[Archived] Blackburn Rovers Transfer Topic

[doctorryan]

By the way, Jerome Rothen looks like going from PSG to Fiorentina...obviously no mug.

Got to say he has more about him than some being mentioned lately.

I'm afraid we've really blown it with him. I'm still holding out hope, but it looks like we've lost him and I'm going to miss out on 50 pounds.

[Bobby G]

I think Doran is not even close for first team football yet.

The best thing to come out of the summer is competition on the wings, and pace in the offensive front.

It would be foolish to judge the QUALITY of the players with those attributes, because they could all go either way in that respect.

Proven quality is so much different. And thats the point some of us are making here. But we trust Allardyce, and as long as his hands arent tied in terms of money, then we cant yet complain.

[Fife Rover]

The Telegraph story said that should Rovers get Di Santo then Sam would be happy with his striking options.

I would be both surprised and disapointed if that was indeed the case. As we all know, Sam is a wiley old bird, and that statement (if he even said it) could well be camoflage. I think Sam has something up his sleeve (hopefully Poggy) but which he is leaving until much nearer the end of this window in the reasonable hope that the present silly prices will come down to more like end of sale bargains.

[Parsonblue]

I couldn't agree more with both Tris and Socngill. There is no great mystery as to where the Bentley money has gone. Nor has the club lied to anybody about transfer policy. John Williams has spelt it out time and again that we are having to run the club on a tight budget. Look at the Times rich list for this year. That suggested that the Walker Family, and presumably the Trust, had lost millions over the past twelve months due to the economic slump. We simply don't have a wealthy backer to pour endless amounts of money into the club. Jack Walker always said that his aim was for the club to stand on its own feet and not be continually propped up with his money. That, to a certain extent, is exactly what is happening now.

The running costs of the club must be huge when you consider that we have the Academy Complex, the Senior Training Complex and Ewood Park to staff and upkeep. We have a huge playing staff - not just those who make up the first team squad. All those players, coaches and backup staff have to be paid as do groundstaff and all the other people that the club employ.

Although Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea have wealthy backers, their ticket prices have continued to rise. We have reduced our ticket prices. However, we can't have cheap tickets and then spend a fortune on players. Choices have to be made. Part of the Santa Cruz money had to go to the bank.

John Williams and Tom Finn have ensured that Blackburn Rovers is a well run club that has avoided the financial nightmares that the likes of Southampton, Leeds United, Norwich City and Charlton Athletic have suffered. All of those were Premier League clubs not so long ago and are now about to play in the Third tier of English football.

The strategy that the club are employing depends on having a manager who can keep the club in the Premier League on a restricted budget. Hughes was exceptionally successful at that and I have no doubt that Sam will do the same. At the end of the day Premier League survival for a club like the Rovers is success in itself.

Keeping money in reserve to cover ongoing costs is just sound business sense. Far from attacking John Williams and co. we should be applauding them for having the long term viability of the club at heart.

[den]

Kamy's LT article - and Ghilas.

"Sam Allardyce is understood to have been given the nod to finalise a season-long loan deal for Chelsea’s Argentine youngster Franco Di Santo but, if the 6ft 4ins striker arrives, the Rovers boss will be more than happy with his firepower options. "

That doesn't actually say there will be no more strikers brought in.

[mattjansen]

If the result of this summer will be a striking force of McCarthy,Roberts,Gallagher,Hoillet,Di Santo and Ghilas i will be more then happy, thats six strikers in the first team. Although we didnt splash big on someone like Pog,Crouch or the useless himself Bent we are far better off with our force. IMHO i think its a good setup for the season and we all know what Roberts and McCarthy can do, its up to the other four to surprise us. I believe its better to rely on those four promising players then throw all on one big flop, we might have a real gem in Hoillet and who knows what Ghilas is made off.

Remember Liverpool away when we had one striker in the whole squad and played Samba on his own as a really lone striker? That could happen again if we pay big money for one striker that ends up injured.

[LeChuck]

Kamy's LT article - and Ghilas.

