Four in and four out; there was a nice symmetry to Bristol Rovers' transfer business across January as Joey Barton appears to have strengthened an already strong-looking squad to try and continue the momentum generated in 2022.
The Gas manager didn't everything he wanted - the desire for a left-back lingered - but James Connolly, Ryan Loft, Elliot Anderson and Jon Nolan all look fine additions, providing various considerations can be met around experience and fitness.
With spirit in the camp high, and a feelgood factor even creeping around the confines of the Mem for the first time in what seems forever, we asked five Gasheads for their opinions on the transfer window and how the remainder of the 2021/22 campaign will likely pan out.
Are you satisfied with the four signings Rovers made?
Steve Lavis (@SteveLavis): "Yes. I don’t agree with the clamour for an experienced centre-back. I think Alfie Kilgour is experienced enough at this level and Connor Taylor had been exceptional so far.
"James Connolly seems like he can handle it too and Nick Anderton is experienced also so I think that we have covered any bases that needed to be covered personally."
Connor Carter (@ConnorCarter_): "Yes."
Luke Smith (@LTS__92): "Yes. We needed to add a striker who was a bit different to our current forwards as since losing Leon Clarke to injury we haven't had the chance to play with a big man up top which has limited certain aspects of our game.
"Connolly came in at just the right time we really needed him as injuries, Covid-19 and suspensions had hit us hard. So far he has preformed well whenever he has played.
"Elliot Anderson will be an interesting one as he comes to us with a really big reputation and is very highly rated at Newcastle. He arguably will have the toughest task of all the signings breaking into the starting line-up with so many good players playing in the forward areas. However, I'm sure he will play a key part for us in the run in.
"Jon Nolan, if we can keep him fit and get him playing regularly again will hopefully turn out to be fantastic business for the club. Hopefully the deal given to him was longer than just this season as a fully fit Jon Nolan could be key for us in the years to come."
Charlie Hayne (@OneRoversVlogs): "Yes, very happy just strengthens the squad even more."
Harry Jenkins (@brfcharryy2): "Yes, adding Nolan and Anderson gives us great depth in midfield which you can’t complain about, and we're all hoping Anderson can be as good as the Newcastle fans are saying and if we can get Nolan back to Shrewsbury form we will have a real player on our hands.
"Ryan Loft gives us that presence up front which allows players like Antony Evans, Aaron Collins and Sammy Nicholson more space and someone to play off. Connolly has looked decent so far and hopefully will keep developing."
Who do you think will make the biggest impact?
Steve Lavis (@SteveLavis): "Elliot Anderson. The kid seems to have pedigree. From what I have seen on socials he looks some prospect.
Connor Carter (@ConnorCarter_): "Hard to chose because I think I can see all four making an impact but I've chose Connolly because of the maturity he has shown in the last few games he's played.
"He's made a few mistakes but for a lad who has just came out of U23s football, he's looked very comfortable and is improving on every performance. He doesn't mind a no nonsense clearance, which I love."
Luke Smith (@LTS__92): "Nolan - If we can get him fit and playing regular games of football he will turn out to be brilliant business by the football club.
"He was one of Shrewsbury's best players the year they made the play-offs and I think you can tell by the reaction of their fans on social media that we have got a good player on our hands here."
Charlie Hayne (@OneRoversVlogs): "I think Loft as he’s just that different sort of striker that we hadn’t seen before and will be very important. Although I wouldn’t rule Connolly, he looks to be a great young player as well."
Harry Jenkins (@brfcharryy2): "Loft, as we have needed a striker for a long time who can hold the ball up and and lay it off to others but also has the ability to press. He can help players like Collins who is always better when playing with a big man (Jamile Matt at Forest Green) to keep up his good form and hopefully Loft can start to score as well, as if he does he will be a right handful."
What are your thoughts on the outgoing business conducted by Rovers in January?
Steve Lavis (@SteveLavis): "The only one I’m disappointed with is Brett Pitman. I think that if he has the right players around him,he will score goals."
Connor Carter (@ConnorCarter_): "Pretty happy with the players gone. I was gutted that it didn't quite workout for Zain Westbrooke but we had to get the wages from the players who weren't in Joey Barton's plans."
