Rovers are a team expected to take League One by storm this season, having been tipped by every bookie as potential champions, however something every successful team needs, is a prolific goal scorer, something that Rovers are currently short on.
As good as Danny Graham was in the Championship, scoring 12 goals in 35 games with 6 assists, it ultimately wasn’t enough for the Blues as they succumbed to their 2nd relegation under the stewardship of the Venkys.
Resultantly, Rovers need to be targeting players who would be more willing to play in the third tier as despite Graham having League One experience from his time on-loan at Carlisle United, he cannot be solely relied on to maintain a sustained run of fitness and score the much needed goals for Rovers.
In addition, Tony Mowbray may want another option in order to play someone alongside Dominic Samuel, if Graham is unavailable or a change of system is required, so another striker would be imperative if Rovers want an immediate return to the second tier. This want for players who would be willing to drop down a level rules out former on-loan striker Sam Gallagher, who has been linked to Birmingham, but has been wanted by many in Blue & White, after striking a stellar partnership with Danny Graham as the on-loan Saints striker also bagged a return of 11 goals and 3 assists in 43 games.
The first forward who Rovers have been linked with is Leeds outcast Marcus Antonsson. The 6ft Swede signed for the Yorkshire side in the summer of 2016 for a fee of £2m and played little part in their 2016-17 campaign where Garry Monk’s side narrowly missed out on the playoffs in their attempt at returning to the Premier League, making 16 appearances, with 10 of them coming off the bench, with a measly return of 1 goal and no assists.
This however shouldn’t dishearten any Rovers fans. Antonsson’s record in his native homeland is relatively impressing as in the league; he made a total of 94 appearances for Halmstads BK & Kalmar FF, returning 32 goals and 4 assists.
To breakdown these stats, 40 of those 94 appearances were off the bench, resulting in a total of 2 goals, so it is clear to see that he is most effective when starting as the out and out centre forward, which would most likely become the case throughout the season when rotation occurs or injury strikes.
After being bought from Sweden in a highly anticipated move, he failed to live up to expectations as he failed to make another appearance for Leeds after the 2nd of January.
In terms of the Leeds supporters, there is a real split in their camp about whether they would like to see Antonsson leave Elland Road, with many wanting his departure to be temporary, whilst others wanting him to leave for good.
The 26 year old, yet to make an appearance for his nation, has been strongly linked back to Sweden with AIK in a move which reportedly broke down. This has left the door wide open for Rovers to hijack any potential deal. However it is said that Antonsson is reviewing several offers from both England and Sweden, so it remains to be seen whether the Leeds man would be willing to drop down a division.
Regardless, whether Rovers decide to splash the cash once again, or opt for a move respectable loan move for the former Kalmar man, this is a signing which would guarantee goals in a division similar to the level of the Allsvenskan technically.
The second forward that would fit right into the squad at Ewood Park would be a man who developed into a fan favourite during his season long loan spell in 2016-17, Marvin Emnes.
The former Middlesbrough man, enjoyed a productive loan spell at Rovers after he joined on an initial 6 month loan from Swansea, which was later extended to a season long loan. Having played under Tony Mowbray at Middlesbrough, both parties will be aware of what to expect from the other which makes the prospect of a permanent switch for Emnes ever greater. However, despite being relegated with the club last season, the Ewood Park faithful will want the dazzling Dutchman to return permanently in Blue & White, especially after his glorious goal vs Wigan last season, which contained a first touch that even Lionel Messi would have been proud of.
His record in the Championship last season, along with his performance against Manchester United in the FA Cup caught the eye of a lot of teams, which could cause Rovers to face stiff competition if any interest in Emnes rose. However if any interest appeared from any Premier League team, any chance of a permanent deal occurring would place Rovers under immense pressure, due to the fact they would not be afford his wage demands, which would be close to more than £15,000 a-week. If this stumbling block could be ironed out, there is no reason why Emnes, who is currently without a club following his release by Swansea City at the end of the 2016-17 season, would not sign on the dotted line for Rovers.
Emnes’ record in terms of figures for Rovers in the Championship does not immediately scream ‘goal machine’ at you, however with 4 goals & 7 assists in 35 games in the league, his inclusion within the squad was more reliant on his ability to fashion a chance for an assist to occur and create space for forward runs, rather than provide the final ball himself. The former Dutch u21 international also created some great link-up play with his fellow forwards as well as having the ability to collect the ball from deep and drive at the opposition defence.
There is little chance of this deal becoming a reality, with Emnes’ services being touted by several Championship clubs; however on the off-chance this does happen, it would certainly lift the spirits of the Rovers fans after a disastrous campaign.
A final forward that would both aid Rovers’ development and the player himself, is a striker who is more familiar with the Championship than League One, however after sustaining a season ending injury at the start of the 2016-17 season, James Wilson is ready to prove his fitness again in order to try and force his way into the Manchester United picture for future seasons.
The United youth player is one of the Premier League’s most touted and highly rated youngsters after a number of impressive displays for United’s u21s & u23s and out on loan at Brighton where he scored 5 goals and fashioned 2 assists in 25 games. He was unfortunately unable to add to his tally of goals whilst on loan at Derby County last season as a result of an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury that he sustained whilst training for the Rams. Consequently, he was ruled out for the season and underwent an operation, which was successful. Almost a year on from that injury, the 21 year old has been playing in a number of u23s games in order to regain his match fitness, however following United’s purchase of Romelu Lukaku, there is no real place for Wilson to ply his trade at Old Trafford.
This is where Rovers come in. Because of his injury, Wilson will want to gain proper match fitness at a competitive level, which is something the u23s league lacks. The deal, which is a long shot, would be a loan deal until the end of the season – as United would be unwilling to sell him – and would allow Wilson to gain fitness whilst also aiding Rovers’ campaign to return to the Championship. This would seem like a logical option as Rovers also need a striker to partner either Danny Graham or Dominic Samuel. Wilson also offers some pace, which is what the Rovers forward line lack when Graham is leading the line.
In addition to this, the forward has not received any offers from any Championship clubs as the player is currently discussing his future with the United hierarchy, this could be the catalyst that triggers Rovers into making an offer for the 21 year old in order to get the deal done before the window closes in September. Additionally, the lack of offers from Championship clubs may be due to their reluctance to gamble on a player who has just returned from a long term injury, this is a gamble that Rovers should take, as it is a win/win situation. Due to the strength of the squad at Ewood Park, coupled with another potential striker signing alongside Wilson, it would leave the Blues with 2 extra potential options up top; Graham, Samuel, Wilson & another forward. This would allow Tony Mowbray to freely rotate if needed, without having to rely on one player for goals.
As a result of Wilson being in talks with United over his future, there is a chance that he will be placed up for loan over the next few weeks before the window shuts at the start of September, however it is possible that lower-end Championship clubs may dismiss the potential gamble and decide to offer, this is why Rovers should act early before he becomes unavailable.
