[Archived] Roque Santa Cruz Thread

[PAFELL]

OK the timing of this is terrible, but I'm not sure a) his interview is all that disasterous and if he leaves we'll be fine anyway.

He said he is happy and Blackburn he likes the fans and has to think about Blackburn in any decision he makes.

Yes, he also said he would like the opportunity to play for a big club with a chance of winning their league etc etc. No real harm in that. It's better than him just bobbing along and picking his wages up. He's ambitious and does not lie about it - fair play.

We have to remember he comitted himself to us for four years in the summer, probably assuming the board had picked a good manager in Ince with a professional set-up, he got neither. I'd be annoyed if that happened to me.

If City want to pay £18m I'll take that. We'll invest and be stronger.

The timing of his interview is terrible, the content not so much.

Oh, and that Colin Murray is a clown.

I do not think we have anything to worry about. Big Sam will get the best out of RSC and ignite that passion to play again. Big Sam's training methords are going to be lot better to what Ince provided. I also suggest that RSC would have been impressed like most of us were with the press interview the other day - it has even been reported that the trustees were also impressed with the same press conference, to the extent they are openning the cheque book - and in the current climate that says something.

[RevidgeBlue]

That's rubbish Tris. Allardyce might yet decide that £20m is more than Roque is worth and the money can be used to strengthen the overall squad and that selling him needs to be done, to keep us in this division. Or, he might decide that he doesn't want to keep an unhappy player at the club. Or both of the previous. None of it makes any difference to my stance on the subject.

Den, you're being completely two faced on this point - you wouldn't even entertain the notion that Ince might not want to keep an unhappy player!

As far as you were concerned he had to keep the squad together and that was that!

But now it's O.K. for Sam to go either way if he feels it will strengthen the squad overall? Sheesh!

Why are you applying two different yardsticks for the two different managers?

For what it's worth I think with us in the position we're currently in, it's far more important than it was in the summer that none of our better players leave. Sam has to put his foot down and ensure no-one he doesn't want to leave does.

[den]

Den, you're being completely two faced on this point - you wouldn't even entertain the notion that Ince might not want to keep an unhappy player!

As far as you were concerned he had to keep the squad together and that was that!

But now it's O.K. for Sam to go either way if he feels it will strengthen the squad overall? Sheesh!

Why are you applying two different yardsticks for the two different managers?

Blimey, talk about having no idea of what I was/am saying. It's too near KO to go into this again, but might do at a later date if it really needs explaining again. It's absolutely consistent Rev. I can't help it if you can't understand.

Which part don't you understand? The bit about selling your best players, or the bit about Ince selling players without having a clue who he's selling? Point to the bit where I've said that it's OK for Sam to sell our best players?

[RoyRover]

Don't beat yourselves up over Roque's remarks.

The interesting bit is...only Man City would even think about paying the money.

And what happens if they are below Rovers by January 1?

Does that make them big and ambitious?

I was thinking the same thing myself. City are only a couple of points ahead of us, if we are anywhere near or even above them by the time January comes around, I would like to see what Santa Cruz had to say then. It will also be interesting to see if he plays against City in a few weeks.

[Bazzanotsogreat]

I would sell if we could get 18M +, however with the caveat that the manager receives 95% of the money rather than 9 million of that disappearing into the Jersey coffers.

Sam could sign three good players with that sort of cash. He also needs to flog some of the deadwood in the squad.

[joey_big_nose]

I would sell if we could get 18M +, however with the caveat that the manager receives 95% of the money rather than 9 million of that disappearing into the Jersey coffers.

Sam could sign three good players with that sort of cash. He also needs to flog some of the deadwood in the squad.

Beyond Mokoena and Vogel it is hard to make a case that we have any deadwood in the squad. Everybody is being used.

[Muddboy]

I think RSC has made a big mistake and I personally can't wait to see Big Sam's reaction.

The Ince debacle has obviously caused RSC to lose all faith in Rovers, but I think it's a real stab in the back to make comments like he has.

I think his interview is the most blatent 'come and get me' I have ever heard. He was very direct in his views and didn't seem to care.

If he feels like that, get rid of the ######. We could use the money to improve the team in a number of positions and he can go and rot at Citeh.

Mind you, I think RSC is being massively naive if he thinks Big Sam is going to let him get away with this blatant lack of respect – particularly on the eve of such a big game.

RSC will undoubtedly pick up a fine and I think he's now played the last game for us.

[deloreanwfn]

From BBC:

"At the moment Roque Santa Cruz is the farthest thing from my mind. I'm just going to enjoy this victory tonight. I'll take it up tomorrow or Monday."

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce

I agree, Big Sam would not let him get away easily.

[John]

When asked if he was hopeful Santa Cruz would stay, Allardyce added: "Am I an optimist? I just don't have a clue at the moment. I'm enjoying the football and I'll consider that tomorrow."

