We asked our Rovers fans’ jury for their expectations heading into the new season, how they differed to 12 months ago, and reasons to be optimistic, and concerned.

 

My expectations are considerably less than last season in that we were then optimistic that a top six finish was a realistic proposition.

Unfortunately sick-note Rovers showed remarkable inconsistency even though they had some decent loan signings and a top class striker in Adam Armstrong.

So our prayers remained unanswered and we wondered what the next season might bring. Well very little it seems. No new signings, the Armstrong saga continues and super-hero Daniel Ayala continues to fight his way through the pain barrier at no little expense.

A reason to be optimistic is that I hope the youngsters from the youth set-up can step up to the plate and save us from relegation.

On the debit side, as the recent friendlies have shown, the inconsistency of performances will continue as will the manager’s philosophy of invisible defending.

Paul Yates

 

I think it’s a really interesting season ahead and one to separate the men from the boys. This is an opportunity for a host of young and emerging players to establish themselves as serious contenders for a first team place and I believe this will be a defining season for many who have been on the periphery of the first team such as Tyler Magloire, Hayden Carter, Jack Vale, Dan Butterworth and Harry Chapman.

If it clicks and these youngsters seize this opportunity, then we could ride the wave of youthful exuberance and bring new risk, energy and excitement to the division.

On the other hand, we lack experience and established depth so looking ahead we must be pleased to stay clear of the relegation fight and be happy with a season of experience for our youngsters rather than our inflated play off expectations of last season.

Kelvin Wilkins

 

My expectations this season are that we simply have to survive and I expect us to do so just. Twelve months ago I was optimistic of a play-off challenge when Harvey Elliott arrived from Liverpool to complement the experience that we already had at the club, but 12 months on we have neither any real experience or Elliott.

The optimism is there with all the youngsters who have had game time in the pre-season friendlies plus I finally expect Ben Brereton to step up and get a more goals this season now he is a South American international footballer.

The worry is that we have made no new signings, lost swathes of experience and last season’s top scorer by a country mile, Adam Armstrong, will no doubt be leaving any day soon.

Andrew Robinson