It was 12 months ago when a Geordie teenager arrived in BS7 with a degree of hype but little tangible evidence of his talents outside of the north west, only to then have a transformational effect on Bristol Rovers’ season.
And while it’s unfair and unreasonable to expect too much from untested youngsters in such an unforgiving environment as League One with so many variables determining their success, given what Rovers require, Lamare Bogarde, at the very least, resembles the right kind of signing at the right time of the campaign.
When the Gas brought in Elliot Anderson, they needed an x-factor and a game changer to unlock defences and bring the most out of the club’s attacking talent. This time around they need influence at the other end of the field.
Somebody with a sharp defensive game who can shield and protect the defence, while also being efficient and uncomplicated in possession. He, like many of the Gas loanees before him, is raw and all potential, but Bogarde’s attributes and profile certainly seem to tick a number of boxes having signed on loan until the end of the season from Aston Villa.
To get the lowdown on Bogarde's qualities and what sort of a prospect he's considered, we spoke to Aston Villa correspondent Ashley Preece of the Birmingham Mail...
It seems he can play both in defence and in midfield. What do you believe is his strongest position?
Like you've said, Bogarde's incredibly versatile in those two areas. Given his age and slight stature, it could be too soon to throw him in at centre-back. He could do a job at right-back, for sure, but, for me, he's an out-and-out holding midfielder, a typical No6 who'll sit in and break up play. This is where I see him developing. He's only slotted in in defence for Villa's youth teams because he's so comfortable in possession. But, yeah, midfield is where he'll thrive.
What attributes will Bogarde bring to Bristol Rovers and what are his strengths and weaknesses?
A typically Dutch footballer in the sense he's calm on the ball. He's good in the challenge and, positionally, very aware. A weakness would have to be his experience - or lack of it - knowing it's his first proper taste of senior men's football. He's not the tallest or biggest, either, so he'll have to get used to the physicality of playing in midfield in League One.
Villa have enjoyed great success in youth football of late. What part did he play in the FA Youth Cup triumph?
A huge one and pivotal to Villa's triumph back in 2021. Bogarde actually played centre-back throughout Villa's run. He was big part of an incredibly-talented group which included £20m Carney Chukwuemeka who's now at Chelsea.
He made his first-team debut in bizarre circumstances. Has he spent much time working with the senior group in training since then?
Yeah, it was bizarre but he did well against Jordan Henderson, Thiago and Co. Bogarde has been a constant fixture within first-team training sessions under Dean Smith, Steven Gerrard and, more recently, Unai Emery. Villa have huge hopes for him and, last summer, signed a new long-term deal following his return from injury.
From what you have seen in development football, does he have the physical attributes to be ready for the step up to regular senior football?
Yeah, for sure. He's not long turned 19 and there's so much growing to do. He's yet to 'fill out' as it were which is something Jacob Ramsey did when he was the same age as the Villa youngster exploded onto the Premier League scene. This loan spell will be huge for Bogarde.
How highly is he rated by the Villa hierarchy?
Incredibly. He's billed as a future first-team star should his development continue the way it has been. This stint at Rovers could be the making of him ahead of next season.
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