[Archived] Big Fat Sam's Shopping List

[RevidgeBlue]

Bit worried to see Sam saying that we only really need to replace players who are leaving this summer.

As this includes the likes of Tugay/Ooijer/Mokoena/Derbs/Gally/ who either aren't really first team fixtures or who aren't really good enough, it doesn't appear to point to any outstanding signings who will transform the starting eleven.

[Beta Ray Bill]

Bit worried to see Sam saying that we only really need to replace players who are leaving this summer.

As this includes the likes of Tugay/Ooijer/Mokoena/Derbs/Gally/ who either aren't really first team fixtures or who aren't really good enough, it doesn't appear to point to any outstanding signings who will transform the starting eleven.

That's one interpretation.

Alternatively, he is talking about replacing those (squad?) players with people who go into the first team and knock down others into the squad positions.

Most likely it will be a mix - some who will be 1st choice starters and some who are 1st team sem-regulars.

[tony gale's mic]

I think regardless of how much we pull in from fringe player sales, this coming closed season is massive for the club. We’ve had little or no investment for a number of seasons now, mainly because our wage bill takes up the sky money, but we must find the manager at least 10 million to go along with the player sale money, if we’re going to compete for the minor honours next season. That I believe will be the difference between challenging for Europe or another relegation dog fight.

It's worth noting though that if the season started when Sam took charge with the team we've been playing, we'd be just 5 points off 6th place right now (which would've been Spurs), and 12 points from the drop zone.

This was done mostly without RSC so we'll be getting money without losing anything from the side, and with Emerton back and a few canny signings we should be at least reasonably hopeful of a better season next time round.

[Guest benmaxwell]

As Beta said above he actually said:

Bit worried to see Sam saying that we only really need to replace players who are leaving this summer with true quality, players who are not squad players and will give current squad players a run for their money.

As this includes the likes of Tugay/Ooijer/Mokoena/Derbs/Gally/ who either aren't really first team fixtures or who aren't really good enough, it doesn't appear to point to any outstanding signings who will transform the starting eleven.

We are replacing a player who is retiring with someone who will be a cash signing. Three players who mostly did/do their work off the bench and a player who has been out on loan for most of his career and one 1st teamer (Roque if anyone will bid for him), with 5-7 players who could walk into the squad and push current members of the squad onto the bench. Don't know about anyone else, but i think that is quite exciting...

[philipl]

As Beta said above he actually said:

We are replacing a player who is retiring with someone who will be a cash signing. Three players who mostly did/do their work off the bench and a player who has been out on loan for most of his career and one 1st teamer (Roque if anyone will bid for him), with 5-7 players who could walk into the squad and push current members of the squad onto the bench. Don't know about anyone else, but i think that is quite exciting...

I think the Rev is having a bit of a downer at present!

But there is a serious point- listening to the casual PNE/Blackpool-going folks in the pub contemplating buying a Rovers season ticket last night, it was very clear that Rovers need at least one signing that quickens the pulse and excites the public to really turn interest in this pricing scheme into bums on seats.

Interestingly, they see RSC as being a class act (a marquis player for want of a better term) but RSC's blathering on about a move away has meant they don't expect him to be at Ewood (probably rightly) and so they have totally discounted him as a draw for going to watch the Rovers.

It really does bring home the risk a club like Rovers takes in buying star players. For all Roque's £60K a week, we are not only getting no football from him (not his fault) but getting no marketing value either (which is his fault).

At least we have not paid top dollar transfer fees for our stars down the years whereas clubs like Newcastle, Spurs, Boro and so on have.

But the reality is, it is far more difficult for non-Big 4 clubs to get true marketing as well as playing value out of big name players tha it is for Big 4 clubs thus exacerbating the challenge for clubs outside of the Big 4.

[Dunnfc]

Patrick Vieria anyone? About to leave Inter if anyone comes in for him, could be worth a dig, still only 32, could replace toogs for a year or so.

[HemelRover]

Patrick Vieria anyone? About to leave Inter if anyone comes in for him, could be worth a dig, still only 32, could replace toogs for a year or so.

A 100% Big Sam signing.

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

A 100% Big Sam signing.

