January

[Askern Rover]

So with January just around the corner who would we realistically like to see signed by the club not positions names please

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I think Darren Ferguson can be the only one who could give you the names. Beyond the names Alfie May and this Quintongo fella I don't think any of us have a Scooby Doo.

[DonnyOsmond]

You say you don't want positions but that's all you can really work out. We'll get a keeper till then end of the season, left back and a striker, hopefully replacement for Calder too.

[andysly]

I'm more concerned about who could possibly be poached off us.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I very much doubt anyone who we don't want to leave will go.

[craigdrfc]

All the key components will stay, I'm sure of that.

I think we'll see 2 come in (young striker and a defender) ... and maybe also a keeper on loan if he finds the right one.

[Alan Southstand]

Etheridge has already gone and its a well known fact that Evina and Garrett will be moved out either on loan or permanent. So, cover required for Marosi is a given and also cover for the left side is needed even IF Mason's loan is extended. Calder must be on a sticky wicket as he's not really done enough so by my reckoning he will be going back to his own club. That only leaves Wroey as our left sided attacking midfielder, so that will need re-enforcing. DF's preference is for a 'striker that gives us something different' so that will be on his list and maybe one from non-league could make it commercially viable.

OUT - 4 (Etheridge, Evina, Garrett, Calder)
IN - 4 (no idea on names and that's how it should be, so we don't alert other clubs)

We have to be even stronger as a squad to ensure our progress and maintain a stranglehold on a top 3 slot.

[wing commander]

Ross is only on loan to the beginning of January to get games and boost his confidence,it wouldn't surprise me if he then came back so not sure we will sign a keeper...Personally I would keep Garrett too,he was very highly rated and although it hasn't happened for him so far he has the potential...Although I would agree on the others..Cedric is attracting interest both loan and permanent..Permanent would be my wish but we will see and Calder hasn't shown enough to warrant a loan extension...

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Agree 100% with that Alan. I have a sneaky hunch DF will pull one out of left field that would be a massive bonus.

[NickDRFC]

Etheridge has already gone and its a well known fact that Evina and Garrett will be moved out either on loan or permanent. So, cover required for Marosi is a given and also cover for the left side is needed even IF Mason's loan is extended. Calder must be on a sticky wicket as he's not really done enough so by my reckoning he will be going back to his own club. That only leaves Wroey as our left sided attacking midfielder, so that will need re-enforcing. DF's preference is for a 'striker that gives us something different' so that will be on his list and maybe one from non-league could make it commercially viable.

OUT - 4 (Etheridge, Evina, Garrett, Calder)
IN - 4 (no idea on names and that's how it should be, so we don't alert other clubs)

We have to be even stronger as a squad to ensure our progress and maintain a stranglehold on a top 3 slot.

I think you're about right with that (certainly right with those leaving), hopefully those that come in will give better competition to the team than those that move out.

Going off on a slight tangent - I've noticed that you call Rowe "Wroey". Is that intentional/a mistake/autocorrect? It's a bit like someone referring to you as "Anal"   

[Alan Southstand]

Like someone who used to run this site!

(Anal that is)

Rowey it is then.

[IDM]

Don't forget we should have McSheffery back at some point?

[DonnyOsmond]

Don't forget we should have McSheffery back at some point?

Who is that?

[Al4475]

Said before I think he'll go for one in each of the areas - Gk, def, mid, attack - hopefully players that can go straight into first XI if need be to strengthen the whole squad depth! I'd like to see Mason and Houghton retained too!

No names in particular - just good players at above L2 level if possible! Hopefully we can then keep going at the top end of the table, secure promotion and have the spine of a good L1 side!

A lot to hope for but I've been a good boy this year santa! Ha!

[Alan Southstand]

Don't forget we should have McSheffery back at some point?

I take it your tongue is well planted in your cheek, IDM. It may well be that we have seen the last of GMcS (and, no, I have no inside info). There's absolutely no news of him being back in training and the same goes for ATS and LMcC? If one or more of those 3 are due back playing in the New Year, it only further re-enforces the squad depth. We can't expect them to come back firing on all cylinders, as they have been out for so long.

What we ideally want is for at least a couple of lads who can and will make a difference. Either to the way we can play (different formations) or make us stronger physically and hopefully quicker in certain areas. At the very least, I would expect our bench to look a lot stronger than it currently does.

