Ins and Outs 2026/27

A Tale of Two Goalkeepers. AB explained to Jimmy that JE hasn't started because he didn't want to make 'rash decisions.' I'm beginning to think another reason is that Eyestone has not impressed. This could have big consequences as the season unfolds and for me is another ? about our recruitment.
I haven't trawled every Prem GK loan this season but I've looked at a few like Charles who Man City signed from the Owls and loaned to QPR where he is currently playing for the first team. We don't seem to take this vital position seriously.
Cann is for me a 'flapper' and I can see his unsteadiness is affecting the defence and his distribution is frustrating his teammates.
 
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It is vital that defenders trust their keeper. The comedy show between Cann and Rafferty on Tuesday is what will happen if not. Cann has the whole situation in front of him and he needs to take control and be decisive. That kind of mix up happens too often with him and he has a propensity to parry the ball into dangerous areas instead of to safety. It is costing us points.
 
CleanSweeper said:
It is vital that defenders trust their keeper. The comedy show between Cann and Rafferty on Tuesday is what will happen if not. Cann has the whole situation in front of him and he needs to take control and be decisive. That kind of mix up happens too often with him and he has a propensity to parry the ball into dangerous areas instead of to safety. It is costing us points.
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Not only that mix-up in the Tranmere game - there was also the one with him and Aljofree when he didn't wholeheartedly come out and claim the ball
 
08/09/26

Rotherham Advertiser website - Millers official squad list has been submitted. We can still sign four more "free agent" players.

Iorfa is still training with the Millers.
 
mikemiller said:
We already have plenty of forwards who never score from open play... no idea what Iorfa is like, other than he's a defender.
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Looking on Owlstalk when the news broke that Iorfa was training with us and opinions seemed to be fairly equally split.

Some never wanted him to be released and said he is still better than some of the CBs they have kept.
Others said he was becoming more liable to succumb to injuries than the younger players that have replaced him, having said that he made 34 appearances last year which I suggest would be considered great in our squad.

If indeed he is injury free, training well and in budget, I think we could do a lot worse than give him a contract.
 
mikemiller said:
14/09/26

Rotherham Advertiser website -Brandon Williams is back training with the Millers.

My comment - Iorfa gone elsewhere?
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Some are reporting he may be going to Doncaster instead,
Maybe they have offered more money given their fairly desperate current position.

Disappointing if true but it probably helps with the Williams situation and if he can manage to get his life and career back on track, he could earn us a decent transfer fee in the future.

Something Iorfa definitely won't.
 
Auntineg said:
Some are reporting he may be going to Doncaster instead,
Maybe they have offered more money given their fairly desperate current position.

Disappointing if true but it probably helps with the Williams situation and if he can manage to get his life and career back on track, he could earn us a decent transfer fee in the future.

Something Iorfa definitely won't.
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Iorfa signs short term deal.
 
Update 18/09/26 - various sources are saying that Reece Wilson loan ended on 17/09/26.

RUFC Official website - Dean Gardner loan to Matlock T. has been extended for another month.

Update - Richardson loan to N.Ferriby was extended . J.Clarke loan to Ossett has finished.
 
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I saw on the OS that we have teamed up with Somerled Group. This is a football data analysis outfit that uses sophisticated software to identify transfer targets across European and UK leagues. It tailors the search to the specific requirements, playing style, philosophy etc of the particular club.
For me recruitment has been very poor at RUFC so this looks a promising development. I doubt the software would take input of robust wing back required and come up with Martha so fingers crossed.
 
I agree that recruitment has been poor in the last few seasons, and has been a big factor in our relegations. No other league club would have continued with the same set up after two relegations in three seasons. Is the software really the problem though? Or the person/s in charge of it... or the parameters being set?
 
mikemiller said:
I agree that recruitment has been poor in the last few seasons, and has been a big factor in our relegations. No other league club would have continued with the same set up after two relegations in three seasons. Is the software really the problem though? Or the person/s in charge of it... or the parameters being set?
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Well, Mike, I had the same thought but deleted a last line which read 'But remember however good the analysis rubbish in rubbish out' as I didn't want to appear too negative yet again.
 
A decent scouting system, where players are watched IN ACTION is really needed. (Difficult to believe that has been done with some of our recent overseas signings) . Need to employ somebody to set that up. I know that it costs money, but we are currently wasting too much on poor signings who have no sell-on value. Plus, plenty of Millers fans living abroad who would probably volunteer to help, if asked.
 
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mikemiller said:
A decent scouting system, where players are watched IN ACTION is really needed. (Difficult to believe that has been done with some of our recent overseas signings) . Need to employ somebody to set that up. I know that it costs money, but we are currently wasting too much on poor signings who have no sell-on value. Plus, plenty of Millers fans living abroad who would probably volunteer to help, if asked.
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Mike, you got me with the '...plenty of Millers fans...' I can see one or two problems with the idea! I'm not sure how the Somerled relationship works. I assume the club outline resources available, age profile, style of play, desired formation (etc) and the data analysis team present a list of players who fit. But in a competitive market there may be little or no time for the triumvirate to actually watch the players especially in close season. The data driven approach seems (to me) to operate from an initial identification of attributes whereas traditional scouting operates from an initial identification of a player. Not quite sure how they work in harmony. I doubt if the data approach would have unearthed diamonds like Jared Lyons for example.
 
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