Signing a striker looks next item on Gas boss’ to-do list
BRISTOL Rovers and Joey Barton made a big statement a week ago with four signings announced at once, signalling the beginning of a desperately-needed rebuild, writes Sam Frost.
And the Gas are set to take further steps to shape their squad in the coming weeks, with arrivals and departures likely before Rovers return for pre-season training.
After finishing so woefully off the pace at the bottom of League One, sweeping change is inevitable at Rovers ahead of the new season.
Identifying and acquiring a striker, in particular, is of the utmost importance now, and the Gas are hopeful they can make progress with targets.
Here is a roundup of the latest transfer news from the Mem... Rovers’ stance on Paul Mullin The Gas, like many EFL clubs, are admirers of out-of-contract Cambridge United striker Paul Mullin following a superb 32-goal season en route to promotion to League One. But Rovers are resigned to the fact they have been priced out of a move for the forward, who has a growing queue of suitors, with League One Rotherham United and Plymouth Argyle among those battling it out for his signature.
The odds of completing a deal for the League Two player of the season always appeared remote, and the Gas had never zeroed in on him in the manner that cost the previous regime so dearly.
With defence and midfield fortified by the signings of Mark Hughes, Nick Anderton, Paul Coutts and Sam Finley, Barton’s attention is focused on acquiring the reliable goalscorer he craves and he will want one through the door as soon as possible.
His early dealings show he is unafraid to turn to players on the other side of 30 in key positions of the pitch, and it would be little surprise if Rovers’ spine of 30-pluses Anssi Jaakkola, Hughes and Coutts is bolstered by a wily veteran up top.
Nicholson’ recovery on track
Rovers were already in deep relegation trouble when Sam Nicholson’s
season was ended by injury, but his absence only forced them deeper into the mire.
The Gas rarely resembled a functioning attacking force all season, but they were rendered almost totally impotent once the Scot left the field at The Valley, having exacerbated a hip injury. Rovers failed to score in their final five games as they ended embarrassingly off the pace.
Had Nicholson, 26, been injuryfree, a move this summer would have been likely after registering eight goals and three assists in all competitions, but he underwent surgery in April, which could rule him out for much of pre-season.
Barton wants Nicholson to be a key part his side next season as the Gas vie for an immediate return to the third tier, and Bristol Live understands the former Hearts star is making good progress.
Nicholson has 13 months left on his contract at the Mem.
West Brom lead JCH race The departure of Sam Allardyce from West Bromwich Albion has no bearing on the club’s pursuit of Jonson Clarke-Harris.
The Baggies’ head of recruitment Ian Pearce is believed to be driving the club’s chase of the former Rovers star, who is set to be sold by Peterborough United this summer after an outstanding campaign.
Rovers hold a 20 per cent sell-on clause for the player who is valued in the region of £5-8million. The
Gas received £1.25million from Peterborough for the 26-year-old in August. West Brom are favourites to sign Clarke-Harris following their relegation to the Championship, but they will have to fend off competition from the likes of Rangers, Sheffield United, Bournemouth and CSKA Moscow.
» Rovers have signed one-year extensions at the Mem for academy graduates Lucas Tomlinson and Ollie Hulbert. Midfielder Tomlinson, 20, has flirted with first-team action and will be desperate to make a breakthrough this summer.
Hulbert, 18, spent this season on loan in the Welsh Premier League with Cardiff Metropolitan University. He was one of the division’s outstanding strikers with 13 goals in 23 appearances.