4 minutes ago, Bald Eagle said:

The only clarity from the initial retained list will be what’s happening with the out of contract players, and whether they have actually been released, are in discussions or have indeed already agreed new terms.

As DM demonstrated last year he will seek to move on under contract players he no longer requires, but that will not be highlighted publicly.  The positive this time is we have more players under contract that other clubs would actually want, so should make this task far easier.

Also players that we want to keep, that other clubs may want.

2 minutes ago, Fosse69 said:

Also players that we want to keep, that other clubs may want.

True, but will only become clear as the summer unfolds, and will likely be a ‘done deal’ when we find out as leaks from the club have been few and far between in recent times.

Footballing Operation Review Concluded | Bristol Rovers FC

WWW.BRISTOLROVERS.CO.UK

First retained list is out 

 

 

wasted no time there -Iv always had a healthy dislike of BR right back from the 80s play offs - I dont really know why, but it was cemented when they did the dirty on us by convincing us Ryan Loft was worth more than a tube of Smarties

Edited May 4, 20251 yr by Hoppers

56 minutes ago, Hoppers said:

wasted no time there -Iv always had a healthy dislike of BR right back from the 80s play offs - I dont really know why, but it was cemented when they did the dirty on us by convincing us Ryan Loft was worth more than a tube of Smarties

Any club that hired Joey Barton should be fuçkd off into obscurity, imo. 

Edited May 4, 20251 yr by Walka003

55 minutes ago, Hoppers said:

wasted no time there -Iv always had a healthy dislike of BR right back from the 80s play offs - I dont really know why, but it was cemented when they did the dirty on us by convincing us Ryan Loft was worth more than a tube of Smarties

We did the same to Cambridge and made a profit on him. 
 

Tom sang much better this season. Using a clip of him in his first season with us in a team getting battered every week is unfair. Debrah didn’t look good last season and this season is a different player altogether, probably our best defender now. If Moore thinks he is good enough that will do for me. He seems to know what he’s on about. 

7 minutes ago, WV said:

Tom sang much better this season. 

At a lower level against relatively inferior opposition.

Sang isn't a defender. He's a good crosser of the ball and we should play him higher up the pitch. 

We can't afford to repeat mistakes, particularly through sentimentality.

I can see both sides of the Sang argument.

On the one side he's versatile and can cover most of the right side and midfield if needed. 

On the other, he's not a stand out in any position. 

Genuinely wouldn't be surprised either way where his name ends up on the retained list. I'd probably keep him. 

 

Edited May 4, 20251 yr by Walka003

27 minutes ago, WV said:

We did the same to Cambridge and made a profit on him. 
 

Tom sang much better this season. Using a clip of him in his first season with us in a team getting battered every week is unfair. Debrah didn’t look good last season and this season is a different player altogether, probably our best defender now. If Moore thinks he is good enough that will do for me. He seems to know what he’s on about. 

Which is why the manager has to make a call on those 2 when we go back to a league where they arguably struggled last time round. You could also argue this season will have done them the world of good and they could have improved when we play in league one next season. 

Edited May 4, 20251 yr by PV1973

Feel like we have a much better team than the one that gained promotion in 2022, however for me another another 6/7 additions needed, a first choice keeper, 2 centre backs though would love to still keep Smithy as a back up, another midfielder as would be letting Harper and Lowe leave, would like to see if we can get Rico back.  Although he has not played much, when he comes on he creates so many chances, at league 1 when more football is played, feel he can be even better and another striker to play alongside Tolaj, Stockley at a higher level for me would be a good option from the bench.

Looking at league 1 it remains tougher than when we last went up, while there probably won't be 3 teams pushing 100 points like Plymouth, Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday did, in the league that year, there were lots of smaller teams like Forest Green, Morecambe, Accrington, Cambridge, Cheltenham, Fleetwood, Shrewsbury.  This year teams like Bolton, Huddersfield, Blackpool a fair number of points from the play-offs, Peterborough who easily beat  Birmingham in the football league final ended up just above the drop zone.  It is going to be a tough league and we are going have to recruit well and spend a lot to be competive.

A selection of L2 top scorers shortly to be out of contract / only 1yr left on their current deals, from sides who haven't gone up and or are unlikely to go up - 

1. Hakeeb Adelakun - Salford - 28 - 13 goals and 4 assists from the wing - OOC 
    
2. Alex Gilbey - Franchise - 30 - 11 goals and an assist from CM - 1yr left
    
3. Taylor Allen - Smallsall - 24 - 10 goals and 7 assists from CB (!!!) - 1yr left
    
4. Omari Patrick - Tranmere - 28 - 10 goals and 4 assists from the wing - OOC
    
5. Ben Woods - Accy - 22 - 9 goals and 6 assists from CM/LM - 2 yrs left, but Accy's owner resigned last week, they may accordingly be open to a lower offer than otherwise if the owner is actually off?
    
6.  Will Wright - Swindon - 27 - 7 goals and 3 assists from CB - Contract situation unclear. Exeter were interested in Jan. Won promotion season before with Crawley in the POs.

3 hours ago, Walka003 said:

Footballing Operation Review Concluded | Bristol Rovers FC

WWW.BRISTOLROVERS.CO.UK

First retained list is out 

 

 

I assume their DOF is the same Ricky Martin that did so well at the Sh1te 

2 minutes ago, jeffers said:

I assume their DOF is the same Ricky Martin that did so well at the Sh1te 

Yeah, sounds like he's about as much use as the flick was for us. 

 

 

Ricky Martin lands first role since leaving Stoke City - Stoke-on-Trent Live

WWW.STOKESENTINEL.CO.UK

Edited May 4, 20251 yr by Walka003

Maybe we could do the ultimate troll job now and put in a bid for Nathan Lowe from the 💩

Sheff Wed OOC - 

 

Huddersfield OOC -