We asked our Rovers fans’ jury how pivotal the January transfer window is to the team maintaining their current form and competing for a play-off spot this season.

 

The situation regarding Rovers and the January transfer window I feel is most dependent on retaining players more than acquisitions.

Keeping players like Ben Brereton Diaz and Joe Rothwell I think are crucial factors in any continuation of the present form. Brereton’s current credentials are clear for all to see but the skills of Rothwell do not seem to be fully appreciated by the manager and I can see Joe leaving which would be a great shame.

Having said all that we still need to bring in at least one attacker to replace Ian Poveda and a central defender.

With an injury prone squad, suspensions and injuries to key players would have a very negative effect on form and a top six place would become a forgotten emotion.

The current players are to be heartily congratulated on their recent results and let’s hope that the transfer window does everything to consolidate our current delusions.

Paul Yates

 

January proves a pivotal moment in the season that can give teams an added impetus based on their business in the transfer window.

It gives teams an opportunity to addresses weaknesses and improve their squad.

As things stand, we’re not one of those clubs with the likes of top quality players such as Daniel Ayala, Bradley Dack, Sam Gallagher and Joe Rankin-Costello ready to provide competition for places.

However, each aforementioned player brings fitness doubts and with a small squad and diminishing energy levels as the season progresses, it’s important that we add to the squad to counter such invariables.

As for the players yet to sign contracts, we can do no more than offer what we can afford based on our wage structure so if they choose not to sign then we need to either decide if we’re realistic promotion contenders and keep hold of them, risking losing them for nothing in summer, or cash in on them and look for players in similar contractual situations elsewhere.

Personally, while I’d love to see the likes of Joe Rothwell remain at the club, I don’t blame players for expanding their horizons, after all it’s what many of us do in our own careers and no player is irreplaceable.

Kelvin Wilkins

 

January is all about keeping Mr Diaz and that’s all there is to it.

With his contract running down and his current goalscoring form he will be a wanted man.

In the summer he was linked with Leeds United and look how desperate they are for a target man now but I genuinely expect him to stay until the summer and then we’ll see where we are up to.

It’s crucial to make sure we keep hold of the two lads we have from Brighton, Jan Paul van Hecke and Reda Khadra, as they are crucial parts of this squad.

To maintain our top six spot we may need to add in the goalkeeper department as I’m not sure at this stage if Aynsley Pears is an adequate keeper if Thomas Kaminski gets injured and we could also do with another striker too.

Obviously it’s all about money and keeping within the Financial Fair Play rules, however.

Andrew Robinson