Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton hasn’t ruled out the prospect of acquiring a new striker from the free agent market.
The manager of Bristol Rovers, Joey Barton, hasn’t ruled out the prospect of adding a free agent up front to the Gas’ attacking lineup.
On deadline day, Rovers frustratingly failed to sign Jonson Clarke-Harris, who was their top target and would have been their 13th addition of the summer. They lost Ryan Loft to Port Vale for an undisclosed fee while they were pursuing Clarke-Harris, leaving them with one fewer striker.
The Gas have struggled with goals in the league, and even though the summer transfer window is now closed, there is still time to recruit free agents. Since Rovers don’t have a game scheduled for the weekend, Barton will have some time to consider whether to enter the free agent market.
Andre Grey, who recently departed Greek club Aris Saloniki, is a name that would be of interest to Barton.
The former Premier League striker played for teams like Brentford and QPR while once being part of a rumoured £18.5 million deal to Watford. He scored 33 goals in 78 games for Barton’s former side Burnley.
Numerous Championship teams have been suggested, and even though he fits a different mould than Clarke-Harris, his history in English football suggests that he would be a solid choice.
When asked if he had thought about the free agent market, Barton responded, “I haven’t really thought about it.”
I was unaware that Andre was a free agent. I’ve seen him walking around, but he seemed to be going somewhere, according to what I was informed. He should relocate, I suppose.
“I believe a few well-known players are out of contract. If I’m being completely honest, I haven’t given it much thought since I assumed we would sign Jonson Clarke-Harris.
We played tonight, and now that I’ve had some time to reflect on it, I feel like we played differently than before.
In Rovers’ most recent game, which they easily overcame League One strugglers Cheltenham Town 4-1 in the EFL Trophy at the Memorial Stadium, goals weren’t a problem at all.
With a sizable roster and players returning from injury, Barton is faced with some personnel choices, including whether or not to acquire someone from the free agent market to his team.
It will take some time because they are a new bunch and squad, but Barton said it was exciting to see things like that tonight.
“My teams take a little while to get the hang of what we’re asking them to do. When the guys figure it out and realise that it works for them, a team typically doesn’t look back from then.
It was enjoyable to observe part of the football that we played tonight while seated. The Gasheads who showed up to cheer
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