Smurthwaite seemed very relaxed together today.

[find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk]

Just the sort of profile to be avoided. The only live company has a car and £3.5 debts nought else, it's a shell

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Zint
Mark and Mr Smurthwaite seemed very relaxed together today.

,the obnoxious mr smurthwaite spoke to my daughter in harrogate hotel and said mark wants me to buy tranmere ,thats not a proper business mans remark to a stranger is it ,he also said why are you wearing a burnley hat (the claret and blue one with trfc on )

Not saying I want him, just reporting what I see. He’s been at most games for the past 12 months, in the Directors box.

I dont see any further spending in January TBH, we have a good chance of promotion still, but are charging from a long way back. I dont see any funds being made available until summer now, and quite rightly, we have a sufficient squad size capable of competing. Saunders was the big miss yesterday, his pressing and pace causes mayhem

NA often goes on about how Saunders constantly works his socks off, has pace and he appreciates him, but for me thats not enough, he needs to add more to his game..I was hoping Jolley would do well yesterday with him having a start but he was really disappointing yesterday..still reckon, if we could bring in just one player in the Jan window, then it should be a striker.,we need one..Luke Norris is constantly injured, and others might disagree with me here but i think Kristian Dennis has been a disappointment.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2024:01:14:11:48:46 by hong kong rover.

To be fair to Dennis he was played wide right under Dawes then we looked good alongside Norris then got injured , we cant expect a 35 yo poacher to play a high energy game.

Ye agree about Dennis, initially I thought he was a good signing but it’s not working is it. Not entirely his fault as mentioned out of position and our style doesn’t suit him, he would be good in the MK team occupying CBs waiting for crosses to come in. Shame he’s on a 2 year deal, as he is one I would be happy to move out, probably one of the highest earners as well.

Great that SSWA supported the Apter deal but it does indicate that the purse strings are tighter than I imagined. No surprise really wen we have 10-12 contracted players sitting in the stands, loan or injured I suppose.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:01:14:12:55:46 by stek26.

I think Dennis is 33 but the point about a high pressing game being a lot to expect at a “late stage” of a career is still valid

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pc1968
I think Dennis is 33 but the point about a high pressing game being a lot to expect at a “late stage” of a career is still valid

Works for Conor J though, who is only a year or so younger 🤷‍♂️

Fair point
Conor has done well this season
Back to Dennis though I think his game is feeding off a traditional “target man” type player
If he had been able to play alongside Norris on a regular basis we may well have seen more of his strengths

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Zint

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pc1968
I think Dennis is 33 but the point about a high pressing game being a lot to expect at a “late stage” of a career is still valid

Works for Conor J though, who is only a year or so younger 🤷‍♂️

Different types of player though with differing physiques and TBF Dennis looks about 47 🤣

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Bored rover

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Zint

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pc1968
I think Dennis is 33 but the point about a high pressing game being a lot to expect at a “late stage” of a career is still valid

Works for Conor J though, who is only a year or so younger 🤷‍♂️

Different types of player though with differing physiques and TBF Dennis looks about 47 🤣

47 on a good day 😜

Adkins knows where we need to strengthen and sure he is on it so we can finish respectful mid table and keep us away from the relagation zone and build for next season

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Zint

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Bored rover

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Zint

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pc1968
I think Dennis is 33 but the point about a high pressing game being a lot to expect at a “late stage” of a career is still valid

Works for Conor J though, who is only a year or so younger 🤷‍♂️

Different types of player though with differing physiques and TBF Dennis looks about 47 🤣

47 on a good day 😜

🤣

Now we have Adkins I dont want promotion this season really, Id rather he had another season in League 2 building a side that dominates the league like the top 4 this season and we then have a chance of clmpeting mid table in league 1 rather than scrambling like last time

Understand the sentiment but would snap your hand off for promotion this season, particularly if we nabbed Wrexham’s place.

[quote gary anderson]Adkins knows where we need to strengthen and sure he is on it so we can finish respectful mid table and keep us away from the relagation zone and build for next season[/quot

I would totally understand if we settled for safety this season but I do hope that at some point more is done to give Taylor development time. He offers as much as Saunders and has the potential to get better, yet he appears increasingly marginalised.

Since returning to the squad he has been involved for a limited number of minutes.

It was strange on Saturday, that after the team warm up , they had him doing individual sprints across the pitch, does that suggest he is not 100% fit?

As others have stated, bags of potential but, has seemed a little lightweight at times. Having said that, most of his involvement was earlier in the season in a struggling team.

Agree, he is very light weight, Norris was the same early in the season but seems to have toughened up. We also don't know what happens on the training pitch, football is littered with kids dull of potential who by mid twenties are in the more traditional workplaces.