"Sam Allardyce is understood to have been given the nod to finalise a season-long loan deal for Chelsea’s Argentine youngster Franco Di Santo but, if the 6ft 4ins striker arrives, the Rovers boss will be more than happy with his firepower options. "

That doesn't actually say there will be no more strikers brought in.

I'm certain it's a bluff, Sam wouldn't have spent so much of this summer looking for a striker if he was going to be satisfied with Di Santo on loan and a winger in Ghilas.

I've said a few times that bringing in Di Santo is vital to us having a strong bargaining position when looking for the Roque replacement, today's LET story just backs that up for me. We no longer look desperate so we should be able to barter a better deal for ourselves now.

I still fully expect an expensive striker in before the end of the window, but I think it will probably come right at the end of August now. Still don't see McCarthy being here in that scenario either.

Edit: I like this bit in the Ghilas story: "and snubbed several other suitors in England and abroad, including Portsmouth, Hull and Bolton, in favour of Ewood Park"

[Dunnfc]

The Bentley money dissapeared as did the supposed 10 mill for Hughes and the 3 mill the trust put in anually or did.

Thats over 20 mill last year we spent 9. ok arsenal got thers and we banked a bit for diouf in january.

Santa cruz + derbyshire = 21 mill. vogel,tugay,ooijer,mokoena,treacey,santa cruz,derbyshire have all gone off the wage bill.

Now tell me where the money is going? If we dont spend 12 mill or more this season then im afraid weve been done over again.

The owners ought to sell this club for a pound, and get rid of us, we dont want them and they dont want us and surely for a pound it would intrest someone half decent?

HOWEVER The striker thing is a bluff and im sure we will splash the cash when some stupid prices come down.

[T4E]

Does noone actually think that Sam is bluffing?

Comes out to the media and says 'Yes, i'm happy with my striking options now' - therefore removing the 'desperate for a striker' tag that was hanging over our heads.

This then means that we can go back to clubs and negotiate with a 'take it or leave it' attitude and they might be more receptive...

that's just my opinion anyway, i just don't think he'll settle for what he's got.

Thank God you're here! I've been reading through this thread in amazement at the reaction the Sam's comments. We all know how tough a time he's having in finding that one big name striker, so he's doing his best to take the focus off of it. Hardly a new tactic, they all do it.

I'm sure he'll be back in for someone else soon.

[Grez]

The Bentley money dissapeared as did the supposed 10 mill for Hughes and the 3 mill the trust put in anually or did.

Thats over 20 mill last year we spent 9. ok arsenal got thers and we banked a bit for diouf in january.

Santa cruz + derbyshire = 21 mill. vogel,tugay,ooijer,mokoena,treacey,santa cruz,derbyshire have all gone off the wage bill.

Now tell me where the money is going? If we dont spend 12 mill or more this season then im afraid weve been done over again.

The owners ought to sell this club for a pound, and get rid of us, we dont want them and they dont want us and surely for a pound it would intrest someone half decent?

HOWEVER The striker thing is a bluff and im sure we will splash the cash when some stupid prices come down.

You've got to be kidding me - download the accounts from companies house and read them - they only cost £1. I am sure it will enable you to see that the club is being run as a business that strives to make money and offer value for money for its customers (fans). There is no conspiracy - we have an income and expenditure policy that dictates that we are now a selling club and not a trading club.

[Lathund]

The Bentley money dissapeared as did the supposed 10 mill for Hughes and the 3 mill the trust put in anually or did.

"dissapeared"? Do you honestly think that transfer fees are the only things we spend money on? If you had read the summary of the accounts which philipl usually posts here every year, you'd see where the money was going; to keep the club afloat. Before transfers we, at best, break even due to having one of the lowest incomes in the Premiership. The fact that some players are off the wage bill now means little, as some of that is required for the salaries of their replacements.

Do you think JW pockets the money? Or the trust?

Meh, why do I bother. The bazzanotsogreat school of thinking will always have it's followers. People will always be saying that money "disappears" if the net transfer spending is negative.

