Re: The Rovers One Stop Rumour Thread : Tue Jun 19, 2012 7:30 am  

We've payed players more than there market worth in previous seasons just to get them on board, seems we are not prepared to do that anymore and I can't disagree with that.

If we think, for arguments sake, his value is 80k. Then no point in giving him 110k like we have in the past just to get him to the club. That 30k could be used to top up contracts for the likes of Salter, Cox et al

Re: The Rovers One Stop Rumour Thread : Tue Jun 19, 2012 7:39 am  

gingerspice wrote:

When you put it like that Paul it doesn't look so bad for me it's has to be retaining Mcdonnel or if suggestions are correct keV naquima who according to Roops is better than Shannon I'm sure the club have it sorted

Do you mean Wes? If not you better hope Kev's got a Fijian passport.

Re: The Rovers One Stop Rumour Thread : Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:30 am  

Paul T - HKR wrote:

rejuvenated Netherton

You sort of lost me at this point. 1 decent game in 4 years hardly constitutes "rejunvenated", we need more evidence. Nev should play when we are down to the bones, and in no other circumstances.

Re: The Rovers One Stop Rumour Thread : Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:42 am  

Sheldon wrote:

What I don't understand that after all the Money NH and RC have put into the club why they would start trimming down now, just when (after building the new stand) a 10,000 average could easily be obtained.

Let say the rumours are correct, I know , and you lose McDonnell and Lopini Paea because Hull out bid you then the knock on effect trying to get the fickle fans would out do the last 6 years of hard work.

Re NH and RC's continued 'investment' in Rovers, they are still underwriting the clubs losses but no-one expects them to do this indefinitely. As far as I am aware they will do so for the length of the current franchise.
But I agree with you about the timing of their rhetoric re scaling down expenditure and what I perceive to be ambitions*(with reference to the new signing policy). Perhaps the economic climate is squeezing their business profits more than any of us realise, but as you rightly say you would have thought the North stand would have acted as the driving force seeing how much thsy have pushed for it to become a reality.

On your last point, IMO the loss of Lovegrove to FC would be a bigger trigger then Mcdonnell (who has already stated he wants away) and Lopini (who hasn't been confirmed as a target).

Edit: * when I say 'ambitions' I am alluding to a more long term approach to success through investment in home-grown players as opposed to the buy-in approach.

Re: The Rovers One Stop Rumour Thread : Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:46 am  

SirStan wrote:

You sort of lost me at this point. 1 decent game in 4 years hardly constitutes "rejunvenated", we need more evidence. Nev should play when we are down to the bones, and in no other circumstances.

Note how I did mention him last!

Re: The Rovers One Stop Rumour Thread : Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:49 am  

Paul T - HKR wrote:

Re NH and RC's continued 'investment' in Rovers, they are still underwriting the clubs losses but no-one expects them to do this indefinitely. As far as I am aware they will do so for the length of the current franchise.
But I agree with you about the timing of their rhetoric re scaling down expenditure and what I perceive to be ambitions (with reference to the new signing policy). Perhaps the economic climate is squeezing their business profits more than any of us realise, but as you rightly say you would have thought the North stand would have acted as the driving force seeing how much thsy have pushed for it to become a reality.

On your last point, IMO the loss of Lovegrove to FC would be a bigger trigger then Mcdonnell (who has already stated he wants away) and Lopini (who hasn't been confirmed as a target).

You maybe right about them, they've ploughed alot in up to now.

I just can't see Hull going for Lovegrove, not knocking the lad but I don't think we need him.

Re: The Rovers One Stop Rumour Thread : Tue Jun 19, 2012 9:05 am  

Sheldon wrote:

You maybe right about them, they've ploughed alot in up to now.

I just can't see Hull going for Lovegrove, not knocking the lad but I don't think we need him.

A colleague of mine has said his trigger would be if Rovers didn't collect a transfer fee from Fc for Liam Watts! Well, fickle can be relative Eh!

[Mild Rover]

Re: The Rovers One Stop Rumour Thread : Tue Jun 19, 2012 9:44 am  

Paul T - HKR wrote:

Whilst its great to speculate about 2013, big decisions still have to be made (announced) about the cornerstones of the 2012 Rovers pack, in particular Galea, Clinton and Lovegrove, but do we really need to retain/replace them?

I will be very surprised if Clinton is retained (even though he is one of CS's bue-eyed boys, the financial package is a major stumbling block), but with props Paea, Taylor, O'hara, Green, Beaumont and a rejuvenated Netherton signed up for 2013, and if Rovers retain the promising Ofori and Esselmont, then I don't think we need a new signing.

The 2nd row is a different proposition, take Galea out and there is a distinct lack of depth. Signed up are Mika, Horne and Cox (plus Griffin) with another of CS's hopefuls Ollett (OOC). If Galea leaves and isn't replaced IMO CS will have to redefine the 12 shirt role. TBH I favour a strong running forward like Coxy but he will probably need 2013 to get back to his 2011 level. CS has been experimenting with Josh H in the 2nd row so he adds cover. IMO, there is a strong argument to retain Galea and give the likes of Cox, Griffin and Ollett time to develop and then make a decision for 2014 season. On the other hand, CS can bring forward that decision by going with what he has already got.

The main problem is at loose forward or the 3rd prop position. Lovegrove has taken ownership of this shirt and will be a major loss to that role. Murrell has been coming off the bench to support Lovegrove but his mobility is a concern, although he seems to have found his form in this role. The back-up is thin on SL experience with only Petersen 'blooded' but again CS rates him. In the reserves Tyler Hepi has been filling this role. IMO Blake Green or Craig Hall could do a job, but that would mean redefining the role which might not sit with CS's strategy. IMO, the loss of Lovegrove would be massive but there are exciting options open to CS.

In conclusion, then, Rovers don't necessarily need to replace Clinton, Galea or Lovegrove. All three players can be absorbed (the same applies to Webbo ie Salter) because of the depth and options within the squad signed up for 2013.

Having said this I do hope Rovers retain the services of Galea and Lovegrove.

Departures will be mitigated to some extent by younger players stepping up I'm sure - but it doesn't have to be all or nothing. We can't expect all those young players, most of whom have never played SL to become anything more than fringe players in a single season. 1 or 2 might, and the likes of Cox and Taylor, who've got a good few games under their belts, will hopefully continue to grow as players.

We will sign some players, but competition is clearly fierce, so I suspect realistically it is about getting the best value rather than the best players - and trying to grow in a more organic, sustainable way. We needed the shot in the arm circa 2008, to buy time. It looks like Widnes are looking to do something similar now. Hull are are having to do something vaguely along the same lines, until they get some more of their own players coming through. We're in different place - after the rollercoaster of the last few years, it does seem a bit quiet and understated, but that hopefully offers a more solid platform.

Re: The Rovers One Stop Rumour Thread : Tue Jun 19, 2012 10:24 am  

theres so much crap spoke on these threads by fans of both teams, but isnt it nice to have a good well spoken and interesting thread for a change,good reading,for my pennies worth think theres gonna be a clearout for both teams,

Re: The Rovers One Stop Rumour Thread : Tue Jun 19, 2012 11:33 am  

MrPhilb wrote:

He is, out of Rovers reach I'm afraid

And how do know this MrPhilb?