DeeDahRover

There's 10,000 Yorkshireman hoping you do sign him. I don't think he's a bad player, just never going to do it for us. Hope he does well for you, could never fault his effort.

We're a bit baffled by this. There has to be more to it. He's not likely to play much if at all (might get a game at Brentford but bar that he'll be on the bench). We've only been playing one up front and he's behind Sharp and Hayter for the striker role. The only injury is that to Fairhurst and I can only think SOD is considering playing Heffs at Brentford.

He's never going to be a bit player for you in terms of getting involved in general play, he doesn't need many chances though and whilst he can be seen as lazy, you'll not care when he gets sharp and fit. He'd be playing for us if we didn't have one of the best strikers in the Championship ahead of him at the moment. It'll be interesting to see if his loan is extended or not, I think he's probably 4th choice for the striker's role so it's quite likely.

I would imagine his first signing will be Ravenhill a typical Dave Penney player really. Gives 100 percent passion and all that. Can't really pass it very well but play him next to a passer and he should do ok. Always got a bit overshadowed here by Paul Green, but they were a very good pairing in the conference and Ravenhill became the understudy to Doolan and he was always great when he came in. A solid if unspectacular midfielder, every squad needs one. He'll do a good job if he joins.

He did a good job with us. Fell apart a bit near the end but before that he had a very good time at Donny. Definately spent more than 225 k though. His best signings were always the bargain players from the lower leagues. He had a few issues with players before he left (Albrighton, Foster, Ryan, Thornton, Mcindoe all good examples and he'd have hated a player like Wellens for example) but that was expected when he was learning. I always got the impression he struggled with the egos, sort of two hot headed characters together.

A bit too predictable would be his weakness. Always 4-4-2 with two out and out wingers, big man/little man up front aswell constantly. It's good to watch at times, but I do wonder whether it's enough to get out of league 1.

He had a great time here though, didn't quite cut it getting us out of the league that final step, but he was always going to make mistakes in his first job and he's no doubt stronger now for the mistakes his made. Big opportunity for him this one and I'm sure us Donny fans will be watching him with interest.

Well no Kilkenny and no Hughes, I bid you farewell guys. Good luck.

Got a text from a mate not long ago that this could happen. Birmingham are talking to us about Mills looking at potentially 1.5M for him so money's gonna come in albeit a little late. Just rumour though.

O Driscoll had said talks would continue right up until the deadline, now whether that is still ongoing I don't know as we've signed 2 strikers in the last week in Brooker and Shiels. Surely for him he'll sign his new contract as no-one else seems to have come in.

We still want Hughes aswell as Brooker, that's always been the case. I think Hughes won't sign though. If he does he's missed out on some big games this last week or two and if he was to sign this week he'd also miss the FA cup game next week. If he was gonna sign you'd think he would have for the big games we've had.

I think he'll stay until the end of the season then sign a new contract when Oldham are proven to be his best option. I think the fact that only Rovers seem to be interested speaks volumes in a way. If I was SOD I'd have ended our interest by now aswell as it's gone on too long and I still don't feel he's the right man.

Interesting that as a friend of mine said hed spoken to Alan Hardy last week and he said, Doncaster had enquired and were going to talk to Hughes in the future, but if the offer wasnt phenomenal from Donny then Hughes would leave them hanging until the last day of the window and then sign our contract. Hopefully thats true, not only would Hughes sign but Donny would be without a goalscorer. I F***ing hate Donny Rovers.

We've all but signed Steve Brooker so we have at least signed one striker this window. It's nice to know you care though

Latest from our manager. NO official bid although the clubs know where they stand (Basically it isn't on paper) and that you gave us permission to speak to Hughes and his agent and that discussions with him are underway but it'll take time whilst the player decides. If he wants to come the formality of an official bid will be placed. Also said he's not the only one we're talking to but is our main target at the moment.

Do you think you are going to sign two strikers? Looks to me like maybe you are talking to Brooker and Hughes to keep the options open.

O Driscoll wants them both, he's trying to build a whole team of bald players it seems. Brooker is pretty much certain to sign for about 100k which in reality is a bit of a bargain. Even though his loan as ended he's stayed up here and trained whilst he recovers from his injury as he wants to move to Doncaster where he has lots of family.

What I have heard on Hughes is that there is an agreement between the clubs and that there are some differences between us and the player but over time they're likely to compromise. It just needs resolving though if I'm honest.