[joey_big_nose]

Thank God you're here! I've been reading through this thread in amazement at the reaction the Sam's comments. We all know how tough a time he's having in finding that one big name striker, so he's doing his best to take the focus off of it. Hardly a new tactic, they all do it.

I'm sure he'll be back in for someone else soon.

I'm not so sure about that, mainly because we just have so many players now:

4 first team strikers (Roberts, McCarthy, Di Santo, Ghalis) + 2 reserve strikers (Hoilett and Gallagher) + 2 versatile players who can fit in at striker (Diouf, Samba)

It is hard to see how we will take any more on unless someone leaves. There is an argument for big Jase to go, if anyone would take him.

[Tris]

I still fully expect an expensive striker in before the end of the window, but I think it will probably come right at the end of August now. Still don't see McCarthy being here in that scenario either.

Now tell me where the money is going? If we dont spend 12 mill or more this season then im afraid weve been done over again.

Why aren't people satisfied unless big money is spent? The players that are through the door have two legs and two arms each, even if they only cost 1.7 million.

Darren Bent is going to move for 14 million!! I'm not even sure he's got two legs. Poggy was supposedly going to cost 9 million, but be on a free in January. Utter madness in a crazy market which we are better off ignoring.

If the market has been as meticulously scoured as we are led to believe, and two players have come in now, then I should think that's your lot folks. If you don't like it, sell your season tickets back to the club.

[Kelbo]

Why aren't people satisfied unless big money is spent? The players that are through the door have two legs and two arms each, even if they only cost 1.7 million.

Darren Bent is going to move for 14 million!! I'm not even sure he's got two legs. Poggy was supposedly going to cost 9 million, but be on a free in January. Utter madness in a crazy market which we are better off ignoring.

If the market has been as meticulously scoured as we are led to believe, and two players have come in now, then I should think that's your lot folks. If you don't like it, sell your season tickets back to the club.

More importantly, many are trying to move their careers forward, so we get, youth, vibrancy, pace and enthusiasm!!

Keep the game solid for 60 minutes, then throw on youth and pace at some of these teams for the last 30 minutes and we could be awesome!!

Look how many goals are scored in the last 10 minutes of games!!

[LeChuck]

It is hard to see how we will take any more on unless someone leaves. There is an argument for big Jase to go, if anyone would take him.

Do you not think Sam is more likely to be more of a fan of Roberts than Benni? Also Benni will be on far higher wages, and will probably want regular first team football in the build up to the World Cup.

[nicko]

Just an observation.

Sam will be happy with his options when Di Santo checks in.

But he will be over-joyed if he gets a top-line, proven, experienced striker too...

Maybe that last par was missed by the paper.

There is no way you are going into the campaign without landing a 'biggie' - a new striker with a good record.

Anyone who saw Benni and Jason at Leeds will have seen - like the manager obviously has since he arrived - that you need something else and something fresh.

AND ANOTHER THING...SAM WASN'T EVEN QUOTED IN THE ARTICLE...SO CHILL A WEE BIT.

[LeChuck]

Why aren't people satisfied unless big money is spent? The players that are through the door have two legs and two arms each, even if they only cost 1.7 million.

If your minimum expectation for our signings is that they have the correct number of limbs then you're obviously more easily pleased than most.

I'm not bothered whether they're expensive or not, I just wrote that because 99% of the time quality players cost money.

Edit: Anyway Tris, why did you pull my post up? All the bitching and moaning that's going on this morning and you decide to be a pedant over my post, which was actually far more supportive than most today.

[magicalmortensleftpeg]

I seem to be one of a few people who are genuinely happy about how the window has gone and where our squad is at the moment.

We have lost significant amounts of deadwood

We have signed pace, youth and multiple attacking options

Givet is done, Jacobsen is a solid RB - both of which needed to be dealt with

We are arriving in August with a far better squad than when we entered June, with only a 'big name' striker perhaps missing.

