From The Post.... Bristol Rovers chairman Nick Higgs says there is money available to manager John Ward should he need to make an emergency foray into the transfer market. Higgs confirmed money has been set aside as a contingency, but, with an early-season injury crisis expected to ease "week-on-week" over the next month or so, he expects Ward to hold fire on any further transfer activity for the moment. Higgs said: "We put a strategy in place at the end of last season, and I'm pleased we managed to achieve all the things we set out to do in terms of bringing in our first-choice signings over the summer. The first priority was to agree permanent deals for the players who had done well for us during their loan spells over the second-half of last season, and it was a case of being patient and not rushing off to do other things in a panic. We have also had been pleased with the amount of young talent that has started to breakthrough into the senior squad, but we always have to have a contingency in place in case we lose a key player. There are funds available to bring a player in if we need to, but, at this moment in time, I know the manager is happy with the squad he has at his disposal. We're expecting to see a couple of the injured players ready to return over the next seven days or so, and then I'd expect the situation with some of the others to improve week-on-week after that. It is hard to measure where we are or what we need until we start to get those players back out of the treatment room. We showed we had the ability to challenge all of the top teams in the division with pretty much this squad of players over the final part of last season. Let's see how we go when we have a few of the senior players back and then we will be in a better place to review the situation The wage cap rule has gone against us as a club because of the situation we have had with so many injuries, but I am still a firm supporter of it. Clubs in the lower leagues, in particular, need to start getting their houses in order because too many are going into administration. The wage cap is one way to try to stop that sort of thing happening and I'm very much in favour of it."
Fairly honest comments from Mr Higgs,they certainly backed the manager in respect of signings, the impact on the squad due to injuries he has understandably slightly sidestepped as we need the current crop of young players to fill in the gaps and he would have no wish to say they are not quite ready to step up to the plate,however it has left the manager in a quandry (stick or twist) the next 8 games or more and weeks will be crucial in what Wardy and Higgs will do, if enough of the senior players recover and we garnish enough points to keep us away from the danger zone and in touching distance of the main contenders then the contingency fund will remain untouched (as Higgs wishes). Lets hope we get some luck and the youngsters continue to grow into the first team,making it hard for the senior players to get back in the starting 11 we need some competition within the ranks to make to the playoffs and beyond. COR View attachment 25408
nope. wage cap still at its max so what he is saying is we have money but cant use it without breaking the rules.
There must be a way around it anyway..... A Donation from a undisclosed person would add to the coffers wouldn't it? Perhaps Nick could try that one
Higgs must have something up his sleeve regarding the wage cap otherwise why bother mentioning anything about possible signings
Suggest we are okies for loan players as you can agree all sorts of payment plans with the other clubs that will not affect the budget rules. COR
