[Archived] Realistic Summer Moves

[vintageadidas]

"The gap is closing" - how right Mr.Nixon was! Purely down to the fact that we are going backwards.

[Hughesy]

Right back...left back...right wing...centre midfield...maybe left wing...one or two strikers.

Left Back? What with Simpson and Warnock here, or do you suggest Warnock will be leaving?? Il ask him tonight

[67splitscreen]

After reading the above posts, from Nicko, and what has been said in recent articles in the press.

I get the feeling, Ince has given JW his Christmas wish list, and JW is not willing to commit at this stage.

Ince still has so much to prove, even given the injuries.

Wonder what the total cost of the wish list is.

[The Prof.]

We don't need a new team Nicko.

Right back - Emerton, Ouijer and Simpson - how many do we need - Emerton is wasted on the right wing as he gives you the same going forward from right back. It's a man wasted playing him anywhere else. Or are they all wasted wages? If so - get rid now and free up the wage bill! That would be 50K ish would it not?

Left back

Warnock a Zurab as cover - or Olson if we have too. If not get rid save another 50K

Centre Midfield - How many do we need for goodness sake?

Andrews

Dunn

Axe

Reid

Grella

Vogel

Tugay

and for some reason

Emerton

Warnock

I suspect Reid is on his way one way or another but you can't pay NINE central midfielders and play a left back and right back there. If they can't do the job or are so injury prone they can't play GET RID. Like it or not we've had 2 fit CM's all season. You could save another 70K on wages there.

Right wing - point taken. I recall it wasn't Ince who refused to sign one - the board seemed to think Emo was adequate cover there. Is this right?

Left Wing -

Pederson

Villanuava (NEVER going to play in the hole behind Roque but looks awfully slow in the flesh for L/W - won't get another contract) and

Treacy. (Long way to go)

If they can't do it SHIP OUT!

Strikers. We have FIVE or even SIX now! -

Roque (who will be begging to go by Christmas - who would sign him though on current form?),

McCarthy (Sulking? seems to want to make a point but can't with no service)

Derbs (has already asked to go)

Roberts (can't work this fellow out at all)

Fowler (good enough to get a contract)

Jansen (Oh dear - love him but what a message for Roque)

Bottom line is with a list like that Nicko, Ince appears to have come to the conclusion most of the team isn't good enough or fit enough.

Perhaps if he played a settled team in the right positions starting with a decent keeper who can catch and a proper back four which we do have (IMO solid enough to keep us up if given a chance with midfield cover) we could have a chance.

Who on earth would come here at the moment though? We are talking very SECOND rate players like Andrews.

I think Ince has a lot to prove to board before he gets any cash but neither do I think his departure is imminent. Hope the hand holder makes a few home truths to him soon or else.......

[nicko]

The list of positions I mentioned was based on the players currently being watched/chased/asked for trials.

Right back - there are a couple being watched...Simpson has not been the answer.

Left back - there is one being looked at very closely...Warnock has not played there much and Olsson isn't ready.

Right wing - lots of options, including the Egyptian...there HAS to be one signed.

Midfield - a couple have been asked over...you can't keep waiting for Dunn and Reid to be fit and the ones signed are not the best.

Left wing - maybe.

Striker or two - definitely been looking very closely at two - Janko and [injured] Benitez.

There's a lack of goals, the full backs are not the best and the midfield is short of top-class options.

[The Prof.]

The list of positions I mentioned was based on the players currently being watched/chased/asked for trials.

Right back - there are a couple being watched...Simpson has not been the answer.

Left back - there is one being looked at very closely...Warnock has not played there much and Olsson isn't ready.

Right wing - lots of options, including the Egyptian...there HAS to be one signed.

Midfield - a couple have been asked over...you can't keep waiting for Dunn and Reid to be fit and the ones signed are not the best.

Left wing - maybe.

Striker or two - definitely been looking very closely at two - Janko and [injured] Benitez.

There's a lack of goals, the full backs are not the best and the midfield is short of top-class options.

Unfortunately I have to agree. Looks like a clear out then. I still think the actual full backs are good (Emo and Warnock) but they don't play there.

Let's hope the ones we're watching are fit and better than what we have!

[Sandiway Blue]

Unfortunately I have to agree. Looks like a clear out then. I still think the actual full backs are good (Emo and Warnock) but they don't play there.

Let's hope the ones we're watching are fit and better than what we have!

Totally agree!

Not replacing Bentley has really upset the balance in quality of the team,if we can get Warnock and Emo back into their full-back positions then we will be a lot more solid defensively.

