[Archived] Morten Gamst Pedersen

[Majiball]

I get the point. RSC was never lacking in quality, just fitness so its not even close to being the same, you might want to consider that not only did he cost 2.5m plus signing fee plus serious wages, thats not a bargain to rovers. He was our main summer signing that season. We need a goal scorer, that will take most of the budget if we're to get a good one. We also need someone to cover/play when Dunn is out as he will be, Hence Basturk coming in. We most likely have about 5-7 million if we're lucky so adding in another first team player as he must be because Gamst is, just means the rest of our signings drop in quality.

Don't forget our status as a club is lower than when we signed both Gamst and RSC, back then we were challenging for europe and the such, we're not even close to that now, things have changed.

You say its an opportunity to increase the quality in our midfield, but that will only be the case if we have the funds to do so, we don't. Half the people on here seem to want to replace most of the midfield but forget that they will all need to time to adapt and settle in at the club and with their team mates on the pitch, 1 maybe 2 a year is the best way forward for us as it was under Hughes.

Also don't forget the board wants 5 million of the wage budget as I assume that hasn't changed since the Warnock fee covered this years over spend, so replacing as fewer first teamers as possible is key. Bargains are great when they come in with no expectations IE Samba, Nelsen, N'zonzi but if you truly think you can just drop them in the deep end of the pool and hope they swim then well, I have no more to say. All those players have come in as back-up with no pressure, this scenario is not the same as they will have to be in the first 11, otherwise one of our current squadies will have to take the role on, dropping our midfield quality further.

You think its a lazy option, no its the best option and thankfully it would seem the club see it that way as well. Even a Bosman of good quality is going to want serious wages + signing fee, which we can't and don't pay.

Also I never said N'zonzi was a fluke, just that we were lucky he stepped up this year as he wasn't signed for this season.

[Hughesy]

I'd prefer all three to leave. It's time to trim the deadwood and get Sam to prove his corn in the transfer market. Like I said, this Pedersen deal feels like the easy option.

I think we would all like all 3 to leave....but if we lose say Reid & MGP for Free & then Andrews for say £2m.

That leaves us with very little + the benni money + perhaps abit more - to find a new centre midfielder (of quality), a left winger & 2 strikers......He can prove his corn, but you cant get blood out of a stone! Step by step is the process we have to take.....unless of course you can find us a quality left winger who is going for free?

As for Harry Balls........Pedersen is as useless as Andrews?!!?!?!? You need to take your head out of your own rear & get yourself down to Specsavers!

[Majiball]

If we sell Andrews, release Reid and Ped's then we would really need three central players to come in.

Back-up for Dunn, which we don't have at present.

Andrews has played 20-30 games so would need replacing

Gamst as well.

Plus the striker (or two, Di santo) Hughesy mentioned and you could even add in a left back and all that for under 10 million since it would seem we don't need to sell. Other positions must take priority this summer, if he's still not performing next summer then we can look to replace him then, when we acctually have some funds to do it. Even then I'd keep him getting rid of a worse player and demoting him to the bench as he's hardly as poor as some make out on here.

All in all it almost its 6 players needed and 3 at least must be able to go straight into the first 11????

[MarkBRFC71]

I think we would all like all 3 to leave....but if we lose say Reid & MGP for Free & then Andrews for say £2m.

That leaves us with very little + the benni money + perhaps abit more - to find a new centre midfielder (of quality), a left winger & 2 strikers......He can prove his corn, but you cant get blood out of a stone! Step by step is the process we have to take.....unless of course you can find us a quality left winger who is going for free?

As for Harry Balls........Pedersen is as useless as Andrews?!!?!?!? You need to take your head out of your own rear & get yourself down to Specsavers!

OK - let's put it like this:

Player A - let's call him 'Keith Andrews' - is struggling to live up to the quality demanded in the Prem but puts in 100% every time he's selected.

Player B - let's call him 'Morten Gamst Pedersen' - is capable of playing at this level, but when selected plays with zero commitment, effort or heart.

Which would you keep? Faced with that choice anyone with half a brain would choose Player A surely ....

We've got the chance to get rid of an effeminate shirker and free up £30k a week - the words "gift" and "horse" spring to mind. Let's not waste it!

[Exiled_Rover]

If pedersen leaves then it weakens our left side options, or left central midfield options.

Id rather we didnt weaken our squad, only improve it........plenty of other things need sorting prior to his position....So why waste budget on a replacement for him?

Because we'd be paying a waste of space £30k+ a week that could be put to better use elsewhere.

[joey_big_nose]

Because we'd be paying a waste of space £30k+ a week that could be put to better use elsewhere.

It is a bit strong to say he is a waste of space. He is an average player, but considering we have so many others who are going out the door there is mileage in keeping him for the continuity.

[RibbleValleyRover]

It is a bit strong to say he is a waste of space. He is an average player, but considering we have so many others who are going out the door there is mileage in keeping him for the continuity.

