Plymouth Argyle paying for failing to get promoted, we got one C/H Oxford got the other and McHugh has gone back up to Scotland and signed for Motherwell and their manager not happy about it
I wasnt on about you old timer Some on other forums think because we now have Wael, we will spend lots of money on players. DC was putting them right. Wael said when he first came it will be evolution on revolution. Wael is getting the infrastructure right. Training ground/new stadium and a better/stronger youth set up. Wael see's the youth set up as something very important as he is involved with youth set ups in Jordan. A new training ground will allow our youths to improve quicker. In the meantime, he is improving the Mem as it aint really fit for purpose so any improvements will help bring in more money. The kit suppliers are an improvement in name, hopefully quality will be better too. But all Wael wants is the infrastructure to be there. He is allowing DC to build the team as he has been doing. The right players in it for the right reasons, not for stupid money but for the club. We have seen that over the 2 years and not spent much in doing so. DC can still do this which is pretty much what he said. As for the training ground, I seen things elsewhere be said but wasnt sure if there was any truth to it. I dont think it will be on the present site as the present site dont belong to us. I get the impression is will be elsewhere and will belong to us and I expect it to be a good standard too. I also heard we have set up a partnership with Chelsea to get their youngster on loan Not sure if any truth to it or people just presume this as Wael supports Chelsea.
I have heard good things about the C/H that Oxford got. Im wondering if we got the right one. We'll soon find out
Thing that makes me think the Friends Life ground might become our training facility owned by us is Hamer's comments that the place they are looking at is covered by a covenant. Now knowing that ground and the rules about its use would lead me to think either there or the Mem could be in line. Part of the conditions would have been released as it was to do with the proximity to the airfield. Now that is no more, the only restriction on our training ground would be to do with the kerosine pipeline which runs along the back of the facility. The ground can only be used for recreational sport use, as is the Clifton Rugby Club.
I thought the Mem would be a good place for a training ground but I have been told by someone at the club that its not big enough unfortunately.
Blimey how big do they want it? Pull down the east stand and put in a all purpose training suite and there would be enough room for a pool and hydrotherapy unit and the ground could be used for reserve and U18 games.
CJS heard that Nelson the player that went to Oxford was the quicker of the 2 and often got them out of trouble. I didn't think you were having a dig at me CJS though some might have thought I was having a dig at the club, as I have said many times on this forum I believe that if we look after and support DC then he could be our Sir Alex and be the manager to take this club forward, onwards and upwards and by support I don't mean that we expect promotion every year
For a good standard training ground, you will need at least 3 outdoor training pitches and another 2 indoor. That alone wont fit on the Mem. Then you got to add a good size gym which will have a medical centre too for passing medical and physio rooms. And changing rooms including showers/baths etc also with physio rooms as well. Then dont forget offices for club staff. Also a car park and a restaurant to for the club players and staff. And also a press conference room. Im sure im missing out several other facilities that will be needed too. Remember, we will need facilities that will rival championship clubs which will help us attract the best players. Also the best facilities will help our youths progress too which is Wael's and DC's plan. There is no point spending money on something that will be too small for what we need by reducing the sort of facilities listed above. If we go small, where we want to be in a few years time, we will only have to move somewhere else and have to build bigger. May as well get it right now instead of wasting money. Wael wants to get the infrastructure in place for the future Again, like my last comment, I thought the Mem would be ideal. But I was told the Mem was simply not big enough for where it wants to be. But the same person also said where we are training now is perfectly fine. Work that out! Personally, Bournemouth's new training ground would be a fitting place to replicate.
Bournemouths training ground... A good watch.... Listen to what Howe says at 18 secs in about the need for the new training ground. and Listen to what Elphick (club captain) says at 1 min 10 secs about the infrastructure needed to get from league 1 to the prem.
http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/rovers-sign-luke-james-on-loan-3170739.aspx Luke James arrives on a season long loan with a view to make perm end of season.
For those unable to open the link if in work.... Bristol Rovers have today completed the signing of Peterborough United's Luke James, who arrives at The Memorial Stadium on a season long loan. Manager Darrell Clarke had this to say about his new signing; “I’m delighted to be able to bring Luke to Bristol Rovers, on a season long loan with the option of making it a permanent deal at the end of the season. He’s only 21 but already has the benefit of over 150 league games behind him since he signed as a professional at Hartlepool. They sold him to Peterborough for a £500,000 fee and he has since been out on loan at Bradford City and back at Hartlepool and I thought he was ‘Pools best player when they came to The Mem last season. I’ve watched him on a number of occasions in the last few years. He’s always impressed me with his work rate and I believe that I can get him scoring goals for Bristol Rovers. In my opinion his best position is playing off the shoulder of a striker at the top end of the pitch and at Hartlepool he scored a total of 19 goals in his two spells with them. He can also play high in a three, either on the left or right hand side and I’m quite excited about him signing for us. Luke was very keen to join us and I believe that I and my coaching staff can get the best out of him.” On completing his loan deal to join Rovers, Luke told us “I’m very excited to be here and can’t wait to get started. The move came around really quickly but as soon as I heard there was interest from Bristol Rovers this is where I want to be so I’m glad it’s all done. I played against Rovers last season when at Hartlepool and we got beat 4-1 on that night and Rovers were playing some great attacking football so it was a no-brainer for me. I work hard for the team but I like to play as a striker through the middle of the park so I want to bring as many goals as I can" Luke, who has been given squad number 29, graduated through the ranks at Hartlepool and made his senior debut when only 17 and became the youngest player ever to score a senior goal for the club when he found the back of the net against Rochdale on 7th January 2012. In September 2014, after scoring 19 goals in 90 league games for Hartlepool, Luke joined Peterborough United and has, to date, scored once in 32 league appearances with the London Road outfit. Last season he was on loan at Bradford City, where he played in nine league games, before returning to Hartlepool United where he remained on loan until the end of the campaign. Rovers’ supporters will no doubt remember him scoring twice at The Memorial Stadium in September 2013 in a 2-2 draw between The Gas and The Monkey Hangers, the first of three games he has played against us. The 21 year old midfielder/striker was The Football League One Apprentice of the Year in 2013.
Great signing for us, on newsnow it said that Rovers had the option to buy him at any time. I was extremely impressed with his work rate and his desire to be a pain to the Rovers defence all evening, might not be marquee price but could well be a marquee signing for us
He definitely can't be a striker surely he's got an abysmal record says winger/striker on Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luke_James_(footballer)