[broadsword]

Don't worry lads, we're going to sign some bloke called "I'm having a moody".

Our worries are over.

We'll win again, don't know where, don't know when ...

[super_arran]

Left wing - maybe.

does this mean peds might be packing his bags?

[JAL]

The list of positions I mentioned was based on the players currently being watched/chased/asked for trials.

Right back - there are a couple being watched...Simpson has not been the answer.

Left back - there is one being looked at very closely...Warnock has not played there much and Olsson isn't ready.

Right wing - lots of options, including the Egyptian...there HAS to be one signed.

Midfield - a couple have been asked over...you can't keep waiting for Dunn and Reid to be fit and the ones signed are not the best.

Left wing - maybe.

Striker or two - definitely been looking very closely at two - Janko and [injured] Benitez.

There's a lack of goals, the full backs are not the best and the midfield is short of top-class options.

Excellent analysis Nicko sums Rovers up very nicely your wasted as journalist you should be the manager i'll put your name forward.

[roverfanuk]

Mputu has snubbed us and Spurs because he has been offered a solid deal, as apposed to a trial: http://msnsport.skysports.com/story/0,1952...4548403,00.html

[nicko]

Excellent analysis Nicko sums Rovers up very nicely your wasted as journalist you should be the manager i'll put your name forward.

To be fair, those are the targets that the CLUB are looking at...not my ideas.

So credit where it's due...and it would be due to people who have worked out what needs to be done.

[LeChuck]

We don't have a problem at left back, we have a problem in midfield which required moving Warnock.

The answer to that is a proper midfielder, not a left back that will force Warnock to stay out of position.

[thenodrog]

I pointed this out during the close season and now it's becoming clear to all. Hughes repeatedly insisted that most of his signings were 1st team signings and had to be better than what he already had in the squad. Simple but effective rule really in terms of our resources and of individual man managemant and overall squad psychology.

On the other side of the coin Ince bought in 4/5 players who could only have been lesser squad players as they were significantly weaker than what we already had and most certainly imo would not have made last seasons 1st choice team by some distance.

Another followed in a last minute panic but through injury / fitness probs the jury must still be out on Vince Grella yet.

Point being, and this is the nub for me....... I wouldn't trust Paul Ince with our precious club cheque book as far as I could throw him. Anybody disagree?

[RoverRich]

We don't have a problem at left back, we have a problem in midfield which required moving Warnock.

The answer to that is a proper midfielder, not a left back that will force Warnock to stay out of position.

Yes Warnock is a quality left back and there is no point buying one to play in the first XI but if he were to get imjured/suspended we would end up with Olsson there or someone like Ooijer out of position so I think it is good to have a replacement left back. No need to spend big money or look for top quality, just a squad player like Berner was for us, who is able to step in and do a decent job when required. Likewise with the left wing, we have seen that Pedersen is our only real option at the moment besides an inexperienced youngster so it would also be good to get a back up in for that position. Could kill two birds with one stone and look for someone who could do a job in both positions, again like Berner.

Other than those, first team positions that new signings are definitely required for are right midfield (allowing Emo to drop back), centre midfield (need more quality in there) and at least one striker (depending on who stays and who goes).

[Exiled in Toronto]

I pointed this out during the close season and now it's becoming clear to all. Hughes repeatedly insisted that most of his signings were 1st team signings and had to be better than what he already had in the squad. Simple but effective rule really in terms of our resources and of individual man managemant and overall squad psychology.

On the other side of the coin Ince bought in 4/5 players who could only have been lesser squad players as they were significantly weaker than what we already had and most certainly imo would not have made last seasons 1st choice team by some distance.

Another followed in a last minute panic but through injury / fitness probs the jury must still be out on Vince Grella yet.

Point being, and this is the nub for me....... I wouldn't trust Paul Ince with our precious club cheque book as far as I could throw him. Anybody disagree?

I could quibble on what Hughes said and what he did being two different things, but that is by the by, it's an art not a science after all. However, Ince's first round of signings have not delivered - none of them - so I don't see why he should get any better or earn the right to spend the fattest chequebook in recent times.

Souey made some shrewd signings when we were tanking in Div 2 - Berg, Hughes, Mahon, Bent - and got more out of the incumbents; a similar approach would see us safe. I'm feeling a Bring Back Souey campaign coming on with a 6 month contract and a fat staying up bonus

[Tris]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_4548403,00.html

Looks like `Rovers target` Tresor Mputu will sign for Marseile.

I don`t know how good this lad is but he does have a point when he says about English clubs not willing to sign african players straight away and cites Zaki at Wigan as being a perfect example.

