Bristol Rovers hoping new boy Akinde hits the ground running
BRISTOL Rovers are hoping new target-man John Akinde can keep up an impressive record of scoring on his debut when he joins them for today's home clash with Southampton.
The 6ft 2ins striker was signed on loan from Bristol City yesterday and goes straight into the squad for the game against League One's title favourites at the Memorial Stadium.
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Bristol Rovers hoping new boy Akinde hits the ground running
The initial deal will see the 21-year-old striker remain with the Pirates until January 5, when the transfer window is open again, and the move is with a view to a possible permanent deal.
Rovers have been searching for a big target-man since Rickie Lambert joined the Saints in a £1 million move more than a year ago and boss Paul Trollope is delighted the long search for a forward who can beef up their front line has been concluded.
"We are very pleased to secure his signature," said Trollope. "We have been searching for a player with his type of physical attributes for quite a while.
"His all-round game is decent and he will bring different qualities and attributes to the squad and give us different options.
"It is a loan to begin with, with a possibility of further things after January."
Akinde started his career with Conference club Ebbsfleet and made a £140,000 move to Ashton Gate in September 2008, scoring on his debut in a 2-2 home draw with Plymouth.
Later that season, he started the first of two loan spells at Wycombe and found the net twice in his first game as they drew 3-3 with Brentford at Griffin Park. He had a further loan spell with Brentford last season.
"John is a young player with a big future ahead of him. He has had a couple of loan moves where he has done pretty well and been involved with Bristol City this year already," added Trollope.
"He is someone we have watched closely and he has all the attributes to be a good player. It's a case of work in progress because he is still improving and his age means he fits in with what we are trying to do.
"We welcome him on board and think he will add something to the squad. He brings that hunger that we are looking for."
Born in Kent, Akinde scored 10 goals in 26 appearances for Ebbsfleet but found it hard to get regular football at Ashton Gate, where all but two of his 22 league and cup appearances have been from the bench.
He featured as a substitute in City's 3-3 draw against Barnsley last weekend, but the signing of strikers Brett Pitman and Jon Stead means he is surplus to requirements at City.
Rovers chairman Nick Higgs said: "We are very pleased to welcome John to the club. The loan initially runs until January, with a view to making things longer term if everything works out.
"He is a big, strong player who can hold the ball up and ticks all the boxes that Paul was looking for.
"We are very excited about him joining us as he will give us different options up front."
Akinde becomes the first City player to join Rovers since keeper Steve Phillips made the move in the summer of 2006.
Meanwhile, Trollope hopes to get an answer from Reading over keeper Mikkel Andersen's future with the club this weekend.
The Danish under-21 international's loan stint is up after this weekend's home game against Southampton and Rovers hope the Championship club will agree to extend it.
"I spoke to Reading's director of football Nicky Hammond at length but there is no news at the moment," said Trollope.
"They know our situation and what we would like to do and discussions will probably go on over the weekend."
12 Comments
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by Simple Stan, Stapleton
Monday, August 30 2010, 1:28AM
“I bought my wife akindle and she loves it.”
by Rednemesis, Clifton
Saturday, August 28 2010, 1:21PM
“Well said John. Apologies for Ade idiocy but I suspect he'll grow out of it after school days. I'm sorry to see probably the last of John and wish him all the best at Rovers. Never quite figured why he wasn't given a greater chance and thought he would be a starter having watched him in pre season. We loved it when Marcus came to Ashton Gate and Beadle was made most welcome.
Get over yourself Ade. Well done Trollope - makes complete sense as a loan signing for all.”
by James, South West
Saturday, August 28 2010, 12:20PM
“If we can move on from this childish bickering I think it is an excellent move for all parties.
John was never given a real chance at Ashton Gate and has reached the stage in his career when he must kick on (no pun intended).
He will probably find League One to his liking - the jury is still out as to whether he has what it takes to be a Championship player mainly because he's never been given the chance - and may well find a permanent berth at the Memorial Ground.
As a City fan I hope he does well. He has never publicly whinged about his situation at Ashton Gate and deserves some success.
If he succeeeds at Rovers it will be to his and their benefit of course, but it will also give the City management the chance to finally decide whether they think he can cut the mustard with them.
Good luck, John.”
by a, Bristol
Saturday, August 28 2010, 11:12AM
“"...silly names.." then call us "s..t h...s" - absolute classic, a typical Gash-head response!
If you think I've made up calling you lot Gash, take a look on the city boards, many, many city fans call you that!”
by Steve, Bristol
Saturday, August 28 2010, 11:07AM
“ade bristol If you read it properly what hes saying is stop making ur self look like an Idiot by making up ur own silly names because you are s..t h...s and you always will be.We are not going to change what we call you.”
by ade, Bristol
Saturday, August 28 2010, 10:29AM
“please translate that gibberish for me matt - what the **** was that?”
by matt, Bradley Stoke
Saturday, August 28 2010, 10:06AM
“Your the only one I ever here say it and I think you sound like a numpty.You lot are sh.. Hea.. and you always will be.Or maybe we should change like you try to do to sh..y He..ys or something like that.No will stick with sh.. h...s.As for helping us out (which it is dont get me wrong)dont you think its helping you lot out too?”
by simon, NOTR
Saturday, August 28 2010, 9:58AM
“Ade, you're making it up. Coles and Phillips are/were good for us, fair enough. No one would say they are the greatest by any means but if it makes you happy.......
We know our position with regards to you lot, you are in the CCC we are in Div 3. It's funny how you need to remind yourselves though.
As for names, you can call us what you wish. We know that you are City82 and a large proportion of your supporters are an embarrassment to the sport and our city. Your egos far outway your potential and you wear red, red is a rubbish colour compared to blue.”
by ade, bristol
Saturday, August 28 2010, 9:42AM
“Gash is actually used quite a lot to refer to you lot - can't believe this is the 1st time you've heard it?
"Hero Worship" - what I mean is the way Philips was "the greatest keeper" and Coles is "the greatest defender" in the world. You might not call them that personally but I know quite a few GASH that do, it's as though you have to make out every ex-city player is superb so we can't laugh at you taking our rejects!
As for MS, yes he did get a good reception but PB took ages before he was accepted”
by matt, Bradley Stoke
Saturday, August 28 2010, 9:19AM
“ade bristol.What is it with this Gash crap.It was your lot that started calling us Gas we liked it so we stuck with it. Are you trying to move the goal posts and start calling us Gash instead because we like it? if you are you are the only one.You sound like a real D..k head.idiot!!!”