New Year and no resolutions in sight
Pen to paper
By David Sindall
January 1 2025
2025 breaks and there is little doubt that much needs to be resolved at Prenton Park. Rovers are anchored near the bottom of the table with a dreadful away record and home form that isn’t much better. There is a great deal that needs to be resolved.
Ownership
The sale of the club is moving forward and a resolution has been mentioned during the first quarter of the New Year. Given that it’s an American led consortium, and American businesses tend to operate on a January to January financial year, it’s possible that the sale could be completed in the next 12 weeks. The uncertainty is having a major effect on the club. Without new owners it’s unlikely there will be new signings and without new signings we are highly likely to drop out of the League.
Players
The current squad is a mess. Our best player, Connor Jennings, is one of the oldest. It is a wonder that he bombs around the pitch the way he does. Omari Patrick, Lee O’Connor and Luke McGhee all seem competent, and Sol Solomon showed promise on his full debut. The rest? Harvey Saunders has high energy but fails to convert chances. Our other forwards all seem unable to finish, or in the case of Sam Taylor cast aside to ice station zebra aka Oldham (We were once a club that developed youth players, now we don’t know how to do that).
Midfield is concerning too. There is a lack of consistency. Merrie, Finley and Morris have moments when they play well but rarely do so for 90 minutes, and very often vary match to match. Josh Hawkes appears frozen out to cameo roles being introduced in the dying moments of games. Josh Williams showed promise in the few appearances he made, but he’s on loan to Southport. Hendry must soon be back from injury but there is a lack of information as to what his availability is.
Defence is also shaky. Zak Bradshaw, Connor Wood and Cameron Norman all lack either confidence or consistency. Brad Walker seems ready to push on after a long period on the sidelines. Tom Davies and Jordan Turnbull seem to have become liabilities.
It will take more than one transfer window to sort out this mess.
The Manager
It would be unfair to say opinion is divided on Nigel Adkins. There are still a section of supporters that back him but the majority seem to suggest that he has outstayed his usefulness. It is highly unlikely he will be shown the door soon, but it’s also unlikely that resources will be made available to strengthen the squad as is necessary.
The Fan Park
The proposed new structure is proving to be our own HS2. Massively behind schedule and seemingly over budget, it remains to be seen if we will ever get the chance to raise a pint of Trappers Hat in the new facility. We are awaiting a statement from Mark Palios regarding relations with the Trust. At the moment neither side seems capable of organising a social event in a brewery.
Supporters
Generally we have been loyal. The test will come when it gets around to season ticket renewals in March. I suspect our battle to avoid relegation will go to the wire. Whether supporters will anticipate more of the same next season remains to be seen.
Watching Rovers has always been a roller coaster ride. Let’s hope that 2025 sees us squealing with excitement and not groaning in anguish.
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The side isn't that bad , we need Walker, Khan and Hendry fit, we need an injection of pace in the middle, 2 full backs and the chance for the manager to play an unchanged 11 for 10 games on the bounce.
Quote:Bored rover
The mention of 1st quarter for a deal was not set in stone, given its from Palios mouth Id take that with a massive pinch of salt. Also mentions of the new owners providing funds, they don't even have the funds to complete the deal, any funds we do get will be yet more debt.
The side isn't that bad , we need Walker, Khan and Hendry fit, we need an injection of pace in the middle, 2 full backs and the chance for the manager to play an unchanged 11 for 10 games on the bounce.
I’ll up the ante and say we also need a decent striker; so that’s only the defence, midfield and forward line that needs strengthening; it’s a pity McGee’s decent or it would be a full house.
No doubt at all we need some reinforcement but realistically they’ll be loan players- which would be better than signing someone past their sell by. Gaps all over the pitch which is alarming.
I would be surprised if much was made available for new signings and on past record even more surprised if those coming in added quality.
Defence has been shaky, with injuries suspension and loss of form but if Tom Davies can come back for a consistent run that will build confidence around him. Hopefully a fully fit Walker and improving Drysdale will keep Turnbull on his toes and force him to raise his game. A revitalised midfield should also help shield the back 4 more.
The great mystery is upfront. On paper we have a good attacking lineup. We're getting chances, shots and shots on target, they're just not going in. Dennis has started scoring though and Jenno still has the ability to conjure a goal out of nothing. The biggest disappointment for me has been Luke Norris. I did think that, fully fit and after a proper preseason, he would be a force this season but it just hasn't happened. He's out of sorts for whatever reason and injured again.
If NA can accept that Jenno is no longer a 90 minute player, get a system that can get the best out of Dennis (who actually seems to be finding form) and has the confidence to use the fringe players (Davison, Hawkes and Solomon), with a fully fit midfield showing some creativity, I think that we can have a successful second half of the season.
The takeover? These things always take time and I'll believe it when I see it. The fanzone is an omnishambles. Heads need to be banged together and the job sorted for the good of everyone.