I hope we are going to see some movement in before the end of the window. I get the argument that it would be understandable to write the season off in terms of a promotion campaign but equally, I don’t think it would be good business to be complacent.

The weaknesses we’ve discussed on this forum continue to exist and they won’t be solved by inactivity. And I don’t see meaningful activity as bringing in benchwarmers- at best- before the 31st.

A sudden drop in form could get us back into the danger zone. A couple of judicious acquisitions , preferably cover at the back and a midfielder with goal scoring potential would do me- assuming Luke Norris will return fully fit!

To get back into the danger zone would also require two teams to suddenly go on a long winning streak and Tranmere to lose for 5 or 6 games at a minimum.

if we could bring in just the one player during the window then i hope it would be a striker.

IMHO, we had an additional striker but exactly 12 months ago, we sold Elliot Nevitt for an undisclosed fee to Crewe.

It is alleged, MM called Elliot into his office and told him they had accepted a fee from Crewe, it is also alleged he didn't want to leave.

After a very slow start not scoring his first goal until almost the end of the season, this season whilst not first choice every week, he scored his eleventh of the season in their 3-1 away win at Barrow today, ending the unbeaten home record and yes the pitch looked even worse than during our visit.

I would take him back no problem but, on his current performances it would probably be a lot more than we accepted from Crewe,

Well jack ,the 2alleged points are both true ,he was upset for a long time after that, was it mm not wanting him or mp neefing cash i dont know, he would of been an asset in my opinion

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Loyden1
Well jack ,the 2alleged points are both true ,he was upset for a long time after that, was it mm not wanting him or mp neefing cash i dont know, he would of been an asset in my opinion

And on relative peanuts.

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Jack of all Trades
IMHO, we had an additional striker but exactly 12 months ago, we sold Elliot Nevitt for an undisclosed fee to Crewe.
It is alleged, MM called Elliot into his office and told him they had accepted a fee from Crewe, it is also alleged he didn't want to leave.

After a very slow start not scoring his first goal until almost the end of the season, this season whilst not first choice every week, he scored his eleventh of the season in their 3-1 away win at Barrow today, ending the unbeaten home record and yes the pitch looked even worse than during our visit.

I would take him back no problem but, on his current performances it would probably be a lot more than we accepted from Crewe,

Have you actually seen his form or are you just adjusting an opinion by the goals tally? At best after plenty of evidence he might flourish alongside a Norris like the rest of our squad. Players get moved on and players decide to move on, contracts are quite worthless really.

Well if Adkins is leaving things to the last minute, let's hope he does not announce a couple of signings at 10:59 PM on deadline day.

Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.

Some transfer news from other clubs..

Former Rover, Corey Blackett-Taylor has joined Derby on loan from Charlton till end of season, with the possibility that it could be a permanent transfer in the Summer.

Charlie Goode has joined Wigan on loan from Brentford. A central defender i have admired for a while., wouldn't have minded him coming to the Rovers..Watched him a few times in live TV games when he was at Northampton, a powerful, no nonsense central defender that reads the game well.

Oldham have signed Barnsley striker Andrew Dallas on loan till end of season..he has been on loan at Kilmarnock this season but Barnsley recalled him from that year long loan and now they have sent him out on loan again to Oldham..he had a good loan spell at Chesterfield last season and played well for the Spireites..A statement of intent from Oldham maybe? will be interesting to see how he links up with Norwood.

Big story on the club website is the contract extensions for Pike, Starbuck, Bolahanon and two juniors till the end of the season.
Hope this isn’t a move along, nothing to see here end to the window.

Pike and Belahouan deserve their extensions, in my opinion. Haven't really seen enough of Starbuck to say either way.

Extension to the end of the season may suggest a make do for now strategy rather than bringing in any new faces. I have no problem with that but on current evidence, I am not sure that either player is one for the long. term, but an extension does give the opportunity to further assess

Fair to assume LOC will leave so Pike and Starbuck are in line for the long term someone will need to be

A bit defeatist to assume LOC will definitely move on. Even if he does, I don’t think Pike is the answer. Haven’t seen Starbuck so wouldn’t comment on him.

only a few more days till the window closes, still hoping we can bring in a striker..Can't see Jolley and Dennis banging in loads of goals for us.

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Brenk
A bit defeatist to assume LOC will definitely move on. Even if he does, I don’t think Pike is the answer. Haven’t seen Starbuck so wouldn’t comment on him.

Mostly players sign a new contract early to get the pay rise, alternatively the agent holds out for a bigger deal. Pretty sure we are in Cogley territory here

Listening to his interview after the game I carnt see any coming in

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dave-p
Pike and Belahouan deserve their extensions, in my opinion. Haven't really seen enough of Starbuck to say either way.

