[Archived] Big Fat Sam's Shopping List

[nicko]

Nicko. Can you give us any Rovers related news.

Is their anything behind the Rothen rumours...? I HEAR HE IS CONSIDERED TOO OLD.

Do you know what positions we are looking at filling? STRIKER...MIDFIELDERS...RIGHT BACK.

Is their any chance we might be interested in Bentley? DOUBT IT...BIG WAGES...BIG HEAD.

Darren Bent?? NO SIGN OF THAT YET

Do you know how many players we might be bringing in? AS AT LEAST SEVEN OR EIGHT WILL GO I WOULD THINK FIVE OR SIX MAY COME.

Is their going to be a shakeup with the Reserves/Acadamy as had been rumoured? NOT HEARD THAT ONE...COULD HAPPEN AS LONG AS IT IS CHEAP.

Oh and Eden Hazard? Any truth? NOT HEARD, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN IN FRANCE A LOT...NOT AT LILLE GAMES FROM WHAT I HAVE HEARD.

[LeChuck]

I'd much prefer Darren Bent to come, he's mentioned in there as well as Sturridge. He's shown right throughout his career than he's a regular goalscorer when he's starting games. He played as a lone front man at Charlton too so he could definitely fit into Sam's way of playing.

[RoverRich]

That Eden Hazard does look a very good player especially at only 18 years old but according to his wikipedia page, Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd have all checked him out and are probably keeping tabs on him so again could be another good find but someone we miss out on unfortunately.

[herbergeehh]

AS AT LEAST SEVEN OR EIGHT WILL GO I WOULD THINK FIVE OR SIX MAY COME.

Ooijer, Villanueva, Gallagher, Derbyshire, Tugay... and possibly Santa Cruz, Warnock ?

Could you comment on these, Nicko? I take it Rigters is on his way aswell, and Simpson has already gone back.

From Paul Robinson's season, and the comments from both Big Sam and the player lately - I take it he is staying?

[T4E]

Darren Bent would be excellent.

Eight out, five in would be fine by me. We carry a lot of deadwood, five fit, healthy non-injury prone players that can improve the matchday 18 would be perfect.

Hopefully a trimming in the number of seniors players by necessity may see more focus put on the academy. Sam has already shown he'll give the younger guys a bit of exposure, hopefully that continues.

[nicko]

Ooijer, Villanueva, Gallagher, Derbyshire, Tugay... and possibly Santa Cruz, Warnock ?

Could you comment on these, Nicko? I take it Rigters is on his way aswell, and Simpson has already gone back.

From Paul Robinson's season, and the comments from both Big Sam and the player lately - I take it he is staying?

OUT...OOIJER [FREE], SIMPSON [LOAN RETURN], WARNOCK [iF CASH IS RIGHT], MOKOENA [FREE], TUGAY [FREE], VILLANUEVA [LOAN OVER], SANTA CRUZ [iF FIT], DERBYSHIRE [PROBABLY]...PLUS GALLAGHER [iF ANYONE BIDS]...HAD FORGOTTEN ABOUT RIGTERS...MAYBE ONE KEEPER OUT AND ANOTHER IN.

Robinson's form has improved and his weight has come down, so the search for a number one has ended.

I hear Kameni wants to stay with Espanyol now, so I imagine his wage demands have been too much for anyone interested.

[Fife Rover]

Bojan is linked with a loan move to Celtic in one of todays papers. Bigger club no doubt but surely its best he test himself in a beter league.

Plus the fact that at any Scottish PL club (including Rangers and Celtic) he wont get anywhere near the wages he can expect from any of the EPL clubs (including Rovers).

[joey_big_nose]

Plus the fact that at any Scottish PL club (including Rangers and Celtic) he wont get anywhere near the wages he can expect from any of the EPL clubs (including Rovers).

As he will still be on his contract with Barcelona he will still get his full salary no matter who he plays for.

I wonder if Sunderland go down whether we will be interested in Jones? I would say we probably would be. Although Spurs, Everton etc. will all be having a look too. Perfect for Sam's style of play....

[broadsword]

Somebody on BBC 606 mentioned Michael Owen without naming any source

Is he going to take us over?

[b12_simon]

None whatsoever.

Thank god.