Well, Richie may go somewhere, he's done quite well this season albeit a bit overshadowed by Stock who's the main man in midfield really. If a bid comes in that meets what the club wants then I've no doubt he'll go and we'd all wish him well. However, the chairman's said our key players will be going nowhere for anything like a million so it'd take a bit of cash to let him leave (rumour has it he's one of the 4 players on a 100k bonus if we stay up this season).

As for Hughes well it's very mixed. There's those who do want him despite his past which are I'd say about 25%, those like me that see him as someone who'd score goals so are for it but still don't really like what he did in the past (probably about 50%) and another 25% who are completely against his signing. If he does sign it'll be interesting to see what the crowd's reaction is as quite a few would boo his name at first I feel.

If that is true then why have the club not notified the fans.

 

If Hughes is talking to Doncaster then a fee must have been agreed and the talks are about Hughes's personal terms.

 

There is nothing on the club site and it states in tonight's Chron that no offers have been made for Hughes.

 

Somebody is telling porkies!!!

Well the porkies are coming from your side then. Sean O Driscoll said in his post match interview last night that we have been given permission to speak to Hughes from your club. As for the coach thing, well Richard O Kelly our assistant manager was coach at West Brom when Hughes was there. Personally, I can't wait for the window to end.

The latest from our camp.

"Our problem has been scoring goals and we're in the market for a striker," said O'Driscoll.

"The Lee Hughes move is ongoing. He's out of contract at the end of the season. We've got permission to speak to Lee and it is ongoing."

I think they miss a lot of chances.

Spot on we have done in the past. Though recently we've improved alot and starting to take chances now we have Heffernan and Coppinger up front. Big win for us tonight financially. 75k for winning the tie then the gate receipts from Saturday (15000 sell out guaranteed) and media money etc as we'll be the main radio game and the highlights game on ITV. Means a lot to clubs our size winning big cup ties and will help us in our transfer efforts. Whether that includes Hughes I don't know, but rumour was an official bid will go in tonight but that Hughes does want to join us. All RUMOUR though so could be wrong.

I think the point is that they wouldn't be able to afford him if they don't go through??

That's what us Rovers fans seem to think. It's expensive in the Championship and the increase in revenue has only been matched by the increase in player wages (5 million a year now for us and that's the second lowest in the division only Blackpool are lower). It's ridiculously hard to compete financially in the Championship for clubs like us (even the smaller teams who've been established a year or two spend million pound plus on players). Cup progress will gives us 75k prize money and then tv rights from the next round plus all the other bits of income and a 15000 crowd at the Keepmoat. Without that I doubt we'd afford him as I've heard we'll now offer you just cash for him.

They are often right in that paper and I read it this morning. However, there was no hard evidence, quotes etc so it has to be taken with a pinch of salt IMHO.

Good signing for you guys and should bang a few goals in. Any news on Hughes or if Byfield's staying?

Doncaster is a real backwater miles from anywhere and I would imagine something of a goldfish bowl where everyone knows each other - not particularly easy for someone with his history.

Erm, I can understand the footballing reasons etc he wouldn't want to leave, but this statement's a bit erm wrong. You can even be in London in 90 minutes from here so I'd hardly say middle of nowhere.

I don't think he'll sign for us if I am truely honest, someone else will probably step in. Equally I don't like the idea of paying £400,000 for him. Potential banana skin that at his age and we'd been in a situation like that before.

If you wanted two players you could probably get that too. I'll be surprised if we don't get rid of 3 strikers this January in Byfield, Taylor and Price. None of them have done anything this season for us and aren't up to it in the Championship.

Byfield only signed for us in the summer on a 2 year deal I think so has 18 months to go yet.

I don't think the bid would be 400k, more like 300+Byfield I would think. I do think he'll leave you but it could be for anyone and probably won't be for us. A guy who sits in front of me at the Keepmoat was adamant that the transfer is all agreed and he's usually right. I guess we'll see. Alternatively, would Hughes get first team football at another Championship club? I don't know if he's the right man for us, but he has had a brilliant season for you.

According to our official site.

Doncaster Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll today confirmed that the Club have made an approach to bring Oldham Athletic striker Lee Hughes to the Keepmoat Stadium in January.

Following Rovers' 2-1 win over fourth-placed Burnley on Sunday, Sean confirmed in the post-match press conference that he made contact with Latics' boss John Sheridan about the possibility of bringing former West Brom striker Hughes to Doncaster, with the player having a buy-out clause in his contract at Boundary Park.

Why can't we have a transfer window without trying to sign one of your players?

There is some talk we'll bid some cash and Darren Byfield for Lee Hughes. Lots of media talk around here but nothing from the club on it so it could be just rumours. It's one that won't go away though.