Pike’s extension is subject to completion of a remedial course on how to take a throw in.

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CleeHillRoadROAR

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dave-p
Pike and Belahouan deserve their extensions, in my opinion. Haven't really seen enough of Starbuck to say either way.

Pike’s extension is subject to completion of a remedial course on how to take a throw in.

😂

I'd never seen a professional footballer do that before.

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CleeHillRoadROAR

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dave-p
Pike and Belahouan deserve their extensions, in my opinion. Haven't really seen enough of Starbuck to say either way.

Pike’s extension is subject to completion of a remedial course on how to take a throw in.

I do like his coffee though!

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sparky100

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CleeHillRoadROAR

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dave-p
Pike and Belahouan deserve their extensions, in my opinion. Haven't really seen enough of Starbuck to say either way.

Pike’s extension is subject to completion of a remedial course on how to take a throw in.

I do like his coffee though!

as long as he turns into a super white and not a flat white eh sparky

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Loyden1

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sparky100

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CleeHillRoadROAR

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dave-p
Pike and Belahouan deserve their extensions, in my opinion. Haven't really seen enough of Starbuck to say either way.

Pike’s extension is subject to completion of a remedial course on how to take a throw in.

I do like his coffee though!

as long as he turns into a super white and not a flat white eh sparky

That’s excellent

Just seen a report on X - Tom Davies to Wrexham??!

I see Ipswich have signed Wimbledon striker Ali Al-Hamadi for an undisclosed fee...i like him, clever striker, scores goals, good movement and positional sense..He grew up on Merseyside and spent 3 years at TRFC as a youth player.

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EgoEgoEgo

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Loyden1

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sparky100

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CleeHillRoadROAR

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dave-p
Pike and Belahouan deserve their extensions, in my opinion. Haven't really seen enough of Starbuck to say either way.

Pike’s extension is subject to completion of a remedial course on how to take a throw in.

I do like his coffee though!

as long as he turns into a super white and not a flat white eh sparky

That’s excellent

🤣

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Brom1
Just seen a report on X - Tom Davies to Wrexham??!

On a par with Robbie Fowler seen in car park.

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hong kong rover
I see Ipswich have signed Wimbledon striker Ali Al-Hamadi for an undisclosed fee...i like him, clever striker, scores goals, good movement and positional sense..He grew up on Merseyside and spent 3 years at TRFC as a youth player.

Saw him in the game against us earlier in the season. Looked good. Sold for £1.1 plus a percentage sell on according to my Wimbledonnsupporting mate.

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Brenk

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hong kong rover
I see Ipswich have signed Wimbledon striker Ali Al-Hamadi for an undisclosed fee...i like him, clever striker, scores goals, good movement and positional sense..He grew up on Merseyside and spent 3 years at TRFC as a youth player.

Saw him in the game against us earlier in the season. Looked good. Sold for £1.1 plus a percentage sell on according to my Wimbledonnsupporting mate.

thats a tidy sum for Wimbledon..he'll be heading back to UK now from Asian Cup, Iraq got knocked out today.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:01:29:20:12:36 by hong kong rover.

Today is the penultimate day of the window, wondering if there is gonna be any ins or outs at the Rovers?

It’s the last day isn’t it?

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Brenk
It’s the last day isn’t it?

i'm sure its tmrw.

Last day tomorrow and I carnt see us bringing anybody in

11.00PM 1st February, I must admit I thought it was today.

Well then another day of fruitless hope! To be fair unless there’s a star in the offing, with the number of points we have in the bag, I’ll be content to keep the money in the pot for the new season or to sign new deals with the likes of Lee O’Connor.

The fact that we have not shipped some out makes it difficult to justifying any further outlay. I suspect that we will see a lot of changes at the end of the season.

NA said we were done in the post match at Grimsby. Theres no need to ship anyone out , the main thing we need to do is build a stable squad & stop this merry go round of ins and outs.

Unless a lot happens tomorrow it must be the first time for quite a few years there has been no or little activity
NA said very recently it’s a big squad 30 players If I remember correctly and he indicated it’s a lot for a league 2 club
Recent interviews have also hinted at any arrivals having to be balanced financially by departures

Taking more recent form as a guide 5 wins out of 7 is not bad at all and I think there is one poor performance in there- the last home game - even then it was virtually a last kick defeat
You could say an extensive “refresh “ isn’t needed

Plus we all hope Norris is back soon - could be like a new signing in itself

Yeah, agreed.

Mullin possibly off, test of Wrexhams budget as to whether they can keep hold if him. Heard we are extending another contract this week , not sure who that could be

The current squad is now on play-off form (though NA started as manager so far behind that we may not make the play-offs) so I'm not too concerned about getting in new players as long as we don't lose any regular first team players.