Seconded. Taking a chance on a fading star is one thing. Bringing back former footballers is another. We'd be better off signing Trevor Brooking!

[Guest benmaxwell]

From what i have heard solidly:

Outs: André Ooijer (PSV), Tugay (retirement), Roque Santa Cruz (Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal or Spurs), Aaron Mokoena (free), Carlos Villanueva (end of loan), Danny Simpson (gone) Jason Brown (has been troublemaking - championship), Alan Judge (selling - Championship), Paul Gallagher (dito), Maceo Rigters, Matt Derbyshire (Olympiakos £3m-£4m), Tony Kane (championship), Bjorn Bussmann (returning to Germany) and Bryan Hodge (Motherwell).

Also hearing that Sam might be looking to ship out Benni due to his high wages and attitude/fitness issues.

[thenodrog]

Any chance that mystery name you referred to might be Michael Owen?

I think Sam would rather stick pins in his own eyes than sign a midget to be centre forward for any team of his. Whatever Owens qualities are they do not include playing strongly with his back to goal and knocking opposing centre halves into the middle of next week.

[modes98]

From what i have heard solidly:

Outs: Roque Santa Cruz (Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal or Spurs)Matt Derbyshire (Olympiakos £3m-£4m),

Also hearing that Sam might be looking to ship out Benni due to his high wages and attitude/fitness issues.

So that's 3 of our 4 strikers gone. So it'll be Jason Roberts + 2 or 3 new faces. That is a lot of work for 1 summer, not taking into account our CM problem and RB issue.

For me selling Benni makes no sense, he scores goals and has never had a problem with doing so. It's a big risk to take that your new strikers will come in and instantly and consistantly find the back of the net.

[RoverRich]

From what i have heard solidly:

Outs: André Ooijer (PSV), Tugay (retirement), Roque Santa Cruz (Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal or Spurs), Aaron Mokoena (free), Carlos Villanueva (end of loan), Danny Simpson (gone) Jason Brown (has been troublemaking - championship), Alan Judge (selling - Championship), Paul Gallagher (dito), Maceo Rigters, Matt Derbyshire (Olympiakos £3m-£4m), Tony Kane (championship), Bjorn Bussmann (returning to Germany) and Bryan Hodge (Motherwell).

Also hearing that Sam might be looking to ship out Benni due to his high wages and attitude/fitness issues.

None of them are really a big surprise but I would have thought Treacy should be out of the door as well if the likes of Judge are being sold. Judge is probably the better of the 2 and I can't see Treacy making much more of an impact. Is Mokoena out of contract? Is that why he would be on a free cos I thought we would be able to get something for him if he is not. Looks like we will be needing a new keeper and a number of other signings if this many are being got rid of, not that it is a bad thing.

[doctorryan]

Is their anything behind the Rothen rumours...? I HEAR HE IS CONSIDERED TOO OLD.

Yeah, I kinda wish it was 2 years ago we were getting him; but I'd still take a chance with him if the price is as it is being reported (wages to be considered as well of course).

Look at it this way: Tugs was almost the same age when we got him and look how that turned out. This guy has always struck me as slightly angrier version of Tugay. His passing and crossing are really good and I've seen him hit some sweet free kicks as well. He moves at the same speed as Tugs did, only with a little more of "the eye of the tiger". He's got 13 caps for France (not easy to achieve) and I don't recall hearing about any major injuries. Screw his age. This is a no-brainer to me. I hope we get him.

Check out his goal against Wolfsburg in this year's UEFA Cup.

[LeChuck]

I'll be amazed if both Dunn and Reid are still here when the window shuts. I don't see how we can have two injury prone midfielders in a reduced squad.

[RibbleValleyRover]

From what i have heard solidly:

Outs: Alan Judge (selling - Championship)

I hope not, from what i've read on some of the plymouth boards they reckon he could do a job in the prem. I'd rather offload some of the players you and others have listed and keep Judge.

[Kelbo]

I'll be amazed if both Dunn and Reid are still here when the window shuts. I don't see how we can have two injury prone midfielders in a reduced squad.

Or maybe on a pay as you play basis!!!

[Hughesy]

What happens when a player is injured - do we claim his wages back from the insurers or not??

