[Archived] Should It Be Ram?

[Iceman]

We had SAS, Shearer and Sutton before, and yesterday we had Roberts and McCarthy which i have labelled as RAM. They looked good playing together up front, complimented each other well, and understood what each other was going to do. Do you guys believe that RAM should be starting,or Santa or maybe Derbs,or even just 1 up front?

[Stuart]

The difference is Shearer and Sutton could both finish. Roberts can only seem to score when he doesn't need to think about it. I've lost count of the number of times Roberts has fluffed a one-on-one with the keeper. Providing Benni can continue to profit from the partnership it could work as a one-sided deal. But Santa Cruz can also finish given the chance. A lot depends on whether Sam decides to keep Roque (and I think it will come down to that) and then if he can get the best out of Santa Cruz and McCarthy. Hey, then it'd be SAM. Fitting indeed... providing it works!

[Iceman]

Just seemed yesterday,that Roberts held the ball up well. The same with benni, plus a few nice flicks. Im still not sure,why Santa and Benni has still not been able to work well together.

[1864roverite]

Just seemed yesterday,that Roberts held the ball up well. The same with benni, plus a few nice flicks. Im still not sure,why Santa and Benni has still not been able to work well together.

Clearly, McCarthy returning to Ewood overweight and unfit played its part. But for me, the biggest issue has been Ince persistently playing 4-5-1 and leaving RSC alone on his todd.

There is no doubt either McCarthy and Cruz together or along with Roberts/SMD can cause problems for defenders.

Cruz - natural finisher, good in the air, holds the ball well and has the skill to get free in tight areas.

Mccarthy - flair player has talent to burn, can pass, shoot, tackle and score, good in the air and oozes confidence but ont he downside when he sulks we all know about it.

Roberts - has pace and the strength of a bull, not a natural finisher and this is where he lets himself down.

Derbyshire - has pace, has skill and is a natural finisher. Doesnt get enough credit and has too often been played out wide by inept management. This lad, given a chance can score goals and his only downside is his size/build.

So, Rovers do have different qualities up front that appear to complement each other, they each have good and bad points.

[Amo]

An unfit, distracted Santa Cruz should not be in the first-team. We need to get that sorted first and foremost. The guy has signed a four-year deal, so for him to come out with these 'come and get me' pleas is very unprofessional.

I've been one of Roberts' biggest critics, but the guy does work hard and put himself about. His partnership with McCarthy has also shown glimpses of potential in the past, so for now I'd pair the both of them with Derbyshire as the super-sub.

[scotchrover]

R 'n' B

as in the music type would be good.

[Iceman]

Still think Benni and Roberts, should start now. Santa Cruz clearly does not want to be here. Its the same every year,bellamy,McCarthy and now Cruz. We do seem to revitalise these guys careers,but then they decide to have to much viagra,and their big heads swell up and they want to leave.

[bobsterbrfc]

I'd say that, running one-on-one scenario after having used his Ox-like strength to bulldoze his way through, with too much time to think and a defender pressuring from behind, only to hit it at the keeper.......will typify Jason Robert's career.

[Iceman]

Roberts clearly is not a good finisher, when he is not under any pressure. His role will become that of target man it seems, and running defenders ragged.

[Amo]

Heskey's not a great finisher either, but his power and work-rate more than makes up for it.

[Iceman]

Would you class Roberts and Heskey, as similar? I certainly wouldnt, as Heskey would probably put 5 of 10 one on one situations away,where as Roberts would do 1 or 2 out of 10. Am i being harsh in saying that?

[bigbrandjohn]

Would you class Roberts and Heskey, as similar? I certainly wouldnt, as Heskey would probably put 5 of 10 one on one situations away,where as Roberts would do 1 or 2 out of 10. Am i being harsh in saying that?

I would start McCarthy and Roberts as a statement. They did the job and it will be a reward for their efforts on Saturday and they need the confidence,especially if Roque is off.

[chocky]

It's pretty obvious to all that He (RSC) wants to leave for a "bigger" club...take the £20,000,000 andbuy some more players...

[Hughesy]

Sell Roque and replace with Martins from the Geordies. Him and Benni would both get 15+ a season as a partnership.

[Mc Love]

Wish Cruz and BenniMac were good together, god knows what partnership that would be

[Iceman]

Imagine that Eoin, benni and cruz getting it right. If both can produce their 1st season form,then that would be incredible.

[American]

For all that complain about Roberts, if he could actually score, there is no way we ever would have gotten him, because he'd be a hell of a striker being wanted by the top teams.

[Stoic]

We had SAS, Shearer and Sutton before, and yesterday we had Roberts and McCarthy which i have labelled as RAM. They looked good playing together up front, complimented each other well, and understood what each other was going to do. Do you guys believe that RAM should be starting,or Santa or maybe Derbs,or even just 1 up front?

No matter what, we absolutely should not be playing 1 up front. We have four decent strikers, and our attack from midfield is not the strongest. There's no excuse for not playing two strikers. As for which two, I think it simply has to be decided on form from match to match. Roberts and McCarthy are looking good at the moment, let's give them a run against Sunderland.

[American Rover12]

I've always thought Roberts' attributes brilliant for a striker - strong and pacey. If only he could finish one-on-ones... as 1864roverite suggested, he seems to be able to score when he doesn't have to think.

Like that miss today for Benni's 2nd, i saw him missing or getting it saved as soon as he took his touch. But as a holder to feed to Benni and added to the fact hes good for the odd poach, the 2 of em would work good together if BenniMac is back in top form.

[RoyRover]

I would like to see what type of partnership Roque and McCarthy would form if they had more chances to play together. We have had some potentially awesome partnerships over the last few years, McCarthy and Bellamy, McCarthy and Santa Cruz, but we have never had the chance to see it really develop. Roberts and McCarthy should definitely start the next game though, after their performance on Saturday.

[tcj_jones]

It's a shame that Roberts is possibly the worst forward at one-on-ones that I have ever seen and generally such a poor finisher. Seriously, he's worse than Kuqi in this respect. He definitely shouldn't be considered anything more than a short term option (should we stay up, that is).

However, he does offer a fair bit in his overall play and pysical presence and does work well McCarthy. I wonder to what extent that is down to the fact that they are good mates?

[doctorryan]

We have had some potentially awesome partnerships over the last few years, McCarthy and Bellamy, McCarthy and Santa Cruz, but we have never had the chance to see it really develop.

Bellamy was gone before Benni got here, though I agree it might have been nice.

[Billy Castell]

I'd like to see Benni and a better 'strong' forward than Roberts. Roberts' strength and energy realy compliments Benni, but Roberts is pretty crap at scoring goals. Royal Shakespeare Company is a strong, fairly athletic player, but like Benni he likes to drop deep and not always be up there scrapping with the defence.

The other option is to have a really fast forward in the Bellamy/Defoe mould to run around and exploit gaps created by Benni's skill and movement.

Of course, most of us would like to see Defoe or Crouch come in if RSC goes, but I think that is about as likely as me playing in goal.

[Iceman]

As much as Roberts is useless at one on ones, he does work well alongside Benni. Still would have Benni and Roque up front,if only it can somehow work!

[Iceman]

Tombro,do you reckon that being clean through on goal, just the keeper to beat, no defenders behind you,and the choice of either putting it to the right, or left to score,as pressure? Perhaps, but its not just a few times its happened, but a regular occurance with Roberts. That is why, when his carreer is over, people will remember him for not being able,to handle pressure situations. Would you bet your house on him,scoring the winning penalty in the FA cup?