With Rovers just over halfway through their first season back in the Championship, following a brief stint in League 1, the Blues – despite being tipped by some to struggle – have shown that they are capable of comfortably operating at this level on the pitch, with the likes of table-toppers Leeds United and promotion favourites, West Bromwich Albion, both having tasted defeat at Ewood Park, this season. With Ben Brereton already confirmed as Rovers’ first winter window signing, Tony Mowbray – as he has openly stated – has begun looking for ‘new faces’ who he believes will be able to help Rovers gradually get back to where they want to be.
As he did in the summer window, the former Hibernian boss will have to use his experience and contacts, as well as his ability to sell the club to potential targets, in order to try and secure the deals that he would like, before February 1st. Despite claiming numerous times that he is happy with the current squad; the manager hasn’t shied away from admitting that his players are ‘in need of some extra help’ if they want to match Mowbray’s ambitions of fighting for a place towards the top of the division. Moreover, with the manager’s budget being seemingly unknown to anyone but himself, this list contains a mixture of both, possible loanees and permanent options.
Following a vote on Twitter, 47% of the voters believed that Rovers should be looking to bring in a centre-back during this window, whilst 27% and 23% are in favour of the addition of wingers and strikers, respectively. Despite the heavy links, the likes of Harry Chapman and Patrick Bauer, were earlier touched upon in the previous couple of transfer articles, hence their omission this time around.
As has been noted in previous transfer articles and by many fans, the right full-back position has not been an area that Rovers have been blessed with over the past decade, with probably Míchel Salgado being the last permanent right-back that the fans would have properly classed as ‘a natural right-back’, up until Ryan Nyambe’s breakthrough into the first-team during the 2016-17 season.
One player who could be capable of challenging the 21-year old full-back for his shirt, is Wolverhampton Wanderers defender, Dominic Iorfa. The 6’4”, 23-year old full-back, who is also capable of operating as a centre-back if required, carries a wealth of Championship experience with him, having played 84 times in the division for Wolves, in addition to a 23-game loan spell at Ipswich Town in 2017-18.
Although this recommendation is no criticism of Ryan Nyambe, who has come on leaps and bounds under the guidance of Tony Mowbray, Rovers currently – and have done for a few years – find themselves short on right-backs, with Elliott Bennett or on-loan Southampton man, Harrison Reed being the preferred back-up or emergency options. By delving into the transfer market to sign Iorfa, Rovers would not only be adding a player who is capable of playing at this level, but also someone who would fit into the current young demographic of the squad that the manager is trying to assemble. In terms of the deal’s finances, the pacey full-back’s contract at the Premier League side, is set to end, at the end of this current season, which would allow the England youth player to walk for free at the end of the campaign – subject to compensation or a potential tribunal due to him being 23. Notwithstanding the contract situation, there have been recent reports linking Iorfa with a move to Rangers for around £500,000, which suggests that Rovers could snap up the defender, once-valued at £15m by Wolves, for a bargain price.
The next target, although being another defensive option, resonates with the 47% of the Twitter poll, who believed that a central defender should be Rovers’ primary target during this window. Whilst Rovers do have the likes of Derrick Williams and Jack Rodwell – now that Paul Downing has departed on loan – as cover for the starting pair of Charlie Mulgrew and Darragh Lenihan, it has shown over the first part of the season, especially over the tough festive period, that 4 centre-backs are still not enough for Rovers. One main example of this was seen in the 1-0 victory against West Bromwich Albion on New Year’s Day, where due to injuries to Rodwell and Derrick Williams, Mowbray was forced to draft in Joe Grayson to fill in as the second defensive cover option, alongside Paul Downing, on the Rovers bench.
The scouted player in question, is Everton centre-back, Tyias Browning, who would be able to provide Rovers with the extra defensive cover that they need. Having been unable to break into the first-team at Goodison Park, the 24-year old has spent a majority of his career out on loan at the likes of Wigan Athletic in 2013-14, Preston North End in 2016-17 and Sunderland, last season. Although his time with the Black Cats wasn’t the most fruitful, due to their relegation to the third tier, the addition of the centre-half on a loan deal may give him the opportunity to potentially find a permanent home, due to his chances of cementing himself as a regular at Everton seemingly fading by the day.