He's not good enough to play on the wing anymore as his final ball is gash. He's not good enough to play in central midfield as he doesn't have the pace and skill to play as an attacking minded midfielder, nor does he have the tenacity and aggression to play as a midfield battler.

What does he offer? long throws? they don't cause any trouble (Howard was flapping when we played Everton) Corners? 9 times out of 10 they don't clear the first man. Free kicks? 9 times out of 10 they don't even test the keeper.

[Majiball]

Pray tell me what the hell we can sign for 30K a week or 1.5M, don't forget we need a signing on fee as well oh and his wages on top????

Ped's by the way covers more ground than most of the rest of the team and his team mates are actually willing to pass the ball to him, unlike poor old Keith.

The timing isn't right with all the other holes in our first 11.

[MarkBRFC71]

Ped's by the way covers more ground than most of the rest of the team and his team mates are actually willing to pass the ball to him, unlike poor old Keith.

The last two matches I've covered more ground walking from my seat to the toilets than Pedersen has. He's been like a less mobile Per Frandsen.

Time for him to leave - it's the best thing for him and us.

Didn't someone mention Ricardo Gardner is leaving Bolton? He'd be a much better bet and affordable ....

[Hughesy]

Because we'd be paying a waste of space £30k+ a week that could be put to better use elsewhere.

Its all about priorities and strengthening - to me our priorities this summer have to be a striker or 2 & a central midfielder.......now unless we can afford all of those + a left winger, then I see no point in allowing MGP to walk for free and weakening our squad.

Yes he's not the best player we could wish for.....BUT he is much better than some others who we need to get shut of (Reid, Zurab, Andrews etc). Prioritise!!!

[MarkBRFC71]

he is much better than some others who we need to get shut of (Reid, Zurab, Andrews etc). Prioritise!!!

I would much rather keep Reid - at least he tries, and plays naturally in a position where we need cover.

When Peds plays it's like we're handicapping ourselves from the off - with him on the pitch we're effectively playing with 10-and-a-half players.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Its all about priorities and strengthening - to me our priorities this summer have to be a striker or 2 & a central midfielder.......now unless we can afford all of those + a left winger, then I see no point in allowing MGP to walk for free and weakening our squad.

Pedersen can't play left wing anymore. If we offloaded Pedersen i don't think we would need to bring in a new left winger. Diouf has played on the left wing before and at times looked better there than on the right, Olsson has shown he can play there, Hoilett could probably do a job there with 20 mins to go in a game running at tired fullbacks. Doran also might be worth a go there.

Offload Pedersen, bring in a proper central midfielder (we need at least one anyway) and stick with what we have in terms of left wing until Jan at the earliest.

[Exiled_Rover]

Its all about priorities and strengthening - to me our priorities this summer have to be a striker or 2 & a central midfielder.......now unless we can afford all of those + a left winger, then I see no point in allowing MGP to walk for free and weakening our squad.

Yes he's not the best player we could wish for.....BUT he is much better than some others who we need to get shut of (Reid, Zurab, Andrews etc). Prioritise!!!

Reid's leaving on a free. Zurab will almost certainly be sold (and he's a good defender, it's just a numbers game). Andrews is probably sticking around sadly.

In order for this club to push on we need AT LEAST another striker of quality, a right winger and a central midfielder. Pedersen's wages will help in signing one of those players.

[rovers_rob]

I would rather keep him and spend the transfer funds on another striker.

I think he has improved this season compared to last season but I think his contract situation has caused a dip in his form recently.

I'm hoping that he signs and next season we will see a settled player which will improve his performance on the pitch.

[jim mk2]

Pedersen has and always will be one of my favourite Rovers players, and should be one the first names on the team sheet. Hopefully he will sign a new contract and see out the rest of career at Ewood. If we had ten more players like him, we would be a top 6 side.

[OJRovers]

Totally agree with the posts above.

Left Wing: He's not good enough and we have Diouf, Ollson and Hoillet who are all better/improving in that area.

Inside left/central: Again not good enough.

Let him leave and spend the wages on a decent centre midfielder.

[mjs]

Its all about priorities and strengthening - to me our priorities this summer have to be a striker or 2 & a central midfielder.......now unless we can afford all of those + a left winger, then I see no point in allowing MGP to walk for free and weakening our squad.

Your contribution to this message board is very good, but why do you feel the need to regularly disrespect other people's comments with the use of patronising emoticons (or whatever they are called).

Just an observation.

[DeadlyDirk]

Usually were complaining when we let first teamers go before having a replacement ready, now a lot of people are happy to let him walk away on a free and just hope that we find a bargain who can do a similiar or better job. Risky business.

For someone who's been 'crap' he's still contributed 5 goals and 7 assists which only Dunn can top in total.

We've done very well in the past picking up some bargains like N'Zonzi, Benni, RSC, Nelsen, Samba but they are not always easy to find.