[Guest benmaxwell]

So that's 3 of our 4 strikers gone. So it'll be Jason Roberts + 2 or 3 new faces. That is a lot of work for 1 summer, not taking into account our CM problem and RB issue.

For me selling Benni makes no sense, he scores goals and has never had a problem with doing so. It's a big risk to take that your new strikers will come in and instantly and consistantly find the back of the net.

He didn't have the best of terms last time around. I know for a fact that Sam has been less then pleased with his fitness, and Ince before him was not to happy with the weight he piled on during pre-season. He has also apparently had a bust-up with Mokoena in training, granted Mokoena won't be here next term, it isn't the first time Benni has let his attitude cause problems.

Let's just say, i wouldn't be suprised if we signed more then 2 strikers in the summer...

[BrownieFC]

We could give Samba the number 10 shirt if Benni goes lol

[b12_simon]

So that's 3 of our 4 strikers gone. So it'll be Jason Roberts + 2 or 3 new faces. That is a lot of work for 1 summer, not taking into account our CM problem and RB issue.

For me selling Benni makes no sense, he scores goals and has never had a problem with doing so. It's a big risk to take that your new strikers will come in and instantly and consistantly find the back of the net.

You're forgetting Samba.

I hope I'm joking!

[TimmyJimmy]

OK I got fed up of waiting so went and read a book on accountancy for dummys. Turns out that spending has to be less than income.

Income is fixed in our case (or as near as damn it), crowds won't fall by that much during next season, TV money won't go down next season. So income is stable'ish.

Costs are for servicing any bank debt which is now cheaper for the upcoming year cos rates have gone down and we aren't borrowing any more next year than this. Stadium and facilities costs are fixed. So the remainder is available for wages and dividends.

I'm guessing we don't pay dividends so that means the money is available for wages.

Why then do we have to cut the wages bill this year? Doesn't make sense. If we could pay them this year we can pay them next year.

Only explanation I can come up with is that the funds for tranfers won't be coming from the Trustess this year and we have to save up the money for ourselves by slashing wages and selling players.

Even though I fear sounding like a stuck record (and being lumped in with the Vinjay school of philosophy) why won't the Trustees support the club or sell it to someone who will?

Our shopping list should consist of those players we really want and not those that the Trustees decide we can afford (without being totally insane and unrestrained in our choice of player of course). Any more of this and we should look for shirt sponsorship from Netto.

[iamarover]

Even though I fear sounding like a stuck record (and being lumped in with the Vinjay school of philosophy) why won't the Trustees support the club or sell it to someone who will?

Our shopping list should consist of those players we really want and not those that the Trustees decide we can afford (without being totally insane and unrestrained in our choice of player of course). Any more of this and we should look for shirt sponsorship from Netto.

Stuck Records Part II I have the accounts in front of me and these are the key indicators for the 07/08 season.

Turnover 56.4

Wages 39.7

Other exp 10.1

GROSS profit £6.6m....

Interest on debt £1.6m

Player trading loss £2.0m

NET profit. £3.0m

And the debt is £16.9m The cost of servicing that debt will have risen massively from £1.6m this season and next, and it is likely that the banks have told the Trustees it has to come down. So, bearing in mind that 08/09 the £56.4m drops - Philip reckons to £50m, Rovers would have to find that £6.4m plus the cost of the loan (and possibly to pay some of it off) just to stand still, and come in at a profit of around £3m. I presume this is where the Bentley money is going. The debt will probably have to halve.

Nicko's £5m wage bill reduction looks spot on against these figures and the projected £10m worsening of Rovers' finances in 08/09 (turnover down £6m and wages up £4m). Sam will therefore have around £2m net again, plus the money from Santa Cruz. But that will be money in wages and fees.

These figures tell you one thing. That money into Rovers will not come back. End of. You are wrong. The Trustees will be only too glad to sell. Unfortunately there is no one around as Rovers mad, insanely rich and uninterested in a return as Jack Walker was. And there never will be. Get over it.

[b12_simon]

Even though I fear sounding like a stuck record (and being lumped in with the Vinjay school of philosophy) why won't the Trustees support the club or sell it to someone who will?

To answer the 2nd point, the club's been for sale for some time now. We've just not exactly fighting off potential buyers with sticks.