The 5’11” defender, who has represented England in various youth categories, has yet to be given a permanent home in football to play first-team football in, having already been on a trio of loan spells. However, due to Rovers being short on ‘natural’ defenders, the signing of Browning would potentially be welcomed by most fans. Despite being playing 27 Championship games for last season’s basement side, Sunderland, Browning’s chances of having a successful loan spell there was always going to be low, due to the situation that he found himself in, however this experience – although, on the whole, a negative one – has given the 24-year old a real taste of how football is in the Championship, which would have no doubt improved him as a player both technically and mentally. If Browning was to come into the Rovers side, he would walk into a dressing room, in complete contrast to the one he walked into at the Stadium of Light, due to Rovers’ joviality following their promotion and successful first half of the campaign. Furthermore, like Iorfa, Browning’s contract is set to expire in June 2019 and a loan move for the Everton man, might allow Rovers to take a closer look at the player before potentially committing to signing him on a free transfer, if he fits the bill required by Tony Mowbray and his staff.
The third target on the list, is an attacking midfielder who, despite wanting to leave in the summer, having attracted the attention the likes of Leeds United, West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa, Peterborough United’s Marcus Maddison has seemingly resolved his issues at London Road in order to help Steve Evans’ side try and push for a return to the Championship. The 25-year old attacking midfielder, who also has the capabilities to play wide left or wide right, still has 18 months left on his current deal, which would mean that Rovers would have to act fast if they wanted to secure a deal.
The silky midfielder, who has been at the Posh since August 2014, has lit up the third tier with his eye for an assist and his frightening free-kicks. With an astonishing 36 league goals and 62 league assists from his 131 games in League 1, it really is a wonder how a player with such blatant quality is still languishing in the third tier. Despite a suggested attitude problem, the Durham-born midfielder could potentially find himself at home within Rovers’ squad, due to the positive atmosphere around the squad, both on and off the pitch. Additionally, the calming and almost father-like influence of Tony Mowbray may see a potential alteration in Maddison’s persona. Although he operates in the same area as Bradley Dack does for Rovers – in a world post-Kasey Palmer, following Chelsea recalling him before sending him out to Bristol City – Maddison could provide the cover Rovers need in case Dack falls foul to injury. If unable to operate as a pairing with the former Gillingham man, Maddison – who was the top assister in the 2017-18 League 1 season – is capable of competently operating from a wide area, an idea which could appeal to Tony Mowbray, due to Maddison’s prolific assist record.
Although the midfielder was publicly placed on the transfer list at London Road by Posh owner Darragh MacAnthony, Maddison has seemingly forced his way back into the fold and has helped Steve Evans’ side maintain their fine start to the season, as they currently sit 6th in League 1. Despite the former Gateshead midfielder being tracked by top Championship clubs over the summer which included current table toppers Leeds United, there’s no reason from the Peterborough camp, to suggest that a potential deal would no longer be on the cards and with a reported release clause between £2-4m still active, there is still a possibility that Maddison could depart the Posh during this window.
The fourth man who should be courted by Rovers is Newcastle United winger, Rolando Aarons, who was recently returned to his parent club in December, following a 6-month loan deal in the Czech Republic, where he plied his trade at FC Slovan Liberec. Natural width and pace is something that the Rovers fans have been crying out for, since the departure of Harry Chapman last season and the 23-year old winger could fit the bill perfectly for Rovers due to his natural pace and ability to take on defenders and put in a cross, if they wished to borrow him for the remainder of the current campaign.
Having made his debut in the famous Black and White stripes in the 2014-15 season, Aarons has failed to take his opportunities at St. James’ Park by the scruff of the neck, as shown by his underwhelming goal return of 2 goals and 2 assists in 18 Premier League games, with only 4 of them being starts. Despite having issues with his hamstring during the 2014-15 season, a loan move to Ewood Park, which would include relatively regular game time, would no doubt help the youngster, not only progress his development, but also give him the games he requires in-front of an ambitious crowd in one of the toughest leagues, physically, in the world. With his deal at the Toon set to expire in 2021, there would be no pressure on Rovers to potentially fall into a trap where they are guaranteed to sign the player.
Although it may be suggested that his previous loan spells were disappointing – Hellas Verona in Serie A and of course, Slovan Liberec as mentioned – the winger, in his defence, only played a combined 23 league games for both clubs, despite not netting or assisting in any appearance. In Italy, he only completed 90 minutes once, with 5 of the rest of his 11 appearances coming off the bench as an impact substitute. At Liberec, in contrast, Aarons started 8 of his 12 league games – 4 of which were as a centre-forward – completing 90 minutes, only twice.
Whilst some who are reading this, may be scratching their heads and thinking, ‘well if he couldn’t perform in the Czech Republic, what do we want with him?’, there is an argument to suggest that Aarons was playing in disjointed teams, in countries where he didn’t get to grips with the language or settle in his surroundings, especially in Hellas Verona’s case, who ended up dropping down to Serie B whilst Aarons was within their ranks. If the winger was to remain in England, with Rovers, there is potential for him to thrive under the pressure and expectations of both, the Championship and of Tony Mowbray. Furthermore, if the player was happy off the pitch, getting on well with his teammates and not having to worry about his personal life, that happiness off the pitch would be easily transferable onto the pitch, which, in conjunction with Rovers’ spirited squad and Aarons’ raw pace and attacking mindset, could be a potential deal that could spell delight for all parties.