Mputu has snubbed us and Spurs because he has been offered a solid deal, as apposed to a trial:

That probably says more about the level of Marseille and French football to be fair - miles below the PL.

I lived near Marseille back in the early 1990s and have been back since for games at the Velodrome, it's my "French" team.

They play Liverpool tomorrow of course, and Tyrone Mears, on loan from Derby County, is in their squad.

That's hardly an advert for the quality of top division footy in France.

And of course, they will always sign more players from Africa due to the location and the climate, the history and the culture.

[imy9]

I pointed this out during the close season and now it's becoming clear to all. Hughes repeatedly insisted that most of his signings were 1st team signings and had to be better than what he already had in the squad. Simple but effective rule really in terms of our resources and of individual man managemant and overall squad psychology.

On the other side of the coin Ince bought in 4/5 players who could only have been lesser squad players as they were significantly weaker than what we already had and most certainly imo would not have made last seasons 1st choice team by some distance.

Another followed in a last minute panic but through injury / fitness probs the jury must still be out on Vince Grella yet.

Point being, and this is the nub for me....... I wouldn't trust Paul Ince with our precious club cheque book as far as I could throw him. Anybody disagree?

IF Ince is around in January then he should be backed 100% with the cash.

Robbo is a quality signing, Simpson and Carlos are loans so shrewd as they have cost us next to nothing, same for Fowler and Andrews. Grella has been injured so we cant really judge him.

[T4E]

Signing Fowler is shrewd?! How? Because he's not costing much? Do you understand what shrewd means? It has nothing to do with being frugal.

[imy9]

Signing Fowler is shrewd?! How? Because he's not costing much? Do you understand what shrewd means? It has nothing to do with being frugal.

Shrewd can mean a number of things, I was emphasising being "practical"

Signing someone on a free for 3 months with the record of Fowler could be classed as a shrewd, signing a midfield player for £750K for the short term could be classed as shrewd.

Granted I was emphasising Carlos and Simpson...

[T4E]

Find me a link that backs up your definition of shrewd in this scenario and I'll agree with you.

Otherwise - plop.

[imy9]

Find me a link that backs up your definition of shrewd in this scenario and I'll agree with you.

Otherwise - plop.

You should always trust an English teacher.... not! but the links are below.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrewd

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/shrewd

[T4E]

Right -

1archaic : mischievous

2obsolete : abusive , shrewish

3obsolete : ominous , dangerous

4 a: severe , hard <a shrewd knock> b: sharp , piercing <a shrewd wind>

5 a: marked by clever discerning awareness and hardheaded acumen <shrewd common sense> b: given to wily and artful ways or dealing <a shrewd operator>

1. Characterized by keen awareness, sharp intelligence, and often a sense of the practical.

2. Disposed to artful and cunning practices; tricky.

3. Sharp; penetrating: a shrewd wind.

Which one of those definitions do you think describes Ince's acquisitions of Fowler and Andrews?!

[The Prof.]

IF Ince is around in January then he should be backed 100% with the cash.

Robbo is a quality signing, Simpson and Carlos are loans so shrewd as they have cost us next to nothing, same for Fowler and Andrews. Grella has been injured so we cant really judge him.

You're not reading the thread - Simpson is 'wanting' - not my words, we're looking for a right back. Carlos is not going to make it - trust me - too small, stumpy, slow and ineffectual - he won't be signed. Fowlers so far past it he'd struggle in our vets league, Andrews is okay - I've seen him run a game but way out of his depth in this league. He could make me eat my words and improve but...nah.

My opinion of Robinson is that he will take us down. He can't catch - it's just a wide open flaw at this level. You get found out. Goalies can't have a flaw. I know many on here rate him but I think he would be the first one to go if someone like Souness, Allardyce, or anyone with first rate football experience came in.

Grella will be okay if he ever gets fit but he's the only one from the bunch and has he ever been fit?

[joey_big_nose]

Personally there are a few players who I would move on before any of the Ince signings apart from Fowler who is a complete embarassment.

Mokoena, Reid, Roberts, Derbyshire. Potentially Pedersen and McCarthy if they do not sort out some sort of form.

That said I wouldn't be tempted to outlay on Simpson or Carlos at present - extend loans if we have to. Andrews seems like an okay player, who will be on cheap wages, does the basics and has a bit of vision, and really the only one of his type seeing as Dunn is permanently injured. If he can stay fit he will be a minor asset. I like look of Grella (but another crock...), Robinson is decent.

Problem for Ince is that he has not kept his players fit and in form rather than the quality of the aquisitions which has been average but not bad.