There's a lot of optimism around, most of it justified because if we don't progress under Ward we never will! However it's all a bit quiet and we need to take a raincheck as a number of issues still need to be resolved: * assistant manager still to be appointed * some players offered contracts have still not signed. Harrison, Macey... * Section 106 for Memorial Stadium site still not signed off * goalkeeper still needed...will we get Mildenhall? * strong midfielder still needed...any chance of JJ? * striker to feed off Brunt/Harrold...or will we stick with Richards? * will Clarkson/Gill/Clucas/Kenneth/Woodards regain full fitness? It's still early days...but a lot of pieces still have to be put in place.
assistant manager can wait. Some of the young kids who have not signed up yet are annoying me a bit. If they don't want to be here, and think they can do better elsewhere, then we should cut them loose now. We don't need players like that at our club. Section 106..... I keep saying I will believe the stadium when I am sat in it....I still think to this day there is going to be something drastically wrong happen to it keeper is not a massive worry IMO as we can get decent keepers on loan as we have done for the last several years. strong midfielder is KEY and we must sign JJOT or someone of very similar quality, which I am afraid is not going to happen. Striker like Cureton would do for that role.... Clucas and Woodards are the only two im worried about being fit. We need them, whereas the others IMO wont be used much
It's very early days yet. I'm just glad that we're not having wholesale changes like the last two seasons - look where that got us. I'd definitely like to see JJO'T back, but I trust JW to get a decent replacement in if he doesn't come. Also, I'm fairly comfortable with the stadium at the moment - there's always this period of apparent inaction as 'i's got dotted and 't's crossed.
1, my opinion is that ward has approached someone although he states he hasnt. think his offer was rejected and now searching for a new number 2. now i wouldnt be suprised if we see stewart given the role as he cant find someone else. previous to ward saying he hadnt yet approached someone he said he has a few names and have ran them through higgs. few weeks later and no approaches have been made. improbable in my opinion. 2, macey will be delayed as has had 3 trials elsewhere from 2 prem sides and 1 relegated prem side. once his trials have finished he will then make a decision. think he is still out on trial. harrision according to his twitter has been searching for places to live in bristol. i know that means nothing as could still live in bristol and commute to other places. but its promising though. 3, its a waiting game. this was the last news heard 13 days ago from higgs http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/article/section-106-update-824523.aspx just a matter of time now. 4, disagree with chris about our keeper that we can just get a loan. we been doing this since phillips left apart from bevan. we need some consistancy between the sticks, a keeper of our own. not changing keepers throughout the season which does have a knock on effect to the defence. mildenhall was a great keeper and did what we needed. someone vocal at the back someone who command his box. i have never seen a keeper who came and collected the ball from corners/free kicks and crosses so easily. but his kicking was poor. i would love to sse him back but he can still play league 1 level and he is still under contract with millwall. i believe millwall have a new manager or looking for a new manager. he maybe waiting to see if he is needed still for them. as long as we dont wait so long like we did with constable then i dont mind waiting a little longer for him. 5, this is the most important position that we need filling. im not confident at all we will get o'toole. i think he will 100% leave colchester but wont drop down to league 2. so move on and get plan b for that position. hopefully ward has plan b in mind. 6, i think we need pace up front but i doubt we will get another striker as we have a few already. if we get a bad injury which we always get then i bet we get a loan - a youngster with pace. 7, they all will but for how long?? that the question. be interesting to see a fully fit gill to see what he can actually do.
