Ins and Outs 2026/27

You wait 3 years for a decent left back... then two come along . Doesn't sound likely. I hope the rumour is correct though. Another rumour I have heard is that the contracts we have been offering to trialists, potential signings, etc., are unlikely to tempt them to join us. Not sure if I can take another season of "deadline-day" old crocks.

"We are shopping at Harrods!" - TS
 
Lindum said:
This one seems less fantasy than Arkwright paying a million for Dan Gore and Dan Gore being prepared to play in L2 for peanuts.
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Good P.R. stunt though. Look at us, look at us. ( that’s me being cynical rather than naive.)
They may have enquired but they know full well the Salary Dan Gore was on at Manchester United and it wasn’t peanuts. ( definitely not peanuts)
 
mikemiller said:
You wait 3 years for a decent left back... then two come along . Doesn't sound likely. I hope the rumour is correct though. Another rumour I have heard is that the contracts we have been offering to trialists, potential signings, etc., are unlikely to tempt them to join us. Not sure if I can take another season of "deadline-day" old crocks.

"We are shopping at Harrods!" - TS
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We clearly offered enough to attract Paul Mullin though so maybe your rumours are not correct.
 
Nothing personal against the young man but unless our new goalkeeping coach has been able to make a big difference very quickly, I’d be nervous about us starting the season with Ted Cann as our number one. He does good things but has a few too many mistakes in him for me. I’d have him down as ok back up. A barometer for me of our ambition will be what type of keeper we bring in - someone to start ahead of Cann or someone who is backup to him.
 
02/08/26

Rotherham Advertiser website - Trialist defender Kyle McAdam has signed for Southend United. No news on the other trialists. Nothing about our masked goalkeeping coach, even though we are into a new month now. Nothing about Josh Powell, Bruce Anderson didn't play for Livingston yesterday.

03/08/26

Rumours that there are some RUFC "medicals" today. Have we got any medical staff left to do them? Nothing on 'Tizer website - just a photo of Mr. Mullin . This is now the 'Tizer equivalent of the "Test Card", and replaces TS shaking hands with SMcC.
I keep thinking "Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo" for some reason.
 
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mikemiller said:
03/08/26

Rotherham Advertiser website - trialist forward Bruce Anderson has signed for Liviignston.
No news on the other trialists, or if there are any new ones.
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As reported on here last Friday courtesy of Football Lowdown.
We are reportedly interested in a former Dumfermline 23 yo CH, Kieran Ngwenya. Not quite sure this fits the 'need for an experienced hand etc' and we do seem to have a fancy for CHs and central MFs. However as 3 or 4 L1 sides are also interested it seems unlikely. I have heard some of our wage offers are not exactly eye-watering.
 
Lindum said:
As reported on here last Friday courtesy of Football Lowdown.
We are reportedly interested in a former Dumfermline 23 yo CH, Kieran Ngwenya. Not quite sure this fits the 'need for an experienced hand etc' and we do seem to have a fancy for CHs and central MFs. However as 3 or 4 L1 sides are also interested it seems unlikely. I have heard some of our wage offers are not exactly eye-watering.
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Kieran Ngwenya originally was a Left Back. He has played Left side Centre Back. If we also sign Ewan Otoo who is also a left sided Centre Back where does that leave someone like Brandon Williams who is a left Back.
Are we looking at playing 3-5-2 or a flat back four. The mind boggles.
Perhaps Ewan Otoo has given K.N. Positive vibes from RUFC….
On the other hand.?…
 
Guy_Branston said:
Kieran Ngwenya originally was a Left Back. He has played Left side Centre Back. If we also sign Ewan Otoo who is also a left sided Centre Back where does that leave someone like Brandon Williams who is a left Back.
Are we looking at playing 3-5-2 or a flat back four. The mind boggles.
Perhaps Ewan Otoo has given K.N. Positive vibes from RUFC….
On the other hand.?…
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I read somewhere AB favours 3 at the back. But I also read somewhere he is flexible. However I may be confusing myself as I may have read this in regard to an earlier coach I thought we were about to appoint.
 
Lindum said:
I read somewhere AB favours 3 at the back. But I also read somewhere he is flexible. However I may be confusing myself as I may have read this in regard to an earlier coach I thought we were about to appoint.
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No you’re not confusing yourself . Alex Bruce has been known to favour 3-5-2 and as you say he is flexible. All formations are flexible depending how the game is going. Better quality Managers change the system during the game if necessary others just bring like for like substitutes on . We need some game changers just in case it’s not going to plan.
I’m looking forward to any tactical moves from Steve Agnew / Alex Bruce. Something different especially from Corners, free kicks into the box.

I watched York City v Crawley Town last night.
Too early to judge but Crawley deserved the win and at times looked impressive playing a pass and go style of play. Colin Kazim - Richards at Crawley with something to prove.
 
Lindum said:
As reported on here last Friday courtesy of Football Lowdown.
We are reportedly interested in a former Dumfermline 23 yo CH, Kieran Ngwenya. Not quite sure this fits the 'need for an experienced hand etc' and we do seem to have a fancy for CHs and central MFs. However as 3 or 4 L1 sides are also interested it seems unlikely. I have heard some of our wage offers are not exactly eye-watering.
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I’m being told we’ve signed Kieran Ngwenya.
He’s turned League 1 clubs down.
Ewan Otoo to follow.
 
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