Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Rovers boss happy with his Liddle purchase
BOSS Ben Garner has hailed the technical ability and passing range of Ben Liddle following the 22-year-old midfielder’s arrival at Bristol Rovers.
Liddle arrives at the Memorial Stadium from Middlesbrough on a two-year deal, becoming Garner’s 11th first-team signing of the window.
The left-footed midfielder made seven appearances for Boro’s first team, and has also had loan spells with Forest Green Rovers and Scunthorpe United in the EFL.
“We are very pleased to welcome Ben to the club,” Garner told the official Rovers website.
“He’s had a good grounding at Middlesbrough and has had the experience of loan spells in the EFL.
“Ben is technically very good and has a great range of passing. He will give us excellent balance as a left footer and adds to the competition we have in central midfield.
“We feel there is a lot of development to come from Ben, and we look forward to working with him.”
Rovers have been keen on the player for some time and formalised their interest by watching him play for Boro’s under-23s against Stoke City last month.
It is understood that Liddle has joined on a free transfer with some performance related add-ons included in the deal that could go to Middlesbrough.
“It’s been a few weeks in the making and I was glad to finally get it over the line at the start of the week and kick on now,” Liddle said.
“I’ve heard it’s a young, hungry team with a manager that wants to play football right way, so that was a big factor for me at my age.
“I’m 22, I want to come and play men’s football and get as many games under my belt as I can.”
The 5ft 7in midfielder brings vision, a range of passing and balance to the Pirates midfield being naturally left-footed.
He is set to compete with Zain Westbrooke, Josh Grant, Ed Upson and Tom Mehew for one of the two holding roles in Garner’s preferred 3-4-2-1 system.
Rovers go to Lincoln City this afternoon looking to build on their victory over Northampton in League One last weekend.
Swindon, meanwhile, will have manager Richie Wellens back on the touchline after he served a onematch ban during Tuesday’s EFL Trophy defeat to Exeter.
Wellens received the suspension from the FA after breaching conduct rules following last Saturday’s loss to Peterborough.
That defeat at London Road means Swindon have won two and lost two of their four League One games so far this season, although they sit seventh in the fledgling table, just one point off the top six.
And the Robins will feel they have every chance of taking three points against Wimbledon this afternoon, with both of their victories coming at the County Ground.
The Dons have lost just once in the League thus far, but that was last time out against Accrington Stanley.