Taken from the Post.... Bristol Rovers' manager John Ward is unlikely to bolster his squad with any new wide players before the start of the season. Ward released experienced wideman Joe Anyinsah at the end of last term, but will not immediately seek a replacement after promoting promising youngsters Shaquille Hunter and Alefe Santos to the first-team squad ahead of the new season. The former youth-team starlets will join Fabian Broghammer, Ellis Harrison and Eliot Richards in competing for the two places available on the flanks of the senior team ahead of the new season. Ward said: "I'm happy with what we have available to us in the wider areas. When I first came to the club the need to strengthen the spine of the side with some experience was evident and that is were I placed all my emphasis. We've got it strong down the middle there now and I think we have the players here already to add a bit of flair on the outside of that. I feel excited about what we may see from these younger players next season. They bring a youthful exuberance about the place and I've seen enough over the last six months to suggest that they can last the pace and make a decent contribution. The likes of Ellis and Fabian, who both played a lot of games towards the end of last season, know that they are at a stage now where they have to take on a lot more responsibility and I'm looking forward to seeing them do it. I've been encouraged by the way they have worked in pre-season so far, so let's see how they go. We have four or five young lads, so it may be a case of rotating them at times to cater for any little bit of pressure or tiredness they feel over the course of the season. That is where my man-management and that of my staff will play a really important role because we have to get these young guys through a really long ten-month period of football without a problem."
No John - we're not strong down the spine of the team at the mo. We need a commanding central midfielder and unless he proves me wrong, Gill ain't it.
True BB, and that player is JJOT! I struggle to think of another midfielder of that quality that we could possibly have a chance of signing. Need the stadium to hurry up! Once that is built I bet signing players wont be such a problem!
I really can't see JJO'T coming to us anymore Chris. He's on fire pre-season for Colchester and I reckon he'll stay there. We need to widen our net now. Marlon Pack from Cheltenham would be great, but we've no chance of getting him. Klukowski from Forest Green would be good - scores a hatful of goals and drives forward whenever he can. If not, a decent quality loan from the Championship might work, but I really don't want to see us start the season light in central midfield.
baldee, is has been scoring goals in pre season but look at the opposition. even derek riordan and john akinde would have scored against those teams
Akinde maybe, but I can't see Riordan scoring weed at Glastonbury, let alone a goal in a football match!