Without wanting to sound like a pompous ****, who isn't a Big Sam signing? Young or old, unknown or legend, he's signed them all. Viera could be our Heirro (sp).

[HemelRover]

Without wanting to sound like a pompous ****

Think you just about managed it

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

Think you just about managed it

It was a genuine question!

I'll use troll speak next time.

[Guest benmaxwell]

Patrick Vieria anyone? About to leave Inter if anyone comes in for him, could be worth a dig, still only 32, could replace toogs for a year or so.

Their goes our wage budget!

[Dunnfc]

I'd like to think he'd take a wage cut tbh he's on circa 70,000 a week at Inter. PSG offered him 30,000 a week so i think if we offered him that he'd be intrested. He's had two years at inter of bad form and injuries and Mourinho so perhaps a BFS signing?

[gazsimm]

I think regardless of how much we pull in from fringe player sales, this coming closed season is massive for the club. We’ve had little or no investment for a number of seasons now, mainly because our wage bill takes up the sky money, but we must find the manager at least 10 million to go along with the player sale money, if we’re going to compete for the minor honours next season. That I believe will be the difference between challenging for Europe or another relegation dog fight.

Its all very well putting fantastic offers on for season tickets, but if we continue to witness football of the standard we’ve seen since Allardyce came in, I’m afraid the punters just won’t come the gates.

i am sure sam will be able to find some gems in the summer even if he does not have much money to spend so don't worry to much GAV.

The punters will come through the gates if they are offers like the club are doing at the moment, just look at the last 2 league games, the attendances were up then. Sam styles of play wins games and without him we would be in the championship now!!!

[Iceman]

Ronaldinho? Oh well, silly season has started.

[thenodrog]

Bit worried to see Sam saying that we only really need to replace players who are leaving this summer.

As this includes the likes of Tugay/Ooijer/Mokoena/Derbs/Gally/ who either aren't really first team fixtures or who aren't really good enough, it doesn't appear to point to any outstanding signings who will transform the starting eleven.

You know the BRFC rules that any manager has to play by Simon.... 1 out 1 in. If none of the others will budge when SA requests they do so there is nothing else we can do other than pay up their contracts or keep em.

[Guest benmaxwell]

Nicko, going on a slightly different tack... do you know what is happening with regards to new contracts being offered to players at Ewood? I know Gamst has been actively persueing a new contract and Dunn to, but i can't find out much about this...

[Iceman]

Treacy and Brown should also imo be part of those leaving. Treacy has done nothing, and well Brown i cant see being happy playing 2nd fiddle to Robbo again.

[bennyboyt11]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5343847,00.html

Cook stressing that Hughes will have full control over the summer transfers... Hope for RSC to City still?

[The Rover of Finland]

Isn´t Sol Campbell out of contract? Sam´s type of buy..

[Billy Castell]

Sol is slower than plate tectonics nowadays. A few years ago, he'd be great but not now.

[Iceman]

Thiago Motta anybody? Not sure where he is at the moment, and seems a Sam signing. Still hoping we can lure Tom Huddlestone to Ewood. I would prefer him over Nolan, and think he is vastly under rated.

[bennyboyt11]

Thiago Motta anybody? Not sure where he is at the moment, and seems a Sam signing. Still hoping we can lure Tom Huddlestone to Ewood. I would prefer him over Nolan, and think he is vastly under rated.

Plays for Genoa and injury prone with a recurring knee problem, another crock

[roverseas]

We have enough injury prone midfielders to be honest, don't think we should add Motta to that list. He's at Genoa now by the way. EDIT: Beaten to it!

I would love Huddlestone here if there was a chance. Feels weird that he's just 22. Would be a great signing imo and a perfect replacement for Tugay - if there is such a thing. Seriously doubt spurs would let him go though, especially for the "cash" we can cough up.

[Mozzer]

im sure i read motta signed for inter milan along with someone else from same team-could be wrong tho..

huddlestone would be a good tugay replacement in my opinion aswell..

[The Rover of Finland]

im sure i read motta signed for inter milan along with someone else from same team-could be wrong tho..

huddlestone would be a good tugay replacement in my opinion aswell..

Huddlestone and cash for Warnock. Very quiet over any potential strikers. Vassell is free agent soon. Not first eleven striker but good back up.