I can see the logic of wanting to retain the players who are straight into the first 11, and signup players who have potential to be developed and improved. On those two points, we’ve achieved our aim.

The main disappointment is I think we’re quite weak in terms of the fringe of the senior squad, and could do with shipping out a few and maybe adding a more convincing striker option for example. But I can understand why we’re struggling to offload some of those fringe, senior players like Merrie, Lewis etc

9 hours to go until the window closes..
Let’s see what happens..
My guess is that we stay as we are ..

I think the window ending will be paneless

Badum tish!

The Window - it was a complete non-event...There weren't even any former Rovers players at other clubs that moved on anywhere..

The only move that I noticed, was Harry Mc Kirdy back to Swindon on loan from Hibernian.

Lets hope Luke Norris is fully recovered after surgery.

In the few games he has played this season IMO, certainly proved effective and could be our "new signing"

The absence of news on Nozza’s recovery suggests he won’t be back any time soon.

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Zint
The absence of news on Nozza’s recovery suggests he won’t be back any time soon.

Team news:

Jake Leake, Luke Norris and Jéan Belehouan remain the only three Rovers players unavailable for selection.

However, the latter two have been out running on the grass as they continue their recoveries.

(From the club website)

So they’re smoking weed? 😁😁😁

Wasn’t there an earlier report of Luke Norris being back in March?

See Crewe made a last minute signing in Charlie Kirk, free agent, thought he could have done a good job for us! They also signed Ed Turns a centre back on loan.

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Brenk
Wasn’t there an earlier report of Luke Norris being back in March?

Given he has now reached ‘running on grass’ stage, I think it is likely he will be ready for some games time in march, if only for 45 to 60 mins a time.

Adkins seemed pretty upbeat about Norris in his pre-match presser

Anti climax to the end of the window, I thought we would have brought in at least another on loan.

As discussed by the SSWA, Blackpool appeared to ask for a larger loan fee for the the return of Apter, which they contributed to. Maybe that eat up all the budget. So I suppose it was successful in that, we managed to get Apter back, for me I would rather have Apter than him not return and get say another ST and Winger in.I think it’s obvious to us all the squad is big and most likely can’t accommodate to pay another wage unless some went out.

The squad currently, based on form table is showing its potential, so there’s an argument that we didn’t really need anyone else, particularly with Norris impending return.

But I don’t think there is a manager who wouldn’t want another player, however they cover it. None of these are Adkins signings imo. I think we’ve used what we had on Apter and there’s no budget left, it is what it is but all stemmed from bad decisions and not a very successful window in the summer.

Hopefully Palios can find a buyer/investors and move on, I look forward to seeing Nige shape the squad with his own players after finishing in a comfortable mid table position

Sometimes being constrained brings out the best in a manager (see also: film director). Having no such worries means you concentrate less on getting things right.

Don't want to be a Merchant of Doom, but you can't rule out Norris breaking down again when he is back playing..Was hoping we would have brought in a forward last night, but not to be.

We've been doing ok without him

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Jack of all Trades
The only move that I noticed, was Harry Mc Kirdy back to Swindon on loan from Hibernian.

hi Jack, another move yesterday which caught my eye was that of Kabongo Tshimanga..He is back at Boreham Wood on a short term loan from Peterborough...Remember him doing well for Oxford City, Boreham Wood and Chesterfield and scoring lots of goals..This season he has been out on loan at Fleetwood from Peterborough, but was mainly on the bench at Fleetwood..Went back to his parent club Peterborough and now shipped out again back to Boreham Wood..Wouldn't have minded him coming to Rovers on a short term loan, although this past year the goals have dried up for him, mainly coz he has been on the bench and not been used.

I cannot understate the upside of having Norris in this side, he our only No9 and given we have three No1 and No 2 and god knows how many No3's. It is disappointing we could find an old lump to cover him and to replace him during games, if he gets back!
Only when Norris played did we play a proper 442 with Dennis actually playing alongside him. Jennings and less the other forwards find it very difficult to meet crosses when they are the only players centre halves have to worry about. Apter and Morris would be far more dangerous with a threat of a cross to a proper centre forward as a worry opposite their dissecting runs we see now.
I reckon Norris back can progress the side by 20%.

On another matter I keep seeing twitter posts about getting Palios out. It beggars belief how little fans understand about this club. In over 50 years we have had PJ, Bothwell with very limited but genuine intentions and now the potless but hugely capable Palios. TRFC is never about out it is about the vague hope of somebody coming in. There's been some jokers in and circling in that time.

And so to our most played rivals, the equally unfashionable Crewe.