Luke Smith (@LTS__92): "Of the players that have left the club I feel the time was right for Westbrooke to go out and get some games but with it only being a loan move we will have to see how that plays out going forward.
"Zain Walker did show a little bit of promise in a disappointing season last season but I feel it was the right move by the club.
"Although I do feel we never really played him in his correct position enough, he was mainly playing central but should really have been played out wide. Mark Hughes leaving was a shame as we never got to see the best of him at Rovers due to injuries."
Charlie Hayne (@OneRoversVlogs): "Yeah, I’m pretty happy, most of the players we needed to get rid of and let them get game time have left."
Harry Jenkins (@brfcharryy2): "It has been good. Westbrooke never reached his potential that we thought he had and after working under three managers without really finding any form it was a good decision to allow him to leave and play football again week in week out. Zain Walker was a decent player but was nowhere near the first 11 so getting money for him was great business."
Do you think Rovers should have addressed any other positions with their January recruitment?
Steve Lavis (@SteveLavis): "As above, not really. A well-balanced squad, I would say."
Connor Carter (@ConnorCarter_): "I really think we needed a new left-back. I love Josh Grant in that position but with his fitness worries plus that of Trevor Clarke and Junior Brown, I think it could prove a bit costly."
Luke Smith (@LTS__92): "100 per cent. Personally, I would have signed another right-back, left-back and centre-back. I feel we are very light at full-back due to injuries and out of favour players and this needed strengthening.
"One more experienced centre-back would of done us the world of good in the running to the end of the season."
Charlie Hayne (@OneRoversVlogs): "For me, maybe an experienced centre-back but, overall, I think we’re pretty strong all over the pitch."
Harry Jenkins (@brfcharryy2): "A right-back. Luca Hoole has been top class since coming into the team but we don’t have much depth in that position, Grant can play there but I’d much rather him as a left-back/left wing-back. Harry Anderson has also played there but I’d rather him higher up the pitch where he can show his quality. So another right-back would’ve come in for me."
Do you think Rovers' January business has made them stronger?
Steve Lavis (@SteveLavis): "Definitely. Strong enough to get them into the play-offs? Not sure."
Connor Carter (@ConnorCarter_): "100% we are stronger coming out of the window. I think all the signings will make the squad depth stronger. Anderson and Nolan (when fit) will increase the competition in the midfield three; Loft gives us a completely different option from the first-half of the season up top and Connolly, like I said previously, looks like a he's getting stronger and better."
Luke Smith (@LTS__92): "Definitely. We needed to address the issue at No9, so bringing Loft in was a good move plus getting Leon Clarke back as well will help us massively.
"Connolly looks a good signing and you can already see why Cardiff hold him in such high regard. Anderson should give us another option to go with the good players we already currently have in those creative areas of the pitch.
"Jon Nolan hopefully will turn out to be brilliant business he will need some games to get going but with so many about to come up he will get plenty of opportunities to do so."
Charlie Hayne (@OneRoversVlogs): "Absolutely I think the squad was very good before the window but with the additional signings it just strengthens us even more."
Harry Jenkins (@brfcharryy2): "Yes, we have added to an already good squad so the new additions give us a real chance to push on and hopefully be in with a chance of promotion."
After the January transfer window, where do you think Rovers will finish in League Two and why?
Steve Lavis (@SteveLavis): "Heart says play-offs. Head says ninth or 10th and just missing out."
Connor Carter (@ConnorCarter_): "I might end up on a certain Twitter page but I think we will comfortably be in the top seven, I've said it from the start of the season I could see us going up with the quality and now its really starting to fall into place.
"The atmosphere around the club is changing and people are starting to believe. I really hope we start packing out the Mem and bring the boys across the line."
Luke Smith (@LTS__92): "I'm going to go with ninth; I feel we have massively improved and will keep getting better but I just feel the poor start may well have cost us a serious shot at the play-offs. Hopefully I'm wrong!
"There isn't really much room for error after our poor start, we would need to win an awful lot of games between now and the end of the season but teams have done it before so never say never."
Charlie Hayne (@OneRoversVlogs): "I think we will finish sixth. I just think our squad depth and quality is really good."
Harry Jenkins (@brfcharryy2): "Sixth - I think we have a real chance of getting playoffs and reaching Wembley. Swindon home and away in the semis and after that I don’t mind in the final as long as we win."
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