The versatility of a number of the players we have bought mean that we have cover almost all over the midfield and up front

Yes, id like us to sign a creative demon for the CM but they hardly fall out of the sky. If/When Di Santo arrives i reckon we have a very decent squad. If Sam can get a top drawer striker through the doors before the end of August then I reckon we could be looking at the top half.

Overall: Look at where we were in May and where we are now before you judge how well Sam has done during the window. So far I reckon he's done as well as anyone could have hoped for.

[Tris]

If your minimum expectation for our signings is that they have the correct number of limbs then you're obviously more easily pleased than most.

I'm not bothered whether they're expensive or not, I just wrote that because 99% of the time quality players cost money.

There is absolutely no correlation between cost and quality in a market which sees Darren Bent move clubs for 14 million pounds, and a soon-to-be-out-of-contract Russian lump costs 9 million.

[BRFC1995]

The Bentley money dissapeared as did the supposed 10 mill for Hughes and the 3 mill the trust put in anually or did.

Thats over 20 mill last year we spent 9. ok arsenal got thers and we banked a bit for diouf in january.

Santa cruz + derbyshire = 21 mill. vogel,tugay,ooijer,mokoena,treacey,santa cruz,derbyshire have all gone off the wage bill.

Now tell me where the money is going? If we dont spend 12 mill or more this season then im afraid weve been done over again.

The owners ought to sell this club for a pound, and get rid of us, we dont want them and they dont want us and surely for a pound it would intrest someone half decent?

HOWEVER The striker thing is a bluff and im sure we will splash the cash when some stupid prices come down.

Wages, bills, facilities....cheap season tickets, rainy day fund. Get over it, we buy cheap and sell big as a policy, i'm sure JW has pretty much stated as much in the past. We are where we are and i'm satisfied with it....Leeds and newcastle are also where they are for buying big and selling cheap and i'm satisfied with that too.

[socngill]

£10m from Hughes!!!!

it was £5m, and then we had to pay a few million to MK Dons for Ince and his tribe.

Leeds and newcastle are also where they are for buying big and selling cheap and i'm satisfied with that too.

Made me smile that did.

[sloth_frattelli]

Ghilas Move Breaks Down - L.E.T

BLACKBURN Rovers' move for Algerian international Kamel Ghilas has broken down at the 11th hour - as Sam Allardyce's striker search continues.

The Celta Vigo top scorer was set to sign for £1.7million but, after intensive testing at Brockhall, the Rovers boss has decided to look elsewhere.

[Wild Irish Rover]

More importantly, many are trying to move their careers forward, so we get, youth, vibrancy, pace and enthusiasm!!

Keep the game solid for 60 minutes, then throw on youth and pace at some of these teams for the last 30 minutes and we could be awesome!!

Look how many goals are scored in the last 10 minutes of games!!

I'm happy too that we are recruiting young and hungry players - with our existing 'old heads' (Nelsen, Roberts, Benni) and quality (Samba, Givet, Robbo) we now have competition for the spaces that have caused us angst in previous seasons where we have had to just had to make do.

It makes no difference to me that our knucle dragging 'competitors' down the road are adopting a similar strategy, rather than splashing the cash - in fact it reassures me that Sam knows what he is about, seeking to create a blend, rather than a battering ram.

Looking forward to the new season. Can't wait to deliver a large humble pie to the jumblies from the council house lottery winners association.

[LeChuck]

There is absolutely no correlation between cost and quality in a market which sees Darren Bent move clubs for 14 million pounds, and a soon-to-be-out-of-contract Russian lump costs 9 million.

I don't know what point you're trying to make. Just because those two are overpriced doesn't mean every striker that costs money is a rip-off.

Of the two strikers we've signed this summer, one has played about 9 professional games in Europe and the other has played all his games in second tier football. I actually think both will be a success, but you can see why there is a worry.

How about if I reword what I said earlier to 'I still believe will sign a more proven striker before the end of the window', would that be okay with you? I couldn't give a monkeys if that player costs nothing or £10 million, as long as they're good enough.

[Roost]

Ghilas Move Breaks Down - L.E.T

Just kicked the friggin cat - is this for real?