“Did it bother me today? No,” said Allardyce. “Will it bother me on my night out tonight? No. Will it bother me tomorrow? Yes. We will sit down and deal with it professionally, very quickly.”

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

I have changed my mind:

If Cruz wants to go to 'BIG CLUB' city and they agree to pay 20 million then its time to say bye bye.

I dont want players here who dont want to fight for the blue 'n' white.

[mark]

“Did it bother me today? No,” said Allardyce. “Will it bother me on my night out tonight? No. Will it bother me tomorrow? Yes. We will sit down and deal with it professionally, very quickly.”

hehe, love it that uncle sam's going out on the lash tonight.

[Muddboy]

When asked if he was hopeful Santa Cruz would stay, Allardyce added: "Am I an optimist? I just don't have a clue at the moment. I'm enjoying the football and I'll consider that tomorrow."

“Did it bother me today? No,” said Allardyce. “Will it bother me on my night out tonight? No. Will it bother me tomorrow? Yes. We will sit down and deal with it professionally, very quickly.”

I think Sam's response here is just what everyone wanted to hear and I would think RSC is not sitting too comfortably tonight.

He knows what's coming tomorrow morning. That phone will ring first thing and it will be a rather disgruntled new manager on the other end.

Good luck, lad. You're gonna need it.

I want RSC out after this and I hope we take Citeh or anyone else for as much as we can in January.

[Mc Love]

Its very odd the way Cruz has came out and undermined us, i wouldnt mind dropping him for a few games as long as we win! And see where his comments get him then!

[roversmum]

The good part of it is that Sam will stand no nonsense, hopefully our players will now learn to keep their mouths shut in this kind of instance.

[philipl]

RSC was shown sitting in his club suit and coat in the dug out enjoying the win.

Let's see what happens but my gut freel is he stays now.

[vyeo]

Watching the post-match interview, i would think that Santa's in a world of trouble this festive season...

Also good to note that Sam emphasised that the players deserved the bulk of the credit for today's performance and he gave only "a few pointers". This in direct contrast to Ince's words last week saying that he was not responsible for the poor performances and the players should be blamed!

[Bobby G]

Also good to note that Sam emphasised that the players deserved the bulk of the credit for today's performance and he gave only "a few pointers". This in direct contrast to Ince's words last week saying that he was not responsible for the poor performances and the players should be blamed!

Thats actually the same but on the flip side of the coin...

[dingles staying down 4ever]

RSC was shown sitting in his club suit and coat in the dug out enjoying the win.

Let's see what happens but my gut freel is he stays now.

Did not look a happy man though from what was shown a MOTD

[philipl]

Did not look a happy man though from what was shown a MOTD

Extremely selective editing then- he was beeming from ear to ear every time whoever's cameras panned to him during the live coverage I watched on Melitacable 2 yesterday. He was also sat in the middle of the lads kitted up as reserves and very much one of the team as the banter was going on.

[jonv]

on the tv highlights here there where lengthy shots of santa cruz in the dugout and this was after benny and roberts had did the damage. he seemed to be smiling and laughing but then looked concerned as the goals where going in for us (we will score without you)

[RoyRover]

It sounds like Sam is going to have words with with Roque. I thought he made it clear that he wasn't happy with him. Either Sam tells him that he's a Blackburn player and we need him for the rest of the season, or he will tell him that he's played his last game for the club. I still believe that his comments were totally out of order, basically saying that he wanted out now. I'm sure he and his agent saw the press conference and Sam saying that he wouldn't be sold and decided to act there and then by saying that he wanted to leave. A bigger and more ambitious club is basically anyone who can afford the transfer fee. I really want to see if he plays against City or will his 'injury' be too bad.

The rumored £20 million is a lot of money and it is very tempting to take it. However, I think our form and league position should play a part in deciding whether or not we sell him. If when the new year comes, we are still struggling we shouldn't sell him, because there is going to be no top striker that could replace him that would want to come to a team who is in real relegation trouble. If we are climbing the table steadily after a good Christmas period, then it may be more realistic to sell him, if it comes to that. But I would want to keep him, just because he has the ability to score goals, even if he hasn't been doing it lately.

[philipl]

Don't know about the ankle but the back injury is for real and he should never have been played by Ince in the games he was sent out in.

[RevidgeBlue]

Sam was interviewed on Radio Rovers straight after the game and said about Roque "Thankfully we didn't miss him at all."

Now that was probably a comment on how well McCarthy and Roberts played on the day, but I thought you could also easily interpret it as a clear message to Roque to shape up or ship out.

[chris]

Sam was interviewed on Radio Rovers straight after the game and said about Roque "Thankfully we didn't miss him at all."

Now that was probably a comment on how well McCarthy and Roberts played on the day, but I thought you could also easily interpret it as a clear message to Roque to shape up or ship out.

he was saying we just didn't miss him because that was fact

[trueblue]

Sam isn't going to mess around with players who don't or won't give 100%... as players at Notlob found out during his time there!