Bristol Rovers' Trollope: We may not beat the transfer deadline
Paul Trollope has admitted Bristol Rovers may have to wait before they are able to bring in the new faces they want to bolster their squad.
The Pirates are working to land more recruits ahead of Tuesday night's cut-off point for transfers.
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But coach Trollope says if that does not happen, the club will have to sit tight for another week and then try and do business in the loan market.
Rovers are known to be in the market for a striker and wide players – but it is their goalkeeping situation that is the main topic of debate.
Rhys Evans, signed on a short-term contract, was the only keeper in their squad for Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Wycombe and it is still not clear whether he will be available for the game at Hereford in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. "We are looking into a number of possibilities," said Trollope.
"Obviously there has been a lot of talk about it, and we will be addressing the situation.
"We hope to do some business before the transfer deadline but it's never easy.
"We totally appreciate the need to add to the squad as we are a bit thin at the moment.
"We have a number of young players on the bench who may progress to be good players in the future, but maybe it's a bit soon to be asking too much of them so we do need to add.
"We have been frustrated on a few occasions and would still like to do something before the end of the transfer window.
"But if we don't, we will have to look at the possibility of some emergency loans a week later."
Trollope was far from happy with Rovers' performance in the Adams Park reverse after they let slip a lead given them by Chris Lines' first goal of the campaign.
"It wasn't a performance that was up to the standard we have set ourselves in the early weeks of the season – especially when you compare it to the display against Huddersfield the previous week," he said.
"We spoke about the good things we did in that game and tried to replicate them in terms of our passing and movement.
"But the competitive edge was an important factor in it and while we produced bits of it in flashes, we didn't do it consistently enough to warrant getting anything from the game.
"To get in front was a good boost for us, but after that we seemed to have the mentality that we could just hang on to that lead and didn't need to play, but that wasn't the case.
"We needed to pass the ball as a team and to impose ourselves on the opposition, but the only time we really did that was at the start of the second half.
"Unfortunately that little spell was followed by a few phases of play when we had needless offsides and needless free kicks were being pumped into our box.
"In the end, that led to the pressure from which they scored the winner so it was a disappointing afternoon for us.
"Our passing and movement wasn't up to our normal standard. We got into a number of decent positions in their half after the break but we were looking for a bit more movement, a bit more energy and better decisions on the ball.
"Unfortunately a lot of those aspects were missing. Despite huffing and puffing and trying to get back into the game, there was always a lack of movement or wrong decisions being taken, so we need to look at that and make sure it doesn't happen again.
"To be near the top of the division, we need to be consistent in everything we do."
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by gas man, GasWorld
Monday, August 31 2009, 10:07PM
“Citypete,
What would you know about Sport !
Cheating ?....yes
Sport ?.....no.
TRUTH HURTS EH ?”
by Citypete, bristol
Monday, August 31 2009, 7:22PM
“Gasman youre the t....r if i want to write on here on any story i can. just because its a blues story dont mean anything enough of you gasheads write on our stories but as usual you can dish it out but you hate the truth back. your crap of a board is a disgrace to bristol sport”
by tony, chipping sodbury
Monday, August 31 2009, 7:18PM
“one swallow does not make a summer & one away defeat (however disappointing) does not mean we will struggle this season.
However what is undeniable & unavoidable is that we do lack in key areas on the pitch.
first, our first 11 can beat anyone (witness the game v Huddersfield particularly the first half) however our squad is not big enough to compete at the highest level of league 1.
second, our goalkeeping situation has provided ammunition to our friends south of the river and has caused the loyal to roll their eyes. we have reqd competition in that area to keep Phillips on his toes - ousting him for another guaranteed to keep their place is not the answer.
third, for the past 18 months I have banged on to anyone that will listen that we require a defensive midfield player. We've got great attacking midfield players, however sometimes when the tide of the game is flowing against you campbell needs a hand to steady the ship in that area.
finally, and the most recent is that we now need a big striker. Not for every game but to provide an option when plan a is failing
The only surprise about Lambert's departure was the eventual buyers & the (let's be honest) excellent price so the board cannot plead poverty.
I refuse to believe that Trolls & Lennie haven't planned for Lambert's departure and haven't furnished a list of names.
The important thing now is that the board build on the good work of recent years & move the footbal club forward with wise investment on the pitch (as well as off). This is the pact between club & supporter and one the board would do well to remember.
UP THE GAS”
by Pat, Hanham
Monday, August 31 2009, 6:59PM
“It was obvious after the Cardiff game that our strikers would struggle against a decent defence and that high or long balls up to them would be wasted. The same happened at Wycombe, with no-one to win or hold up the ball up front, the pressure kept building on a shaky looking defence. The keeper situation was a farce (we lost a good keeper due to trying to knock a few quid off the wage bill) and we could probably also do with a big front man (similar to the Aldershot striker) to bully the opposition defences. The management team have done a great job over the past couple of seasons, but now need the directors to give them the proper financial backing in order to kick on again this season. Leaving it all to transfer deadline day means we will prob have to pay over the odds tho, so loan signings here we come!!”
by ben, bristol
Monday, August 31 2009, 4:59PM
“when if ever will we be a side to be reckoned with once more.?I refer to the days of the bannister/warboys partnership,that had the crowd buzzing and the money flowing.There must be players of this quality waiting to be discovered,it's just a case of getting scouts off the phones and out to do some proper scouting ,isn't that what they are paid for ?It would be a shame to sacrifice our season for the sake of a healthy bank balance to keep the board happy. REMEMBER NO ONE IS INDISPENSIBLE AND FANS ARE SHORT ON PATIENCE WHEN THE POWERS THAT BE STAND BETWEEN US AND OUR BELOVED FOOTIE!.”