From one potential loan deal regarding a winger, to a potential permanent signing of one. Lincoln City’s Harry Anderson, much like Aarons, possesses the pace and eye for a cross that Rovers seem to be badly missing out on. The electric winger, who played in both games against Rovers this season – in pre-season and in the Carabao Cup loss to the Blues – has made a name for himself at Sincil Bank, despite even being linked to Rovers over the summer by several media outlets.
The 22-year old, former Peterborough United academy graduate has been playing for the Imps since a loan spell in 2016-17, before moving permanently, following that campaign’s conclusion. With 2-and-a-half years at Sincil Bank under his belt, which includes playing in the Conference National and League 2, the tricky English winger has amassed a total of 93 league games, which includes 2 games in last season’s League 2 playoffs, whilst notching 17 goals and 12 assists in those league games, despite being predominantly used in his natural right-midfielder role.
If Rovers were to make a permanent move for the Slough-born winger, they would be adding natural width and speed, as well as youth, to a side already brimming with youthful, but excellent footballers. The potential addition of Anderson, would not only help Rovers improve their attacking capabilities – especially on the counter attack – but would also improve Anderson as an individual, due to him being able to play alongside and against some top players, which is something – without disrespecting his Lincoln City teammates and the players of League 2 – he hasn’t really been able to do under Danny Cowley. Additionally, the introduction of someone who can take on a full-back and put in a cross, may lead to more goalscoring opportunities for the team, rather than the individual winger or striker who prefers to cut inside and take a shot.
Looking at the cash for the potential signing of the winger, it wouldn’t take millions to potentially prise the 22-year old away from Sincil Bank, however the Imps may be reluctant to sell their starter, due to them currently occupying top spot in League 2, as they would most likely wish to keep hold of him at least until the summer, in order to see whether they can continue their fine form and earn promotion to League 1 for the first time in their 135-year history.
The final target, is a player who both, Tony Mowbray and the Rovers fans are familiar with, following the 6’4” forwards’ loan spell at Ewood Park during the 2016-17 relegation campaign. Southampton’s Sam Gallagher, a player who Tony Mowbray claims to have on his radar, according to reports, would be a solid rotational option to Danny Graham, in order to help maintain the 33-year old’s fitness during the 3-game weeks. With the manager admitting that he is on the lookout for a ‘Danny Graham-type player, who can hold the ball up’, Gallagher would be the ideal understudy that Mowbray is looking for.
Having enjoyed his spell at Ewood Park – despite the relegation – due to his goal return of 11 league goals and 3 assists in 43 appearances, the Crediton-born forward has yet to make a mark on a team, since his spell at Rovers. Following the Blues’ relegation, Gallagher signed a new 4-year deal at St. Mary’s, before joining Birmingham City for the entirety of the 2017-18 season, and despite playing 33 games – 10 of which were as a substitute – he only managed to pocket 6 goals, with 0 assists, which left Birmingham City fans underwhelmed regarding Gallagher’s performances. In the summer just gone, the former Rovers loanee returned to his parent club, before suffering a hamstring injury which kept him out of action until the 12th January, where he made his first-team debut for the Saints, as a 90th minute substitute in a 2-1 victory over Leicester City. Although Gallagher has been linked with a loan move away from St. Mary’s, his inclusion in the Saints’ matchday squad, following their sale of Manolo Gabbiadini to Sampdoria, may have well opened a door for the 23-year old. Despite that however, with constant question marks over the consistency of Charlie Austin and the fitness of Danny Ings, Gallagher may again find himself on the periphery of the squad again, which would potentially scupper a loan move away from Ralph Hasenhüttl’s team, due to the time limit of the window and with the likes of £7m man, Ben Brereton and Joe Nuttall waiting in the wings for Rovers after the latter’s impressive performance away at Millwall and his goal off the bench against Ipswich Town, it would potentially be an opportunity missed for the Saints forward to get some first-team football, if he is restricted from going out to other suitors, who he has been linked with.
It will be interesting to see how this specific saga unfolds, although if Gallagher does somewhat find himself at Ewood Park for a second stint in the Blue and White halves, his presence within Mowbray’s squad would give the boss a definite selection headache regarding who would operate as his sole forward, if he wishes to continue operating his trusted 4-2-3-1 system. Looking at it from a different angle, it will be fascinating to see the scenario of, if Mowbray does acquire the forward he would like, such as Gallagher, whether he deems a switch to a formation with 2 strikers up-front, necessary.