[bobbymax]

Luke is out for the season. February was mooted as a possible return to training for ATS so I doubt we'll see him before March, if at all. McSheffery, who knows but it's not looking promising.

We need a left-back to challenge Mason and a left-sided midfielder with energy so Rowe can move inside if Coppinger is not available. A striker with a bit of pace would be nice but otherwise I'd be pretty happy with existing options as far as League 2 is concerned.

[DonnyOsmond]

We need to have one eye on a squad to challenge next season.

[RedJ]

Bit gutted about McSheffrey. Looked real quality last year even if only for 7 games or so. If he'd come in sooner we'd have stayed up, I think.

[IDM]

Don't forget we should have McSheffery back at some point?

I take it your tongue is well planted in your cheek, IDM. It may well be that we have seen the last of GMcS (and, no, I have no inside info). There's absolutely no news of him being back in training and the same goes for ATS and LMcC? If one or more of those 3 are due back playing in the New Year, it only further re-enforces the squad depth. We can't expect them to come back firing on all cylinders, as they have been out for so long.

What we ideally want is for at least a couple of lads who can and will make a difference. Either to the way we can play (different formations) or make us stronger physically and hopefully quicker in certain areas. At the very least, I would expect our bench to look a lot stronger than it currently does.

Not at all, deadly serious.  I have no idea when he will be fit but he is good enough to play in League 1 never mind 2.

ATS was going to be about 9 months I thought, from last May, and Luke is out all season.

[wilts rover]

The last news of McSheffrey was that he had an operation on 3rd October that would require 16 weeks recovery. So possibly back in February.

http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster-rovers/doncaster-rovers-gary-mcsheffrey-ruled-out-for-four-months-1-8160747

[Alan Southstand]

Thanks for that reminder Wilts, but February is being optimistic. Even DF says in that report Feb/Mar time. So if he's available before the beginning of March, he will be lucky (given his age, etc). It may well be a bonus to have him available for the run-in and over Easter in particular, but that's about it. Which, basically, underlines the need for us to invest in January.

[Alan Southstand]

From the local press:

We’ve got to speak to Aston Villa about Riccardo Calder as well.

Read more at: http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster-rovers/doncaster-rovers-players-granted-christmas-day-off-1-8300517


I hope we're telling them he can go back, personally.

[Pancho Regan]

From the local press:

We’ve got to speak to Aston Villa about Riccardo Calder as well.

Read more at: http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster-rovers/doncaster-rovers-players-granted-christmas-day-off-1-8300517


I hope we're telling them he can go back, personally.

I can't quite make up my mind about Riccardo but I don't have quite the downer on him as many on the forum. I do think he has the ability, as he showed in the away defeat at Crewe where he really posed big problems for their defence.
But he's inconsistent.

My thoughts are that I'd keep him and use him the way Fergie is doing, namely as a sub to come on and offer something different.

[graingrover]

There was  an interesting interview with John Marquis in which he was asked of his opinion on squadmates . This was done by way of a process of 'who would you put in which box ?' JM categorised Riccardo as the quiet one who prefers to play on his smartphone (than participate in group banter ). A  more revealing remark was ' perhaps he just doesn't like us ' ; there again it's hard to ascertain  whether  JM's remarks are made tongue in cheek or not .

[GazLaz]

There was  an interesting interview with John Marquis in which he was asked of his opinion on squadmates . This was done by way of a process of 'who would you put in which box ?' JM categorised Riccardo as the quiet one who prefers to play on his smartphone (than participate in group banter ). A  more revealing remark was ' perhaps he just doesn't like us ' ; there again it's hard to ascertain  whether  JM's remarks are made tongue in cheek or not .

He's young and probably not very confident. Always get different types of characters in a squad. People always seem to presume footballers are all similar. They're not. I met Raheem Sterling at a doo in London once, couldn't believe how shy and quiet he was. Calder may be similar.

[RedJ]

Mind he also said he's usually a banker to be late for training, so perhaps he thinks he's made it and doesn't really give a f**k now.

[Rovers91]

Mind he also said he's usually a banker to be late for training, so perhaps he thinks he's made it and doesn't really give a f**k now.

I think if that was the case Fergie wouldn't have resigned him and would have sent him back to Villa long time ago.

[the vicar]

You say you don't want positions but that's all you can really work out. We'll get a keeper till then end of the season, left back and a striker, hopefully replacement for Calder too.

how many times do people need telling, there is a striker a midfielder and a defender and we now know the striker