[Montfort]

Pray tell me what the hell we can sign for 30K a week or 1.5M, don't forget we need a signing on fee as well oh and his wages on top????

Ped's by the way covers more ground than most of the rest of the team and his team mates are actually willing to pass the ball to him,

The timing isn't right with all the other holes in our first 11.

Quite agree. If everyone who wanted to see the back of Peds had to specify the replacement before they posted then we would get precious few posts on this topic. Considering our needs for a striker who can put the ball away on a regular basis and a creative midfielder, I would have thought the last thing that we would need to worry about was trying to find a replacement for Peds.

Also isn't he something like our 4th top scorer this season after Dunn, Nicko, and Jason? Not saying alot in numerical terms I know but Peds can and does score on a regular if infrequent basis.

A lot of the anti Peds brigade must think that we have had some really duff managers over the last few years as they keep picking him when he is so useless!

[Presty On Tour]

Question

Has Pedersen been here the longest in the current squad?

I think Emerton just beats him by a season but I could be wrong.

[MarkBRFC71]

Pedersen has and always will be one of my favourite Rovers players, and should be one the first names on the team sheet. Hopefully he will sign a new contract and see out the rest of career at Ewood. If we had ten more players like him, we would be a top 6 side.

If you really believe that then you're either myopic, insane or both!

He wouldn't be first name on the teamsheet for any club wanting to remain in the Premier League - if he's setting the standard then we're going down - simple as. If we had 10 more players like that shirker, we'd struggle to be top 6 in League Two.

He's lazy, uncommitted and taking the p*ss by wanting £30k a week.

[JamieUK]

I've already aired my views on the transfer topic thread but it's not my impression that people like myself who think to get rid are saying he's not talented. The general view is that he has become stale, is in too much of a comfort zone and needs to move on for his and Rovers sake. I'm sure we'd all like to see a return to the 10 goal a season man we used to have but over the last couple of seasons he has produced bugger all. Yes he may have a number of assists but if Keith Andrews had taken all the free kicks, corners, etc I'd expect him to have some too.

I can see where people are coming from when they say it's best not to disrupt the squad too much but again - what exactly has MGP done recently to deserve his circa £35k per week salary?

[CrazyIvan]

This is getting so ridiculous it's comical. Pedersen signing a new contract isn't going to be influenced by keyboard warriors and people saying he's sh!t on here. The manager and the club obviously think offering him a new contract is a good thing and they know an awful lot more about this club and football in general than everyone on this board. I'd love to see the pro-zone stats for Pedersen and for Andrews and the rest of the team for that matter. I'm sure they would be very revealing. We're not going to see them though are we? All we're left with is endless loops of 'he's sh!t', 'no he's not' and variations on the same.

My view is this, Pedersen has done enough over his time at Rovers to earn a new contract or there wouldn't be one on the table. We can't influence that one way or the other. I'm prefering to trust the manager and the club over a keyboard warrior (and my eyes to be frank) and say he is worth a new contract.

I'm utterly bored with the entire endless debate thing going on here over both Pedersen and Andrews so I'm going to shut up now and mostly ignore both threads. They (Andrews and Pedersen) are Rovers players and, until such times as they are not, I will shout and support both of them. I think everyone else should do the same even if they think they are sh!t.

[unluckymorton]

I've already aired my views on the transfer topic thread but it's not my impression that people like myself who think to get rid are saying he's not talented. The general view is that he has become stale, is in too much of a comfort zone and needs to move on for his and Rovers sake. I'm sure we'd all like to see a return to the 10 goal a season man we used to have but over the last couple of seasons he has produced bugger all. Yes he may have a number of assists but if Keith Andrews had taken all the free kicks, corners, etc I'd expect him to have some too.

I can see where people are coming from when they say it's best not to disrupt the squad too much but again - what exactly has MGP done recently to deserve his circa £35k per week salary?

£25k/week. Which is what I'd have thought to be bellow average these day's and a damn sight less than we'd have to pay a replacement.

[RibbleValleyRover]

This is getting so ridiculous it's comical. Pedersen signing a new contract isn't going to be influenced by keyboard warriors and people saying he's sh!t on here. The manager and the club obviously think offering him a new contract is a good thing and they know an awful lot more about this club and football in general than everyone on this board. I'd love to see the pro-zone stats for Pedersen and for Andrews and the rest of the team for that matter. I'm sure they would be very revealing. We're not going to see them though are we? All we're left with is endless loops of 'he's sh!t', 'no he's not' and variations on the same.

Managers and Chairmen aren't faultless, they do make mistakes. Sam and JW in my opinion are making one with Pedersen.

My view is this, Pedersen has done enough over his time at Rovers to earn a new contract or there wouldn't be one on the table. We can't influence that one way or the other. I'm prefering to trust the manager and the club over a keyboard warrior (and my eyes to be frank) and say he is worth a new contract.

5-6 decent games in 2-3 years of mediocrity, how the hell does he deserve a new three year deal?